Boise is Haunting | Visit Boise

Spooktacular Fun in Boise

Frightened Felons at Old Idaho Penitentiary

Spooky season is here, with people looking for Halloween chills and picturesque fall scenes. Find both types of delights throughout Boise.

If you tend toward the supernatural, don’t miss these events:

Haunted Trolley Ride (Oct. 13-31) – Take a 90-minute Haunted Halloween Tour around downtown Boise on a decorated Halloween Trolley.
Old Idaho Penitentiary Paranormal Investigation (Oct. 21) or Cell Block Stroll (Oct. 30-31) – The Old Idaho Pen is known as one of Boise’s most haunted spots. The site has been said to have paranormal energy and many reports of ghost sightings over the years.

If pumpkins and scarecrows are more your speed, you’ll enjoy:

Idaho Botanical Garden Harvest Days (Oct. 1-31) – This month-long celebration offers a variety of themed experiences, along with the annual Scarecrow Stroll featuring charming scarecrows woven throughout the Garden.
Trick or Trot Family Fun Fun (Oct. 21) – Grab your favorite costume and head to Julia Davis Park for this 1K/5K walk and run along the Boise Greenbelt. Kids get to trick or treat along the 1K route.
JUMP or Treat (Oct. 21) – This free community event open to all—humans, ghouls, zombies! So put on your costume, grab your trick-or-treat bag and have a ghostly good time.
Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 28-29) – Trick or treat candy stations, costume contests for all ages, vendors, photo ops, face painting, special Halloween themed treats for the zoo animals, and more.
6th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl (Oct. 28) – Boise bars offer unique Halloween drink specials, decor, and spooky surprises.
Halloween Family Fun Monster Bash (Oct. 30) – The Children’s Museum of Idaho will have games, treats, crafts and fun for the whole family.

Explore Great Art at the Impressionist Immersive Experience

Art lovers are in for a treat when the Impressionist Immersive Experience opens in Boise on October 2 at the Discovery Center of Idaho. This traveling exhibit features more than 1,000 masterpieces from notable Impressionist artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and more. The unique experience allows visitors to completely immerse themselves in the famous artwork, brought to life by floor-to-ceiling projections, synchronized with captivating music and informative audio.

In addition to a comprehensive exploration of an entire artistic movement, the exhibit also offers opportunities for children to connect with art and vivid photo opportunities to share on social media. The Impressionist Immersive experience will be open through Spring 2024. Note: The show includes sensitive content with previews and clear signage throughout the galleries.