Things to do & places to visit in Boise, Idaho, United States

Nature is a big part of Boise, Idaho. The snow-capped Rocky Mountains serve as a backdrop, the Boise River and its riverfront paths wind through the city and skiing is a short drive away. Boise's varied museums include the Idaho History Museum, the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the interactive Discovery Museum of Idaho. Unique attractions include Old Idaho Penitentiary and historic Pioneer Village. Old Boise offers shopping, dining, culture and nightlife.

Boise city in Idaho, United States. Timezone: America/Boise, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 14:11.

Top things to do (43)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Boise River Greenbelt (1.473 reviews)
- A safe walk in the middle of town. Zoo and Exploratorium appeals to kids.
Hiking Trails

Flows through Boise and provides more than 25 miles of scenic paths for biking, hiking and jogging. See more..
5.0 Escape This Boise (815 reviews)
- We are Master Wizards!
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Escape This is the oldest, largest and most experienced Escape Room in Boise. My #1 goal is that you have an amazing adventure! Once you meet the staff and play one of our games, you'll see why we are rated #1 in Boise. I'm quite proud of what my family and employees have created for you:) We currently have 6 rooms: Blackbeard's Ship, Wild West Saloon, The Wizard's Final Exam, Jungle Adventure, Zombie Apocalypse and Santa's Workshop. Check out our website for teaser videos, FAQs, and booking options. Hope to see you soon:) Sherry See more..
5.0 Pedego Electric Bikes Boise (195 reviews)
- Element quite a nice Ebike try one out
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Gear Rentals

We are very excited to offer Rentals, Sales and Tours to the community. We are located accross the street from the Greenbelt so renters will have easy access to a beautiful ride. Since the bikes typically can go 25-35 miles on a single charge, customers can ride all the way to Lucky Peak or into Eagle and back depending on how much you pedal or use the motor. We will also keep a good stock of the many Pedego models for sale and rent so that you can see in person all the great features. Pedego Electric Bikes are fun for everyone. They help open the doors to enjoying long bike rides for anyone who may have thought they could no longer ride due to physical fitness limitations, hills, distance , and even knee problems. Pedego has a wide variety of bikes so that everyone can find the right fit and enjoy the ride. They have combined great style and function. We are so looking forward to this new adventure. We hope you stop in to meet us, check out our selection, and take one for a spin. See more..
5.0 Indulge Boise Food Tours (172 reviews)
- Great way to get acquainted with Downton Boise
Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours • Private Tours • Food Tours

What a perfect 3 hours in Boise! This cultural culinary tour far exceeded my expectations! I'm guessing it will be hard to beat anywhere. Well paced. Seven culinary experiences plus education on other possibilities. Lots of Boise/Idaho education. Any question that was asked was greeted with an in depth interested answer. Evangel was an exceptional tour host. Delicious food. Loved the stories behind each establishment. I followed the rules and came hungry, however I was grateful for the bag given at the front end of the tour for doggy bags. I enjoyed tasty food the next day. This is my first culinary tour however it won't be my last. Thank you for a very special event! See more..
5.0 Boise Bicycle Tours (144 reviews)
- Boise Bicycle Tours -- A "Must Do"
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Bike Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours

My wife, son and I booked a 3 hour mixed tour of the river and downtown Boise. Sean was an incredible tour guide. He was nice, very knowledgeable and professional. The bikes were new and very comfortable. We certainly got our money's worth and would highly recommend BBT to visitors and anyone new to the city. A great way to spend 3 hours. See more..
5.0 Ridge to River Trail System (139 reviews)
- Boise at its Best!
Spent 2-3 hours Biking Trails

So many people live here and fall in love with Boise because of the ease of access to the outdoors. My wife and I are lucky enough to live 100 feet from a trail access point and we find ourselves out on the trails several days per week. This is definitely one of the highlights of Boise and as the city expands I hope the area continues to be protected from over development. It would be a shame to lose this wonderful resource. See more..
5.0 Boise Art Glass (86 reviews)
- Glassblowing class for 2 is a must-do
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries

Boise Art Glass: Fine Art Glass and Classes in Boise, Idaho. We are driven to do what we love! Our goal is to share our passion with our community while creating positive, memorable experiences. Boise Art Glass is independently owned by a professional artist. Striving to communicate quality through our showcase of fine glass products, we display a variety of handmade items ranging from sculptures, chandeliers, jewelry and more. You have the opportunity to hand-make an item of your choice with us in one of our many classes. Our Glassblowing Studio and Gallery is open to the public! We offer classes, supplies, torch/furnace rentals, custom orders and live demonstrations. Give us a call! See more..
5.0 St. John's Cathedral (69 reviews)
- Gorgeous and peaceful stop
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Religious Sites

We intended to go to mass but got the times wrong so we just ended up going in for a prayer. Beautiful stained glass windows all around. Did not expect to see a Cathedral like this in boise. Pleasant surprise. See more..
5.0 Puzzle Effect - Boise (62 reviews)
- Great Birthday Present!
Wednesday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Now offering Virtual Escape Games! What if your favorite board game came to life? Imagine a completely immersive room filled with puzzles, clues, and riddles, and one hour on the clock. No phones, no distractions. Just unexpected twists, scenery that transports you, and that feeling of accomplishment when you solve a puzzle (or maybe the whole room!). Puzzle Effect is your new entertainment obsession. Escape rooms are perfect for new friends, old friends, family, date nights, birthday celebrations, and even team building. Book your adventure today! See more..
5.0 Boise Brews Cruise (55 reviews)
- Boise Brews Cruise - Lots of Fun
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Bar, Club & Pub Tours • Beer Tastings & Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings

Highly recommend this special insight to some of Boise's greatest breweries. Noah is a great host who knows how to entertain his guests. With dozens of breweries in the Boise area, every Cruise is a different experience. See more..
5.0 Clockwise Escape Room Boise (49 reviews)
- Challenge Accepted!!!
Wednesday: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games • Scavenger Hunts • Game & Entertainment Centers

An escape room is a 60 minute real-life adventure game, in which players are "locked" in a space and use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, complete a mission and escape before time is up. Clockwise Escape Room is conveniently located in downtown Boise, it's perfect for team-building, family and friends gatherings, birthday celebrations, date nights and even wedding proposals! Our escape rooms incorporate professional set design, whimsical narratives, original clues and highly engineered puzzles to truly immerse you in the game. Our live escape games place you in the middle of a real-life adventure. Include it in your Things-to-Do in Boise list to have a memorable experience! See more..
4.5 Old Idaho Penitentiary (1.001 reviews)
- Deep dive into prison history
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites

In 1872 the Idaho Territorial Prison opened its doors to some of the most desperate and mean criminals the West could offer. In 1973 the Idaho State Penitentiary closed to inmates. Now our doors are open for visitors to explore over 100 years of Idaho's unique prison history. Open year-round, visitors of the Old Idaho Penitentiary can walk through solitary confinement, cell blocks, and the gallows. Visit today and relive the Old Pen's exciting past of daring escapes, scandals, and executions. Call for more details about special events, educational programs and guided tours. See more..
4.5 Idaho State Capitol Building (751 reviews)
- Beautiful building
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Monuments & Statues • Government Buildings

Architects were John E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel. Tourtellotte was a Connecticut native whose career began in Massachusetts and skyrocketed further when he moved to Boise. Hummel was a German immigrant who partnered with Tourtellotte in 1903. The final cost of the building was just over $2 million; it was completed in 1920. The architects used varied materials to construct the building and their design was inspired by Classical examples. Tourtellotte and Hummel used four types of marble: red marble from Georgia, gray marble from Alaska, green marble from Vermont, and black marble from Italy. Architectural inspirations included St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, St Paul's Cathedral in London and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The most prominent feature of the capitol is its dome. See more..
4.5 World Center For Birds of Prey (725 reviews)
- Family visit to Fall Flights
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Experience birds of prey eye-to-eye and explore the mysteries of their flight, survival, and relationship with humans. Live bird demonstrations and interactive exhibits complement hands-on experiences for all ages. Enjoy panoramic views of the Treasure Valley from the interpretive trail and gazebo, or browse the gift shop. Admissions and purchases support conservation programs worldwide. Reservations are available online or purchase in-person at the gift shop. See more..
4.5 Idaho Botanical Garden (405 reviews)
- Small but packed with beauty
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens

Cultivate. Educate. Celebrate. Enhance your community and enrich your life. The Idaho Botanical Garden is a lush 15-acre tapestry of dappled shade and vibrant splashes of color. A peaceful haven nestled in the Boise Foothills, located in the heart of Old Penitentiary Historic District. The Garden promotes gardening in the Treasure Valley using native and domestic plants that are adapted to the intermountain region. See more..
4.5 Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial (291 reviews)
- Surprising stop along the Boise Green Belt
Monuments & Statues

We found this by accident when we were riding our bikes on the Green Belt. It is a great outdoor tribute to human rights. There is an amazing statue of Anne Frank standing on a chair, carefully looking out of the window of the house where she was hiding. You can walk on both sides of this display and get a small sense of her frightening situation. There are many quotes about human rights, places to sit and contemplate and rest. There is a lovely water fountain. There are recorded messages you can play to learn more about human rights. Very well done and in a beautiful spot along the Boise River. See more..
4.5 Kathryn Albertson Park (282 reviews)
- Beautiful Nature Preserve in midst of downtown!
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Parks

As we continue to explore the Boise area (having just moved here last month), we loved this beautiful place right next to downtown. We especially liked the ponds with lilies as well as the vibrantly colored wildflowers along many of the paths. We also loved the ducks, frogs, fish, dragonflies, etc. There were plenty of trails and benches from which to ponder the many beauties of nature. Calming sounds of a fountain bring peaceful thoughts and help mask traffic noises. It's a place that I'm sure we'll visit again. See more..
4.5 Albertsons Stadium (268 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Arenas & Stadiums

at Boise State University See more..
4.5 Julia Davis Park (258 reviews)
- A Very Nice Too Short Visit
Parks • Gardens

For a midweek day in October, there was plenty of parking available. Since we were just two adults (grandson napping at home), we opted to skip the zoo. I'm not a big fan of roses, as flowering plants go, but for early October I thought the Rose Garden was spectacular. We discovered a small bridge over the Boise River. There, we followed the Greenbelt for a mile or so before we turned around and headed back to the car. Unfortunately, we were on a time schedule. I know there's a lot more to explore in Julia Davis Park, and we're saving that for our next visit to Boise. See more..
4.5 Freak Alley Gallery (245 reviews)
- Amazing murals and graffiti-inspired artwork
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Architectural Buildings • Scenic Walking Areas

Freak Alley Gallery is the largest outdoor mural gallery in the Northwest. It's free and open to the public 24/7. We also have an Indoor Gallery that promotes our local Art and Artists; all proceeds from sales support the project and keep the lights on. Be sure to visit our website for detailed information on the indoor and outdoor events. You can even watch the progression of this Boise landmark. See more..
4.5 Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area (239 reviews)
- Great summer fun!
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Ski & Snowboard Areas

We visited Boise in July and was happily surprised to find so many summer activities happening at Bogus Basin. We rode the mountain roller coaster and one of the ski lifts, both of which were very fun. It seemed to be priced a bit high (roller coaster was $25 for one person in a car + $15 for a second person and $15 per person for the ski lift), but it was enjoyable. The views from the top of the ski lift were great and the roller coaster was certainly memorable. Each car can be controlled individually by the driver with a brake so if you get going too fast, the driver of the car can slow it down. Other activities were mountain bike trails with plenty of bikers enjoying the paths and jumps as well as a small hill where kiddos got to ride inner tubes. See more..
4.5 Basque Museum & Cultural Center (213 reviews)
- Nice museum
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Contains exhibits and collections that provide a look at the Basque heritage, history and culture. See more..
4.5 The Flicks (169 reviews)
- Great Indy/Foreign Film House
Wednesday: 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM Movie Theaters

I love this place, great movies, beer, and cookies. Nice small theaters that show great films, they also have a nice selection of rental DVDs. See more..
4.5 Discovery Center of Idaho (167 reviews)
- Exciting rotating exhibits for scientists of all ages
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM Science Museums

Hands-on math/science/technology exhibits for all ages. See more..
4.5 Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center (156 reviews)
- No fee, great adventure!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Stopped by this park to let my kids roam a bit. This was a special find! No entry fee and has a lot to see, with interactive information for the kids to learn. We went during the Fall season so the flowers and animals are not abundant but it was still fun. I recommend it! See more..
4.5 Boise Train Depot (155 reviews)
- Great view of downtown Boise
Wednesday: Historic Sites

We happened to drive down the road where the depot sits and just had to stop there. It was twilight and no one was there so we did not see the inside. We enjoyed looking at the large locomotive outside and walking around the small park (Platt Gardens) in front of the depot. Looking out from the park, there is a wonderful view of downtown Boise looking down the street at the state capitol. See more..
4.5 Camel's Back Park (144 reviews)
- We Were There For a Play Hour.....
Parks

......with a two-year old who had a "class." For that reason, we didn't get a chance to experience the walk up and see the views of the city described in other reviews. But, at the bottom, there is an impressive array of playground equipment, definitely enough to keep "little ones" entertained. See more..
4.5 Hyde Park (121 reviews)
- Hyde and Seek Treasures
Neighborhoods

I finally found the crown jewel of boutique shops at Hyde and Seek in Hyde Park ID. Such an eclectic array of goodies...my granddaughter said she wanted to live there...me too. The gracious staff made us feel welcomed and I'm sure we touched everything there and sniffed every candle. I will be back to Boise in a week and hope to show my husband all the things I want for Christmas...now !! See more..
4.5 Idaho State Museum (118 reviews)
- Informative and fun
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Galleries • Educational sites • History Museums

The Idaho State Museum is a fun, interactive experience where people of all ages and backgrounds come to explore the story of Idaho! Featuring over 514 artifacts on display, 800 photographs, and 46 individual multimedia exhibits, the museum shows the profound relationship between Idaho's land and its people shaping each other over time. See more..
4.5 Barber Park (110 reviews)
- Fun in the sun !
Parks

We were in town doe the 4th of July and decided to float the river. It was a BLAST! We brought our own tubes and pump so we were able to skip the lines. We parked one car at the end of the river by the takeout and it was a great idea ! They do have buses to transport you and rentals. I recommend bringing a paddle. And make sure you have sunscreen. There were a lot of people on the river but it was a great time! We tied out 4 tubes together and it worked well. We followed the crowd. The water was swift as times but the rapids overall were mellow. There were a few minor dips in the river. Great activity! See more..