Photo courtesy of Idaho State University College of Business.
Pramesh Shah
Staff Writer
The best way to understand Pocatello is to walk it, sip it, and watch the sun go down over it. For Idaho State University students, a good afternoon can start with coffee in Old Town and end with a quiet overlook above the valley, plus a few surprises in between.
“I didn’t expect such a variety here,” said Dylan Bitter, a freshman health sciences major. “You think it’s a quiet town, but once you start exploring, it kind of opens up.”
Start in Old Town at Gate City Coffee. The baristas remember names, and the walls carry local art. Grab a latte and step outside: right away, the brick storefronts and painted murals make you slow down. Around the corner, you’ll find small places that reward curiosity: the vintage duo of Elwen Cottage and Main Street Mercantile, where you can thumb through records, postcards, and glassware that feel like they already have stories attached.
“When I need a reset, I do that little loop,” Bitter said. “Coffee, a quick walk through the shops, and I’m back to normal.”
A few minutes away is Old Town Ice Cream & Candy. It’s the kind of spot you promise to visit “just once,” then keep returning to for huckleberry scoops and nostalgic candy. Benches nearby turn into effortless hangouts, and ten minutes of people-watching can stretch into an hour of conversation.
If homework calls, head closer to campus and settle at The College Market. Part coffeehouse, part study safe-haven, it’s all soft light and calm chatter, good for writing sprints, group projects, or the last read-through before a quiz. “It feels like a living room for students,” said Joshua Rose, a freshman nuclear engineering major. “I go in stressed and walk out feeling like I’ve got a plan.”
When the weather cooperates, trade the desk for dirt. City Creek Trailhead sits just a five-minute drive from ISU, with rolling singletrack and quick overlooks that make even a short walk feel like an escape. “I take City Creek when I need to think,” Rose said. “You forget you’re still near town until you see the valley again from the bend in the trail.”
On weekends, aim higher. Pack snacks (Bitter votes for bagels from Fifth Street Bagelry) and take the Scout Mountain Scenic Drive. In the fall, the aspens turn gold; in winter, the light becomes clean and blue. Park at a turnout and watch the last bit of sun lay over rooftops and rails. “That’s when it clicks,” Bitter said. “It’s small, but it’s beautiful.”
Back in town, refuel at Scoops N Sliders on Yellowstone Ave — sundaes, and the kind of bright, old-school vibe that makes Friday nights feel simple.
However, not every day is a blue-sky day. When rain or snow hits, Pocatello still delivers movement and laughs. Heber Hatchets turns an ordinary evening into friendly competition, teams, tallies, and a lot of cheering. Geronimo’s Trampoline Park is pure energy: dodgeball, foam pits, and an hour where you don’t think about deadlines. If you’re grazing instead of going out, Idaho Unlimited blends a small coffee counter with gifts and home goods, perfect for picking up a mug and a mid-study caffeine boost.
What ties it all together isn’t just the list of places, it’s the rhythm. Coffee to curios, study to trail and sunset to sliders. None of it requires a long drive or a big budget, just a willingness to step out and see what’s nearby.
