The Perfect Day in Boise

We’re going to let you in on a secret. A few secrets, actually. The perfect day does exist, and you can find it in Boise.

Morning 

8 AM. Start your morning with drip coffee at Slow by Slow. Or homemade chai at Neckar Coffee. Or try the earthy, delicious matcha at ā café. Boise offers endless choices for a delicious morning beverage. Whatever your tastes, there’s a craft bev for you. 

10 AM. After breakfast (psst, see our recs here), it’s time to explore the family-friendly Greenbelt. Rent a bike or e-bike and start peddling along the 29-mile tree-lined pathway. This paved paradise, running along the north and south sides of the Boise River, is perfect for the whole family. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a photography buff, or simply curious, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Afternoon

1 PM. Boise’s vibrant culinary scene is calling. Maybe you want to take a cooking class at Season + Taste in downtown Boise. Or you could peruse Green Acres, a seasonal food truck park in the heart of Boise. But a true local gem is the Basque Block. Enjoy some croquetas at Leku Ona or signature seafood & chorizo paella at The Basque Market.

3 PM. Boise is a city of unique experiences waiting to be discovered. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Idaho Botanical Garden, where you can smell the roses and catch a glimpse of their resident owls or elk. If nature isn’t your thing, explore the downtown area with some antiquing and thrifting or admire a Lichtenstein at the Boise Art Museum. The choice is yours, and the experiences are endless. 

Night

5 PM. All the world’s a stage. Or, in this case, dinner and a stage. Snag tickets to a show at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and go back to the 16th century at our outdoor amphitheater—shows run throughout the summer (May-September). Don’t forget to pack your picnic basket (or buy a picnic dinner at the venue) and book tickets in advance. If the weather is a little cooler, catch year-round Ballet Idaho shows, fun concerts, symphony orchestra performances and more at the Morrison Center in the heart of downtown Boise. 

8 PM. End the night with some Salsa & Bachata, a lively Latin dance, at Ochos Wine Bar downtown. No experience necessary—learn some new moves with social dance classes on Friday nights. If you didn’t bring your dancing shoes, take a spooky nighttime tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary or grab a late-night bite at one of many restaurants on 8th Street instead

The Perfect Boise Day Checklist

• Grab a bev at a local coffee shop (Slow by Slow, Neckar, ā café)
• Bike or walk the Greenbelt
• Try croquetas or other pinxtos on the Basque Block
• Listen to live music at Green Acres Food Truck Park
• Smell the flowers at the Idaho Botanical Garden
• Watch a show at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival
• See a concert downtown (Treefort Music Hall, Morrison Center, Knitting Factory)
• Grab a nightcap at a local speakeasy, like Thick As Thieves or Gatsby