Explore our hand-picked list of the best things to do in Boise all year long.

Best things to do in Boise with kids

A family-friendly guide to the City of Trees.

Boise may have a national reputation as an outdoor recreation city with a flourishing craft brewery scene, in other words, an adult's paradise. As you probably already know, it's also one of the best places to raise a family. Kid-friendly trails, acres of parks, and a healthy array of science centers and museums designed to spark curiosity and inspire young minds are just a few of the reasons families plant roots in the Treasure Valley.

And it must be said: one of the best ways to explore a city is through a child's eyes. So whether you're a Boise native or just visiting for the weekend, we've compiled a list of the best activities for families with kids, as recommended by the locals who love them.

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Day trips from Boise Idaho

Spend the day exploring, mountain biking or enjoying Idaho’s wine region without having to pack a bag. Boise is a place we love to call home. Sometimes, though, we just want to get out of town! Here are some great day trip ideas that allow you to explore and in most cases still be back in time for dinner.

1) Bogus Basin in Summer

No longer just a winter destination. The Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area also offers biking, hiking, disc golf, live music, hiking and running events. Only 45 minutes from Downtown Boise, the trip up the mountain has long been worth it just for the spectacular views of Boise and the Valley.

Starting in June, there will be a mountain bike shuttle between the Simplot Lodge and Pioneer Lodge every weekend. Mountain…

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Best hot springs near Boise Idaho

Whatever the season, you can find bathers soaking up a healthy dose of relaxation in one of Idaho’s hundreds of natural geothermal hot springs. Fortunately, some of the most breathtaking springs are just a short drive from Boise.

Whether you crave the primitive pleasure of feeling sand between your toes and listening to the calm rush of a nearby river, or the luxury of soaking in a pristine and modern geothermal pool, we’ve assembled a list of our favorite nearby hot springs.

The Springs at Idaho City

1 hour drive from Boise | Maintained pool
Best season to visit: fall or winter

This cozy mountain spa has something for everyone – a large communal soaking pool, a spacious hot tub, private pools available for hourly rental, on-site masseurs,…

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Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation & Ski Resort - Boise, Idaho

Make Memories All Year Round at the Bogus Basin Recreation Area

There are not many places in the nation where the commute to your local ski resort can rival many people’s commute home from work. Then again, not many cities have a ski resort less than 45 minutes away – one of the many unique perks of living in Boise.

The Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and Ski Resort, located just 16.5 miles north of Boise, is beloved in the Treasure Valley. The drive alone – along a switchback road that transitions from high desert sagebrush to coniferous evergreens, all the while offering breathtaking views of the valley across to the Owyhee Mountains – is worth the trip, regardless of the season.

One of the best things about Bogus Basin is that you…

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Boise Local: Cool and Classic Things to Do in Boise

A guide to the places and activities that make Boise one-of-a-kind

When you think about what makes Boise unique, what springs to mind? Every Boisean has a beloved checklist of unique, only-found-in-Boise things that they treasure. Call them the greats or call them the classics, we’re talking about the places and activities that you’re eager to introduce out-of-town visitors to, or that convinced newcomers to make Boise their new home – the things that speak to the heart of Boise and give our city its soul.

In the interest of celebrating these classics – and maybe reminding you of a few you haven’t hit in awhile – we’ve compiled a list of our favorites. In order to narrow down our list (it turns out we have a lot of favorites!), we set a few…

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A complete guide to floating the Boise River 2021

There’s only one thing to do when summer temperatures hit triple digits and you feel yourself wilting faster than a wildflower: slather on the sunscreen, grab a few friends and float the Boise River.

Floating the six-mile stretch of the Boise River from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park is a uniquely thrilling yet tranquil pastime. Where else can you spot wild mink, deer and bald eagles’ nests, or watch teenagers jumping from bridges, or even stop to picnic or fish on a quiet stretch of beach before floating on to the heart of the city?

No one is quite sure when the tradition started, but now each year more than 125,000 people take the two-hour trip downstream. If you’ve never tried this local rite of passage, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.…

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Boise wine, wineries and tasting rooms for Idaho wine lovers

Discover the Wineries and Tasting Rooms of Boise’s Urban Wine Region

The wineries of downtown Boise and the surrounding communities are home to some of the most unique and exquisite local wines. The "Boise Urban" wine region is quickly becoming a hot spot for diverse cuisine, art, culture, and outdoor recreation, making it the perfect place to sip and sample with your friends. Some wine-lovers even hop on their bikes and hit the Boise River Greenbelt to tour and taste these local wineries.

As Boise continues to grow and thrive, so do the many locally-owned and operated restaurants and wineries. Today, locals and visitors can sip their way through downtown and the surrounding cities. The wineries and tasting rooms in Boise's urban core make up…

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Treefort Music Fest 2020

Every city worth its salt has a music festival, and lucky for us, Boise is no different.

Each spring, Boise hosts Treefort Music Fest, a five-day, all-ages festival featuring more than 400 local, national and international bands playing at venues small and large throughout downtown.

But Treefort 2020 is much more than just a music festival. Since its inception in 2012, the grassroots festival has grown in size, popularity and scope to include a number of other “forts,” each with diverse programming, including Yogafort, Foodfort, Alefort, Comedyfort, Hackfort (the festival’s tech-themed fort), Storyfort and Filmfort, to name a few.

With the Treefort schedule running almost around the clock at bars, churches, restaurants, even the local…

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Things to Do in Boise ID in February | Boise February Events

The weather may still be frigid outside in February in Boise, but there’s plenty going on to keep you busy until spring. The month of love has a whole slew of events lined up to fill your calendar, whether you’re looking for a steamy date night or a warm evening away from the winter cold. Check out these things to do in Boise this month!

Boise State Basketball Home Games | Taco Bell Arena

All Month

March Madness isn’t far away, so head over to Taco Bell Arena and catch a Bronco’s basketball game. Throughout the month of February, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have home games you can catch. Men’s games schedule | Women’s games schedule.

Idaho Steelheads | CenturyLink Arena

February 1, 7, 8, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 29

It’s…

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Things to Do in Boise ID in January | Boise January Events

Post-Christmas blues got you down? There are enough events on the Boise calendar this month to get your spirits back up, no matter what kind of activity floats your boat.

January in Idaho is the coldest month of the year, but it's also the month of classic events and entertainment like the McCall Winter Carnival, basketball games, film festivals, and many other reasons to get out of the house and experience Boise.

January is a popular month in Idaho to take in the beauty of winter, get outside (despite the temperatures), and savor a slower pace before the busy days of spring and summer. Here are the must-do events you should have on your calendar this month in Boise.

Skiing, Tubing, and the Gladerunner Mountain Coaster | Bogus Basin

All…

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