Getting To Know Boise
There are so many things to do in and around Boise, it’s tough to decide where to start. We’ve compiled this list to give you some ideas. As always, make sure you’re practicing proper safety precautions. Boise has many activities to satisfy everyone from the outdoor enthusiast to the cosmopolitan urbanite. There is something fun to do for everyone!
Activities in Boise
Arts & Entertainment
Ballet Idaho
All of the grace and power of classical performances intermixed with innovation and drama of contemporary and modern dance creations are within your reach at these exciting ballet experiences.
Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Enjoy an evening of theater, entertainment and education on the grass under the stars at the festival’s beautiful outdoor amphitheater.
Zoo Boise
Zoo Boise connects visitors with animals to inspire and involve our community in worldwide wildlife conservation. A Boise favorite for kids aged 2-102, Zoo Boise sponsors many events, such as wine safari, travel opportunities, and volunteer experiences. “Keep your world wild” with a Zoo Boise experience!
Idaho State Museum
This museum highlights Idaho’s land and the history of its people. The museum is sponsored by The Idaho State Historical Society.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
The site features thirty historic buildings and special exhibits including the J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit, a collection of historic weaponry. Relive the Old Pen’s exciting past of daring escapes, scandals and executions.
Basque Museum
Basque immigrants have left a rich imprint of culture in Idaho’s history. Located in the downtown “Basque District,” The Basque Museum and Cultural Center in Boise is a fun gateway to Basque dance, food, music, and traditional beverages that will delight your senses. Check it out!
Head downtown and check out Freak Alley, Boise’s renowned outdoor public art gallery.
Walk across the river to the Boise Art Museum and see a variety of modern and contemporary art exhibitions. Bring your Bronco Card for free admission. Boise Art Museum is the chief sponsor of the annual Art in the Park, one of “the premiere cultural events in the Northwest.”
First Thursday
Get introduced to downtown Boise businesses, and while you’re at it, enjoy food, beverage, and roving entertainment! This event is held on the “first Thursday” of every month, typically from 6pm-9pm. Each merchant “creatively plans their own event.” Sponsored by the Downtown Boise Association.
Anne Frank Memorial – This nearby landmark is the only Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in the US. It was built by the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. You can visit there yourself or take a virtual tour here.
Idaho Botanical Garden
The Idaho Botanical Garden, one of the first and oldest botanical gardens in Idaho, is a lush 15-acre tapestry of dappled shade and vibrant splashes of color. The Garden promotes horticulture in the Treasure Valley using native and domestic plants adapted to our region.
