Blog Posts

Beyond the Potato: Why Winter in Idaho Falls & Ammon is Better Than Ever

Beyond the Potato: Why Winter in Idaho Falls & Ammon is Better Than Ever If you’ve lived in Eastern Idaho for a while, you know the drill: the wind picks up, the snow piles against the garage door, and it’s tempting to hibernate until the tulips pop up on the Greenbelt. But 2026 is hitting differently. The Idaho Falls and Ammon area has transformed into a legitimate entertainment hub, proving that you don’t need to drive to Salt Lake or Boise to find world-class culture and community spirit. Whether you’re a lifelong local or a newcomer still figuring out where Ammon ends and Idaho Falls begins, here is why you should ditch the couch this month. The New Heartbeat: Mountain America Center If you haven't been to the Mountain America Center yet, you’re missing the heartbeat of our winter social scene. It has completely changed the "vibe" of our winters. Catching an Idaho Falls Spud Kings game has quickly become a local rite of passage. There is something uniquely "Eastern Idaho" about watching high-speed hockey while surrounded by fans in the best "spud-themed" gear you’ve ever seen. The energy is electric, the crowd is loud, and it’s genuinely the perfect way to beat the winter blues. If hockey isn't your speed, January 2026 is packed with a variety of entertainment that brings the community together under one (very large) roof. Keep an eye out for these upcoming highlights: Live Music: The arena is bringing in heavy hitters this month. You can catch legends like Three Dog Night or find some inspiration with the TobyMac Hits Deep Tour . Comedy & Theater: If the "gray" months are starting to feel a bit heavy, laughter is the best cure. Check out the stand-up specials at the arena or head over to the historic Colonial Theater for a more intimate, classic night out. Local Flavors and Ammon Favorites Winter is also the best time to support the small businesses that make our area unique. After a game or a show, the local food scene is where it’s at. Ammon’s Hidden Gems: The shopping and dining expansion near Sandcreek Commons has made Ammon a destination of its own. From custom soda shops to cozy local bistros, there’s always a new spot to warm up. The Downtown Stroll: Idaho Falls’ downtown stays picturesque all winter. A quick walk to see the frozen falls followed by a hot drink at a local roastery is a Saturday morning staple for a reason. Why Community Matters What makes our area special isn't just the new buildings or the big names coming to town—it’s the people. It’s the way neighbors help each other clear driveways and then meet up at the rink a few hours later. We’re a community that knows how to embrace the cold and turn it into a season of connection.

The Great "Hot Springs" Showdown: Heise vs. Lava

The Great "Hot Springs" Showdown: Heise vs. Lava If you live in Idaho Falls, you have had this debate. It’s 4:00 PM on a freezing Thursday, your bones feel like icicles, and you need to be submerged in 104°F water immediately. But where do you go? We are lucky to be caught between two iconic hot spring destinations: Heise Hot Springs and Lava Hot Springs . While they both offer hot water and relief from the winter gloom, they are entirely different experiences. To settle the debate once and for all (or at least for this weekend), here is the official showdown. The Angle Heise is for the Spontaneous , but Lava is for the Committed . Here is the breakdown of why—and which one fits your current mood. Round 1: The Commute (Distance Check) The biggest factor in the "Heise vs. Lava" debate is usually the windshield time. Heise Hot Springs: ~25 Minutes. The Reality: You can leave work at 5:00 PM, be soaking by 5:35 PM, and be home in time to get a full night's sleep. It’s practically in our backyard (just past Ririe). It requires zero planning. Lava Hot Springs: ~1.5 Hours. The Reality: This is a haul. By the time you get there, soak, and drive back, you’ve committed at least 5 to 6 hours of your day. You need a playlist, snacks, and a full tank of gas. This isn't a "quick dip"; it's a road trip. Round 2: The Vibe Check What are we looking for? A rustic hideaway or a resort town bustle? Heise: The Rustic Reset Heise feels like the "local's" spot. It’s tucked against the cliffside near the Snake River and feels a bit more rugged. The Water: It’s straightforward. A warm pool, a hot pool, and a summer pool (usually closed or cold in winter). No frills, just heat. The Food Factor: Heise Pizza. This is half the reason people go. There is something spiritual about crushing a massive "Heise Special" pizza after draining your energy in the hot pool. The Activity: It’s quiet. You go here to stare at the stars or the steam rising off the river. (And while the famous Zipline is a summer thrill, staring up at the cables in winter reminds you that summer is coming back eventually). Lava: The Full Experience Lava is a destination. The town is built around the springs, giving it a totally different energy. The Water: The world-famous gravel-bottom pools are odorless (sulfur-free!) and vary in temperature from "Warm" to "Lobster Pot." The Scenery: The Sunken Gardens. Even in winter, walking through the rock walls of the gardens on your way to the pools feels magical. The Walkability: The best part of Lava is parking the car once. You can soak, dry off, and bundle up to walk down Main Street for dinner at the Chuckwagon or drinks at the Blue Moon Bar. It feels like a mini-vacation. The Verdict So, which one wins? It depends entirely on the day of the week. 🏆 Winner for a Tuesday Night Reset: HEISE If you have had a long day at work and just need to decompress without making a whole "thing" of it, Heise is the champion. It’s close, it’s affordable, and the pizza is waiting for you. 🏆 Winner for a Saturday Escapade: LAVA If you have the whole day and want to cure cabin fever, Lava takes the crown. The drive helps you disconnect, the town offers variety (shops, food, bars), and the facility handles crowds better. It’s the perfect "day cation."

Winter Workshop Round-Up: Beat Cabin Fever with Your Hands

Winter Workshop Round-Up: Beat Cabin Fever with Your Hands Let’s be honest: January in Idaho Falls is hard. The holiday lights are down, the wind chill is hovering around -10°F, and we are all collectively staring down three more months of winter. It is peak seasonal depression time. The default reaction is to retreat to the couch and binge-watch a series you’ve already seen twice. But this year, we’re proposing a different strategy. Instead of just consuming content this January, why not make something? There is actual science behind working with your hands to boost mood and focus. So, put down the remote and check out these three local spots where you can beat the winter blues by getting creative. 1. The Ultimate Cozy Hack: Chunky Knit Blankets at AR Workshop If you only leave your house for one thing this month, make it this. AR Workshop (located just off 17th Street) runs a specific "Chunky Knit Blanket" workshop that is practically designed for Idaho winters. Why it’s perfect for January: You don’t need any knitting needles or previous experience. You literally knit the blanket using your hands (hand-knitting). It is incredibly satisfying, tactile, and you leave with a massive, ultra-soft blanket that you can immediately wrap yourself in for the drive home. The Vibe: Rustic, wood-focused, and smells like fresh lumber. Pro Tip: These classes fill up fast in winter. Check their calendar for the "hygge" style workshops. 2. Get Your Hands Dirty: Pottery & Stones at The Idaho Art Lab Sometimes the best way to get out of your head is to get into the mud. The Idaho Art Lab on North Yellowstone is a hidden gem that offers way more than just painting. The "Ghost" Moment: They offer Pottery Wheel Certifications . You can take a class to learn the basics of throwing clay. It’s challenging, messy, and requires 100% of your focus—which means for three hours, you aren’t thinking about the freezing inversion outside. The "Hidden" Gem: Ask about their Lapidary Lab . This is one of the few places where you can learn to cut and polish gemstones. If you’ve ever found a cool rock by the Snake River, this is where you learn to turn it into an actual shiny cabochon. 3. Social Therapy: Paint & Sip at Grape Van Gogh If "creative" to you sounds intimidating, Grape Van Gogh is the low-pressure answer. This isn't about becoming the next Picasso; it’s about drinking wine with friends while holding a paintbrush. Why it works: It’s social. January is isolating. Grape Van Gogh (located on A Street downtown) forces you to get out, talk to humans, and laugh at your own artistic attempts. They provide the canvas, the paint, the apron, and most importantly, the guidance. The Event to Look For: Check their calendar for the "Open Paint" nights or winter landscape themes—painting a snowy tree is surprisingly therapeutic when you’re warm inside with a glass of Merlot. Bonus Mention: The Bake Academy If your form of creativity involves sugar, check out The Bake Academy (off N Yellowstone Hwy). They often host macaron or cake-decorating classes. It’s technically a workshop, but the final project is edible. Win-win. The Verdict Don't let the gray skies win. Whether you are polishing a river rock, knitting a blanket the size of a car, or just painting a "happy little tree" with a glass of wine, getting your hands moving is the best way to survive the Idaho Falls deep freeze.

Beat the January Slump: Volunteer Opportunities in Ammon & IF

Beat the January Slump: Volunteer Opportunities in Ammon & IF The Christmas lights are down. The wrapping paper is recycled. The festive energy of December has faded into the gray, freezing reality of January in Southeast Idaho. We often talk about the "January Slump" in terms of our own energy levels or moods, but local nonprofits feel a much more literal slump this month. During the holidays, our community is incredibly generous. Volunteer slots fill up fast and donations pour in. But come January 2nd, that support often vanishes overnight. The reality is that hunger, homelessness, and needs within our community do not end when the calendar flips to the new year. In fact, the bitter cold of January often makes these needs more acute. If you are looking for a meaningful "New Year’s Resolution" or just want to beat cabin fever by doing some good, now is the absolute best time to step up. Here is how you can help beat the post-holiday slump in Ammon and Idaho Falls. 1. The Lunch Rush: Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen The Need: Volunteers for the daily lunch shift. The Soup Kitchen provides a hot meal every single day of the year to anyone who needs it, no questions asked. While December shifts fill up months in advance, January calendars often have glaring gaps. This is a fantastic opportunity because the time commitment is manageable—usually just a few hours in the middle of the day to help prep, serve, and clean up. It’s eye-opening, humbling work that provides immediate warmth to our neighbors during the coldest month of the year. 2. Brave the Cold: Bonneville County Animal Shelter The Need: Dog walkers willing to bundle up. It’s easy to volunteer to walk dogs when it’s 70°F and sunny. It’s a lot harder when it’s 10°F and the wind is howling. The Bonneville County Animal Shelter sees a significant drop in volunteers during the deep winter months. But the dogs still need exercise, fresh air, and socialization outside of their kennels. If you have warm boots and a good parka, these pups are desperate for your help. A twenty-minute walk makes their entire day. 3. The Post-Drive Sort: Community Food Basket (RCCM) The Need: Sorting and organizing food donations. December is famous for community food drives. The result is that by January, the Community Food Basket (run by the Regional Council for Christian Ministry) often has literal tons of donated canned goods that need to be sorted, checked for expiration dates, and organized onto shelves before they can go out to families. This is great, warm, indoor work that is perfect for groups, families with older kids, or businesses looking for a team-building afternoon. The "Clean Out" Guide: Donating Your Old Stuff Did Santa bring you a new coat, new toys for the kids, or new kitchen gadgets? That means it’s time to clear out the old stuff. The "New Year's Purge" is a great feeling, but please remember to donate responsibly. Local thrift stores rely on items that are clean, working, and in good condition to fund their missions. Here are the best spots in town to drop off the items you replaced this Christmas: Idaho Youth Ranch: Your donations here support incredible programs for at-risk youth in Idaho. They have convenient drop-off locations in both Ammon and Idaho Falls. Deseret Industries (D.I.): The massive facility in Ammon can handle large volumes of donations, from clothing to furniture. It serves as a major hub for job training and resources in the area. St. Vincent de Paul: Another excellent local option where your household goods go toward helping local families in crisis. The Bottom Line Generosity shouldn’t have a season. If you have a few extra hours this month, consider giving them to organizations that are quieter now than they were two weeks ago. Your help matters more now than ever.

Soup Season: The Best Bowls of Comfort Food in Idaho Falls

Soup Season: The Best Bowls of Comfort Food in Idaho Falls There is a specific type of cold that settles into the Snake River Valley in January. It’s a damp, bone-chilling freeze that no amount of layering seems to fix. When the temperature drops, the only real cure is comfort food. We aren't talking about "light and healthy" today; we are talking about rich, creamy, carb-loaded warmth. Ammon and Idaho Falls are secretly hiding some of the best soups and comfort dishes in the state—if you know where to look. Here is your guide to eating your way through the freeze. 1. The Local Secret: Mitchell’s Restaurant Where: 615 E Iona Rd (Inside KJ’s Travel Center) The Dish: Homemade Soup & "The Roll" If you judge a book by its cover, you might drive right past Mitchell’s. Located inside a truck stop on the north side of town, this is the definition of a "hidden gem." Locals know that Mitchell's serves up some of the best made-from-scratch food in the city. The Soup: Their daily rotating soups (specifically the Vegetable Beef or Cream of Potato) are thick, hearty, and taste exactly like something your grandma would spend all day making. The Roll: We need to talk about the rolls. They are massive—literally the size of a softball—yeasty, fluffy, and served with a generous amount of butter. One bowl of soup and one roll here is a meal that will keep you warm for 24 hours. 2. The Staple: Jakers Bar and Grill Where: 851 Lindsay Blvd The Dish: Baked Potato Cheese Soup Jakers is an institution in Idaho Falls, and while the steaks are great, the real MVP of their winter menu is the Soup and Salad Bar . This isn't your standard iceberg-lettuce-and-ranch situation. It is a high-end spread, but the main draw is the Baked Potato Cheese Soup . Why it works: It is incredibly rich and creamy, but the magic is in the toppings. You can load your bowl with real bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and green onions from the salad bar. It is essentially a loaded baked potato in liquid form. Pro Tip: Go for lunch. The price for the unlimited soup/salad bar is one of the best values in town. 3. The Downtown Classic: The Soup Kitchen Where: Downtown Idaho Falls (and various locations in the region) The Dish: Chili & Cornbread Note: Not to be confused with the local community food bank (which does amazing work!), this is the restaurant known for fast, hot, homestyle lunches. If you only have 30 minutes for lunch and need to thaw out, this is your spot. The menu is simple and nostalgic. The Order: Get the Creamy Tomato if you want to dip a grilled cheese, but the real winter winner is the Chili with Cornbread . The cornbread is sweet, cake-like, and crumbles perfectly into the savory chili. It’s fast, cheap, and consistently delicious. 🍽️ Bonus: The "Warm Cookie" Wars You can't finish a comfort food tour without dessert. While the national giant Crumbl has deep roots in our area, don't sleep on the other local heavyweights when you need a warm sugar fix. The Cookie Place (Ammon & IF) The Vibe: Massive, warm, gooey cookies that are served fresh. The Pick: The Chocolate Chip is classic, but their Salted Caramel is a sticky, warm masterpiece that requires a napkin (or three). Love at First Bite (Idaho Falls) The Vibe: Located in a charming mercantile at Snake River Landing, this spot feels more like a boutique than a bakery. The Pick: While famous for their cupcakes and specialty sodas, their cookies and chocolates are high-end and decadent. It’s the perfect place to grab a treat and walk around the pond—if you're brave enough to face the cold!

Where to Spot Eagles, Elk, and Moose Near Idaho Falls This January

Where to Spot Eagles, Elk, and Moose Near Idaho Falls This January Idaho Falls in January is famous for two things: biting cold and breathtaking beauty. While many people retreat indoors, local photographers and nature lovers know that this is actually the best month of the year for wildlife viewing. Deep snow in the high country forces big game animals down into the valleys, and frozen lakes concentrate waterfowl into specific pockets of open water. If you have a pair of binoculars and a tank of gas, you can go on a "Winter Safari" without leaving Bonneville County. Here is your guide to spotting our most iconic winter residents this month. 1. The Eagle Run (South of Idaho Falls) You don’t have to travel to Alaska to see Bald Eagles. In January, they are practically in our backyard. Where to go: Take the scenic drive south along the Old Butte Highway or River Road towards Shelley and Firth . What to look for: Keep your eyes peeled on the massive cottonwood trees that line the Snake River. On a good day, it is not uncommon to see dozens of Bald Eagles perched in the bare branches, scanning the water for fish. Pro Tip: Look for the "white golf balls" in the trees. From a distance, a Bald Eagle's head looks like a bright white sphere against the dark branches. 2. The "Swan Valley" Drive There is a reason it’s called Swan Valley. While the Trumpeter Swans are beautiful, they are also loud—you will often hear their horn-like honking before you see them. Where to go: Drive East on Highway 26 toward Swan Valley (about 45 minutes from Idaho Falls). What to look for: As you wind along the South Fork of the Snake River, look for the stark white contrast of Trumpeter Swans floating on the dark, ice-cold water. The Best Spot: Pull over safely at the designated turnout near the Fall Creek Falls area or the bridge as you enter the valley. Seeing hundreds of these massive birds against the snowy backdrop is a bucket-list Idaho experience. 3. The Elk Migration at Tex Creek This is the heavy hitter of winter wildlife viewing. The Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is critical winter range for thousands of elk, moose, and mule deer. Where to go: Head east toward Ririe Reservoir and the Tex Creek area. (Note: Many interior roads are closed to protect the animals, so you will be viewing from the main perimeter roads). What to look for: As the snow piles up in the high country, massive herds of elk move down to the "lower" elevation (which is still pretty high!). It is common to see herds numbering in the hundreds moving across the rolling white hills. Safety Note: If you spot moose, stay in your car. They are grumpy in the winter and can move surprisingly fast in deep snow. 4. The Neighborhood Invasion (Ammon Foothills) You don’t technically need to leave the house for this one. If you live in the foothills of Ammon (especially near the Comore Loma or Woodland Hills areas), the wildlife comes to you. What to look for: Mule deer. Everywhere. They are cute, but they are also hungry. This is the time of year when they treat your expensive landscaping like an all-you-can-eat salad bar. Local Etiquette: Drive slowly on Sunnyside Road and Crowley Road at dusk. The deer blend in perfectly with the grey slush on the side of the road and have zero traffic sense. 📷 A Note on Ethics Winter is a survival situation for these animals. They are burning limited calories to stay warm. Do not approach them. Do not make them run. Do not feed them. (It can actually kill them—their digestive systems can't handle corn or apples in winter). Grab a telephoto lens, stay warm in your heated seats, and enjoy the show from a distance!