A candy bar called the Spud has been made in Idaho since 1918, and it contains zero potatoes. Instead, it’s a cocoa-flavored marshmallow center wrapped in dark chocolate and dusted with coconut.
I love that a state famous for spuds turned the joke into dessert.
That same company still makes candy in a downtown building it has used since 1909. Other shops around the state hand-dip cherry cordials, pour gelato, and stock glass-bottled sodas that look borrowed from a grandparent’s childhood.
The fun part is how different these stops are from one another. A few are family chocolate makers with decades of practice.
Others lean into bright displays, international candy, and old soda fountain treats.
So where should a sweet tooth go when it needs a break from the highway? The answer stretches from Coeur d’Alene down to Twin Falls, with plenty of tasty stops in between.
Idaho Candy Company
Idaho’s most famous candy bar is named after a potato, yet it tastes nothing like one. The Idaho Spud, first made in 1918, has a cocoa-flavored marshmallow center covered in dark chocolate and sprinkled with coconut.
The company behind it has been making candy at its Eighth Street location in Boise since 1909. That’s more than a century of sweets coming out of one downtown address, which makes the factory store a fun stop for history fans.
Inside the store, you can pick up Spuds along with other regional bars. Look for the Old Faithful bar, named after the famous Yellowstone geyser, and the Cherry Cocktail bar, a longtime favorite with a bright pink center.
Owyhee Butter Toffee is another option worth grabbing. It’s handy for anyone who wants a gift that feels rooted in Idaho instead of something from a chain store.
Plan to buy a few extra bars for friends back home. Trust us, explaining that a Spud is chocolate and not a baked potato makes a great conversation starter.
Address: 412 S 8th St, Boise, ID 83702
Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweetshop
Sherman Avenue is the main street of downtown Coeur d’Alene, and this sweetshop sits right in the middle of the action. That location matters, because a candy stop here fits easily into a day of walking, shopping, and heading toward the lake.
Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweetshop is built for browsing. The shop’s bright, cheerful setup makes picking a treat part of the fun rather than a quick grab at a register.
Families will find it a handy break from regular sightseeing. Kids get a reward for all that walking, and grown-ups get a few minutes to wander without a schedule.
Since the lakefront is only a short stroll away, you can carry your bag of sweets down to the water. Coeur d’Alene Lake is the centerpiece of the city, so this pairing works well on a sunny afternoon.
Hours can shift with the seasons in a resort town like this one. Checking ahead before a special trip is a smart move, especially in the cooler months.
Address: 315 E Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
Frederickson’s Fine Candies INC
Flashy displays aren’t the focus at this Twin Falls candy maker. Frederickson’s Fine Candies puts its attention on traditional confectionery and the craft behind classic sweets.
The shop sits on Hansen Street in Twin Falls. It’s a locally established business, so you’re supporting a hometown candy maker instead of a big national brand.
Specialty candy is the draw here. If the supermarket candy aisle feels a little boring, this is the kind of place that gives you something different to unwrap.
Twin Falls has plenty to see nearby, including the Perrine Bridge and Shoshone Falls. A box of candy from here makes a sweet snack to save for after a day of canyon views.
Hours at small, independent shops can vary, especially around holidays. A quick call before you go can save a wasted trip and a disappointed sweet tooth.
Think of this stop as a chance to slow down and try something made with care. It’s a nice change of pace from grab-and-go snacks at a gas station.
Address: 434 Hansen St E, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Lee’s Candies
Not every sweet stop needs gelato, games, or a giant display wall. Lee’s Candies keeps things simple with a classic candy counter on South Vista Avenue in Boise.
That straightforward approach is the appeal. You come in, look over the confections, and pick out what catches your eye without a lot of distraction.
The Vista Avenue location is handy for travelers. Vista is a major route connecting the Boise Airport area to the rest of the city, so a detour here doesn’t take much effort.
Flying out soon? Picking up a small box on the way to the airport is an easy way to bring home a last-minute treat.
Shoppers who prefer a dedicated candy shop over mass-market options will feel right at home. There’s something satisfying about buying sweets from a business whose whole job is candy.
As with many small local shops, hours may change. Check before heading over, especially on weekends and holidays.
Address: 2905 S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705
Florence’s Exquisite Chocolates
Back in 1981, a family candy business got its start in Rexburg. Today, Florence’s Exquisite Chocolates is known for hand-dipped chocolates made with a traditional approach.
The lineup is long enough to cause some happy indecision. Cherry cordials, caramels, nut clusters, truffles, and brittles all share space in the case.
Sugar-free chocolates are on the menu too. That’s a thoughtful touch for anyone who has to watch their sugar but still wants to join the fun.
You can buy single pieces or build your own assortment. Mixing and matching makes this a great spot for gifts, since you can tailor a box to someone’s favorites.
Rexburg is a common stop for travelers heading toward Yellowstone and the Tetons. A box of chocolates from here makes the drive a lot more pleasant.
Just be careful leaving chocolate in a hot car during summer. Bring a small cooler if you plan to keep exploring after your visit.
Address: 33 E Main St, Rexburg, ID 83440
Cravin’s Candy Emporium – Boise
Remember when choosing candy felt like the biggest decision of the whole afternoon? Cravin’s Candy Emporium brings that feeling back with shelves of vintage sweets and international candies.
The mix here goes well beyond the usual. You’ll see glass-bottled sodas, handcrafted chocolates, and Italian gelato, which means you can sip, scoop, and snack in one visit.
The shop sits in Boise’s Bown Crossing neighborhood on the city’s southeast side. It’s close to the Boise River Greenbelt, a long paved path that’s popular for biking, jogging, and easy walks.
That makes a ride or stroll on the Greenbelt followed by gelato a pretty solid plan. Calling it a reward for exercise is completely allowed.
Multiple generations can have fun comparing notes here. Grandparents may spot candy they haven’t seen in decades, while kids try sodas in flavors they never knew existed.
Address: 3505 E Parkcenter Blvd Suite 3, Boise, ID 83706
Goody’s Soda Fountain
An old-fashioned soda fountain can make an ordinary afternoon feel like a small party. Goody’s Soda Fountain brings that classic American treat shop to Boise’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood.
Hyde Park is a walkable district in Boise’s North End. It’s lined with local businesses, which makes it easy to turn a dessert stop into a relaxed afternoon.
Rather than grabbing a packaged candy bar, you can make a real outing of it here. Ice cream treats and candy make Goody’s a sit-down kind of sweet stop.
The neighborhood is part of the reason to go. Strolling along 13th Street before or after your treat gives you a look at one of Boise’s best-known historic shopping areas.
Parking can be on the street, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Walking a block or two just means you’ve earned a bigger scoop.
Address: 1502 N 13th St, Boise, ID 83702
Daisy’s Twin Falls
Grocery-store candy aisles are fine, but they rarely surprise anybody. Daisy’s Twin Falls gives shoppers on the city’s eastern side a more playful option.
The store is on Addison Avenue, one of the main roads through Twin Falls. That makes it simple to swing by while you’re running errands or heading across town.
Browsing is the whole point here. A specialty candy shop gives you room to spot something unexpected, whether that’s a new flavor or a treat you haven’t seen in years.
Families exploring Twin Falls can easily fit this into a day of sightseeing. Shoshone Falls, often called the Niagara of the West, is only a short drive away.
Kids especially tend to enjoy choosing their own treats. Set a budget before you walk in, though, or that little bag may get very full.
Hours at local shops can change, so confirm before making a special trip. It’s a small step that keeps the fun on track.
Address: 1007 Addison Ave E, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Alene’s Chocolates
Not every memorable chocolate stop sits on a busy downtown street. Alene’s Chocolates operates north of central Idaho Falls, away from the usual shopping districts.
That out-of-the-way location makes it a different kind of detour. Instead of a tourist-focused storefront, this is a dedicated chocolate business with a quieter setting.
Chocolate fans exploring eastern Idaho may want to add it to their plans. Idaho Falls is a natural stop on the way to Yellowstone, so a sweet break fits the route.
Here’s the practical part. Small businesses like this may not keep regular walk-in hours, so check how customer visits work before you make a special trip.
A quick call or online check can tell you whether to stop by, order ahead, or pick up at a set time. Planning ahead helps you avoid pulling up to a closed door.
While you’re in town, the Idaho Falls River Walk along the Snake River makes a pleasant place to enjoy your treats.
Address: 3062 105th N, Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Lolli & Pops
Shopping malls aren’t usually where people expect a candy adventure. Lolli and Pops changes that inside Boise Towne Square, the largest shopping mall in Idaho.
This specialty retailer puts a modern spin on the classic candy store. Its broad selection and colorful presentation make it easy to wander from one display to the next.
Variety is the main draw. Compared with Idaho’s smaller independent shops, this store lets you browse many kinds of sweets in one spot.
If you’re already at the mall for clothes, shoes, or errands, this is an easy add-on. A quick visit can turn a routine shopping trip into something kids will actually remember.
Mall hours usually apply, which gives you more evening flexibility than many small shops. That’s handy for families with busy schedules.
It’s also a good place to hunt for gifts. Candy-themed presents work for birthdays, teachers, and that one friend who’s impossible to shop for.
Address: 350 N Milwaukee St, Boise, ID 83704
See’s Candies
Mary See’s recipes launched this chocolate company in Los Angeles in 1921. More than a century later, See’s Candies still sells boxed chocolates from its trademark black-and-white shops, including one in Boise.
The Boise location sits inside Boise Towne Square. That makes it an easy stop when you’re already at the mall.
Classic boxed chocolates are the main attraction. You can also browse lollipops, toffee, and other traditional confections that have kept the brand recognizable for generations.
Holiday seasons are a natural time to visit. A box of See’s works well for teachers, coworkers, and family members who appreciate a familiar treat.
Sure, it isn’t an Idaho original. Still, its old-fashioned chocolate shop style fits right in with the state’s other nostalgic sweet stops.
Wrapping up a candy road trip here feels fitting. After hunting down Spuds and hand-dipped cordials, a classic box of chocolates is a sweet way to finish.
Address: 350 N Milwaukee St, Boise, ID 83704
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