Eastern Idaho's Breweries and Beauty Road Trip

When I wrote my last blog post What Do You Need Today?, the truth was that what I needed was to get out of town and go exploring with just my husband (sorry, kids). When we first met (and up until we were married), hubby and I lived on different sides of the country. For us, dating was always an adventure as we met up on either side of the country - or somewhere completely new.

Naturally, over a decade later, exploring with just my husband is a comfortable fall-back any time I need a breath of fresh air.

So that’s what we did last week - explored. We hit some old favorites and new-found-gems in eastern Idaho on this 300-mile, 24-hour road trip that I’ll call Eastern Idaho’s Breweries & Beauty Tour.

Leaving from Soda Springs, ID, our trip took us in a complete counterclockwise circle looking like this:

But you can hop into the route anywhere and enjoy it all the same!

You can easily, and enjoyably, get this trip done in 24 hours, or take your time and spend a whole weekend enjoying the route.

Find your favorites along the way, or enjoy some of ours. It won’t take you long to realize that we are all about food and drink.

Soda Springs, ID to Alpine, WY

If Soda Springs isn’t your starting point, you’ll want to plan to at least make a pit stop here at Geyser Park. Yes, there’s a real geyser in the middle of town. Renown for being the world’s only captive geyser, you can witness it every hour, on the hour, all year long. Just don’t park your car down wind of the geyser, if you want to avoid hard water spots on your wind shield.

Head out of town going north on Highway 34. The next hour of driving is windy, open-range, and has no cell-service, so it’s not recommended in dark or snowy conditions. But in good daytime weather, it’s one of my most favorite drives in the world (that’s not an exaggeration). You’ll drive an area known as Tin Cup where you’ll skirt Tin Cup Creek in a small canyon. If you need a camping spot for the night, check out Pine Bar Campground (note: big campers / RVs won’t fit here).

When you pop out of the Tin Cup canyon, you’ll hit the border of Wyoming and literally drive on it as you make your way to Alpine. If you’re husband is driving, I’d be shocked if he can resist the urge to drive down the middle of the road so that he’s in Idaho while you’re in Wyoming. #dadjokes

First stop in Alpine is Melvin Brewing, which is tucked back in the industrial park of Alpine (aren’t all breweries though?) and on the south shore of Palisades Reservoir. You’ll not only find a very good selection of award winning beer, but also a delicious menu. There’s ample indoor and outdoor seating and the brewery is family (and dog) friendly.

Beer flight and a mask while enjoying a view of Palisades back in July 2020.

If you don’t eat at Melvin, your next stop is Yankee Doodles just a mile away. Heck, even if you did eat at Melvin, grab a piece of pie here. This quintessential cafe has more Americana memorabilia inside of it than any place I’ve ever seen. Ever. They are also BIG fans of 2nd Amendment rights with lots of amusing signage, so if you’re not…take a deep breath and go anyways. The food is good…and so is America.

Alpine, WY to Victor, ID

If you were headed to Jackson, WY you’d leave Alpine and turns towards Hoback, WY, but you’re not, so don’t do that. Instead, head towards Swan Valley, ID. The stretch from Alpine to Swan Valley gracefully carves against the entire eastern edge of Palisades Reservoir. In the spring, the mountains edging the reservoir are still kissed with snow and the reservoir is reminiscent of mountain lakes in the Swiss Alps. (Oh….Alpine….I get it now. I see what they did there.) If you have time to pull over and take a hike down to the reservoir, do it.

When you get to the north end of the reservoir, you’ll have the chance to pull off the road and see the Palisades Dam that forms the reservoir. Park and enjoy the view, if you appreciate classy engineering and good view of the valley below.

At Swan Valley, head northeast towards Victor and enjoy another winding and scenic mountain drive.

Victor, ID

Victor, named after a dedicated mail carrier of the late-1800s, is small but developing. Tucked between the built-up cities of Driggs, ID, and Jackson, WY it makes for an affordable option if you want to explore the area for a few days. We stayed at the Cobblestone Inn & Suites (possibly the cleanest hotel I’ve ever stayed in) for about $100/night.

About a mile from the center of town is popular Grand Teton Brewing. At the time of writing this (April 2021), the brewery was only offering outdoor lawn seating and no food offerings but still offered a full menu of beer. You’re in the Tetons. You don’t need to sit inside anyways.

Cheers from Grand Teton Brewing - me and @smokin_idahoan

For dinner, check out Big Hole BBQ where you’d be lucky to find a seat at the local favorite. If you can’t find a seat there (like we couldn’t), grab an appetizer first across the street at West Side Yard, a surprisingly swanky restaurant / bar for a tiny town. The interior design and menu rivals any affluent ski town, but the clientele keeps the feeling down-to-earth as locals file in from their construction jobs or off the hiking trails. Casual dress welcomed. Try the Jalapeno Popper Spring Rolls and you’ll thank us later.

Jalapeño spring rolls w/ a Melvin brew @ West Side Yard in Victor, ID

If you prefer to eat in or need to grab road trip snacks, Victor Valley Market on the main corner has everything you’ll need.

Pierogi for the Ukrainian-Polish girl, dry rubbed wings for the meat guy @ Big Hole BBQ in Victor, ID

Driggs, ID

In the morning, we drove the 10 miles north to Driggs for breakfast stopping at Big Hole Bagel for a couple of to-go bagel sandwiches on our way through the touristy town. We could have definitely spent more time in Driggs and eaten in at least 4 more restaurants, but we were on a 24 hour mission.

(As a side note, there’s a bike path that runs parallel the road between Victor and Driggs. Biking between towns is the only way you should eat at 5 restaurants in one day.)

BLTC (bacon, lettuce, tomato, cream cheese) on whole wheat everything @ Big Hole Bagel

Driggs, ID to Idaho Falls, ID

As you turn west leaving Driggs, you’ll want to look in your rear view mirror at least 20 times for the best view of the Tetons from Idaho side. The view of the Tetons over the graceful, rolling potato fields of eastern Idaho can rival the view from the Wyoming side any day.

Mama and Baby moose with a view of the Tetons in the background. #idaho

Idaho Falls, ID to Pocatello, ID

Both Idaho Falls and Pocatello have too many favorites and “to dos” to name here, and truth be told, on this trip, we just drove straight through them. But if you have the time to make a couple more stops, here are a couple of worthy suggestions from past trips.

A quick walk taking in the Snake River on the green belt in Idaho Falls never disappoints. While you’re taking in the scenery, pop across the street to Snow Eagle Brewing & Grill for a shocking brewery offer - excellent sushi.

Thanks A Brunch @ Jim Dandy Brewing…we might have just ordered one of everything.

In Pocatello, Jim Dandy Brewing is newer and already deservedly thriving. If you happen to time it out right, visit on Sunday morning so you can grab food from Thanks A Brunch food truck that parks and serves on-site for…you guessed it…brunch.

Pocatello, ID to Soda Springs, ID

Close your travel loop as you head back east toward Soda Springs. You’ll pass through Lava Hot Springs where our favorite family place is The Royale after a soak in the hot pots.

Cheers and happy adventuring!

**Always designate a driver. Don’t drink and drive.