Boise keeps showing up on everyone's radar for good reason, and Totally Boise is here to help you make the most of everything Idaho's capital city has to offer. Download the Totally Boise app to stay ahead of the best local restaurants, events, and hidden gems, because whether you're visiting for the first time or you've lived here for years, there's always something new to discover in the City of Trees.
Why Boise Belongs on Your Radar
Boise landed on National Geographic's list of top 25 travel destinations, and locals will tell you the hype is well-earned. With 27 nonstop flights from across the U.S., a booming restaurant and bar scene, and Boise activities ranging from world-class trails to a James Beard-winning dining scene, visiting Boise is easier and more worth it than ever. It's the kind of place that surprises people: more laid-back than a big city, more exciting than a small town, and genuinely one of a kind.
Outdoor Adventures You Can't Skip
The Boise River Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is 30 miles of paved trail stretching from Lucky Peak Reservoir to Veterans' Park, with more than 15 park-and-ride access points along the way. Walk it, bike it, or rent a scooter and just see where you end up.
Float the Boise River
Most people put in at Barber Park and float down by tube, raft, or stand-up paddleboard. The Boise Whitewater Park has an adjustable wave for surfers and kayakers, and neighboring Quinn's Pond is a great spot for a more relaxed paddle.
Hit the Trails
The Foothills trail system gives you miles of dirt singletrack without ever leaving the city limits. For something more technical, Bogus Basin has lift-served mountain biking in summer with trails for every skill level.
Rock Climbing at Black Cliffs
Black Cliffs offers dozens of routes from beginner to advanced, right along the Boise River. Idaho Mountain Guides runs intro sessions if you've never climbed before.
Where to Eat in Boise
The Spots Everyone Talks About
KIN, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Kris Komori, serves a five-course tasting menu that uses Idaho ingredients in genuinely unexpected ways. The Avery Brasserie + Bar brings Michelin-starred chef Cal Elliott's French-American cooking to a beautifully restored Main Street space.
Casual Boise Classics
Fork on 8th Street is a longtime local staple with crowd-favorite dishes like their famous asparagus fries. Barbacoa is the Latin American steakhouse locals recommend to literally everyone, with outdoor patio seating on the Parkcenter Pond.
The Basque Block
No trip to Boise is complete without spending time on the Basque Block. Bardenay, the first distillery restaurant in the nation, has been pouring house-made gin and rum here for over 20 years. Bar Gernika and the Basque Market round out a block that feels completely unlike anywhere else in Idaho.
Where to Drink in Boise
Craft Beer Scene
Payette Brewing near the Greenbelt is a go-to with a spacious beer garden and rotating food trucks. Boise Brewing downtown is community-supported, family-friendly, and pours one of the best IPAs in the city. For something more adventurous, Barbarian Brewing in Garden City does small-batch funky and sour beers that serious craft beer fans will love.
Bars Worth Knowing
Bittercreek Alehouse and its sister spot Red Feather Lounge anchor 8th Street with great local taps and a creative cocktail program. Press and Pony on W Idaho Street is a vintage-style speakeasy-ish bar that's easy to miss and impossible to forget.
Arts, Culture, and Local Scene
Freak Alley and the Art Scene
Freak Alley, tucked in the alley off 8th Street, is the largest outdoor mural installation in the Pacific Northwest. If you're figuring out what to do in Boise on a free afternoon, this one is a must. The Boise Art Museum runs 12 to 16 rotating exhibits per year, just a short walk away in Julia Davis Park.
Annual Events Worth Planning Around
- Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic — hot air balloons over the city every Labor Day weekend
- Twilight Criterium — professional cycling takes over downtown streets every July
- Jaialdi — a world-renowned Basque cultural festival that draws visitors from across the country
- Treefort Music Fest — five days of indie music, film, and food every spring
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Boise
Bogus Basin is a year-round destination with skiing in winter and mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, and the Glade Runner mountain coaster in summer. The Idaho Botanical Garden has easy-to-strenuous trails and an outdoor summer music series at Outlaw Field that draws big acts. Both are Boise attractions that the whole family will actually agree on.
- Zoo Boise — compact, well-maintained, and easy to cover in a few hours
- Aquarium of Boise — interactive exhibits kids genuinely get excited about
- Roaring Springs — the region's largest waterpark, a summer staple for families
- World Center for Birds of Prey — a one-of-a-kind experience with live raptors up close
Day Trips and Weekend Escapes Near Boise
Idaho City is less than an hour away, with Gold Rush history and a stop at The Springs for private mineral pool relaxation. Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, about an hour out, has North America's tallest single-structured sand dune, sandboarding, two small lakes, and a public observatory. Lucky Peak State Park is just 10 miles from downtown, with swimming and boating all summer long.
Explore Boise with Totally Boise
Totally Boise is your go-to guide for everything happening in the City of Trees. From the best local restaurants to weekend events and hidden gems, we keep you in the loop so you never miss what makes Boise great.
Download the Totally Boise app and start exploring today.