Wondering about things to do in Boise, Idaho? Idaho is a state that many people forget about when they are planning their vacations. This is a shame, because downtown Boise, Idaho is a fantastic place with so many fun things to do. If you have never been to this part of the country before, you may find yourself wondering, “What is there to do in Boise, Idaho?”. Well, we can tell you that there are so many things to do in Idaho and that includes a few unique things to do in Boise.

25 Things to Do in Boise Idaho

1. Wander Through Julia Davis Park

Julia Davis Park is comprised of almost ninety acres of land. As you are wandering around, you will find yourself relaxing in the rose garden before taking selfies with the statues and picnicking by the pond.

2. Go to Sleep at Big Idaho Potato Hotel

Okay, so we all know that Idaho is the land of potatoes, but did you know that you could sleep in one? Sleeping at the Big Idaho Potato Hotel has to be one of the most unique things to do in Boise! You can reserve this space, approximately twenty minutes outside downtown Boise, Idaho, on Airbnb for a night you won’t soon forget.

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3. Reflect at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

This memorial space is a small area that is located next to the Boise River Greenbelt. It was created from the inspiration of Anne Frank’s faith in humanity. A visit here will have you reflecting on the past, present, and future, while stopping at the statue of Anne Frank. There is also a Quote Wall that is one hundred eighty feet and it is considered one of the most popular of all the Boise attractions. There are many different quotes by famous people featured on the wall.

4. Visit the World Center for Birds of Prey

The World Center for Birds of Prey is located in an area that has more than five hundred acres of land. Endangered raptors live there, along with other birds who need a little extra care. The interpretive center is where you will see live demonstrations, but don’t forget to check out the interactive displays too.

5. Experience Basque History at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center

There is only one Basque Museum in the entire country, and it can be found in Boise. This is where you will learn about the culture and heritage of the Basque people. The museum is inside the oldest brick building in the city, the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga House, which was a Basque boarding house.

6. Visit the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center

When you are looking for things to do in Idaho this weekend, you must add the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center to your list. This fun thing to do in Boise will be a hit with the whole family! There is over four and a half acres of land to explore, but we recommend beginning at the visitor center. Afterwards, you can wander along the StreamWalk, which is a trail where you can see the stream through windows.

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7. Go Skiing at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area

If you are planning a trip to Boise during the winter months, one of the best things to do is going skiing at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area. This is one of the activities in Boise, Idaho you won’t be able to pass up when the snow is falling. There are seven chairlifts for downhill skiing and more than twenty different trails if you want to cross country ski instead. Don’t worry if you visit during the summer months though, because you can still have some fun with a little hiking, bike riding, and horseback riding.

8. Experience Art at Boise Art Glass

One of the best things to do in Boise is experience art at Boise Art Glass. While you can watch the skilled artisans create glass products, you can also take a class on glass making. Before you leave, you will want to purchase at least one of the pieces of glass in the shop. There are many different items available, but the fine art glass and functional glass items are the most popular.

9. Wander Around Kathryn Albertson Park

There are forty-one acres inside this park, and it is a common destination that is always added onto a list with stuff to do in Boise. There are multiple paved footpaths that lead to fountains and ponds. You can even rent out a gazebo for a few hours if you have a special occasion you want to celebrate.

10. Shop at the Boise Farmers Market

Shopping at a local farmers market is not really a unique thing to do in Boise, but it is one of the most popular activities in Boise, Idaho! This Boise, Idaho point of interest is used by locals and tourists alike for date days. You can buy everything from baked goods, produce, and fish to prepared foods and bottles of local wines.

11. Visit the Idaho Botanical Garden

If you want to relax and unwind during your Idaho vacation, you will want to choose the Idaho Botanical Garden as one of your Boise, Idaho points of interest. There are multiple gardens scattered amongst the fifty acres of land. Favorite gardens include the English Garden, Alpine Garden, and the Cactus Garden.

12. Explore the Discovery Center of Idaho

If you are looking for fun things to do in Boise this weekend, you don’t need to look any further than the Discovery Center of Idaho. There are approximately two hundred interactive exhibits in this building, so you will be busy for quite some time. Those are all the permanent exhibits and there are temporary exhibits that rotate all throughout the year. A couple of the favorite things to do here include the Turbulent Orb, Bubble Wall, and Centripetal Wheel.

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13. Enhance Your Love of Culture and Art at the Boise Art Museum

One of the best Boise attractions for culture is the Boise Art Museum. This museum has grown in size over the years and now has more than thirty-four thousand square feet of space. The main collection is filled with contemporary artwork, but you can also spend time in the Sculpture Court and Museum Store.

14. Go Shopping at the Capital City Public Market

If the Boise Farmers Market does not have everything you want, or you simply want to do even more shopping, you can always head over to the Capital City Public Market. There were only a few vendors when this market opened back in 1994. However, now there are more than one hundred fifty vendors. All the vendors are within a four-city block radius.

15. Walk the Boise River Greenbelt

The Boise River Greenbelt is comprised of twenty-five miles of green space that follows the shoreline of the Boise River. While you may not have walking all twenty-five miles on your list of things to do in Boise, we guarantee that you will spend part of your time on sections of the walking trails. The two trails that are the most popular include the Idaho Birding Trail and the Bethine Church River Trail.

16. Take a Boise Trolley Tour

A fun thing to do in Boise this weekend is one of the trolley tours. Each tour is seventy-five minutes in length and narrated, so you know what you are passing by during the tour. A few places you will see include Basque Block, the Warm Springs mansions, Idaho State Capitol, and Hyde Park. There are also special trolley tours held throughout the year, so you may want to check those out before planning your visit.

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17. Wander Around the Freak Alley Gallery

One of the more unique things to do in Boise is wandering around the Freak Alley Gallery. This outdoor art gallery showcases street art by local artists. There are a couple murals that have been there for a while, but most of them change every year or two. If you plan your trip during the month of August, you may have the chance to catch a glimpse of the new artwork being painted.

18. Attend an Event at the Boise Centre

Speaking of events, did you know that more than two hundred events are held at the Boise Centre each year? You can easily plan your trip for when one of them is taking place, so you can add even more fun and excitement to your time in this wonderful city.

19. Hike to Table Rock Before the Sun Comes Up

Table Rock is one of the things to do near Boise, Idaho. This hiking trail is just over three and a half miles in length and when you reach the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the entire city. It is best to get to the top before the sun comes up, because the view is even better when the city is glowing from the rising sun. This is not a difficult trail, so you won’t have any issues as you tackle it before the sun starts to shine.

20. Enjoy Some Shakespeare

Every summer, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival takes place in Boise. Many Shakespearean plays are performed each year, so you will want to check the schedule out as you are planning your trip. We recommend taking a picnic with you, so you can spread out a blanket and eat as you are watching the performers on the stage.

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21. Do a Little Wine Tasting

Sometimes, finding fun things to do in Idaho is as easy as going out and visiting the local wineries for wine tastings. There are more than fifty wineries over in Snake River Valley, which isn’t too far from Boise. The oldest vineyard in the area is Bitner Vineyards, so make sure that one is one your list.

22. Go Hiking at the Hulls Gulch Reserve

As you are planning your trip, you may wonder if you really want to add hiking to your list of things to do in Idaho. We can guarantee that you will want to if you are planning on spending any time at the Hulls Gulch Reserve. This is a two hundred ninety-two-acre reserve that has more than one hundred fifty miles of trails to hike. There is a lot of wildlife living in this area, so you will want to keep your eyes open for red fox, coyotes, lizards, mule deer, great horned owls, and all types of birds.

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23. Spend a Little Time at the Old Idaho Penitentiary

Prisoners began spending time in the cells at this penitentiary back in 1872. This penitentiary is now on the National Register of Historic Places and you can take a tour to learn about the prisoners who spent their time there. This is not a Boise attraction you will want to tour with young children, because you hear about some of the crimes that were committed in detail. However, if you are with young children, you can still see the outside.

24. Eat a Guru Donut

You cannot spend time in Boise and not indulge in at least one Guru donut! The muddy buddy is a donut dipped in chocolate and covered in peanut butter and muddy buddies. The coffee toffee is an Idaho potato donut that has a chocolate espresso glaze and toffee crumble. Other options include the healthy homer, maple bar, and vanilla coconut.

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25. Hike to Shoshone Falls

There are plenty of things to do near Boise, Idaho, but one of the best is hiking to Shoshone Falls. You will find this waterfall in Twin Falls, which is about two hours away from downtown Boise. The falls are about one thousand feet wide and more than two hundred feet tall. If you love seeing waterfalls, you may also want to consider going to see Auger Falls, Pillar Falls, and Niagara Springs.

These are twenty-five things to do in Boise, Idaho. You can easily visit this city for a weekend and accomplish a few things on this list. And if you can stay for a week, you will check many activities in Boise, Idaho off your list! There is plenty of stuff to do in Boise, Idaho, so make sure you give this part of the country a little love when you are planning your next family vacation!

25 Things to Do in Boise, Idaho