Boise in 5 days

Riverside mountain-town capital with a greenbelt, foothill trails and Basque heritage. Best time to visit: May-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $130 to $250 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Downtown / Basque Block, Walkable core with the capitol, the Basque Museum and cultural block, restaurants and the Egyptian Theatre.

Morning: Float the Boise River. A six-mile summer drift from Barber Park to Ann Morrison, with tube rental and a shuttle back.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown / Basque Block, Walkable core with the capitol, the Basque Museum and cultural block, restaurants and the Egyptian Theatre.

Evening: Hike or bike Ridge to Rivers. 190 miles of foothill trails starting minutes from downtown; Table Rock rewards with a city-wide view.

Eat: Basque croquetas, chorizo and beef tongue on the Basque Block

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: North End, Historic tree-lined bungalows running up to Camel's Back Park and the foothill trailheads.

Morning: Explore the Basque Block. The only one in the US: a museum, boarding house, Leku Ona and croquetas with Rioja.

Afternoon: Explore North End, Historic tree-lined bungalows running up to Camel's Back Park and the foothill trailheads.

Evening: Old Idaho Penitentiary. An 1870 prison you can walk through, with sandstone cell blocks and gallows still standing.

Eat: Finger steaks, a deep-fried Boise invention

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Boise River Greenbelt, A 25-mile paved path along the river connecting parks, the zoo, the university and the float take-out.

Morning: Idaho State Capitol. The only geothermally heated state capitol in the country, free to enter and full of marble.

Afternoon: Explore Boise River Greenbelt, A 25-mile paved path along the river connecting parks, the zoo, the university and the float take-out.

Evening: The World Center for Birds of Prey, with California condors and flight demonstrations.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Idaho trout and huckleberry everything in season

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Garden City, Former industrial strip turned into the Surel Mitchell live-work-create district with wineries and breweries.

Morning: Freak Alley Gallery, an open-air mural corridor repainted every summer.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Garden City, Former industrial strip turned into the Surel Mitchell live-work-create district with wineries and breweries.

Evening: Bogus Basin, a 45-minute drive to skiing in winter and a mountain coaster in summer.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Snake River Valley wine and local craft beer

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Downtown / Basque Block, Walkable core with the capitol, the Basque Museum and cultural block, restaurants and the Egyptian Theatre.

Morning: Sunset from Table Rock with the illuminated cross above the whole valley.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown / Basque Block, Walkable core with the capitol, the Basque Museum and cultural block, restaurants and the Egyptian Theatre.

Evening: Dinner at Basque croquetas, chorizo and beef tongue on the Basque Block, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown / Basque Block.

Eat: Basque croquetas, chorizo and beef tongue on the Basque Block

Hidden gems

The World Center for Birds of Prey, with California condors and flight demonstrations.
Freak Alley Gallery, an open-air mural corridor repainted every summer.
Bogus Basin, a 45-minute drive to skiing in winter and a mountain coaster in summer.
Sunset from Table Rock with the illuminated cross above the whole valley.

Getting around

Downtown, the Basque Block and the greenbelt are walkable and bike-friendly, with a bike-share network covering the core. A car is worth having for trailheads, Bogus Basin and day trips. Boise Airport is remarkably close, 10 minutes and about $15 to $20 by rideshare from downtown. Parking downtown is cheap, with the first hour free in most garages.

Safety

Boise regularly rates among the safest mid-size US cities, and downtown and the North End are comfortable at all hours. The risks are outdoors: high desert sun and dry heat above 35C in July, rattlesnakes and ticks on foothill trails, and cold, fast water in the Boise River early in the season. Wildfire smoke can degrade air quality in late summer, so check air quality before long hikes.

Boise in 3 days | Boise in 7 days | Full Boise guide