Need a fun day trip or weekend escape in the Mountain West? Head to Boise! Explore a lively downtown, hike scenic foothills, float the river, and discover rich culture in Idaho’s capital city. Whether you're biking the Greenbelt, tasting local craft brews, or exploring vibrant art scenes, Boise offers a dynamic mix of adventure and charm.
Boise, ID Highlights:
- Boise River Greenbelt: Bike, walk, or jog along 25 miles of beautiful riverfront pathways connecting parks and attractions.
- Old Idaho Penitentiary: Tour this fascinating 19th-century prison, now a historic site and museum with spooky tales and exhibits.
- Boise Art Museum: Dive into contemporary art, regional works, and innovative exhibitions in a striking downtown space.
- Idaho State Capitol Building: Explore one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings, open for free self-guided tours daily.
- Boise Foothills: Hike or bike scenic trails like Camel’s Back and Table Rock, with stunning views over the city and Treasure Valley.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Boise is during the spring and fall (April–June and September–October). Mild temperatures, colorful foliage, and lively outdoor festivals make it perfect for hiking, river floating, and sightseeing. Summers are warm and ideal for outdoor fun, while winters bring snow sports nearby.
How to Get There
- By Plane: Boise Airport (BOI) offers easy access with direct flights from major U.S. cities and is just 10 minutes from downtown.
- If you are traveling by car: Boise is located along I-84, about 5 hours from Salt Lake City and 8 hours from Portland.
- By Bus: Greyhound and regional buses connect Boise to nearby cities, with shuttle services available from the airport.
Where to Stay
- The Grove Hotel – Elegant downtown hotel with a full spa, restaurant, and easy access to Boise Centre and Greenbelt trails.
- Hotel 43 – Boutique hotel offering stylish accommodations near restaurants, theaters, and shopping.
- Modern Hotel and Bar – Hip, minimalist hotel with craft cocktails, gourmet dining, and a cool, artsy vibe near downtown.
Best Things to Do
1. Boise River Greenbelt
Rating: ★★★★★
The Boise River Greenbelt is a park that stretches 25 miles along the banks of the Boise River. With its tree-lined path that goes through the heart of Boise and offers wildlife and scenic views, it is a popular and much loved park. The river and its banks were cleaned, and the city started to buy parcels of land to eventually create the large greenbelt. If you are looking for things to do in Boise, Idaho for outdoor enthusiasts, this is a great area to explore.
In addition to walking trails, there is a ten-mile self-directed bike ride or hike that includes a scavenger hunt related to the history of the city. Trails include the Bethine Church River Trail and the Idaho Birding Trail.
2. Boise Art Museum
The Boise Art Museum features a collection of contemporary artwork and exhibitions located on Julia David Drive. The museum began as the Boise Gallery of Art in 1938, and the building underwent expansions in 1973 to include more than 10,000 square feet. After another expansion in 1997, the current facility is 34,800 square feet in size.
In addition to its main building, the museum has an Education Wing, a Sculpture Court, a Museum Store, and more. The Boise Art Museum is one of the best things to do in Boise, Idaho for art lovers. There are temporary exhibits in addition to the permanent collection, and the museum offers a variety of programs and hosts many special events.
670 Julia Davis Drive, Boise, ID, Phone: 208-345-8330
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
3. Discovery Center of Idaho
Located on West Myrtle Street, Discovery Center of Idaho is an interactive science center that seeks to inspire people to take an interest in engineering, math, science, and technology. There are about 200 exhibits in the center. Some of these include the Bubble Wall, the Centripetal Wheel, and the Turbulent Orb.
In addition to the permanent exhibits, the center hosts rotating exhibitions and offers classes on Saturdays during the school year as well as camps for children during school breaks. If you are wondering what to do in Boise with kids, head to this unique place. There are also programs like Young Discoverers for preschoolers and Adult Night with live music, drinks, and local food.
131 West Myrtle Street, Boise, Idaho, Phone: 208-343-9895
4. Aquarium of Boise
Located on North Cole Road, the Aquarium of Boise is a hands-on aquarium that opened to the public in 2011. Formerly known as the Idaho Aquarium, the aquarium was built in a remodeled 10,000 square foot warehouse and continues to grow with new exhibitions being added from time to time.
The aquarium features many interactive touch tanks, which allow visitors to touch or hold marine animals such as corals, crabs, rays, sharks, and starfish. The main exhibits include a giant octopus tank, a coral reef habitat, a shark nursery, and more. There are also new exhibits like a bird aviary and a Marine Science Laboratory.
64 North Cole Road, Boise, Idaho, Phone: 208-375-1932
5. Capital City Public Market
Located on West Bannock Street, the Capital City Public Market features fresh local produce, food, and a variety of local artisans. The market had its beginnings as an open-air market in 1994 with just a few vendors. Today the market has grown to more than 150 vendors per day during the peak season, and it occupies four city blocks in downtown Boise.
Items for sale in the market include baked goods, fish, fruit, meat, vegetables, and much more. The market also hosts special events like musical performances, Bike to Market for Bike Month, and Wiggly Worms, a children’s program about red wiggler worm composting. The market is open on Saturday.
827 W. Main St, Phone: 208-345-3499
6. Zoo Boise
Located on Julia Davis Drive in Julia Davis Park, Zoo Boise is a zoological park that features a large variety of animal exhibits as well as several special attractions. Some of these include Butterflies in Bloom, the Conservation Cruise, Giraffe Encounter” the Sloth Bear Encounter, and more.
The Zoo Farm gives children the chance to feed goats, llamas, and sheep, while Animal Presentations teaches children about several kinds of animals in the exhibits. The zoo welcomes school, youth, and adult groups for self-guided tours. There are also special events such as Boo at the Zoo, Claus ‘N Paws, Spooktacular, and Zoobilee.
355 Julia Davis Drive, Boise, Idaho, Phone: 208-608-7760
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
7. Idaho Botanical Garden
Located on Old Penitentiary Road, the Idaho Botanical Garden is a garden sitting on 50 acres of land that was formerly the farm and nursery of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. After ten years of sitting vacant, the garden was created in 1984. The garden is made up of a large variety of separate gardens, including the Alpine Garden, the Cactus Garden, and the English Garden.
The garden offers many classes and workshops like Garden on the Road and Nature Detective. It also hosts numerous events such as musical performances, Foothills Walk, Grow the Garden Party, and more.
2355 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho, Phone: 208-343-8649
8. Hulls Gulch Reserve
Hulls Gulch Reserve is the home of two trails, The Grove and Lower Hulls Gulch. The 292-acre reserve is located at the base of the foothills north of downtown Boise. The name comes from the creek that begins in the foothills and flows through the reserve.
There are about 150 miles of trails for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and runners. The reserve is home to a large variety of wildlife, and visitors can enjoy catching glimpses of birds like the great horned owl as well as reptiles like lizards and snakes and mammals such as coyotes, mule deer, and red fox. The Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center educates visitors about the environment and preservation.
3001 North Sunset Peak Road, Boise, Idaho
9. Fork
Fork is a farm-to-table American restaurant in Boise, opened to the public in 2011 by Amanda and Cameron Lumsden. The upscale restaurant, housed within a converted brick row building on Boise's 8th Street, is committed to its Loyal to Local initiative, sourcing all of its key ingredients from regional Northwest farmers and producers, including beers and liquors sourced from regional brewers and distillers. Comforting shareable plates are served at dinner, including tomato basil fondue, asparagus fries, and 8th Street tacos with cotija cheese and fresh avocado. A variety of delicious burger and sandwich options are also served, along with entrees such as Moroccan-style voodoo chicken, artichoke and ricotta ravioli, and ale-braised short ribs.
199 N 8th St, Boise, Idaho 83702, Phone: 208-287-1700
10. Boise Trolley Tours
Located on North Garden Street, the Boise Trolley Tours offers a variety of tours guided by Boise natives with extensive knowledge of the city sights. The company conducts 75 minute narrated tours of Boise’s historic downtown every day from May through September in open-air replica trolley cars. Tours visit the Basque Block, the Idaho State Capitol, Hyde Park, the mansions of Warm Springs, and other exciting destinations.
The company also offers special tours like the 21+ Halloween Tours that take visitors on a trolley to the Frightened Felons Event at the Old Pen. Ms. Molly Trolley is a 31-passenger trolley that is especially popular and can be used for private events such as parties and weddings.
2288 North Garden Street, Boise, Idaho, Phone: 208-433-0849
Plan Your Trip