Last updated on January 10th, 2024 at 09:45 pm
Is a trip to Idaho even complete if you donât visit the Idaho Potato Museum? I think not. Hereâs everything you need to know about visiting this fun little museum in Blackfoot, Idaho.
Idaho Potato Museum
When you think of Idaho, itâs only natural to think of potatoes. So it makes sense that the state is home to the Idaho Potato Museum.
In fact, when we recently drove through that part of the country on a road trip from California to Yellowstone National Park, we specifically looked for any potato-related things to do (because why not?) and were thrilled to discover the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, just a few miles off of Interstate 15. Yup, we were practically driving past it anyway on our travels, so heck yeah we were going to stop.
The Idaho Potato Museum is everything youâd want a potato museum to be â kitschy, kid-friendly, and packed with interesting artifacts and displays of all things potato-y. You can breeze through it in under an hour, making the Idaho Potato Museum the perfect pit stop.
There is even a café, so you can indulge in a giant baked potato or try a scoop of potato ice cream.
Potato Capital of the World
Blackfoot, Idaho is home to the largest potato industry, so it makes sense that the Idaho Potato Museum is located here! In fact, Blackfoot is known as the âPotato Capital of the World.â
The Idaho Potato Museum is located in the former Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot. This is the perfect spot to showcase the regionâs potato industry history.
Idaho Potato Museum Exhibits
The Potato Museum provides information on potato history, the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and educational potato facts.
There are many classic farm vehicles on display, demonstrating how farmers cultivated their fields and the work of harvesting potatoes before modern farm machinery eased labor in the late 1950s.
Other displays showcase unique artifacts, including the Worldâs Largest Potato Crisp, as noted in the Book of Guinness World Records.
There is an authentic burlap rodeo queen outfit made from burlap potato sacks, and the burlap tuxedo worn by Idaho’s first Potato Commissioner.
The museum also has a theater room with videos describing how the potato industry has developed over the years, and a short virtual reality experience kids and adults alike will love!
The Potato Lab
The old depot freight platform is now the museum’s Potato Lab! This hands-on area provides kids with a chance to learn how to do fun experiments with potatoes. Other projects include Mr. Potato Head races and computer games designed by the Idaho Potato Commission.
Gift Shop and Café
After youâve toured the museum, be sure to check out the Spud Sellar Gift Shop. It has almost every potato-themed gift item imaginable!
Youâll also want to stop by the Potato Station CafĂ© for a fun snack. The cafĂ© serves potatoes every way imaginable â baked, fried, in salads, cupcakes, dipped in chocolate or as bread.
We tried the potato ice cream â one scoop of vanilla and one scoop of chocolate â and it was delicious. Honestly, you couldnât even tell it was made with potatoes, which was a little disappointing, but we sure enjoyed it!
History of the Idaho Potato Museum
Like the potato itself, the building housing the museum has an interesting history. Here’s the story, straight from the museum.
The 5,500 square-foot building was originally a railroad depot constructed by the Oregon Short Line Rail Road, a subsidiary of Union Pacific Rail Road. Construction began in October 1912 and was completed in August 15, 1913. A huge, community party was held the next day with more than 2,000 people attending to celebrate the depotâs opening.
As soon as the depot opened it bustled with activity. Eight passenger trains came and went daily. Freight trains were also an integral part of the depotâs service as is evident by the buildingâs many freight doors and freight platform that is still in use today as the Potato Lab area.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, Union Pacific closed the depot to freight service in 1984. Passenger train service had ceased many years prior to that. With the building now abandoned, Blackfoot community leaders worked with Union Pacific to find a new use for the âcenterpiece of Blackfoot.”
The Idaho Potato Museum was established in 1988 by a handful of people with a big vision. They had been meeting and working toward opening a âPotato Expositionâ when this building became available. After a lot of hard work and elbow grease, the first Idaho Potato Expo opened in August 1988.
Today, the Idaho Potato Museum welcomes visitors from all around the world!
Location & Contact Information
The Idaho Potato Museum is located at 130 Northwest Main Street, Blackfoot, ID 83221.
Phone number: (208) 785-2517
Website: IdahoPotatoMuseum.com
Museum Hours
The Idaho Potato Museum is open year-round.
September through May, the museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
During the summer months of June, July, and August, the museum is open seven days a week from 9:30am to 7:00pm.
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