Whether you just moved here or you've lived in Boise your whole life, the weekends never get old. Totally Boise is your go-to guide for making the most of every Saturday and Sunday in the City of Trees. Download the Totally Boise app to find out exactly what's happening this weekend, from local events and live music to deals at your favorite spots.
Boise Always Has Something Going On
Boise is the kind of city where the weekend calendar stays full year-round. Summer brings outdoor festivals, rooftop bars, and river floats. Fall means foothills hikes, farmers markets, and Boise State football. Winter has Bogus Basin, cozy breweries, and live music every night of the week. Spring is wildflowers, patio season, and the lead-up to Treefort Music Fest. No matter when you're reading this, there's something worth getting off the couch for.
Get Outside This Weekend in Boise
Float the Boise River
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, floating the Boise River is the quintessential Boise weekend activity. Put in at Barber Park by tube, raft, or paddleboard and float your way downstream. The Boise Whitewater Park has an adjustable wave for surfers and kayakers if you want something with more adrenaline.
Hit the Foothills
The Ridge to Rivers trail system has over 190 miles of trails accessible right from the edge of the city. Table Rock is the classic weekend hike with panoramic Treasure Valley views at the top. For something easier, Camel's Back Park in the North End is a great starting point with trails for every fitness level. Stack Rock up Bogus Basin Road is worth the drive for a longer, more rewarding day out.
Rent a Bike and Ride the Greenbelt
The Boise River Greenbelt stretches 30 miles through the heart of the city and is one of the best ways to spend a few hours on a weekend morning. Rent a bike or e-bike downtown and follow the river as far as you want to go.
Check Out Bogus Basin
Year-round Bogus Basin is worth the 25-minute drive up the mountain. Skiing and snowboarding in winter, lift-served mountain biking and the Glade Runner mountain coaster in summer. One of the best outdoor assets in the Boise area and easy to turn into a full weekend day.
Best Spots to Eat and Drink This Weekend in Boise
Start with Brunch
Weekend brunch in Boise is a serious sport. Goldy's Breakfast Bistro downtown has been the gold standard for years with house-made hollandaise and mimosa flights. Moon's Kitchen Cafe is the move for beignets and ricotta pancakes. Red Feather Lounge on 8th Street is perfect when you want brunch to feel like an occasion with a great cocktail program and a sunny patio.
Spend Time on the Basque Block
No Boise weekend is complete without at least a stop on the Basque Block. Grab a pintxo and a kalimotxo at Bar Gernika, browse the Basque Market, and soak up one of the most unique neighborhood experiences in the American West. It's free, walkable, and authentically Boise.
Hit a Rooftop Bar
When the weather is good, Boise's rooftop bar scene is hard to beat. The Highlander at Hotel Renegade has the best panoramic views in the city. The Boise Post on the 16th floor of the AC Hotel is the newest and highest perch downtown. Luna Bar at Barbacoa is the classic summer rooftop with great cocktails and a crowd that knows how to have a good time.
Explore a New Neighborhood
Boise's neighborhoods each have their own personality worth exploring on foot. Hyde Park in the North End has coffee shops, boutiques, and a laid-back energy perfect for a slow Saturday morning. The BoDo district downtown has restaurants, bars, and the Idaho Statesman building turned event space. Garden City along the Greenbelt has breweries, art studios, and Barbarian Brewing for adventurous craft beer fans.
Arts, Events, and Live Music This Weekend in Boise
Live Music Every Night of the Week
Boise has a genuinely great live music scene for its size. The Knitting Factory books national touring acts almost every weekend. Neurolux is the indie and alternative room that locals love. Treefort Music Hall has multiple stages and a rooftop bar. The Morrison Center at Boise State hosts Broadway productions and larger performances throughout the year.
Recurring Events Worth Knowing
- Boise Farmers Market — Saturday mornings in Shoreline Park from April through November, with local produce, food vendors, and artisan goods
- Freak Alley Gallery — the largest outdoor mural installation in the Pacific Northwest, free and open 24/7 off 8th Street
- Julia Davis Park — home to Zoo Boise, the Boise Art Museum, and the Idaho State Museum, all within walking distance of each other
- Capitol Boulevard — worth a walk any weekend for the views, the architecture, and easy access to downtown bars and restaurants
Seasonal Festivals
Boise's event calendar has highlights every season. Treefort Music Fest takes over downtown every spring. The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic fills the sky over Labor Day weekend. The Twilight Criterium brings professional cycling to downtown streets every July. Art in the Park runs every September at Julia Davis Park. Check the Totally Boise app for what's coming up next.
Fun Things to Do This Weekend with Kids in Boise
Boise is a genuinely family-friendly city with weekend options that work for all ages.
- Zoo Boise — compact, easy to navigate, and a reliable hit with kids of all ages in Julia Davis Park
- Roaring Springs — the Treasure Valley's largest waterpark and a summer weekend staple for families
- Bogus Basin — mountain coaster and scenic chairlift rides in summer, ski lessons and tubing in winter
- Aquarium of Boise — interactive exhibits that keep kids engaged for a solid few hours
- Idaho Botanical Garden — easy walking trails and a beautiful outdoor setting that works for all ages
Plan Your Weekend with Totally Boise
The best way to know what's happening in Boise this weekend is to check the Totally Boise app. From live events and local deals to new restaurant openings and outdoor activities, Totally Boise keeps you plugged into everything worth doing in the City of Trees.
Download the Totally Boise app before your next weekend starts.