At the top of my travel wish list is a quaint city nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with fantastic walking trails, museums, and food to enjoy. I’m talking about Boise, Idaho, the capital of the Gemstone State and one of the upcoming places to visit. Boise is a great place for families, friends and even solo travelers to explore, so look at the top eight attractions you must see when visiting Boise, Idaho.
Boise, Idaho Attractions:
Exploring Boise’s Greenbelt:
The main attraction in Boise for nature lovers is the Greenbelt, a 25-mile nature trail. Starting in Eagle, Idaho, and going down through Boise, visitors can walk, run, or bike along the Greenbelt, which runs parallel with the Boise River. You can walk across the famous Friendship Bridge or walk through locals’ favorite parks. Several people enjoy birdwatching, picnics, fishing, or watching tubers flow down the river. There’s something for everyone, and that’s what makes the Greenbelt a local favorite.
Tubing down the Boise River:
If you are going to Boise during the summer, it’s likely to be over 90°F/32°C, so staying cool will be a challenge. Why not plan a 3-6 hour relaxing activity down the Boise River? Sit in a tube, enjoy the scenery, kick back, wave at the Greenbelt goers, and relax! I recommend looking into Float the Boise—they have great information and different rental options for solo and large groups.
Idaho Botanical Garden
Created in 1982, this 32-acre garden is a place to bring people together, experience nature and culture events, and build a community at a local and national scale. Whether you have a green thumb or not, visiting a city’s botanical gardens is a great way to immerse yourself in the area’s landscape, meet various personalities, and be closer to nature. They have many garden styles like English, Rose, Herb, Vegetable, and the tranquil Meditation Garden. The Idaho Botanical Garden is also perfect for families, with an interactive gardening area for kids to run around and explore.
Boise National Park
This vast forest is a popular destination for activities like hiking, fishing, camping, and off-road vehicle use, and it contains significant natural features such as the Boise, Salmon River, and West mountain ranges. Rich in natural beauty and historical significance, the Boise National Forest also holds evidence of early Native American presence and the region’s mining history, making it a valuable ecological and cultural resource. Recently, people have seen an uptick in bear activity, so be on the look out for those giant furry creatures!
Sawtooth National Forest
The Sawtooth National Forest, located primarily in Idaho, is renowned for its dramatic, jagged mountain peaks, which give the forest its name. It offers diverse recreational activities, from hiking and fishing to skiing and camping, attracting outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. The forest’s vast landscape encompasses diverse ecosystems, including alpine tundra, dense forests, and numerous pristine lakes and rivers.
The Anne Frank Memorial:
According to my research, the Anne Frank Memorial is the number one attraction people recommend visiting Boise. It’s an educational park promoting respect for human dignity and diversity. The memorial is inspired by Anne Frank’s belief in humanity and serves as a reminder of the importance of human rights. Local and corporate donations created this memorial, and many activists have added their causes to the “Quote Wall.”
Boise Art Museum:
If you want an indoor activity, visit the Boise Art Museum. It has permanent installations and visiting works of Art, including the portfolio of artists in the Boise Art Museum. The museum also has Art in the Park every September, which brings the community together with local food trucks, over 200 artists, and music!
Pinball Museum
If you want a nostalgic activity in Boise, visit the Idaho Pinball Museum. With rows of pinball machines, you could spend hours trying all the machines. If you have the odd rainy day in Boise, try the Pinball Museum!
Additional Boise Attractions: Slow by Slow Theater, Westside Drive-In, and Idaho Penitentiary.
How I’d Plan My Boise, Idaho Trip
Where to Eat in Boise, Idaho
- Sockeye Alehouse (Finger Steak)
- Cougar Mountain Lodge (Finger Steak)
- Bacquet’s (Great lunch spot – French Cuisine)
- Sunshine and Spice Bakery (Bakery and Coffee Spot)
- Janjou Pâtisserie (BruncH)
- Uncle Giuseppe’s (Quick deli spot)
- STIL (Ice cream)
Boise Hotels
- Swanky: Inn at 500
- Mid-Tier: The Riverside Hotel
Best Way to Travel Through Idaho
Walking downtown and driving to the surrounding areas.
Safety for solo travelers:
Through my research, people have said Boise is safe for solo travelers. As someone who loves to travel alone and is a female, I did a lot of investigating into how safe traveling is for solo female travelers. I was impressed by how many women said Boise was one of their favorite cities to visit.
Check out my Savannah/Hilton Head, Charleston, or Maine blogs for other amazing places to visit. All are great for a group or solo travel!
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