By Mariah Cannon
Heading to Boise, Idaho? In this 3 day itinerary I’ll share some of my favorite things we squeezed into just a few days exploring this part of the great state of Idaho!
About Boise
Boise (Boy-See) is located in southwestern Idaho near the Oregon border and holds so much from hiking to food to history. It’s the capital of Idaho and one of the most visited cities there!
Best Time to Visit
Boise ranges pretty vastly in seasons. During the Summer months, the temperature reaches up to 100° and during the Winter months, dropping down to the low 30s. On average, Boise gets about 19” of snowfall every year. I’ve only been to Boise in the late spring/early summer months and temperatures were POPPIN. But that just means more ice cream, amazing sunsets, and accessible areas!
If you’re wanting to check out all the things mentioned in this blog post, Spring/Early Summer is the most ideal time to experience Boise!
Getting to Boise
If you’re driving, here’s some towns that are relatively close to Boise!
• Twin Falls, ID: 129 miles, 2 hours and 20 minutes
• Stanley, ID: 133 miles, 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Salt Lake City, UT: 339 miles, 4 hours and 45 minutes
If you plan to fly in; Boise has one smaller airport (BOI) that major airlines fly into; including Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, and United and since it is a smaller airport, layover times can be lengthier. BOI is only 10 minutes away from Downtown Boise.
Getting Around Boise
There are so many ways to get around all of Boise! The downtown portion is relatively close together meaning it’s easy to walk and/or bike! Uber & Lyft are also available.
Personally, I prefer driving and there are lots of parking garages and street parking surrounding the downtown area!
Day 1
1. Grab breakfast at Big City Coffee and Cafe where you’ll find tons of delicious options! Open everyday 6am-4pm.
2. Stroll through historic Downtown Boise, shop the cute local stores and see Idaho’s Capitol where you can learn all about the history of Idaho.
3. Walk through Freak Alley, an alley located in downtown full of bright and colorful murals and is the largest in the Northwest!
4. Have Lunch at Tangos Empanadas an authentic Argentinian restaurant with two spots in Boise and in Meridian. Open Mon-Sat.
5. Walk some of the Boise River Greenbelt; a 25 mile paved walkway on both sides of the Boise River. Throughout the trail, you’ll find great views of the river, historic areas, food trucks, and some of the best bird watching in the state. Along with Whitewater surfing in the warmer months!
6. Grab dinner at Matador Boise for some of the best street tacos I’ve ever had! They were to die for, SERIOUSLY.
7. To end your first night, grab some delicious ice cream at Stella’s Ice Cream. I got the cookie dough and it was amazing, but they have over 12 classic flavors and different weekly flavors!
Day 2
1. Grab some breakfast at Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro & if you’re a coffee person, check out Neckar Coffee (Closed Sundays).
2. After fueling up, hike the Polecat Loop Trail – an epic 5.8 mile loop (Clockwise hiking only) that runs through the rolling hills just outside of Boise. A seriously stunning landscape. On this trail, you’ll find sweeping views of Boise, wildlife, and a fun way to see areas of Boise most wouldn’t. This trail is only open to hikers on certain days of the week, so make sure to check on the days you’ll be there!
3. Stop for a quick lunch at Basque Market open Tues-Sat. The market has a mix of hot items and snacks along with drinks.
4. After relaxing and enjoying a snack from the Basque Market, head to the Old Idaho Penitentiary – with 100+ years of history and is one of the most haunted buildings in Idaho. This prison could hold up to 600 prisoners at a time and holds so much history. Be sure to Book Your Tour Time in advance. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for kids! Open times vary throughout the year, be sure to check before booking!
5. Post visiting the Penitentiary, take a short hike up Table Rock for sunset! A 3.8 mile hike, with 896 feet of elevation gain with great views of the city and of the Penitentiary. If visiting during the summer months, sunset is pretty late, but the colors that light up the sky are so worth it!
6. To end day 2, dinner at one of Boise’s many breweries will feel great after a busy day. Some to check out are Lost Grove Brewery or Payette Brewing Company!
Day 3
1. Grab a quick breakfast or pack your own and make the 35 minute drive to the Adelmann Mine Trail to see a historic mining shaft that you can explore around. The trail is 4.7 miles with 1,322 feet of elevation gain. This trail is exposed the whole way and can get toasty, I recommend going early! Coyotes and wolves roam the area. You walk past a Fish and Game Wildlife building and may come across the roadkill they bury behind the building (be prepared for the smell🙃).
2. Relax and eat a snack at Lucky Peak Lake, you can float, picnic, or simply walk the paved path around. It does cost $7 per car to park for the day.
3. On the way out if you’re driving, there is a town called Marsing 36 miles Southwest of Boise, about 51 minutes away. There is a camping and trail system named Celebration Park. A must see trail is the Guffey Butte Trail. A 3.2 mile trail, with 867 feet of elevation gain and stunning rock formations, views of the river below, etc.
If You Have Additional Time
- Bogus Basin Mountain has tons of activities for all seasons! From skiing, to hiking, to biking, to mountain coasters. They have it all!
- Bruneau Dunes State Park makes for a great day trip from Boise, home to the tallest freestanding dunes in the states!
- Idaho Botanical Garden is stunning during the spring and summer months!
Let’s get adventuring!
Mariah
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