Planning a trip to Boise? If so, I’m excited for you to experience it! As a Boise local, I love sharing fun things to do in Boise, The City of Trees! There are plenty of guides to Boise, but not many that are from a true local’s perspective. Since I grew up in Idaho and have lived in Boise for over 7 years, I am constantly being asked what there is to do here, so I thought I’d create a master list.
This list will probably grow as time goes on, but as of now, I’ve gathered as much intel on this city as I can.
Boise is a great place for the entire family to visit; in fact, people traveling with kids love coming here because it’s laid back, and there are a lot of kid-friendly activities. Don’t worry if you don’t have kids or aren’t bringing them; there are still plenty of things to do in Boise for you!
Boise is located within the Treasure Valley in southern Idaho with a high-desert climate. The Treasure Valley is comprised of 8 towns (Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Caldwell, and Middleton). The population of Boise is around 240K, and the population of the Treasure Valley is about 1M.
Below, I’ve listed a plethora of fun things to do in Boise, Idaho. I’ve also mentioned the best restaurants and bars to check out, the best places to stay in Boise, what to pack for Idaho in all seasons, and the best overall Boise activities!
While we’re at it, let’s be friends on Instagram and Tiktok!
The Best Things to Do in Boise (From a Local)
How to get around Boise?
Boise is a walkable city if your aim is to mostly stay in the downtown Boise area. Otherwise, I would recommend renting a car (this is great if you want to do some Boise day trips). The other option is to take Uber or Lyft around town, which are typically readily available. Renting bikes is another great option because the Boise Greenbelt runs to many great parts of the city! There is also a bus service called Valley Ride, but it isn’t the most convenient for spending a weekend in Boise.
Things to do in Boise in the Summer
Summertime in Boise is one of the best seasons of the year, and there’s so much to do and experience outside. With the Boise River opening up for floating, live outdoor concerts, and the awesome hot weather, there’s so much to enjoy! Visiting with a date? Here are the best Boise summer date night spots.
1 – Bike along the Boise River Greenbelt
The Boise River Greenbelt is a gem of Boise! It’s one of my favorite things to do in the spring and summer in Boise. This incredible 25-mile stretch of pathway follows the north and south sides right through downtown, and there’s something for everyone on this scenic route! While there are plenty of stops you can make along the entire path, I recommend grabbing wine along the river at Telaya Winery, watching the surfers at the Boise Whitewater Park, “The Wave,” and grabbing a drink or food from Yardarm.
Sometimes, there is live music at the Sandbar and Greenacres food truck park, too! If you want more nature, check out the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center to see unique local wildlife! And you’ll also want to make a stop at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial—the only Anne Frank memorial in the United States.
2 – Attend one of the outdoor Idaho Shakespeare Festival shows
This open-air theater is set up so you can bring a picnic and watch the show outdoors. Check out my Idaho Shakespeare Guide for more information on how this works!
3 – Float the Boise River
This is definitely my favorite thing to do in the summertime in Boise! In fact, around 125,000 people float the river yearly—it’s a great time! The river runs directly through the city, making it super easy to float and spend an afternoon. You’ll get in at Barber Park and out at Anne Morrison Park. Check out my Boise River Float blog for more details about the float.
4- Go to the Idaho Summer Outdoor Concert Series at the Botanical Gardens
These concerts are so much fun, and each year, Boise gets better and better artists! You can bring a blanket and low chair and enjoy the late summer evenings listening to fun bands and artists!
5 – Walk around the Boise Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning
In the spring, fall, and summer, you’ll find the Boise Farmer’s Market and the Capital City Public Market full of local artisans’ products and goodies.
6 – Sit on a Boise patio for lunch or dinner
All along 8th Street in downtown Boise, you’ll see the majority of this street blocked off to cars and this is a great spot to sit out and enjoy the patio scene in Boise. Check out my favorite restaurants in Boise, here.
7 – Take a walk through Freak Alley Gallery
Take a walk through Freak Alley Gallery. While Boise art museums are very popular, these outdoor murals are another fun option for art lovers. Take a picture in front of them for your Boise memento. If you’re a public art lover, you’ll also appreciate these new murals that have recently gone up in Boise!
8 – Watch a free concert at Alive After Five
Alive After Five is a free summer concert series in the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise on select Wednesday nights! They have live music, adult beverages, lots of different vendors, and even have a fountain for kids to splash in!
9 – Go on a Boise hike in the foothills
There are a lot of great hikes in the foothills surrounding Boise! The most popular is hiking up Table Rock to the cross at the top. it’s beautiful up here for sunset! Check out some of my favorite Boise hikes here.
10 – Eat Basque food and learn Basque culture on the Basque Block
Did you know that Boise has the largest Basque population outside of Basque country? Be sure to check out the Basque Block, where you can go to the Basque Museum and Cultural Center or check out the Basque Market for delicious Basque dishes.
11 – Go on a bike bar in downtown Boise
Grab your friends for a bike bar night downtown – some popular options are Pedals & Pints and Boise Bike Bar.
12 – Paddleboard at Quinn’s Pond or Esther Simplot Park
This is a newer Boise park, and it’s beautiful! There are plenty of areas to paddle board. If you need to rent one, check out Idaho River Sports near the pond. Just be aware that sometimes there are algae blooms, and if that’s the case, you won’t want to go in Quinn’s Pond!
13 – Play golf at a public course
My personal favorite courses are Quail Hollow and Warm Springs! Both are beautiful and would be a fun golf outing in Boise!
14 – Swim or go to the beach at Lucky Peak Reservoir
Lucky Peak is where more Boiseans go to go boating nearby! If you want some beach action, go to Sandy Point Beach, where you can swim and lay in the sand.
15 – Spend a day wine tasting on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail.
The trail showcases 17+ wineries and vineyards, some of which produce award-winning wines. I especially love the Ste. Chapelle Summer Concert Series in Caldwell on Sunday afternoons! They have drinks, live music, and food on their beautiful shaded lawn.
16 – Get your country on
Go to the Western Idaho Fair or get buck wild at the Caldwell Night Rodeo or Idaho Snake River Stampede!
17 – Go to the water park
If you’re traveling with kiddos, I recommend hitting up up Roaring Springs for a day at the water park!
18 – Cool off with some ice cream
19 – Go to a Boise Hawks baseball game
20 – Get a burger and fries or an ice cream potato at the Westside Drive In
You’ve got to try the famous fry sauce of Idaho and the famous ice cream potato (ice cream that looks JUST like a potato)!
21 – Watch the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic on Labor Day weekend
If you happen to be here over Labor Day (typically the weekend they close the Boise River for floating), you can see dozens of hot air balloons flying over Boise. They start early from Ann Morrison Park and fly over the city. It’s a great early-morning experience and is free to enjoy!
22 – Spend time in one of Boise’s beautiful parks
We have a lot of great green spaces in Boise! I highly recommend checking out Ann Morrison Park, Julia Davis Park (where you’ll find Zoo Boise and also where you can rent a paddleboat for $15), Kathryn Albertson Park, or Camel’s Back Park. The majority of the parks in Boise are also connected to the Boise Greenbelt system!
23 – Go up to Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
Bogus Basin is Boise’s ski mountain in the winter months, but there are fun activities up here all summer! You can ride the lifts, go hiking, mountain biking, ride the mountain Coaster, and even do yoga on the mountain!
24 – Eat at the multiple food truck parks around Boise
There have been more food truck parks popping up around Boise. My favorites are Green Acres Food Truck Park off of the Greenbelt and the other great one is The Switchback (although this one can get hot if it’s a hot summer day due to lack of shade).
25 – Tour the Old Idaho Penitentiary
While I think this is a fun thing to do in the fall during Halloween, it’s also a great summer Boise activity! You can see here how old outlaws used to live in the late 1800s.
Fall in Boise
Best of all she loved the fall! Yep, it’s true. Fall seriously is my favorite time of year and I’m so happy to be able to live somewhere where fall is celebrated in full force! I’m big on bucket lists and since I made this one for myself last fall, I thought I’d incorporate it into this post. I want you all to get in the autumn spirit as well. Hopefully this list will help you live it up and find out what to do in Boise in the fall.
Things to do in Boise in the Fall
1 – Visit a pumpkin patch in the Treasure Valley
Farmstead is the most popular to visit, but there’s an extensive list here if you want your options!
2 – Visit a U-Pick flower farm
The flower farms are typically great options at the beginning of the season! I recommend visiting Lovely Hollow Farm and Blue Sky Farm for U-pick fall flowers and pumpkin varieties. Be sure to check their websites for openings and fall events!
3 – Get spooked at a haunted house
I recommend visiting Requiem Haunted House in Caldwell!
4 – Get lost in a corn maze
My favorite is at Farmstead. They have a corn maze and pumpkin patch! Unfortunately, The Farmstead did away with their Field of Screams, but we’ll keep an eye out if they refresh it!
5 – Go apple picking
Find some yummy apples while going “U-pick” apple picking at Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard and Williams Fruit Farm in Emmett.
6 – Visit wineries during the harvest season
Take a trip to the famous Sunny Slope Wine Trail. My favorite tour company is Snake River Wine Tours if you want a wonderful experience! Many of the wineries also have fall harvest events and promotions, so keep an eye out!
7 – Attend the Oktoberfest celebrations
Check out Old Boise and Payette Brewing.
8 – Go to a BSU football game and tailgate
This is the quintessential Boise sports activity in the fall!
9 – Visit the Idaho Botanical Gardens
Every year, they throw a fun Fall Harvest Festival and do a Scarecrow Stroll. These are fun as a date night or for the whole family!
10 – Eat out and enjoy some fall harvest
Eat at one of my favorite restaurants in Boise!
11 – Watch some classic Halloween movies
12 – Go fall foliage scouting
One of my favorite fall festivities is taking a scenic drive around Idaho! You can use this resource to find fall leaves!
13 – Take a fall hike in the foothills
Fall in Boise can be so beautiful with fabulous weather, so check out one of these great hikes near the Boise area!
14 – Go to the Boise Zoo
Every year, the Boise Zoo puts on Boo at the Zoo, a great family event with trick-or-treat stations, costume contests, and the ability to see zoo animals to enjoy Halloween-themed activities!
15 – Check out the Eagle Food and Wine Festival
This festival happens in Eagle, Idaho, every year and is a fun event if you love food and wine! Check it out here.
16 – Try the new fall beers and ciders at local breweries
Try the new fall beers at the many breweries around town. This is one of my favorite Boise fall activities. My favorites are Barbarian Brewing, Western Collective, and Payette Brewing or Meriwether Cider.
17 – Take a fall cooking class
Try out your cooking skills at a fall cooking class at Season + Taste Cooking School
18 – Attend the Witches Night Out event
Every year, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance hosts the annual Witches Night Out at the Village at Meridian. They plan fun activities, raffles, games, and prizes, all to raise money for a great cause.
19 – Watch a sunset
Head to J.R. Simplot Hill or the Boise Train Depot to watch a beautiful autumn sunset!
20 – Go on a Haunted Halloween Trolley Tour
Boise Trolley Tours is offering a nightly trolley tour in the fall to learn sinister secrets and terrors around Boise. Be sure to book your tickets in advance!
21 – Visit the Old Idaho Penitentiary
All October long, the Idaho Penitentiary puts on different shows and events, including Frightening Felons and Paranormal Investigations. Be sure to check their events page for upcoming events.
22 – Go to a Boise State game at Albertsons Stadium
Nothing screams fall more than football, and while I’m a University of Idaho Vandal at heart, the games at Boise State are still fun! You can also see the famous blue turf. Check out the schedule here.
23 – Go on a bike ride
Hop on the Greenbelt and watch the tree’s colors change!
24 – Enjoy a Boise Bike Bar
Have some fun downtown on a paddling bike bar! Book your ride on with the Boise Bike Bar.
25 – Go on a fun run
Attend the YMCA Halloween Monster Mile & Freaky 5K
26 – Check out local art
Take a walk through Freak Alley Gallery in downtown Boise. You might even find local live music on 8th Street.
27 – Drive to the Idaho City “Ghost Town”
I love this little weird town of Idaho City! It’s technically not a ghost town anymore because people live here, but it’s a fun and spooky place to visit in the fall! Check out all of these ghost towns in Idaho you can visit!
28 – Go on a road trip
Here are some of my favorite places to road trip from Boise, and the majority of these are beautiful in the fall!
Things to do in Boise in the Winter
Wintertime in Boise is a pretty chilly time of year, but it’s also very beautiful. There are also a ton of events to get you in the holiday spirit! With the Nutcracker ballet, Winter Garden-a-Glow and Christmas lights all over the town, it makes Boise a cozy place to spend the holidays or winter in general. Boise doesn’t get as much snow as the mountains of McCall or Sun Valley, but it still can snow in the valley! Here’s everything to do in Boise if you’re visiting in the winter.
Visit the Idaho Botanical Gardens Winter Garden aGlow
The Idaho Botanical Gardens are great all year round, but in the winter, they offer a unique, family-friendly event that transforms the garden into a wonderland. Over 550,000 energy-efficient lights are hung across the garden’s 14 acres yearly. You can bundle up, grab some hot chocolate at one of the food trucks, and wander around! Book your tickets here.
View the Christmas lights
I’m also a big fan of free-light viewing and enjoy going to:
- Watch the Christmas Tree Lighting at the Grove Plaza, State Capitol Building, or The Village at Meridian
- Scentsy Common Light Stroll
- Caldwell’s Winter Wonderland at Indian Creek Plaza
- Christmas in Color, where you can see the lights from your car
- Lost in Christmas at Shindig Farms
Go to an Idaho Steelheads Hockey Game
This is one of my favorite things to do in the winter! Plus, in December, you can see the lights on the Christmas tree at the Grove Plaza on your way into the game or go ice skating in the Grove Plaza. On Wednesday nights, they have $2 beers, and they have games on most Wednesdays, Friday, and Saturday nights! The season goes all the way until April! Grab your tickets here.
Catch a classic holiday flick at the famous Egyptian Theatre
It just wouldn’t feel like the holidays without Love, Actually. What’s even better than watching the movie at home is at Boise’s most incredible historical theatre, the Egyptian Theatre. Cheer for your favorites (Hugh Grant, “Natalie,” and Colin Firth), and boo for the bad guys alongside your fellow Boisians! You can also order drinks downstairs and bring them to your seat to enjoy the movie with an adult beverage. For more indy films, I recommend The Flicks Theatre.
Go ice skating
There are numerous places to ice skate in Boise or nearby. I recommend checking out the brand-new Glide on Grove Plaza, a free ice skating rink in downtown Boise. You can also ice skate at The Village at Meridian and Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell. If you’d rather skate indoors, check out Idaho Ice-World
Visit Edwards Greenhouse for wintery decor, houseplants, and yoga
If I could live anywhere, it would be inside Edwards Greenhouse. Seriously, it’s warm and tropical with the most amazing floral smells, even in the dead of winter. At the end of January/beginning of February, the entire giant greenhouse is filled with an intoxicating fragrance as the indoor jasmine vines burst into bloom. The greenhouse also offers yoga classes, house plants galore, and the most beautiful winter decor that you never knew you needed.
Soak in a hot spring
The Springs at Idaho City are conveniently located only an hour outside of Boise, and the proximity, along with all of its amenities, have made it a popular winter weekend destination. You can spend the whole day soaking, drinking, eating, and lounging. There are also showers, towels, lockers, and a sauna in addition to a hot spring pool and extra warm hot tub. Recently, though, I have felt it gets a bit too crowded on the weekends, so I prefer to go after work on a weekday to unwind and relax. If you want a more natural soaking experience, try Snively Hot Springs, although it isn’t always the most taken care of hot spring. Be sure to use proper hot spring etiquette!
Go skiing or tubing at the local ski hill, Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin is a serious winter weekend destination for Boisians and for good reason! The ski hill offers locals excellent downhill and cross-country skiing only 16 miles away. It’s so accessible that many people also go after work on weekdays and enjoy night skiing on well-lit trails (Nordic and Alpine!). If you or your family members don’t ski, why not try tubing instead? With a convenient conveyor lift back to the top of the hill, you’ll have the energy to go all day.
Check out the artistic trees at the Festival of Trees downtown
The Festival Trees is one of my favorite things to do in Boise over the holidays. It’s only one weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, but is so fun if you can get your hands on tickets! You can wander through a magical display of artistically created trees and enjoy food, arts, community, music, and holiday magic!
Make a trip up to McCall for skiing or visit the McCall Winter Carnival
McCall is a quaint lakeside town with an annual Winter Carnival featuring parades, live music, and mind-blowing snow sculptures! The town also boasts plenty of outdoor activities – visit Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resort for epic skiing and snowboarding.
Take a cooking class
This is such a fun activity to do in the wintertime for date night or getting together with family and friends. I recommend going to Season + Taste Boise Cooking School for some great winter-themed options! Book your class here.
Warm up with a hot drink at a cocktail bar
We have some great cocktail bars in Boise! Check out this list of my favorites speakeasies! If you want to check out a holiday bar pop-up, I recommend going to The Gatsby or House of Western!
Have a festive dinner
Try one of my favorite restaurants in Boise for this, or one of the most romantic Boise restaurants!
Go winter ale tasting
Catch a symphony or ballet (Nutcracker)
I recommend checking out Boise Philharmonic, Boise Pops at the Ann Morrison Center for the Arts or Ballet Idaho to watch one of their festive shows including, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “The Nutcracker”.
Spend time in a cozy cafe
Get a group together and go to TopGolf
This is a great activity if you have a larger group in town for the holidays or the winter season! They have heaters and accommodate larger groups!
Things to do in Boise in the Spring
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to come to Boise. The weather is usually a mix between summer (80s) and fall weather (50-60s). It rains quite a bit in Boise in the spring, so this list is filled with a mixture of outdoor and indoor Boise activities because of this. One of the best parts of spring in Boise is watching the snow melt and seeing everything start to bloom. For instance, the trees all over the city start to bloom, and the flowers bloom all throughout the foothills. It’s truly a beautiful sight to see!
1 – Stroll the cute streets of Hyde Park and 13th Street
2 – Hike the foothills and check out the spring blooms
Go on some Boise foothills hikes or some of these on this list to see beautiful spring flowers.
3 – Visit a museum
Spring is a great time to go to a museum; check out one of these:
- Old Idaho State Penitentiary
- Idaho History Museum
- Idaho Black History Museum
- Boise Art Museum
- Discovery Center of Idaho
- Adult Night at the Discovery Center of Idaho
4 – Visit the World Center for Birds of Prey
This is a world-renowned center for Birds of Prey and is pretty well done! A great activity for a nicer day.
5 – Play mini-golf at Wahooz or Top Golf
6 – Go pick flowers at a U-pick flower farm
7. Visit the Idaho Botanical Garden
8 – Go to TreeFort Music Festival
9 – Go on a First Thursday Art Walk
10 – Eat your way through Boise
11 – Check out the Capital City Public Market
This market and the Farmer’s Market are great selections of produce and local vendors and goods. It’s a great way to learn more about the community and shop locally!
12 – Catch a concert at the Treefort Music Hall or Knitting Factory
Both of these are smaller venues in downtown Boise and it’s fun to catch a show at either!
13 – Visit the State Capitol Building or historical Boise Depot and get views of Boise downtown
14 – Walk around one of the gorgeous parks
15 – Get your shopping on
If it’s a nice day, head to the Village at Meridian for outdoor shopping or go to the Boise Town Square Mall for an old-school mall.
16 – Visit an urban winery
17 – Watch an Idaho Steelheads Game
Catch the end of the Idaho Steelheads season as it goes from October to April
18 – Go on a Boise Scavenger Hunt
If you like doing scavenger hunts, this might be a great activity for your group to do around Boise!
Where to Eat & Drink in Boise
Boise has a lot of great restaurants and fun nightlife! I’ve listed a few of my favorite places to eat and drink in Boise within each season’s list above. Here are my all-time favorite restaurants in Boise (most are downtown), and here are the most romantic places to eat in Boise!
If you’re looking for bars, make sure to go to 8th St. and Main St., or in-between 5th and Capitol Blvd to find your most happening bars. We also have some fun conversations. Check out my reel of the top ones here.
Visiting for the holidays? Check out this holiday pop-up at the Gatsby!
Where to Stay in Boise
I highly recommend staying in downtown Boise when you visit. I used to live downtown, and it’s such a great way to see the city. Therefore, here are the best places to stay in Boise in my opinion!
Boise Airbnbs
Here are my top 10 favorite Airbnbs to rent in Boise, and most are in the downtown area or are super close by just in the North End!
Boise Hotels
The Avery – This is our newest boutique hotel in downtown Boise. It’s a historic hotel and is so beautiful! Plus, you have to check out the restaurant below! Get 10% off your booking with my code: ‘SPUD10’ or use this link!
The Grove Hotel – The Grove is right in the center of downtown and has great rooms and a beautiful lobby, it’s also very family-friendly. See current prices.
The Modern Hotel – This is an old motel that’s been converted into a hip modern hotel. I love their cocktails and brunch! See current prices.
Inn at 500 Capitol – This is a super unique hotel and is dog-friendly! Each room has a different, unique theme. See a review of my stay here. Or see current prices here.
Hotel 43 – Another nice hotel with a fabulous location. See current prices.
Fun Day Trips from Boise
Here are some of the best day trips from Boise!
- Idaho City
- Bruneau Sand Dunes
- Sunnyslope Wine Trail
- City of Rocks
- Craters of the Moon
- Bogus Basin
- Twin Falls/Shoshone Falls
- McCall
FAQs About Things to Do in Boise
What is Boise best known for?
Boise is known for being the capital city of Idaho, located in the southern part of the state. It’s an outdoorsy town that backs up to the Boise Foothills, a plethora of outdoor recreational activities, and the Boise River that runs through the town. It has a walkable downtown area and is home to the college, Boise State University.
Is Boise, Idaho worth visiting?
Yes! I might be biased because I live here, but Boise is a great little city to visit. It’s manageable and slower-paced, with lots of great restaurants, bars, and outdoor recreational activities to keep you busy for a weekend!
Is there a lot to do in Boise?
Surprisingly for a smaller city, there is plenty to do in Boise and the surrounding Treasure Valley area. From snow sports to water sports to floating the river and exploring the downtown scene. There really is something for everyone. You’ll notice there aren’t a lot of “tourist attractions” in Boise, but there still is plenty to do to keep you busy!
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This is awesome! I’m hoping to go this summer! The little day trips look really fun!
Yay! I hope you do!! 🙂
Honestly I’ve lived in Idaho my entire life and still this list gave so much insight into so many activities I have yet to try in the area. Thank you!
YAY! Im so glad it helped! 🙂