Boise packs a walkable downtown, a 29 mile riverside greenbelt and a foothills skyline into one compact capital city. This guide ranks fifteen picks, from the Idaho State Capitol and the Old Idaho Penitentiary to the World Center for Birds of Prey, with what each one costs and when it is open.
The top 15, ranked
Ranked from official sources: the Idaho State Capitol Commission, the Idaho State Historical Society, City of Boise Parks and Recreation, Idaho Fish and Game and each venue's own admission page. Prices and opening shapes were read from the operator's own site.
- Top pick
#1Best for history · #1 of 15Idaho State Capitol
Civic LandmarkDowntown Boiseopen daily year round for public visiting hoursFreeThe Idaho State Capitol stands at 700 West Jefferson Street and opens to the public every day of the week for self guided visits. Guided tours can be booked, and a self guided Capitol of Light booklet covers the building when a tour slot is not available.
Local tipIf no guided tour slot is open, pick up the self guided Capitol of Light booklet and work through the building at your own pace.
- Top pick
2Best for history · #2 of 15
Old Idaho Penitentiary
Historic SiteEast Endopen year round with longer summer hours and shorter winter hours, closed on major state holidaysUnder $10The Idaho State Historical Society runs this former prison at 2445 Old Penitentiary Road, where thirty buildings survive across the grounds. Cell blocks, solitary confinement and the gallows are all open to walk through on a self guided visit.
Local tipChildren under six get in at no charge, and every visitor twelve and under needs an adult with them on site.
- Top pick
3Best for wildlife · #3 of 15
World Center for Birds of Prey
Wildlife CenterSouthwest Boiseopen Tuesday through Sunday year round with shorter winter hours, and Monday openings only between Memorial Day and Labor Day$10 to $25The Peregrine Fund runs this raptor conservation center at 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, southwest of the city near the airport. Live raptor encounters put visitors in front of the center's Avian Ambassadors, and a Welcome Center completed in 2023 anchors the exhibits.
Local tipDuring smoky summer conditions some birds are moved indoors, so call ahead if outdoor raptor viewing is the reason for the trip.
-
4Best for walking and cycling · #4 of 15
Boise River Greenbelt
TrailAlong the Boise Riveropen daily from sunrise to sunset, year roundFreeThis 29 mile tree lined pathway follows both banks of the Boise River from Lucky Peak through Boise, Garden City and Eagle. Five jurisdictions maintain it together, and it links most of the parks and museums on this list without a car.
Local tipThere are access points and parking areas all along the route, so start from whichever one is closest rather than hunting for a single trailhead.
-
5Best for families · #5 of 15
Zoo Boise
ZooDowntown Boiseopen daily year round, last admission one hour before closing$10 to $25Zoo Boise sits inside Julia Davis Park at 355 Julia Davis Drive, so it pairs easily with the art museum and the greenbelt in a single afternoon. General admission drops by three dollars on Thursdays compared with the standard daily rate.
Local tipGo on a Thursday for the standing weekly discount on general admission.
-
6Best for gardens · #6 of 15
Idaho Botanical Garden
Botanical GardenEast Endopen daily year round, last admission one hour before closing$10 to $25The garden occupies the ground next to the Old Idaho Penitentiary at 2355 Old Penitentiary Road, which makes the two an easy pairing. A ten acre expansion is underway, and the seasonal program runs from summer concerts on Outlaw Field to the winter light display.
Local tipThe main lot is closed for the expansion work, so use the alternate parking at the Table Rock Trailhead behind the Warden's House.
-
7Best for art · #7 of 15
Boise Art Museum
Art MuseumDowntown Boiseopen Tuesday through Sunday year round, closed Mondays and major holidaysUnder $10Boise Art Museum stands at 670 Julia Davis Drive inside Julia Davis Park, a few minutes from the zoo and the greenbelt. On the first Thursday of each month admission runs on a pay what you can basis and the galleries stay open into the evening.
Local tipTime a visit for the first Thursday of the month, when admission is pay what you can until 7 in the evening.
-
8Best for hiking · #8 of 15
Table Rock
ViewpointEast End foothillsopen daily from sunrise to sunset, subject to trail and weather conditionsFreeTable Rock is the flat topped mesa above the Old Idaho Penitentiary, managed by the Idaho State Historical Society. There is no vehicle access to the mesa itself, so the summit is reached on foot or by bike from a trailhead below.
Local tipThe mesa closes completely at sunset and can shut entirely in poor conditions, so check before setting out.
-
9Best for culture · #9 of 15
Basque Museum and Cultural Center
MuseumDowntown Boiseopen Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday, Monday and holidaysUnder $10Boise holds one of the largest Basque communities outside Europe and this museum on the Basque Block at 611 Grove Street tells that story. Admission also covers the restored Cyrus Jacobs Uberuaga boardinghouse next door during opening hours.
Local tipThe neighboring historic boardinghouse can be toured on a self guided basis on the same ticket during opening hours.
-
10Best for families · #10 of 15
Discovery Center of Idaho
Science MuseumDowntown Boiseopen daily year round with slightly shorter Sunday hours$25 to $50Idaho's hands on science center sits at 131 West Myrtle Street, within walking distance of the Capitol and the greenbelt. It is the strongest wet weather option downtown when the foothills trails are not an option.
Local tipThe center states its own hours can change at any time, so confirm before making the trip.
-
11Best for picnics · #11 of 15
Julia Davis Park
City ParkDowntown Boiseopen daily from sunrise to midnight, year roundFree with paid optionsThe city's oldest park began with a 43 acre donation from Thomas Davis in 1907 in memory of his wife Julia. It now holds Zoo Boise, the Boise Art Museum, the Gene Harris Bandshell and a Solar System Trail, all joined to the greenbelt.
Local tipVisitor parking beyond two hours has to be paid for when you are visiting the attractions inside the park.
-
12Best for mountain activities · #12 of 15
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
Mountain RecreationBoise Front foothillsseasonal, with a winter ski season and a separate summer activities seasonVariesThis nonprofit run mountain above the city skis in winter and switches to a summer season built around the Glade Runner mountain coaster and the Basin Gravity Park bike trails. Each activity is priced on its own rather than under one gate fee.
Local tipHiking the mountain's trails costs nothing even though the coaster, biking and lift activities are all ticketed separately.
-
13Best for food · #13 of 15
Capital City Public Market
MarketDowntown BoiseSaturday mornings only, within a spring to December seasonFreeThe market fills The Grove Plaza and 8th Street between Main and Idaho on Saturday mornings through the growing season. It is the easiest way to eat well downtown without booking anything.
Local tipThis is a Saturday morning market inside an April to December season, not a year round or weekday fixture.
-
14Best for wildlife · #14 of 15
MK Nature Center
Nature CenterEast Endgrounds open daily dawn to dusk, visitor center open fewer days on its own scheduleFreeIdaho Fish and Game runs this center at 600 South Walnut Street, right on the greenbelt. A StreamWalk lets visitors see trout and salmon through underwater viewing windows, with an indoor visitor center alongside the outdoor trails.
Local tipThe grounds and the visitor center keep different hours, and groups larger than ten are asked to book ahead.
-
15Best for families · #15 of 15
Boise WaterShed
Education CenterNorth Boiseopen Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays and listed holidaysFreeThe City of Boise runs this water education center with an indoor exhibit hall and an outdoor river campus built around a simulated river. Admission is free to both, which makes it an easy stop with children.
Local tipThe outdoor simulated river only runs from mid March to mid October, so time an outdoor visit inside that window.
Where things cluster
Boise sits on the Boise River with a compact downtown on the flats, the East End and North End running up toward the foothills, and the Bench rising on the south side of the river.
- Downtown BoiseThe dense core holds the Capitol, the science center and the Basque Block, plus most of the city's restaurants and bars within a few walkable blocks.
- East EndEast of downtown, a residential district of historic houses that runs into the foothills, with the Old Idaho Penitentiary, the botanical garden and the Table Rock trailhead at its edge.
- North EndA historic tree lined neighborhood just north of downtown, with quick access to the foothills trail system, small restaurants and shops.
- The BenchThe hillside terrace above downtown, a mixed residential area known for varied architecture and some of the best long views back over the city.
Make it a day
Capitol, prison, and the river
Start at the Idaho State Capitol when it opens, then walk down 8th Street through the Basque Block to the Basque Museum. Spend the middle of the day at the Old Idaho Penitentiary and the botanical garden next door, which share a car park and a single stretch of Old Penitentiary Road. Finish on the Boise River Greenbelt through Julia Davis Park, stopping at Zoo Boise or the Boise Art Museum depending on who you are with.
City on day one, foothills on day two
Give the first day to downtown and the East End, covering the Capitol, the Basque Block, the penitentiary and the greenbelt on foot and by bike. On the second day head up into the foothills, either hiking to Table Rock for the view back over the valley or driving up to Bogus Basin for the coaster and bike trails. If it is a Saturday morning, start at the Capital City Public Market on The Grove Plaza before leaving downtown.
Map
Best time to visit
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring and early fall are the most comfortable months for the foothills trails and the greenbelt, before the high summer heat and after it breaks. Summer is when the Capital City Public Market, the Boise WaterShed river campus and the Bogus Basin activity season are all running, so it suits families even though midday hiking is hot. Winter narrows the outdoor options but the Capitol, the museums and the Basque Block stay open, and Bogus Basin switches to skiing.
Staying over? Compare hotels in Boise at Expedia.
Deep Arrival earns a commission when you buy through partner links. It does not change the price you pay.
Boise things to do FAQ
Cost, timing, walkability and weather answers for a smoother visit.
What is Boise known for?
Boise is known for the Idaho State Capitol, an unusually large Basque community centerd on the Basque Block downtown, and immediate access to outdoor recreation. The Boise River Greenbelt and the foothills trail system both start within a short walk of the city center.
How many days do you need in Boise?
One full day covers downtown, the Basque Block, the Old Idaho Penitentiary and the greenbelt on foot. A second day is worth adding if you want the foothills, either hiking Table Rock or heading up to Bogus Basin, since both need a half day of their own.
What are the best free things to do in Boise?
The Idaho State Capitol, the Boise River Greenbelt, Table Rock, the MK Nature Center, the Boise WaterShed and the Capital City Public Market all cost nothing to visit. Julia Davis Park is free to enter, though the zoo and art museum inside it charge separately.
Is Boise walkable for visitors?
The downtown core is compact and walkable, and the Capitol, the Basque Block, the science center and Julia Davis Park are all within a few blocks of each other. The greenbelt links downtown to the East End attractions without a car, but the birds of prey center and Bogus Basin both need one.
What is there to do in Boise with kids?
Zoo Boise and the Discovery Center of Idaho are the two strongest paid options, and both sit close to downtown. The Boise WaterShed and the MK Nature Center are free and built around children, and the greenbelt works well for a family bike ride.
When is the best time to visit Boise?
Spring and early fall give the most comfortable weather for the trails and the greenbelt. Summer is hot at midday but brings the Saturday market, the WaterShed river campus and the Bogus Basin activity season, while winter keeps the museums and the Capitol open and turns Bogus Basin over to skiing.
Keep planning
Use these nearby guides to extend a Boise trip with a different pace and a clear next stop.
Image credits. Hero: Robbymilo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. 1 Idaho State Capitol: JSquish / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.