Boise, the state capital of Idaho and its largest city has a lot to offer the humble tourist.
In snow or sun, the city is a great choice not only for those who love the outdoors but also for those who like a bit of culture and good food too.
Sight-Seeing and Monuments
If sightseeing and monuments are the top of your tourist must-dos, there’s plenty for you in Boise.
1. Boise Trolley Tours
If you’re wanting an easy and relaxing way of seeing the sights that Boise has to offer, a Boise Trolley Tour is ideal.
Hop on board, and tour guide Tom, a Boise native, will allow you to become acquainted with the most important and historic sites that Boise has to offer.
Your journey will be filled with stories and interesting facts that will allow you to see what makes the city so unique!
Looking for a place to stay in Boise? Check out booking.com for the latest affordable accommodation deals.
2. The Idaho State Capitol
The home of Idaho’s government, the Idaho State Capitol building stands proud in the city of Boise.
Its construction began over 100 years ago, in 1905, and was finished in 1920 at the cost of over $2 million. Its design was inspired by classical building design from Europe.
Inside the building, visitors can see a gilded statue of George Washington. There is also information on the hills that used to surround the building before it was constructed.
Did You Know? Presidents including Benjamin Harrison, William Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt planted trees there.
3. Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
The Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is an educational park as well as a cenotaph complex within the city.
Its size is pretty vast, encompassing 32,285 square feet! The memorial is home to over 60 quotations from human rights activists and leaders throughout history, with an Anne Frank statue as its centerpiece.
The memorial was designed by Kurt Karst, an architect from Idaho Falls.
Booking.comExploring Nature
Boise is a great place to explore everything that nature has to offer.
Boise Parks and Recreation looks after over 90 parks acres, and acres of open spaces, over 200 miles of trails, and also the Boise River Greenbelt.
4. Idaho Botanical Garden
This truly is a place of beauty.
With purple wisteria hanging from pergolas, ponds, and pathways, if you’re looking for a moment of peace whilst in the city of Boise, you should definitely head here.
The site was formerly the Old Idaho State Penitentiary’s nursery and farm. It lay unused for around 10 years before it was turned into gardens in 1984.
5. Boise River Greenbelt
This is one of the city’s most loved parks.
It consists of a tree-lined path that stretches for over 25 miles, following both the north and south banks of the Boise River.
It goes through the heart of Boise and allows its users to enjoy stunning views and scenery as well as uninterrupted pedestrian access to some of the city’s favorite green spaces.
It also encompasses a series of parks called The Ribbon of Jewels.
You may also like 📖
6. Hulls Gulch Reserve
North of downtown Boise, Hull Gulch Reserve is a site encompassing 292 acres of land.
The site aims to improve the upland features as a part of the 2018 restoration project, including improving water quality and wildlife habitat as well as offering public access and recreational activities in the area.
The reserve sees many visitors, including hikers, runners, dog walkers, mountain bike riders, and those on horseback.
If you keep your eyes peeled, you may well spot some of the wildlife, including lizards, snakes, mule deer, coyotes, red foxes, kestrels, and great horned owls.
7. World Center for Birds of Prey
This center is the location of the Peregrine Fund headquarters, a not-for-profit organization that helps to conserve raptor species across the globe.
The organization sits atop a hill that overlooks Boise and encompasses 580 acres of land.
8. Kathryn Albertson Park
One of the many parks in the city named after women, Kathryn Albertson Park is a 41-acre park near downtown Boise.
It boasts lots of wildlife and is an ideal space for rest and relaxation away from the bustling city crowds. You can even reserve one of the outdoor gazebos.
Born in 1908 – Kathryn Albertson was a Boise native who started a grocery store chain with her childhood sweetheart husband Joe.
Albertsons became one of the largest supermarket chains in America.
9. Julia Davis Park
Julia Davis Park is said to be the oldest park in the city and was created by Thomas Davis who, in 1907, donated 43 acres of land in memory of his late wife Julia.
The park is central in the city and so contains some of its most prominent sites, including the Idaho Historical Museum and the Boise Art Museum. The Boise River Greenbelt also runs through it.
The park also boasts ponds, streams, statues, rose gardens and Zoo Boise.
10. Morrison Knudsen Nature Center
The Morrison Knudsen Nature Center opened its gates in 1990 and was a centennial gift to the state of Idaho from the Morrison Knudsen Foundation.
The 4.6-acre park lies in East Boise near the Boise River and is close to the former headquarters of the Morrison Knudsen Company.
The center is now managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and includes live wildlife and fish exhibits as well as viewing areas.
There are also waterfalls, a butterfly garden, and a visitor’s center.
Fun for the Family
If you’re in Boise with young and active ones, here are a few activities that might spark their interest and keep them entertained for hours.
11. Aquarium of Boise
The Aquarium of Boise combines the three principles of conservation, education, and inspiration.
This underwater adventure has more than 250 species of animals and marine life in over 35,000 gallons of saltwater.
The aquarium exhibits include:
- A ray pool that’s home to cownose rays, purple tangs, and other species.
- A shark and puffer exhibit with over 17,000 gallons of seawater and a coral refugium.
- The Amazon exhibit with cichlids, red-tailed catfish, turtles, and Plecostomus.
- A rainforest exhibit including frogs and geckos
- A 1700-gallon tropical reef with the option of petting and feeding the fish.
- A bird aviary with rainbow lorikeets among other species.
- A shark nursery where you can see bamboo shark eggs.
- Tide pools with sea urchins, sea stars and hermit crabs.
- A broken boat exhibition with goldfish and koi.
- Reptile exhibits with chameleons, blue iguana, ball pythons, poison dart frogs and geckos.
12. Zoo Boise
Zoe Boise is fun for all the family.
It originally started in 1916 when a single monkey escaped from a traveling circus!
It features a whole menagerie of creatures now, a far cry from its sole monkey days!
The animals to see include:
- Snow leopard
- Sloth bear
- Lion
- Magellanic penguins
- Red panda
- Giant anteater
- Giraffe
- Grevy’s zebra
- Sand cat
- Amur tiger
- Black-handed spider monkey
- Slender tailed meerkat
- Capybara
- Nile crocodile
- African clawed frog
- African wild dog
- Greater rhea
- Southern ground hornbill
- Patas monkey
- Aldabra tortoise
- Maned wolf
- Striped hyena
- Inca tern
- Warthog
- North American porcupine
- Olive baboon
- Serval
- Nyala
And many more besides!
13. Discovery Center
The Discovery Center offers a range of exhibits including a SLIME exhibit as well as STEM exhibitions such as Sun, Earth, Universe, Destination Mood, Matter Splatter and Tinker the T-Rex.
The hands-on activities allow children (and adults) to explore interactive exhibitions in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) all under one roof.
Booking.com14. Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
For the adrenaline junkies in the family, the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area offers opportunities to ski and snowboard as well as having a ride on the mountain coaster and joining in with some community events.
The site has 10 lifts, 86 runs and 2,600 acres of snow-filled terrain!
Whether it’s alpine snowboarding and skiing or some Nordic skiing, there’s something for every adventure-seeker.
Art and Culture
Aside from the busy slopes, many people come to Boise to experience some art and cultural activities.
Boise’s offerings include the Boise Art Museum at one end of the artistic spectrum right up to Freak Alley at the other. Let’s take a closer look.
15. Boise Art Museum
Boise Art Museum is on a mission to engage and inspire people through creating visual arts experiences thanks to its fantastic collections, exhibitions, and educational program.
With exhibitions dating from the 1930s to the present day, Boise Art Museum will have something that appeals to every art lover.
The exhibitions include art from all over the world, for example:
- African sculptures
- Idaho Native American Arts
- Japanese Clothing and Fabrics
- Guggenheim Collection
- Polish Crafts
- Guatemalan Collection
- Chinese American Art
16. Freak Alley
Freak Alley Gallery (FAG) is the largest multi-artist, open-air mural gallery in the Northwest.
Coby Akers was the creator of the first drawing which he did on Moon’s Café back doorway.
It has since blossomed into the spectacular work of art that it is today.
The graffiti-style art and murals extend beyond the original door, with artwork along the whole alley. New work is added every year.
Food and Drink
From markets and bakers to posh restaurants, Boise has a few little gems of eateries up its sleeve.
Let’s take a look at the menu!
17. Capital City Public Market
For a browse through some delicious-smelling stalls, why not head to Capital City Public Market?
In the high season, there are around 150 vendors occupying the space from farmers to take-away treats and food that’s ready to eat.
You’re sure to find something you’ll love!
18. Boise Farmers’ Market
This market describes itself as “food-centric” and agriculturally based.
All the vendors must be agricultural in nature, and 95% of them sell food and agricultural products with only 5% dedicated to non-food products.
Goods bought here are locally grown and are grown or made by the vendor themselves.
If you fancy sourcing some fresh ingredients, Boise Farmers’ Market is where you should head.
19. Great Harvest Bread
For bread with a difference, try Great Harvest.
With a bakery and café on site, you can find delicious freshly made sandwiches as well as other baked goods on offer.
The bakery still mills its own fresh flour every day and bakes all its products from scratch with recipes handed down through the generations.
20. Chandlers Restaurant
If seafood and prime-cut steaks are your idea of heaven, head to Chandlers where you’ll find the best surf and turf that Boise has to offer.
They also make the best hand-crafted cocktails in their lounge where the Ten-Minute Martini is a specialty!
They also offer over 700s choices of wines!
21. Saint Lawrence Gridiron
For top cuisine that takes American food right back to its roots, Saint Lawrence Gridiron has a menu to die for.
Whether it’s a brisket platter, shrimp and grits or the famous gridiron burger, the food tastes out of this world.
Booking.com22. Fork
This restaurant lives and breathes the buzzwords of the most desired food these days: local, hand-crafted, and sustainable.
If the buzzwords are what draw you into Fork, you won’t be disappointed. They even ensure that over 75% of their beverage menu is locally crafted.
23. Boise Fry Company
Idaho and potatoes go together, right?
So, with that in mind, head over to the Boise Fry Company for the best fries available in the local area.
They prepare each potato “with love” which ensures that your palette loves it too. Alongside their incredible fries, there’s a range of burgers and other foods on offer.
Final Thoughts on Boise, Idaho
When visiting a city like Boise, you may be overwhelmed with choices over what to do, where to go, and what to eat.
With our 23 best things to do in the city, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest and fills your belly with the most delicious of food. Enjoy the trip!
- Things to Do In Panajachel, Guatemala (My Top 5 Picks)
- Best Flea Markets in USA: A Guide to the Top Locations
- Things To Do In Porto Corsica (My Top 8 Favorites)
- 7 Things To Do In Albuquerque (Plan Your Next Adventure!)
- 8 Things to Do in Anderson, SC I Highly Recommend
- Things To Do In Anchorage (8 Activities You Can’t Miss)
