A road trip is never complete without pulling over to some weird places, including abandoned buildings, amazing neon signs, and more. While Patrick and I have traveled to Idaho a few times, there is always something we missed the time before. So today, I bring you the collection of random places we stopped at during out drive.

Hi-Lo Restaurant. Hollaran Springs Road Exit on I-15, California. Abandoned.

Art-o-Mat at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. 3708 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Amid the gaming tables and slot machines of the Cosmopolitan, you can find a variety old cigarette machines that have been transformed to dispense miniature works of art. For $20 you can select from a range of items, from linocuts to plush monsters.

Farmhouse at Saccos. 6050 S 1900 W, Roy, Utah. Operational.

Built in 1969, Sacco’s was a roadside produce stand that went up for sale in in 2022 and was purchased by a local farm that keep it going today.

Historic 25th Street. Ogden, Utah.

While having an electric car does have some down sides, if we planned accordingly, we could charge at some pretty neat places. We stopped in Ogden at their train station to charge and then walked along Historic 25th Street, a classic American main street with old brick buildings and lots of neon! The dragon is especially impressive and intricate.

Old Barn off I-84. Tremonton, Utah.

Mollie’s Cafe. 15 E Main Street, Snowville, Utah. “Temporarily closed” according to Google.

I had a hard time digging up information on this place, Mollie Steed, who owned and operated the restaurant passed away in 2016, and the Facebook page indicates new owners in 2022, and new hours in 2023, but nothing else.

Curlew Service Garage & Cabins. 25 W Main Street, Snowville, Utah. Abandoned.

Outsiders Inn Motel. 75 S Stone Road, Snowville, Utah. Demolished, only sign remains. Address is the gas station next door.

Greenwood School. 2398 E. 990 S. Hazelton, Idaho. Abandoned.

Built in 1914, this was the Greenwood School, which served a rural area in Idaho, but closed in 1954. In 2020 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Garden of Eden at Travelers’ Oasis Travel Plaza. 1017 S 1150 E, Eden, Idaho. Operational.

Back in 2023 we stopped outside the Garden of Eden to snap a photo of their neon sign. Later on I found you there was another neon sign inside, along with a tree with the snake of temptation. But between then and now, the place was totally remodeled. Thankfully they kept the tree. They really lean into the puns, and it’s worth stopping at for decent restrooms and a wide selection of snacks.

House. 4819 OR-201, Ontario, Oregon.

House. 3573 OR-201, Ontario, Oregon.

Hotel Western. 9 Good Avenue, Nyssa, Oregon. Half-way abandoned.

Built around the turn of the century, the Hotel Western has had many different businesses in it over the years.  In 1996 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and supposedly has a museum on the first floor, but I had a hard time finding information on it, and it wasn’t open when we visited. Ironically my great grandfather died here in 1937. My grandfather and his dad operated a store across the street, which has since been demolished, but I have a photo of it!

Nyssa Train Depot. 1 Good Avenue, Nyssa, Oregon.

Next to the Hotel Western you’ll find the amazing Streamline Modern Nyssa Train Depot. Sadly I couldn’t dig up too much information, and what I did find was conflicting. But that doesn’t detract from the fact it’s absolutely stunning!

Motor-Vu Drive-In. 29522 US-95, Parma, Idaho. Operational.

It’s always a joy to find a drive-in still thriving. Motor-Vu in Parma opened in 1953 by Bill and Gladys Dobbs, who already owned other cinemas in the area. What is amazing about this place is that it is still family run! You can check out what’s playing via their website.

Market. Corner of 1st Street and Highway 26, Notus, Idaho. Abandoned.

Torch Lounge. 1826 W Main Street, Boise, Idaho.

The Torch opened in the 1940s as a cafe. The Johnson family purchased it in 1947, operating it as a drive-in complete with car hops. At some point “Steak Fingers” were added to the menu and there is great debate as to who exactly came up with the spin on chicken fingers. In 1951 it was renamed the Torch Lounge, but today it operates as a strip club.

Drive-in. US Highway 95a N, Yerington, Nevada. Abandoned.

According to Cinema Treasures, this now forlorn drive-in opened in 1953, and was eventually dubbed the Sage Crest Drive-In. It closed and shuttered a handful of times, before closing for the final time in 1995. But apparently there is potential for it to reopen!

This wraps up our Idaho road trip! I hope you enjoyed the journey!