Here at Only in Idaho, we try to focus on featuring places and experiences that you can only see in Idaho. There are some places, however, that you can really only see in Idaho… and this quirky roadside attraction is one of them. It seems like there is no escaping the potato jokes and questions when you’re an Idahoan. No, we don’t all live on potato farms. And we probably consume the same healthy amount of potatoes that non-Idahoans do. However, there is no denying that potatoes are a prominent part of our culture, and this unique roadside museum is will tell you all about it.
Blackfoot, Idaho calls itself the "Potato Capital of the World" (as many Idaho towns do), but it definitely has earned its title with the extra oddity of the Idaho Potato Museum.
The museum is hard to miss. The giant potato — complete with sour cream and butter — out front entices you with its eccentricity. Don't forget to take a photo in front of this massive thing. It's tradition!
It's a museum, cafe, and gift shop dedicated to potatoes and potatoes only. You have to walk in with a sense of humor, and of course, some state pride, to truly appreciate all that the Potato Museum has to offer!
Greeting you as you walk in is the famous photo of Marilyn Monroe wearing an Idaho Potatoes sack. It is perhaps the most iconic image found in all of Idaho!
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You'll find your fair share of oddities as you peruse the museum. You'll even see the world's largest potato chip here (yes, that is a thing), which is a 25 x 14-inch chip created by Pringle. It's approximately the size of 80 regular-sized chips!
There are plenty of other abnormalities to be observed, including a tribute to the one and only Mr. Potato Head, and a burlap potato-sack tuxedo that was once worn by the first Idaho Potato Commissioner.
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The museum has plenty of eccentric items, but it also contains a ton of information regarding the history of potatoes in Idaho!
Displays inform you on how the industry grew in Idaho and why Idaho was prime territory for potato growing. You'll even learn about all the different types and variations of potatoes... there are a lot of them!
You probably weren't aware of just how interesting potatoes could be! It's a paradise for potato-lovers, but interestingly enough, if you're not potato obsessed, as well.
The museum itself isn't huge, but it sure packs in a lot of information and items of interest including old farming and harvesting equipment, some of which dates back to the late 1800s.
Idaho wouldn't be the great state it is today without the introduction of potatoes. We have a lot to thank this tasty vegetable for!
A visit to the museum isn't complete without a pit stop to the cafe which specializes in serving, you guessed it, potatoes (specifically the "baked" kind). Your potato can come with pretty much any topping imaginable... chili, stroganoff, taco, cheese, broccoli, sausage gravy, and much more! Any non-Idahoans can even take advantage of the "Taters for Out-of-Staters" program, which is exactly what it sounds like.... free potatoes!
During the summer you can treat yourself to an iconic ice cream potato. Stop by the gift shop to pick up some potato fudge or potato cookies. Who knew there were so many potato-themed items? For more information, check out the Potato Museum's website here.
