Have you been to Boise yet?! Because booiiiiiiii(se), it has something for everyone! There are a million ways to experience Boise, let this article be your guide so you can craft your ideal trip!
***This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using the link, I receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps me keep the rollin' around here. I only recommend products and services I personally use and love. ***
Around every corner, there’s a beautiful piece of street art. They have super vibrant neighborhoods with tons of history. Plus there are tons of trails to hike or bike throughout the city! You could throw a rock in any direction and hit a brewery, winery or cidery in Boise. If you’re looking for a romantic drink or a lively patio, you’ll find it here!
Upcycled Retro Accommodations
🏡 We stayed at the Modern Hotel. An updated Travelodge that’s now a cozy retro hotel. They have super comfortable beds, free bike rentals and delicious food. They had a special lavender cocktail that blew my mind!
Diving into comfort at The Modern, thank you Foll Exposures for these gems!
Side Quest: Baths are one of my favorite things, give me a face mask and a bath bomb… see ya in a couple hours! The Modern had the perfect bathroom for this! First, they have tons of counter space for mixing potions for face masks or epic skin care routines. The tub itself had high walls for being actually comfortable while luxuriating. Bonus! The shower has two heads, one rain shower head and another mobile one! Picture this, you’ve been on the road for nearly 8 months without a luxurious self care bath pampering moment and you step into this dream bathroom?! Magical. Absolutely the best.
Cocktails by the fire at The Modern
Save this interactive map for your next trip
Art Around Every Corner
This city is packed with brilliant artists and STUNNING murals everywhere. The Boise City Department of Art and History is a fantastic resource for all things art, history and culture. Their site has events, educational pieces and resources for artists and visitors. I highly recommend checking them out for free tours and unique events.
The Freak Alley Gallery is a must! It was one of my favorite places and an iconic way to experience Boise. It is the largest open-air mural gallery featuring a variety of artists. It is an evolving space that changes every summer at the annual transformation of the gallery painting event. Boise has brilliant artists, you don’t want to miss this! The art ranges from cute & silly to sweet affirmations & pointed activism. What a roller coaster of emotions!
Boise is super accessible. Just walk or bike around town, you’ll have a better experience. There is art EVERYWHERE! You’ll want to take it slow and be able to stop easily.
Various art around the city from murals to sculptures.
The bronze statue pictured above is The Spirit of Idaho Women by Irene Deely. This piece is a stunner located in the capital gardens. It commemorates the women’s suffrage movement and the passing of the 19th Amendment. It highlights the footsteps of women throughout US history that led to women getting the right to vote while handing a shoe to the next generation. (Would be cool if certain people would take note…)
Outdoor Activities Just a Quick Hop, Skip or Pedal Away
Boise is an intentionally accessible city currently undergoing construction to make it even more accessible! It has a walkability score of 89%! Walking through art installations like Grove Street Illuminated by Amy Westover allows you to interact with the art. The number of bike paths and armored bike lanes makes their bike-friendly rating 99%. I am a nervous city biker and the huge armored bike paths helped me feel safe to pedal around.
The 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt winds along the Boise River. Creating the “Ribbon of Jewels,” a scenic connection of city parks along the river. It is perfect to bike, walk or wander along the river, and stop at Green Acres Food Truck Park or Payette Brewery for snacks and drinks. It was the ideal, peaceful first bike ride since falling off a bike and breaking my arm last year.
Getting to the outdoors from downtown is super easy with the Ridge to Rivers Trail System. It has miles and miles and miles of trails! The views are stunning! It’s super unique to be able to bounce between rivers, mountains and urban spaces so quick and easy! Remember to practice Leave No Trace.
*pro tip* pick a hike from Camels Back Park and end in Hyde Park for dinner and a drink.
Food Brings Us Together
Food is essential to diving into a culture. It brings people together and creates a sense of community while highlighting the region with various ingredients and cooking techniques. The Basque Block is where food and culture dance. My partner loved Bar Gernika for their happy hour and sunny patio. I loved The Basque Market for its mouth-watering paella, tapas and wine.
PINE has stellar artisan coffee and the kindest baristas. The second time we went in, they knew our order! They specialize in slow coffee. From pour-overs to handmade syrups, each cup is made to be savored. The big windows, bright colorful tables and open-airy feel of the café are perfect for catching up with friends or, in my case, editing over a computer for hours.
Dawson Taylor Roasters was a perfect spot to hide from the rain. It has long tables and comfortable chairs perfect for working or catching up with friends. They have expertly roasted, ethically sourced coffee and each cup is crafted with passion and precision.
Far left and right is Tapas from The Basque Market, middle pic is a salad from The Modern
Museums and Living Culture
If you are interested in history and ecology, the Idaho State Museum is worth a visit. Starting with the geological formation of Idaho to the pivotal moments in Idaho’s history, the museum effectively balances written words, videos and interactive exhibits. The Oregon Trail game was a blast, no one died of dysentery. *pats self on the back* The interactive bike tour was fun because I got to virtually bike the green belt right before biking it.
The Basque Block has riiiich culture and food, the cultural center is worth the stop to learn about Basque people in Idaho. This living ethnic neighborhood aims to document and preserve Basque heritage in the region. They host events, traditional dancing and festivals throughout the year. Diving into the living culture is an essential way to experience Boise.
The Idaho State Capital
Walking toward the state capital building was like stepping back in time. As you approach the building, the high rises fall away to vibrant green grass, colorful flowers and bronze statues. It’s like leaving the modern era and stepping back into slower times of winding pathways and big open skies. Stepping into the building was an entirely different experience.
The interior has over 50,000 square feet of carved marble, sourced from Georgia, Alaska, Vermont and Italy! It’s almost blinding how much bright white marble greets you. It gives a feeling of grandeur to our political system. Upon closer inspection, the columns have a slightly different feel and look. It appears to be marble but is actually scagliola: a mixture of Plaster of Paris, glue and natural pigments to mimic the appearance of marble. This made me giggle at the façade of grandeur and stability while noticing it as just that, a façade. Walking through that halls giggling at the mirror for the state of US government and the flimsy, comical opulence of it all.
The Idaho State Capital Building from the outside (left) and inside (right).
Shopping Intentional, Shopping Local
In every downtown, you’ll see a handful of familiar storefronts. Slowing down and researching a little, we find that Boise’s downtown is dotted with carefully curated, locally-owned shops that highlight local artisans. By doing this, we are able to give directly to the community and promote the arts while getting unique goods that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s a fantastic way to experience Boise.
I’m a sucker for a cute boutique and handmade jewelry so Fluff Hardware really pulled me in. The store is well laid out, it feels spacious while being packed with intentionally-placed products. They specialize in vintage and nature-forward accessories. The owner/artist created Fluff to empower women to embrace their fierce nature while recognizing the balancing nourishment that comes from being in the wilderness.
You can tell a lot about a place by their local bookstore. Rediscovered Bookshop has a carefully curated collection that has something for everyone. The space is warm and inviting. With all the rows of books, it still feels open and their comfortable couches invite you to stay a while. The pup who walked in with us thought so too.
[save this interactive map with bonus spots not listed in this article]
Experience Boise, The City of Trees
The City of Trees snuck right in and stole my heart. I loved the walkability of everything, it was sooooo nice to park the van and be able to walk or bike. After being in the desert for the last few months, the tree-lined streets nourished my SOUL. I connect deeply with those early 1800’s French-Canadian fur trappers who exclaimed “Les bois! Les bois! Voyez, les bois!” which translates into “The woods! The woods! Look, the woods!” We were there for a few days to experience Boise and it still wasn’t enough time!
What do you look for when visiting a new city??
Have you been to Boise? What activities would you choose??
