Boise Between History and River Landscapes

Explore Boise from several perspectives: history and cultural heritage, museums, gardens, trails, and water sports each offer something different. To plan your trip, start by thinking about which themes interest you most. The places and activities below offer specific ideas, from historic buildings to things to do on the water.

History, Cultural Heritage, and Museums

The Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise was built in 1870. In the historic downtown district, the Basque Block represents the history and cultural heritage of Boise’s Basque community. The Basque Museum and Cultural Center is also located there. These places highlight different aspects of the city: the former prison reflects the architectural history of 1870, while the Basque Block is specifically connected to the heritage of the Basque community.

Self-guided tours of the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga Boarding House are offered every Saturday throughout the year. This is different from a museum visit: you explore the building on your own rather than joining a guided tour. If you’d like to include this tour in your plans, Saturday is the day to keep in mind.

The museums also offer different points of interest. The Idaho State Museum features 80,000 square feet of exhibits, with more than 500 artifacts and immersive technology. The Boise Art Museum’s permanent collection includes about 4,000 works of art. Together, they offer a museum with exhibits, artifacts, and technology, alongside an art collection with its own focus. If you’re planning time for culture, this can help you decide whether you’re more interested in history and artifacts or the art collection.

Gardens, Wildlife, and Summer Music

The Idaho Botanical Garden sits at the foot of the Boise Foothills and covers about 15 acres. A summer live music series takes place at the garden’s historic Outlaw Field. The garden and the music series offer different seasonal highlights: the series is held in summer, and lineups may vary by event. If a concert is important to your trip plans, check the specific event dates and current lineup in advance.

Zoo Boise is home to more than 300 animals from 100 different species. It also offers an encounter where visitors can feed a sloth bear mealworms through a special feeding tube. This specific activity is different from a general zoo visit and may factor into your plans. Encounter dates may change, so check the current schedule ahead of time if you’d like to include it.

Trails and Activities on the Water

The Boise River Greenbelt runs for nearly 25 miles along the Boise River. Cyclists, skaters, walkers, and runners use it. The Bethine Church River Trail, by contrast, is a 1.6-mile unpaved trail for walking and running. The differences in length, surface, and use can help you choose a trail based on how much time you have and what activity you prefer. Conditions along the Greenbelt may change, and conditions and access rules for the Bethine Church River Trail may also change. It’s a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

Another active option is Whitewater Park, where a mountain-fed river offers opportunities for surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Unlike the trails mentioned above, the focus here is on activities on the water. Depending on your interests, you can experience Boise through routes for walking or cycling, culture and museums, or water sports.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Boise, first consider which side of the city you’d like to shape your stay: history and art, gardens and wildlife, or trails and water sports. This will help you choose a starting point for planning the rest of your trip based on the experiences that interest you most.

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