Boise, the vibrant capital of Idaho, has a mix of history, culture, and outdoor adventures. The city features lush parks, fascinating museums, and family-friendly attractions. With a small-town charm, downtown Boise is dotted with family-owned shops and restaurants.
Located in the Rockies’ foothills along the Boise River, the city is linked by the scenic Greenbelt, providing access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. While nature is close by, Boise also boasts a thriving arts scene, diverse dining, and lively nightlife. With its markets, animal exhibits, and sporting events, there’s something for everyone in Boise.
Top 10 Best ThingsTo Do in Boise
- Boise River Greenbelt
- Idaho State Capitol Building
- Old Idaho State Penitentiary
- Idaho Botanical Gardens
- Treefort Music Fest
- Ridge to Rivers
- 6th and Main
- Basque Block
- Freak Alley
- Mountain towns
1. Boise River Greenbelt
The Boise River Greenbelt, stretching over 25 miles, winds through the heart of the city, connecting riverside parks and nature spots. Established in the sixties, it’s one of Boise’s most popular and scenic areas, with paved paths offering stunning river views and passing through diverse landscapes, including downtown, Julia Davis Park, and Ann Morrison Park. This river-adjacent pathway is perfect for strolling, jogging, or biking, providing a peaceful escape in the bustling city. With its well-shaded trails and friendly atmosphere, the Greenbelt is a favorite for both locals and visitors.
2. Idaho State Capitol Building
The Idaho State Capitol, a standout symbol of Boise, dominates the city center with its grand Neoclassical architecture and lush surrounding grounds. Built between 1905 and 1912, the impressive building features a massive dome and hundreds of marble pillars, with its design partly inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s, and the US Capitol.
Visitors can explore the capitol’s spacious chambers, halls, and elegant rotunda, which are adorned with artifacts, portraits, and artworks. Outside, historic trees and statues add to the charm. Tours offer insights into its history and the presidents who planted trees on the property.
3. Old Idaho State Penitentiary
The Old Idaho Penitentiary, a famous landmark in the city’s past, officially opened its doors in 1872 and continued functioning as a prison through 1973. Although completely deserted, it is available for tours. Guides are going to engage tourists with colorful stories of the former inmates kept here. It is also quite convenient to arrange a jailhouse tour and take a stroll near the city’s Botanical Gardens on the same morning because the location is near both of them.
4. Idaho Botanical Gardens
This 50-acre nonprofit botanical garden was originally the farm and nursery for the nearby Old Idaho State Penitentiary until 1973. Of course, to take a walk among the native plants of Southeast Idaho. The beautiful Winter grounds Aglow during the holidays and the Outlaw Field concert series during the summer are just two of the enjoyable activities that take place in the park all year around.
5. Treefort Music Fest
Treefort has grown in just seven years from a mainly local music celebration to a nationally famous music, art, and technology festival that attracts attention for including women and people of color in its largest main stage slots. In addition to a variety of other “forts” like storyfort, hackfort, kidfort, yogafort, and more, Treefort offers a wide range of music you’ve never heard of, like Lizzo, Princess Nokia, Run the Jewels, and Charles Bradley.
Get downtown immediately if you’re lucky enough to be in Boise during Treefort. Treefort magic helps the whole town come to life. It’s challenging to put into words. All you have to do is feel it.
6. Ridge to Rivers
In the foothills of Boise, there are 190 miles of hiking and biking trails which make up the Ridge to Rivers trail system. You can find exactly what you’re looking for with an extensive system of trails, whether it’s complete solitude in the Boise National Forest or panoramic views of the city skyline from above.
There are trails to suit every length and level of difficulty, but some local favorites are the slightly challenging 12-mile out-and-back to Stack Rock, or the easy six-mile Hull’s Gulch trail. Another popular mountain biking trail is Dry Creek, which runs with a lively, bubbling brook and traverses over from dry foothills prairie to National Forest land in just one hike.
7. 6th and Main
The busiest intersection in historic downtown Boise is where the main and 6th streets meet. 6th and Main has exactly what you’re looking for, whether you’re looking for a nightclub, a cash-only dive bar, a peaceful coffee house with alcohol, or a cowboy hoedown (complete with the mechanical bull). Locals know that Boise is a good party animal. Plan a Saturday night visit to 6th and Main to view it for yourself. Just get ready to stay out well past your bedtime.
8. Basque Block
Few people are familiar with the fact that Boise is home to the third-largest Basque society in the world, behind Argentina and the Basque Country of Northern Spain. Enjoy this vibrant, Spanish-influenced culture firsthand by going to the downtown Basque Block.
After learning about a unique cultural past at the Boise Basque Museum, explore the Belaustegui house next door, a carefully maintained Basque boarding home where you can schedule a tour in advance. After your tour, drop by the Basque Market for some takeaway chorizo and then go by Bar Gernika for some traditional snacks.
9. Freak Alley
Alleyways are famous for being a touch shady, therefore they don’t have an excellent reputation. By allowing local artists to claim enormous areas of walls to decorate, Boise chose to change the trend and ultimately develop what has come to be known as Freak Alley in downtown.
Every wall in this alley and the nearby parking lot has been covered in a huge array of paintings. There is always something new to see because there is some outstanding talent represented and on occasion new artists are asked to draw over the current walls.
10. Mountain towns
Okay, so we’re mainly talking about Boise proper at the moment, but one of the things that makes the region so unique is the mountain communities in Idaho. Enjoy a day exploring one of the numerous destinations that can be reached easily by car from the city. On weekends, the locals go there, so you should too.
Every one of the small mountain and river communities that surround the Boise metropolitan area has something to offer, whether it’s McCall’s charming downtown, Stanley’s stunning Sawtooth viewpoints, or Idaho City’s huckleberry cheesecake. To be honest, even the drives are worthwhile because, regardless of the highway you take, you will always be presented to stunning views of the Payette River and mountains.
Related Post –
- 10 Best Things to Do in Boulder Colorado
- Top 10 Best Things to Do in Freeport Maine
- 10 Best Places to Visit in California
- 10 Best Things to Do in Anaheim
Bottom Line:
Boise has a mixture of natural beauty, rich history, and cultural experiences, making it a fantastic destination for all. Whether you’re exploring the scenic Greenbelt, enjoying local art, or venturing into nearby mountain towns, there’s no shortage of unique things to do. With its warm community vibe and diverse activities, Boise is truly a place where everyone can see something special. Come and discover why this city is such a beloved gem in the heart of Idaho.
