Boise is such an incredible city that offers a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for local breweries, outdoor adventure, or arts and culture – Boise truly has it all. There are so many things to do in Boise, but this list is dedicated to things you’ll only find here.
The Top 16 unique things to do in Boise with families:
(1) Watch a Boise State football game. Usually when someone hears “Boise” either potatoes or the blue football turf comes to mind. The non-traditional field at Albertsons Stadium is often referred to as “The Blue” or the “Smurf Turf.” However, no matter what you call it, watching a game on this field is a unique Boise experience.
(2) Float the Boise River. This is a must-do activity if you’re visiting Boise in the summer. You can rent a tube, raft, or kayak and hop right into the river for a 2-3-hour float stretching approximately 6 miles. The county runs a shuttle service as well, so you can leave your float gear and catch a ride back to your vehicle. This is a popular summer activity which your whole family will enjoy. To learn more, visit the Ada County Barber Park website.
(3) Visit Bogus Basin. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, Bogus Basin will have outdoor activities perfect for a family adventure. Bogus Basin is a mountain recreation area located only 16 miles outside of downtown Boise. If you’re visiting in the winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. What makes Bogus Basin unique is they have one of the country’s largest night skiing operations. If putting on a board or skis isn’t your thing, then maybe you’d like to try tubing or the Glade Runner, a thrilling high-speed mountain coaster, which is open in the summer as well. During the warmer months, they have concerts, mountain biking, rock climbing, tubing, and many other unique activities for kids and adults. Read all about the Bogus Basin summer activities by clicking here.
(4) Watch a performance at Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Where else can you bring your picnic to an outdoor theater that is nestled along the river and against the foothills? The experience is incredible! Each year the Idaho Shakespeare Festival puts on a variety of plays and musicals – and they aren’t all Shakespearean. When viewing their calendar of performances, they will provide information on what shows are kid appropriate, and they even have some dedicated family nights. Don’t want to bring your food? Then don’t worry the Shakespeare Café (which is delicious) has great food and drink options that can be prepared for you.
(5) Ride the 5-story slide at JUMP. Located right downtown is a 5-story twisting tube slide. It’s open during the warmer months on select days and times. If your kids are over 44 inches tall, and 3 years of age, then they can ride! JUMP (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place) also has many other family-friendly activities all year – so make sure to check it out!
(6) Shop at a Downtown Market. During the warmer months downtown hosts both the Boise Farmers Market and the Capital City Public Market. Grab a cup of coffee and stroll through the streets of downtown checking out the hundreds of vendors featuring locally grown food, artisan crafts, and delicious treats (mini donuts are our fav). Then after you’ve tasted and shopped your way through the markets, grab lunch on 8th Street and enjoy watching all the action of the vibrant downtown.
(7) Walk through Freak Alley Gallery. Located throughout the alleys between 8th and 9th street and Bannock and Idaho in the center of Downtown Boise. Freak Alley is Northwest’s largest outdoor, multi-artist mural gallery. There is so much interesting graffiti-style art making these alleys so interesting.
(8) Walk or bike the Greenbelt. The Boise River Greenbelt stretches 25 miles through parks, neighborhoods, and along the beautiful river. Walk or jog along this beautiful path or rent a bike. There are so many sites to stop and see along the way. If you work up an appetite there are some great local restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the patios. At Boise Parks and Recreation, you can find more information and maps.
(9) Go whitewater rafting. Just 45 minutes outside of Boise is some incredible whitewater on the Payette River. There are not many places where you can be in the center of downtown, and less than an hour be on whitewater. And your trip wouldn’t be complete without experiencing Idaho whitewater. There are several rafting companies close to Boise, but Bear Valley Rafting is one of the closest. You can choose half-day or full-day raft trips that are family friendly.
(10) Attend an Idaho Botanical Garden event. The Idaho Botanical Garden hosts many family-friendly events throughout the year. Our two favorites are the Winter Garden aGlow (Thanksgiving – NYE), and the Great Garden Escape concert series held on Thursdays during the summer. Whether it’s walking through the garden with over 500,000 twinkling Christmas lights or enjoying a picnic (with local beer and wine) while listening to live music, you can’t go wrong at the Idaho Botanical Garden. For more about the Idaho Botanical Garden and its family-friendly events, read this post.
(11) Visit Zoo Boise. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Zoo Boise is dedicated to providing excellent care for animals. Zoo Boise is one of the few zoos to have sand cats, which are so cute, but nothing like our domestic cats. They also have a Gorongosa National Park Exhibit dedicated to helping rebuild the park, which had been considered one of Africa’s greatest parks. It was destroyed due to years of war in Mozambique, and now Zoo Boise is partnering to help the community and protect animals like elephants, lions, and zebras. Come see all the exhibits, the sand cats, and don’t miss your chance to get nose-to-nose with a giraffe! To read about my family’s recent trip to Zoo Boise, read this post.
(12) Attend Treefort Music Fest. Hundreds of live bands spread over 30 downtown venues and 11 different “forts” featuring artists, creators, performances, and workshops. Treefort highlights some of what makes Boise unique – music, local beer and food, skatepark, amazing downtown venues, and so much more. Treefort has something for everyone – yoga, skating, comedy, art, and even dedicated kid activities. It’s an inclusive and entertaining 5 days that you’ll only find in Boise!
(13) Walk around the MK Nature Center. The Morrison Knudsen Nature Center sits alongside the Boise River Greenbelt and is home to almost 5 acres of wildlife habitat. The MK Nature Center features walking paths, a sturgeon pond, underwater viewing windows, and a Visitor Center.
(14) Take a hike. Boise’s Ridge to Rivers trail system is expansive with over 190 miles of trails. This is one of the most treasured luxuries in Boise. Hiking the foothills is so peaceful and scenic, and many of the trails will give you a great view overlooking the downtown. You can view the trail maps to select which one is the best for your family’s abilities and plans. If you’re bringing a pup to Boise, this is a must-do activity. And if you’re looking for dog-friendly hotels or restaurants, read this post for suggestions.
(15) Visit The World Center Birds of Prey. Discover the world of raptors! The World Center for Birds of Prey is the headquarters for The Peregrine Fund, a non-profit organization focused on conserving endangered raptors around the world. Open Tuesday through Sunday, you’ll have the chance to see live birds of prey up close and watch live raptor presentations.
(16) Eat potatoes. I’d be remiss if Idaho potatoes didn’t make it on this list. Boise Fry Company has two locations where you can try French fries from 6 different kinds of potatoes cut 5 different ways. Then for dessert try the famous Ice Cream Potato at the Westside Drive In. You can’t beat ice cream shaped like a potato, with chocolate “dirt” and whipped cream. Enjoy!
