75+ Things to Do in Boise Idaho (A Local’s Guide)
Looking for fun things to do in Boise, Idaho? Look no further! There are plenty of guides to Boise, but not many that are from a true local’s perspective. Since I’m a local and am constantly being asked what fun things there are to do in Boise, I thought I’d create a 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! Therefore, listed below are 75 fun things to do in Boise Idaho. Each list is broken out by season, however, many of the items on the list can be done all year round. 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!
Summer in Boise
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.
Summer Checklist:
Attend one of the wonderful outdoor Idaho Shakespeare Festival shows
Go to the Idaho Summer Outdoor Concert Series at the Botanical Gardens
Walk around the Boise Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning
Attend the Boise Ice Cream Festival for a sweet treat!
- Float the Boise River & check out my tips for floating the river
- Play a round of golf at Warm Springs or Quail Hollow
- Spend a day wine tasting on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail
- Get your country on at the Western Idaho Fair
- Get buck wild at the Caldwell Night Rodeo
- Go stand up paddle boarding at Quinn’s Pond
- Watch a free concert at Alive After Five
- Hike Table Rock and watch the sunset
- Bike along the Greenbelt and stop at Yardarm, Sandbar, Telaya & bike over to Western Collective Brewing!
Watch people surf “The Wave” on the Boise River
Hit up Roaring Springs for a day on the water slides
Go to a drive-in movie at the Caldwell movie theatre
- Spend a day boating at Lucky Peak Reservoir
Get some ice cream at The Stil or at Goodies in Hyde Park
- Go to a Boise Hawks baseball game
Grab your friends for a bike bar night downtown – some popular options are Pedals & Pints and Boise Bike Bar
- Take a walk through Freak Alley Gallery
Get a burger and fries or an ice cream potato at the Westside Drive In
Eat Basque food and learn Basque culture on the Basque Block
Go camping to one of Idaho’s beautiful campgrounds and don’t forget anything with this packing list
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.
Fall Checklist:
Visit a Pumpkin Patch – Farmstead and Linder farms are the most popular.
Get spooked at the Requiem Haunted House in Caldwell.
Attend the Oktoberfest celebrations in Old Boise and Payette Brewing.
Go to a BSU football game and tailgate
- Watch some classic Halloween movies at the Historic Egyptian Theatre or an indie films at the Flix theatre
- Get ready to get lost in the corn-maze at Farmstead or Linder Farms
Find some yummy apples while going “U-pick” apple picking at Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard or Williams Fruit Farm in Emmett
- Take a fall hike in the foothills.
- Learn to swing dance at a swing dancing class at Solid Bar and Grill
Check out the 12th Annual Eagle Food and Wine Festival.
Try the new fall beers and ciders at Boise Brewing or Meriwether Cider.
Eat at one of my favorite restaurants in Boise
Visit the Puzzle Effect Escape Room
Enjoy a night of axe throwing and ping pong at Base Camp Pong & Axe
Winter in Boise
Wintertime in Boise is a pretty chilly time of year, but it’s also very beautiful. There are also 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.
Winter Checklist:
- Hit the ice and go ice-skating at Idaho Ice-World
Watch the Christmas Tree Lighting at the Grove Plaza or the State Capitol Building
Check out the artistic trees at the Festival of Trees downtown
- Warm up with a hot drink at Press & Pony or Bardenay
Have a festive dinner at Capital Cellars or Brickyard
- Make a trip up to McCall for skiing or visit the McCall Winter Carnival
Visit the Idaho Botanical Garden and check out Winter Garden aGlow
- Get your winter ale tasting on at some of the craft breweries in town. Try Payette Brewing and Barbarian Brewing.
- Go skiing or tubing at the local ski hill, Bogus Basin.
Spend a night watching the Boise Philharmonic, Boise Pops at the Ann Morrison Center for the Arts
Check out the winter wonderland of wintery decor, wreaths and poinsettias at Edwards Greenhouse
- Cheer on the Idaho Steelheads at an Idaho Steelheads Hockey Game
- Visit Ballet Idaho to watch one of their festive shows including, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “The Nutcracker”.
Get hot chocolate and drive around to look at Christmas lights
- Visit the Idaho Potato Bowl football game
- Catch a classic holiday flick at the famous Egyptian Theatre
Spring in Boise
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 start blossoming all throughout the foothills. It’s truly a beautiful sight to see!
Spring Checklist:
- Stroll the cute streets of Hyde Park and 13th Street
Hike the foothills and check out the spring blooms
- Go to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary & visit check out the Idaho Botanical Garden spring flowers
Visit the World Center for Bird’s of Prey
- Play mini-golf at Wahooz
- Enjoy the concerts and festivities at TreeFort Music Festival
- Check out local artists at Boise’s First Thursday Art Walk
Rent a moped scooter or grab the electric Bird or Lime’s around town
Go museum hopping and check out the Idaho History museum, Idaho Black History Museum or the Boise Art Museum
- Eat your way through Boise with a Boise foodie tour!
- Check out the Capital City Public Market one Saturday morning
Visit the State Capitol Building
Go to Adult Night at the Discovery Center of Idaho or take your kids for some hands on learning
- Break for the mountains and take a day trip to Idaho City
- Catch a concert at the Knitting Factory
Visit the Boise Zoo in Julia Davis Park
- Visit the historical Boise Depot and get views of Boise downtown
- Book a Boise Trolley tour to get the lay of the land
Walk around one of the gorgeous parks, Kathryn Albertson, Julia Davis, Ann Morrison, or Camel’s Back Park
Check out the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
Get your shopping on at the Village at Meridian or the Boise Town Square Mall
- Stop by some popular Boise wineries like Coiled, Split Rail and Cinder or go on the Sunnyslope wine trail!
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.
WHERE TO STAY IN BOISE
I highly recommend staying in downtown Boise when you visit. I 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!
Airbnb
Here are my top 10 favorite Airbnb’s to rent in Boise and most are in downtown or super close in the North End! You can also use my code for $40 off your first stay.
Budget
Hilton Garden Inn – This is in a great location downtown for the price. See current prices.
Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner – This hotel is located fairly close to downtown and is great for the price! See current prices.
Mid-Range
The Grove Hotel – The Grove is right in the center of downtown and has great rooms and a beautiful lobby. 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.
High-End
Inn at 500 Capitol – This is a super unique hotel and is dog-friendly! Each room has a different unique theme. See current prices.
Hotel 43 – Another new and nice hotel with a fabulous location. See current prices.
Residence Inn by Marriott – I love the location of this hotel. It may be my favorite location of all of the hotels because of its location to BoDo. See current prices.
DAY TRIPS FROM BOISE
Here are some of the best day trips from Boise!
City of Rocks
Craters of the Moon
Bogus Basin
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! 🙂