Blackfoot, ID, United States

Capital City

The population of 12,346 may seem small, but Blackfoot packs a punch with its reputation as the "Potato Capital of the World." However, this rural Idaho city doesn't sugarcoat its challenges - the semi-arid climate means brutally cold winters and scorching summers, while the city's history is marked by political scheming over its county seat status. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city's tree-lined streets a product of an irrigation project dating back to the 1880s. While Blackfoot offers a slice of small-town Americana, complete with the world's largest baked potato, this is a place best suited for those who crave a slower pace and can tolerate the region's climate and red tape.