30 Awesome Things To Do In Boise

1. Challenge Yourself At An Overnight Ghost Hunt

Old Idaho Penitentiary has quite the history. Opened in 1872, the penitentiary has housed some of the West’s most infamous felons. Test your nerves in Solitary Confinement or walk the cell blocks and view the gallows. Old Idaho Penitentiary also offers real, live paranormal investigations for the curious at heart. It’s a historical hotspot saturated with death, life stories, crime and wonder.

2. Hit The Slopes

Bogus Basin is a skier’s dream with 3000 acres of skiing and 37,000 nordic trails, snowshoe trails, tubing trails, and so much more. Bogus is open from mid-November through mid-April depending on the unpredictable weather. They have detailed snow reports on their website so you always know what the slopes are like before you decide to spend the day there.

3. Visit Bronco Stadium

Bronco Stadium is home to the Boise State Broncos. Take part in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, a post-season football bowl game held every year since its debut in 1997. The game is actually televised on ESPN. Get your tailgating gear together for some chilly, college football.

4. Become A Part Of Nature

The Idaho Botanical Garden is located in the Historic District of the Old State Penitentiary. The Garden is dedicated to instilling intellectual curiosity and a genuine love of nature. It makes for the perfect escape into a world of natural beauty and refreshing atmosphere.

5. Get Into Local College Sports

The Taco Bell Arena is the official sports venue for Boise State University basketball, gymnastics and wrestling. When the sports season is slow, the venue is also used for community events and concerts. Take a night off, grab that foam finger, and cheer on the Boise State Broncos (or an opposing team, if you wish).

6. Delve Into The Scientific World

The Discovery Center of Idaho fosters scientific literacy and an engagement in technology, engineering and math. But it’s not as boring as it may sound, for the Discovery Center also emphasizes entertainment. Programs include paper making, science fiction, dinosaurs, the science of sound and music, and more.

7. Visit Some Of Boise’s Feathered Friends

The World Center for Birds of Prey is a conservation for raptors that houses the Peregrine Fund, an organization that dedicates its time and money to the preservation of birds of prey. You can visit the birds, take part in hands-on activities and sit in on presentations.

8. Watch A Classic Film In A Classic Theater

The Egyptian Theater made its debut in the 1920’s and is one of the last single-screen theaters left in the area. The theater houses classic film nights, opera shows, concerts, lectures, premiers and festivals. The theater is also available for rent and has Blu-Ray and DVD capability. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic, historical date night.

9. Take A Stroll Through The Woods

Boise National Forest covers over 2,000,000 acres north of the city of Boise. In the summer, visitors are welcome to bike and hike the trails while in the winter it’s open for skiing and snowboarding. You can also take part in water-based activities like boating and water-skiing.

10. Take A Walk On The Wild Side

Lucky Peak State Park was made possible by the construction of Lucky Peak Dam, which also created Lucky Peak Lake. Discovery Park is part of the state park and provides picnic shelters, walking trails for pets, and fishing. The state park has everything from water recreation rentals, a convenience store, beaches, and canoeing. It’s a summer haven for those itching to get out of the city.

11. Brave The Rapids

Middle Fork Wilderness Outfitters is known for its wild rapid rides on the Middle Fork of Salmon River. The rafts launch at Boundary Creek and eventually drop almost 3000 feet in elevation while ripping through 100 miles of rapids. It’s a great way to get your adrenaline pumping.

12. Take A Journey Through Basque History

The Basque Museum and Cultural Center takes pride in its preservation of Basque culture and history. The museum itself has exhibits and tours that walk you through Basque culture and it houses a school that teaches history classes, language classes, and contains a preschool.

13. Take A Historical Drive

Warm Springs Avenue is a stretch of road with houses dating back to the 1800’s. It’s a spectacle just to examine the historical architecture from that time period. Drive down this road and point out your favorite structure while basking in the shadow of colossal historical houses.

14. View Some Exotic Animals

Walk through Zoo Boise and view some of its exotic animals in their environments. The zoo throws overnight parties with food and activities and hosts events such as the Bowling For Rhinos, Zoo rentals, Breakfast With The Lions and birthday parties. If you choose to adopt an animal, not only will you get your name and picture on a plaque with the animal’s name, but that plaque will also be displayed next to the animal’s exhibit for an entire year.

15. Learn A Little About Idaho’s History

The Idaho State Historical Center takes you on a journey through everything that made Idaho the place it is today. The museum has over 200,000 artifacts in its collection and hosts unique events, including field trips and educational programs, that cater to educating families.

16. Have A Pint… Or Two

Tom Grainey’s Sporting Pub is one of the most popular nightspots in Boise. The pub hosts a wide array of live music shows and there are three different areas of live music in the pub, which include Tom Grainey’s, Tom Grainey’s Basement, and Tom Grainey’s Underground. This is one of the coolest places to be on a weekend night.

17. Enjoy The Artistic Atmosphere While You Sip A Non-Fat Latte Or A Glass Of Wine

Owned by former dancers of the Ballet Idaho, Mosaic Gallery Wine Bar creates an artistic dining experience. Even the art has an influence on the food, for it is colorful and full of vibrant flavors and seasonings. The menu includes things like sandwiches, drinks, and appetizer platters (appropriately titled “The Painter’s Palette”). If you are lucky enough to walk in on a Saturday night, you can watch live entertainment while you dine.

18. Get Festive And Make Some Art

Hosted by the Boise Art Museum, Art In The Park is an annual festival that celebrates the Boise artist community. The public is free to view and purchase art while, at the same time, encouraged to create art of their own. Enjoy live events and performances along with a selection of food vendors and interactive pastimes for children.

19. Sports Night Is On!

The CenturyLink Arena in Boise has over 5,000 seats to accommodate screaming fans on game nights to watch hockey, basketball, concerts or boxing matches. It’s an all-in-one venue for a number of different events throughout the year.

20. Tour The MK Nature Center

The Morrison Knudsen Nature Center offers a unique nature experience in the heart of the capital city free of cost. Guided tours and special exhibitions are available for a nominal fee. Learn about Idaho’s waterways and about what kind of animals reside in the area. This is a great place to take the kids and burn some energy while also providing an educational trip for everyone.

21. Take A Minute To Laugh Everything Off

Liquid now stands in what used to be the Funny Bone Comedy Club. Liquid focuses more on music rather than comedy, but has recently started showcasing comedy shows to bring back some of the original crowd. Get ready as seasoned comedians make you laugh and enjoy discovering some of the field’s newcomers who are looking to make their mark and make it big.

22. Time For Therapeutic Shopping

Boise Town Square Mall is a wonderful destination for the hardcore shopper. This is an indoor mall with two levels containing every store your heart could desire. Hungry from all of the shopping? The mall also has a wide variety of food options like Café Ole and Haggen-Dazs.

23. Give Your Jazz Hands Some Practice

The Gene Harris Jazz Festival celebrates an appreciation of music while offering children, students and adults alike an experience in jazz. Students also receive musical opportunities through clinics sponsored by the festival and the festival offers scholarship opportunities for those hoping to pursue an education in music or jazz. Aside from its educational aspects, the festival is a thrilling time for those seeking an escape into the music.

24.Dance The Night Away

Neurolux is one of the hottest, if not the hottest, night club in Boise. The club hosts different events ranging from karaoke nights to DJ dance parties. They’ve even been known to host poetry slams. If you are looking for something hip, new and exciting, Neurolux will not let you down.

25. Tear Up The Ice

Idaho IceWorld is a family recreation center focusing on everything skating. Take your little ones for skating lessons or try out the public free skate hours. The venue also offers hockey classes and figure skating classes for those wanting to get more serious about skating.

26. See A Live Concert

The Knitting Factory Concert House is a music venue showcasing live music every week. The venue also offers food during concerts, boasting a mouth-watering menu including foods like basket of onion rings, veggie wrap, finger steaks, and even chocolate chip cookies. The venue hosts big-name bands like GooGoo Dolls, Imagine Dragons and Styx.

27. Walk It Off Or Ride Away

The Ridge To Rivers Trail System snakes its way through the foothills of Boise and offers a quiet and relaxing trip away from the city. The system has over 100 miles of trails connecting neighborhoods and nature. Feel free to bike, run, roller blade or walk; enjoy all that Boise nature has to offer.

28. Take The Kids Out For A Family Fun Night

Pojos Family Fun Center is like Dave and Busters for kids. They have rides, games, food and parties including bumper cars, carousel, arcade games, prizes, and pizza. What more could a kid ask for?

29. Make Tonight A Movie Night

The Boise Spectrum is home to Edwards Cinema which includes an IMAX theater. Have dinner at one of several restaurants and enjoy a film in this colorful venue.

30. Take A Ride At The Western State Fair

The Western Idaho Fair provides all kinds of entertainment including concerts, food vendors, rides and contests. Nominate a family for the Farm Family Today selection, a process by which the best agricultural families are handpicked. Take part in the Passport to the Fair and make your state fair experience interactive.