Idaho Falls Nightlife & Entertainment
Idaho Falls may surprise some with its variety of choices after dark. From relaxing meals on the Snake River, to live local music, Idaho Falls and the close vicinity will surely offer something you can enjoy. When you have an itch to go out, here’s what you can find:
Idaho Falls Movie Theaters
How could we not start this list with the local movie 
theaters!? Idaho Falls has a few options, but all should offer you a great value and experience. Edwards Cinema can be found on the East side of town, bordering Ammon and Idaho Falls on Hitt Road. If you are looking for new releases and lots of show times, this is your spot. Edwards can be pricey, but it will always deliver a great night out to the movies!
Check out the resources below for a list of what’s playing around Idaho Falls:
Center Theatre & Paramount Triple plex
Bowling Alleys in Idaho Falls
Another classic choice for a night out of fun in Idaho Falls is bowling. There is so many options around Idaho Falls. Our personal favorite is late night bowling at Bowl-Ero! They cut the lights, play music, have giveaways and competitions…check it out! Skyline Lanes is a close second, with very similar events during the evening hours. Here is the local Yelp page with information on all the local lanes. We will let you decide what fits the mood!
Horse Racing at Sandy Downs Idaho Falls
If you are looking for something a little more unique, during the right time of year you can find live horse racing action at Sandy Downs! If you have never experienced live horse racing, Sandy Downs race track in Idaho Falls can offer you a fantastic first trip.
During the horse races, you can bet on the outcome of each race, giving you the opportunity to have a night out of fun and keep your pocket full of cash! The staff at Sandy Downs is helpful and can educate you on the types of bets you should be placing.
The race track also offers concession style food and spirits. The races are usually on the weekend, and can start early afternoon or evening. Check out the Sandy Downs website to view official race dates and times.
Entertainment Venues and Cold Drinks in Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls has a few options that may be a little more fun without the little ones. When you are craving some quality adult time, find a sitter and visit one of these local watering holes.
This pub and grill is one of the premier choices when it comes to craft cocktails and delicious eats. Early in the evening you can enjoy a meal and bring in the underagers, but around 10 pm the dance floor starts to fill up, the age requirement goes up to 21+, and The Celt starts rockin! The Celt has been around Idaho Falls for about 8 years and it remains a local favorite.
‘The Tree’ as it is known locally, is bigger than The Celt, and offers more variety of entertainment like comedy and open mic nights. The Tree usually holds a slightly rowdier crowd, but has a large floor plan to allow you to be as close or as far away from the noise as you choose. Check out the website for a schedule of events!
Last but certainly not least, is another local favorite. The Frosty Gator in Idaho Falls is an immensely popular spot from about 11 AM until close. The traditional bar food served here; like wings and burgers, are some of the best in Idaho Falls. As the name implies, they do have Alligator on the menu and you will not be let down should you elect to try it. Our personal favorite are the wings!
Places to Take the Children in Idaho Falls
There are many places in Idaho Falls for the whole family to enjoy. One of our favorites has been around Idaho Falls for almost 20 years! Blast Off Fun Center provides an environment for all ages to enjoy. Laser Tag, Mini-Golf, Rock Climbing, Arcade Games…you get the gist! Have pizza delivered and enjoy it on site!
The second place we will recommend is IJump. It is a new addition to the Idaho Falls area just a few years ago, but it has become a well-known spot! The park consists of interconnected floor level padded trampolines including a large open jump area, trampoline dodgeball court with angled trampolines, Olympic foam pits for aerial jumping, and a dedicated jump area for toddlers.
First Class Dining in Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls has such a large selection of restaurants that serve delicious food, it is hard to only list a few. We will go into slight detail on a 3 of the names you may not be familiar with, and will also list the websites of some of the other more well-known spots.
The Sandpiper has two locations, one in Idaho Falls and one in Pocatello. Both are exceptional. The Idaho Falls location sits right on top of the Snake River and offers one of the most beautiful and enjoyable patio areas around. You can literally feed wild ducks from your table as they climb out of the river in search of tasty snacks. Get a bowl of clam chowder! It’s not only delicious, but comes with crackers to feed the friendly ducklings!
Chef Shane’s Perspective is one of our favorite options in Idaho Falls. It is a quaint restraunt with limited seating and a delicious custom always changing menu. The dishes are described as American food with Spanish, Caribbean & French influence. The menu is written on a huge chalkboard that takes up almost an entire wall. It details the ingredients of the food in a way that’s hard to make a decision on only one dish!
- Stockmans Steakhouse
Stockmans got its start in the nearby town of Rigby. It grew out of that location fairly quickly and relocated to Idaho Falls. The newly built restaurant has a fantastic atmosphere, sits on prime Idaho Falls real estate, and of course; offers mouthwatering steak and seafood. Stockmans is near Skyline lanes mentioned above – Dinner and Bowling anyone?
Straight from the Facebook Page: “Arugula Deli is dedicated to serving delicious meals made from scratch using local, organic ingredients.” I don’t know about you, but that description is right up the alley of restaurants we love. This is not your typical deli, but does serve traditional ‘deli’ food. Sandwiches, salads and soups of the ‘great tasting’ variety can be found here daily.
Jakers restaurant is a long standing local favorite. With multiple locations in Idaho, Jakers is usually a short drive away, even if you are in a different part of the state. This is another fine dining option and offers everything from prime rib to lobster. I want to recommend at least one dish, but I can’t narrow down my list! Everything is so good; you can’t go wrong no matter what you pick off the menu. Jakers is not on the river, but is very close. A slow stroll around the greenbelt after dinner is the perfect nightcap.
Other Events and Activities in Idaho Falls
If nothing mentioned so far suits your fancy, there is plenty of options left. You can take the family to Tautphaus Park Zoo for a day with the animals! No matter your religion, the Idaho Falls LDS Temple is quite the site. It sits right on the Snake River and offers a spectacular view at night. The Museum of Idaho has a rotating showcase and usually offers something interesting for everyone. Visit the website to find out what the current theme is. Idaho Falls also offers a separate, art focused museum and anyone with a taste for fine arts will enjoy a stop here.
The Edge Climbing & Fitness is located in Ammon. It’s new to town, but offers a ton of options. As their website says “The Edge Climbing and Fitness is an exercise center where you can choose from cardio exercise machines and lifting weights, to indoor rock climbing and taking yoga classes.” Any kind of sports and fitness enthusiast will love working up a sweat here. Follow them on Facebook to stay up to date!
One option that could offer you a great ‘Date Night’ opportunity, is Guns N Gear. It is one of the largest and most modern indoor shooting facilities in Idaho. The new complex offers everything imaginable for those who have been or currently are interested in firearms. On premise firearm training & licensing can be completed here.
Idaho Falls is jam packed with parks and outdoor places to stretch your legs. Check out the City of Idaho Falls website to search for nearby parks and courts.
Did we miss anything?
Did we miss something that needs to be on this list of things to do in Idaho Falls? Either Contact Us or submit it in a comment below! We will update things that we feel should be included.
Comment below if you have any experiences to share from one or more of the places listed above. We love hearing from our readers!