A city to discover.
Explore Boise
Kick off your Boise experience from the city’s most auspicious doorstep, right in the heart of downtown. The perfect starting point to explore the places that give the city its reputation as one of America’s best places to live and work. From walking the Boise River Greenbelt to hitting a pre-concert happy hour, your agenda will never be empty in the city of trees.
Of course, your quest to check off your Things to Do in Boise list is made all the more enjoyable when you can end each day at an extraordinary hotel like The Avery.
Idaho State Capitol
Intentionally designed to mirror our U.S. Capitol Building, this Idaho cousin features Neo-classical architecture with a stunning execution of natural light and marble. It may look formal, but its doors are open for visitors who want to peer into its lofty dome. Join a guided tour of Idaho’s State Capitol building or explore on your own with a self-guided tour. Don’t miss a photo op with the Liberty Bell replica memorial out front.
SunnySlope Wine Trail
Nestled in the beautiful Snake River Valley AVA, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail features 17 wineries and vineyards. Experience award-winning Idaho wines, and special tastings and dining framed by panoramic views. With a variety of wines and wineries, this area provides rich grounds for wine lovers to explore.
Camel's Back Park
This 11-acre family-friendly urban park tucked against Boise’s foothills is a short walk from the north end’s historic Hyde Park. Camel’s Back Park includes a playground, tennis courts, and an outdoor gym. It’s also a trailhead for miles of hiking and biking trails in Hulls Gulch Reserve. If you’re visiting in mid-September, check out the popular Hyde Park Street Fair, Boise’s most unique arts and music festival.
Boise River Greenbelt
Ask a local for their favorite nature walk in Boise. The Greenbelt will earn the top spot. Enjoy 25 miles of walking, jogging, and biking pathways along both sides of the Boise River, passing through 850 acres of parkland. Check out Idaho Mountain Touring, McU Sports, George’s Cycles, or Pedego Electric Bikes for bike rentals to cover more ground. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for wildlife along the way. You’ll likely spot an eagle, a deer, a fox, and maybe even an otter!
Julia Davis Park
The city’s oldest park is home to Zoo Boise, the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho State Museum, and the Idaho Black History Museum. The 43-acre park amenities include bocce ball courts, fishing, Greenbelt access, horseshoe pits, a playground, tennis and pickleball courts, and more. Its two pavilions, the Rose Garden and Gene Harris Bandshell, may also be reserved for events.
Bogus Basin Resort
While some cities may boast proximity to a ski resort, Bogus Basin is only a scenic 40-minute drive to reach 2,600 acres of mountain recreation. During the winter, enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, or taking a run on the tubing hill. For summer fun, hit the trails for a hike or rent a mountain bike. If you’re feeling up to it, take the lift to the top for a twisting and turning ride on Idaho’s only mountain coaster, The Glade Runner.
Idaho Botanical Garden
Connect with nature by taking a stroll through the Idaho Botanical Garden. Made up of seven main gardens over 15 acres, it features a variety of native and adapted plants as well as art, water features, and other historical Idaho landmarks. If you’re visiting Boise during the holidays, don’t miss the special Winter Garden aGlow event. Get lost in gardens of twinkling lights and enchanting displays.
Capital City Public Market
Eat, shop, and experience the local side of Boise. At The Market, you’ll find over 150 rotating vendors with products made right here in Idaho, from handmade artisan crafts to locally produced specialty foods. Just a short walk from The Avery, it is located in the Grove Plaza on Saturdays from April through December.
Boise Whitewater Park
Boise Whitewater Park is located on the Boise River and boasts one of the world’s first adjustable waves. This premier urban whitewater park offers kayaking and surfing for those willing to brave the cool water. If you’d rather watch, the park is right along the Boise Greenbelt — the perfect pit stop on an afternoon walk.
Garden City Craft Beverage Corridor
A few minutes west of The Avery, you can experience the largest concentration of wineries, breweries, cideries, and tasting rooms in Idaho. Plan on just an afternoon visit, or take the whole day. A must-stop in the area is Telaya Wine Co. — one of the wineries putting the Idaho wine industry on the map. Conveniently located on the Greenbelt overlooking the scenic Boise River, enjoy tasting flights, glasses, and bottles of award-winning wine.
Float the Boise River
Floating the Boise River is a must-do on a hot summer day. Rent a tube or raft at Barber Park, then enjoy the scenic six-mile float down the river through downtown Boise. After the relaxing two-hour ride, you’ll end at Ann Morrison Park. There is also a shuttle service to and from available every day from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Rafting the Payette
Idaho is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. So, embark on a day trip from Boise down the beautiful Payette River. Cascade Raft & Kayak is one of many whitewater adventure outfitters in the area that offers rafting excursions for everyone from beginners to experts. Have your choice of a half-day or full-day outing, both with a sandy, riverside lunch break during the trip.
Rent a Bike
Boise has a variety of road, mountain, and electric bike rental locations close to downtown. For rental options, try Idaho Mountain Touring, McU Sports, George’s Cycles, Pedego Electric Bikes, and—during the summer—Bogus Basin. Boise has miles and miles of mountain biking trails asking to be explored. Visit AllTrails for some local favorites.
Quinn's Pond
Within the Bernardine Quinn Riverside 31-acre park, you’ll find Boise’s water oasis, Quinn’s Pond. It’s the perfect place to escape the summer heat on a kayak, SUP, canoe, or a relaxing fishing spot minutes from downtown. Take advantage of other amenities, including walking paths, a pollinator garden, and fishing docks.
Boise Art Museum
Immerse yourself in the impressive array of contemporary and traditional art at Idaho’s only collecting art museum. The Boise Art Museum boasts an ever-growing permanent collection of art from around the world and features rotating work, including major traveling art exhibitions. Visit during downtown Boise’s First Thursday event and get free admission to BAM!