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Chasing the Famous Idaho Potato: Our First Taste of Boise

We finally made it to Boise, Idaho—and naturally, we arrived with one important question: Is the famous Idaho potato really worth all the hype? 🥔 From breathtaking mountain and river views to a charming stop at Telaya Wine Co. and an unexpected discovery in downtown Boise, our quest to taste the infamous potato didn't go quite as planned. Come along as we explore Boise, enjoy a few surprises, and discover what stopped us in our tracks—and delayed that potato one more time! 😄

TRAVEL STORIESAMERICA 250 ROAD TRIP

Tamara Driver

10/16/20263 min read

Wayne and I finally made it to Boise, Idaho! But before I get into our Boise adventure, I have to talk about the journey getting there.

🏔️ The Road to Idaho Was Part of the Adventure

We were absolutely in awe of the scenery as we traveled toward Idaho. With beautiful trees, sparkling water, and mountains all around, Wayne and I could not get enough of the views. It was one of those drives where you keep looking out the window thinking, Wow, look at that! Then, a few minutes later, something else just as beautiful appears. Sometimes getting to the destination really is part of the experience.

🏨 Our Stay at the Riverside Hotel

Once we arrived in Boise, we checked into the Riverside Hotel. Was it our favorite hotel? Not exactly. It was okay, but whatever it lacked in other areas, it made up for with its location.

We could walk to just about anything—restaurants, wine tastings, places to grab a bite, and beautiful areas along the water. For travelers like us who enjoy getting out and exploring on foot, location can make a vast difference. And this location definitely did.

🥔 Okay, Boise…Where Are the Potatoes?

Now let's get to one of the things we were most curious about. The Idaho potato! 😂 You cannot come all the way to Idaho and not wonder: Are Idaho potatoes really everything they're cracked up to be? We were determined to find out.

For our first dinner, we chose a restaurant that offered a little bit of everything—steak, chicken, vegetables, French fries, and more. The food was good, but after dinner, Wayne and I looked at each other and realized something. We still didn't feel like we'd had the true Idaho potato experience. French fries would not do it.

So, the great Idaho potato quest would have to continue another day. We called it a night and looked forward to seeing what Boise had in store for us the next morning.

🌊 A Beautiful Morning by the Water

After breakfast, we headed out for a walk and made our way toward the river. Beautiful. The water, trees, and peaceful surroundings were exactly the kind of setting we enjoy when we're slow traveling. It gave us a chance to walk, look around, and experience Boise instead of simply driving from one attraction to another. And that's when we noticed an interesting place nearby.

We came across Telaya Co., a charming spot where you could enjoy a wine tasting and also grab something to eat. Well, you know us. We had to investigate! The atmosphere immediately caught our attention. It had a warm, rustic feel with lots of wood, exposed beams, and a relaxed setting that somehow felt both stylish and comfortable. It was quaint, inviting, and delightful. We decided to stay and enjoy a brunch/lunch before continuing our exploration. But don't worry—we hadn't forgotten about that potato. 🥔

🚗 Time to Explore Downtown Boise

Eventually, Wayne and I hopped into our rental car and headed toward downtown Boise. Downtown was busy and bustling. From our perspective, there wasn't much at first that made us say, "We absolutely have to stop here." So we kept driving. And then...👀 We saw it.

Once we spotted it, there was a place we simply couldn't unsee. Wayne and I knew immediately that we had to stop. And just like that, our long-awaited tasting of the famous Idaho potato was delayed yet again! 😂

What could possibly have been interesting enough to distract us from the very thing we'd been trying to taste since arriving in Idaho? You'll have to come back and find out.

🤔 Have You Been to Boise?

If you've visited Boise, what were your first impressions? Did anything surprise you? And, most importantly… Did you have an Idaho potato?

Stay tuned for the next part of our Boise adventure, when we reveal the place that stopped Wayne and me in our tracks—and find out whether we finally got our chance to taste that infamous Idaho potato.

Trust us. You won't want to miss this one! ❤️

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