# Twin Falls

Twin Falls is the largest city in South Central Idaho and the seventh-largest city in the state. The geology of the Magic Valley is also notable, considering that it once sat atop the hotspot that is under Yellowstone National Park. There are dormant shield volcanoes littered everywhere, and basalt as far as the eye can see, making this a prime spot for anyone interested in geological history. Its proximity to outdoor activities and to casino gaming in nearby Nevada give it a regional tourist flair.

## Understand

Having been founded in 1905, it is the youngest of Idaho's major cities. Twin Falls has become a regional cultural and economic center for South Central Idaho and northeastern Nevada.
Once in the heart of a stretch on the Oregon Trail best known for its inhospitable environment, Twin Falls was founded in 1904 as a planned community after irrigation projects on the Snake River made large-scale agriculture in the area practical for the first time. Twin Falls is the principal city of the Magic Valley region of Idaho, so named because said irrigation projects "magically" transformed the harsh landscape into productive farmland. Agriculture remains one of the city's primary industries. Twin Falls is home to over 55,000 residents, making it one of Idaho's principal cities outside the Boise metro area.

### Local information

* Twin Falls town website

## Talk

Although English is the primary language in Twin Falls, a significant Hispanic community as well as refugees brought in by the local community college give the city an added multicultural element. It is not at all unusual to hear Spanish, Bosnian and Russian - among other languages - spoken in the city. That said, don't expect too much linguistic diversity; as in the rest of Idaho, English is still by far your best bet with Spanish a distant second.

## Get in
### By plane

* 42.4818-114.4881 Joslin Field - Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF ), 492 Airport Loop. It is served by regular flights from Salt Lake City on SkyWest Airlines.

### By car

* Twin Falls can be accessed by car via US Highway 93. Interstate 84 runs approximately 5 miles (8 km) north of the city in Jerome County and intersects US-93. Unless you are coming from Nevada, you will cross the bridge over the Snake River Canyon.

### By bus

* Greyhound Bus provides service between Boise and Twin Falls. The trip takes about two hours and fifteen minutes.
* Salt Lake Express

## Get around
### By bus

Twin Falls offers a micro-transit system through RIDE TFT, which offers a citywide, point-to-point transportation. You can request or schedule a ride from the app or by calling ☏ +1 208-974-7433.
RIDE TFT service hours:
* Mondays – Thursdays 6AM to 9PM
* Fridays 6AM to midnight
* Saturdays 7AM to nidnight
* Sundays and holidays no service
The standard fare before 9PM, is $3 per trip (no matter how many passengers in your party. After 9PM, the are is $10 per trip. RIDE TFT service to the Twin Falls Airport costs $10 per ride.

### By car

Having your own car is effectively a requirement to see anything more than walking distance from your hotel. Cars can be rented at Magic Valley Regional Airport from many companies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz and National.

### By taxi

Rudimentary taxi service is available in the city if needed, but it's no Manhattan. Don't expect to hail a cab even on busy streets. Check Yellow Pages for services.

## See

* 42.602923-114.4516781 Snake River Canyon (immediately north of Twin Falls). Perhaps best known for Evel Knievel's failed 1974 attempt to jump it in a rocket-powered motorcycle, the canyon has become a destination for BASE jumpers, as Perrine Bridge spanning the canyon is the only man-made structure in the United States where BASE jumping is allowed year round without a permit (although bungee jumping is not; you will attract unwanted attention from local authorities if you attempt it). Golf is available on the canyon floor at the public Canyon Springs Golf Course and the private Blue Lakes Country Club.
* 42.581403-114.4788392 College of Southern Idaho, 315 Falls Ave, ☏ +1 208-733-9554, toll-free: +1-800-680-0274, fax: +1 208-736-4705, info@csi.edu. Known locally as CSI, the College of Southern Idaho in the northwestern part of the city often features many cultural performances. The school's nationally recognized community college men's basketball program is a big draw during the winter months. Home games are always well-attended.
* 42.595189-114.4008693 Shoshone Falls, 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade Rd, ☏ +1 208-736-2265. Dawn-dusk, daily (may close for poor road conditions). The self-proclaimed "Niagara of the West". Shoshone Falls is a waterfall on the Snake River east of the city. Indeed, the waterfall has a higher drop than its famed New York/Canada rival but is considerably narrower. Shoshone Falls is best viewed in the spring. By summer hydroelectric and irrigation demands on the Snake River often bring the flow down to a trickle, exposing the white bedrock underneath. Check website for current flow rates. $5/car (fee charged Mar-Sep). (updated Jul 2019)
* 42.5842-114.47044 Herrett Center for Arts and Science, 315 Falls Ave, ☏ +1 208-732-6655. (updated Nov 2020)
* 42.557197-114.4674035 Twin Falls Public Library, 201 Fourth Avenue East, ☏ +1 208-733-2964, tfpl@twinfallspubliclibrary.org. Notable features include the statue "Flights of Learning" by Bryce Pettit and the Idaho and Pacific Northwest History Room, or the Idaho Room for short. (updated May 2019)
* 42.679-114.2446 Minidoka National Historic Site, ☏ +1 208-825-4169. Site of a major Japanese-American internment camp during World War II. Most of the camp's buildings were removed after the war and can be found throughout the Magic Valley region. However, the site has remains of the guard entry station, waiting room, and rock gardens as well as a reconstructed guard tower. (updated Apr 2020)
* Clyde R. Thomsen Park, 1036 Carriage Lane. Named after a man who was in charge of the Twin Falls Municipal Golf Course. There is a story walk, that is themed based on the seasons. (updated Jan 2025)

## Do

Most other diversions in the Twin Falls area revolve around outdoor activities such as camping, hunting and fishing.
* Twin Falls County Fair, ☏ +1 208-326-4396. Held the week before Labor Day in nearby Filer, the Twin Falls County Fair is one of the largest in the state.
* 42.595278-114.3888891 Dierkes Lake Park, 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade. An oxbow lake near Shoshone Falls, Dierkes Lake is a well-known summer recreation destination among locals.
* 42.549713-114.4450352 Team Bowladrome, 220 Eastland Drive (North of Kimberley Road), ☏ +1 208-733-0369, teambowladrome@yahoo.com. Always opens at 11AM. (updated Oct 2019)
* Viki Le Fevre Mountain Bike Skills Park. A mountain biking park at the Auger Falls Wetland Preserve. (updated Jun 2022)

## Buy

* 42.5939-114.4551 Magic Valley Mall, 1485 Pole Line Rd E, ☏ +1 208-733-3000, fax: +1 208-733-3283, magicvalleymall@woodburycorp.com. Near the Snake River Canyon and Perrine Bridge, the Magic Valley Mall features pretty much everything one would expect from a smaller American mall. Anchor stores include JC Penney, Barnes & Noble, and Hobby Lobby. (updated Dec 2018)
* 42.555838-114.4700522 Downtown Twin Falls. Located in the heart of the original 1904 townsite, Downtown Twin Falls features a plethora of eclectic businesses.
* 42.583279-114.4604743 ToyTown, 1236 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208-736-6728, toytownid@gmail.com. M-Sa 10AM-7PM, closed on Sundays. Toy store. (updated Oct 2019)

## Eat

Twin Falls is home to many family owned and locally beloved restaurants. It features several Thai restaurants, Mexican restaurants, and family-oriented establishments.
* 42.581111114.4605561 Abracadabra's Twin Falls, 1099 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208-733-0884, abras.twin@gmail.com. W-M 8AM-2PM, closed Tu. Their breakfast and brunch scene is well known locally for its large, economical portions and delicious food. $10-20 per person. (updated Jan 2025)
* 42.570926-114.4668052 Garibaldi's, 645 Filer Ave, ☏ +1 208-736-7408. M-Sa 11AM-10PM; Su 11AM-9:30PM. Mexican restaurant with large portions and quick customer service. Typically fairly busy. $20-30 per person. (updated Jan 2025)
* 42.584799-114.4595793 La Fiesta, 1288 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208-734-0685, lafiestatf@gmail.com. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Mexican restaurant with beautiful décor, cozy ambience, bar, and a dog friendly patio. Happy hour is 4-7pm. $10-20 per person. (updated Jan 2025)
* 42.548292-114.4433564 Janitzio, 2096 Kimberly Rd, ☏ +1 208 733-3855. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Mexican restaurant with friendly servers and well seasoned food. $10-20 per person. (updated Jan 2025)
* 42.553537-114.4652235 Jasmine Thai Cuisine, 428 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 208-733-2222. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-9PM. (updated Jan 2025)
* 42.563328-114.4472986 Rice and Bites, 1924 Addison Ave E, ☏ +1 208-825-1834. M-Sa 11AM-8:30PM, closed Su. (updated Jan 2025)

## Drink

* 42.556905-114.4708451 Koto Brewing Co., 156 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 208-933-2570. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-7PM. Brewpub with live music (updated Jan 2025)
* 42.557055-114.4690452 Milner's Gate - Idaho Craft Brewery, 205 Shoshone St N, ☏ +1 208-293-8250. Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM; Su 11AM-2PM; closed M. Brewery with delicious food. (updated Jan 2025)
Bars in Twin Falls close at 1AM sharp, no excuses.

## Sleep

* 42.592835-114.4688641 La Quinta Inn & Suites Twin Falls, 539 Pole Line Rd, ☏ +1 208-736-9600.
* 42.594228-114.4617152 Quality Inn & Suites, 1910 Fillmore Ave N, ☏ +1 208-734-7494, fax: +1 208 735-9428.
* 42.591192-114.4650443 Hampton Inn Twin Falls, 1658 Fillmore Ave N, ☏ +1 208-734-2233, fax: +1 208 734-2244.
* 42.592885-114.4709654 Hilton Garden Inn - Twin Falls, 1741 Harrison St N, ☏ +1 208-733-8500.
* 42.589878-114.4645165 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1554 Fillmore St, ☏ +1 208-732-6001, fax: +1 208 732-5974.
* 42.587826-114.4590836 Motel 6, 1472 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208-734-3993, fax: +1 208 736-7368.
* 42.585971-114.4609587 Canyon Springs Extended Stay, 1357 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208-829-1000.
* 42.580317-114.4579318 Blue Lakes Inn, 952 Blue Lakes Blvd N (near Falls Avenue), ☏ +1 208-933-2123, stay@bluelakesinn.com. Check-in: 3–11PM, check-out: 11AM. Designated rooms for dogs are offered based on availability, with a $35 Pet Fee applied at check in; only two dogs per room. (updated Oct 2019)
* 42.563559-114.4662369 The Fillmore Inn, 102 Fillmore Street (near Addison Avenue), ☏ +1 208-404-6503, thefillmoreinn@gmail.com. A bricken Tudor bed and breakfast. Only guests age ten and over are allowed, and pets are not. (updated Oct 2019)

## Connect

Cell phone service is consistent and reliable in Twin Falls proper as well as in the surrounding communities. However, if you travel further south than Jackpot, Nevada, on US Highway 93, expect to have an intermittent signal at best until you approach Wells or Ely.
Public WiFi access is available at most larger hotels, as well as at some coffee shops.

## Stay safe

Given that much of the city's commercial and tourist infrastructure is concentrated around the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Poleline Road, as well as the fact nearby Perrine Bridge is effectively the only way in and out of Twin Falls from the north, traffic in the immediate area can be as heavy as anywhere in a much larger population center such as Boise. Stay alert if driving or walking through here.

## Go next

* Twin Falls is approximately halfway between Boise and Pocatello, about a two-hour drive from each. Salt Lake City is approximately three hours away by car, or a 45 minutes by air.
* Jackpot - Approximately 45 miles (75 km) south of Twin Falls just over the Nevada border, the small town of Jackpot offers casino gaming and routinely draws crowds from all over the area. Collectively the Jackpot casinos employ more people from Twin Falls than any employer in Twin Falls.
* Sun Valley - As in most of Idaho, the first day of ski season in November is eagerly anticipated in the Magic Valley. If the highbrow atmosphere (and corresponding prices) of Sun Valley aren't for you, try the more wallet-friendly Pomerelle resort south of Declo. Both locations are approximately an hour's drive from Twin Falls.