Wilson's Welcome to Boise Guide
City/town information
Welcome to Boise.
Boise is a welcoming city with friendly and kind people. As the state’s capital, it is filled with great dining, fun festivals and events, and a vibrant night life.
As a young couple, we loved walking or biking around downtown or the Boise greenbelt and hitting up happy hours - and late night happy hours! - with friends. As a slightly less young couple with a toddler, we love walking or biking around town stopping at kid-friendly breweries or wineries or one of Boise’s amazing parks.
We hope you enjoy Boise as much as we do, and strike up a friendly conversation with the person sitting next to you or walking by! #BoiseKind
39 preporučuju mještani
Boise
Welcome to Boise.
Boise is a welcoming city with friendly and kind people. As the state’s capital, it is filled with great dining, fun festivals and events, and a vibrant night life.
As a young couple, we loved walking or biking around downtown or the Boise greenbelt and hitting up happy hours - and late night happy hours! - with friends. As a slightly less young couple with a toddler, we love walking or biking around town stopping at kid-friendly breweries or wineries or one of Boise’s amazing parks.
We hope you enjoy Boise as much as we do, and strike up a friendly conversation with the person sitting next to you or walking by! #BoiseKind
Neighborhoods
Our home is in Boise's North End neighborhood - one of the most charming and historic areas of Boise. The North End includes Hyde Park on 13th street, a block of restaurants and shops, and Camel's Back Park with green space, tennis courts, playground and entrance to 200 miles of trails. What makes our neighborhood so special is the friendly people. When you walk around, say “hi” and wave to people hanging on their porch or lawn. Our recommendations: 1) Walk up and down Harrison Boulevard with large, historic homes, and 2) Grab a coffee at Java or Hyde Perk and then walk up Camel’s Back Park hill to see the city.
51 preporučuju mještani
North End
Our home is in Boise's North End neighborhood - one of the most charming and historic areas of Boise. The North End includes Hyde Park on 13th street, a block of restaurants and shops, and Camel's Back Park with green space, tennis courts, playground and entrance to 200 miles of trails. What makes our neighborhood so special is the friendly people. When you walk around, say “hi” and wave to people hanging on their porch or lawn. Our recommendations: 1) Walk up and down Harrison Boulevard with large, historic homes, and 2) Grab a coffee at Java or Hyde Perk and then walk up Camel’s Back Park hill to see the city.
Downtown Boise is a vibrant area with restaurant, shops, bars and entertainment from 5th street to 14 street. Some of our favorites places and recommendations include 1) Old Boise and the Basque Block on 5th and Grove: Get croquetas or, if you time it right, you can get Paella on the Patio on Wednesdays and Friday at noon - until it runs out!; 2) 8th Street restaurants and bars: 8th street is lined with great places to eat including Fork, Bittercreek, Matador and more!; 3) BoDo: In the BoDo area, you’ll see an intersection of brick buildings with shops, restaurants and bars including BoDoVino and a great ice cream place the STIL!
83 preporučuju mještani
Downtown
Downtown Boise is a vibrant area with restaurant, shops, bars and entertainment from 5th street to 14 street. Some of our favorites places and recommendations include 1) Old Boise and the Basque Block on 5th and Grove: Get croquetas or, if you time it right, you can get Paella on the Patio on Wednesdays and Friday at noon - until it runs out!; 2) 8th Street restaurants and bars: 8th street is lined with great places to eat including Fork, Bittercreek, Matador and more!; 3) BoDo: In the BoDo area, you’ll see an intersection of brick buildings with shops, restaurants and bars including BoDoVino and a great ice cream place the STIL!
The Basque Block is a small but beautiful block of restaurants, bars and history exhibits celebrating Basque culture and its origin in Idaho. Enjoy Spanish tapas, Basque croquetas or kalimotxo (red wine and cola cocktail) on the block!
54 preporučuju mještani
Basque Block
The Basque Block is a small but beautiful block of restaurants, bars and history exhibits celebrating Basque culture and its origin in Idaho. Enjoy Spanish tapas, Basque croquetas or kalimotxo (red wine and cola cocktail) on the block!
Attractions
Bogus Basin Ski and Recreation Area is just a 30-minute drive from our home. Here, there’s activities all year long. In winter, you and your family can ski, snowboard, snow shoe, and skate-ski and cross-county ski. While Zech snowboards, I ski a few runs and then relax, read and sip a hot toddy in the lodge. In summer, you can mountain bike, hike or ride the alpine coaster - so fun! They also host concert series Music on the Mountain so look up their calendar!
81 preporučuju mještani
Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin Ski and Recreation Area is just a 30-minute drive from our home. Here, there’s activities all year long. In winter, you and your family can ski, snowboard, snow shoe, and skate-ski and cross-county ski. While Zech snowboards, I ski a few runs and then relax, read and sip a hot toddy in the lodge. In summer, you can mountain bike, hike or ride the alpine coaster - so fun! They also host concert series Music on the Mountain so look up their calendar!
We highly recommending visiting Old Pen! You can walk around and read the information but suggest a tour. You’ll hear interesting stories! Old Pen is also attached to the Idaho Botanical Gardens so you can do both in one morning or afternoon!
131 preporučuju mještani
Stara Idaho Penitentiary
2445 Old Penitentiary RdWe highly recommending visiting Old Pen! You can walk around and read the information but suggest a tour. You’ll hear interesting stories! Old Pen is also attached to the Idaho Botanical Gardens so you can do both in one morning or afternoon!
Our botanical gardens are beautiful. But what we love most is their holiday-time lights Winter Garden aGlow! If you’re visiting between November through January, look at their calendars and get tickets to walk through the lights, drink hot cocoa and see Santa. They also host educational events and activities like yoga, and they host concerts by major artists at Outlaw Field at the gardens. Look at the calendar!
124 preporučuju mještani
Idaho botanička bašta
2355 N Old Penitentiary RdOur botanical gardens are beautiful. But what we love most is their holiday-time lights Winter Garden aGlow! If you’re visiting between November through January, look at their calendars and get tickets to walk through the lights, drink hot cocoa and see Santa. They also host educational events and activities like yoga, and they host concerts by major artists at Outlaw Field at the gardens. Look at the calendar!
A great family activity to learn about Idaho’s history and present.
37 preporučuju mještani
Idaho State Museum
610 Julia Davis DrA great family activity to learn about Idaho’s history and present.
Food scene
Buttercreek is a fun, relaxed atmosphere right on 8th Street - the heart of downtown. It’s family friendly but also has a robust selection of beers and rotating taps. Best classic poutine and cheese curds in Boise!
101 preporučuju mještani
Bittercreek Alehouse
246 N 8th StButtercreek is a fun, relaxed atmosphere right on 8th Street - the heart of downtown. It’s family friendly but also has a robust selection of beers and rotating taps. Best classic poutine and cheese curds in Boise!
A lovely indoor/outdoor patio with Spanish and Basque tapas and small plates. We highly recommend the cheese and meat board with pickled vegetables!
15 preporučuju mještani
Txikiteo
175 N 14th StA lovely indoor/outdoor patio with Spanish and Basque tapas and small plates. We highly recommend the cheese and meat board with pickled vegetables!
Fork was the first restaurant we ate at during our first visit to Boise! It has delicious appetizers - get the asparagus fries! - and seasonal plates. Their burger is highly recommended and our favorite dessert in town is their Warm Buttercake. Reservations needed!
146 preporučuju mještani
Fork
199 N 8th StFork was the first restaurant we ate at during our first visit to Boise! It has delicious appetizers - get the asparagus fries! - and seasonal plates. Their burger is highly recommended and our favorite dessert in town is their Warm Buttercake. Reservations needed!
As a German girl, Prost holds a special place in my heart. I almost put it under our Beer & Wine category but they also have good food like pretzels, sandwiches and bratwursts! If you don’t enjoy hoppy beers, German beers are perfect for you! They’re our favorites. We highly recommend the Grevensteiner with a cheesy bretzel roll.
8 preporučuju mještani
Prost German Pub
274 N 8th StAs a German girl, Prost holds a special place in my heart. I almost put it under our Beer & Wine category but they also have good food like pretzels, sandwiches and bratwursts! If you don’t enjoy hoppy beers, German beers are perfect for you! They’re our favorites. We highly recommend the Grevensteiner with a cheesy bretzel roll.
This listing is incorrectly titled Old Chicago Boise Downtown but it’s really Saint Lawrence Gridiron. St. Lawrence Gridiron is one of our Top 3 favorite restaurants! They serve amazing smoked and grilled meats, a delicious poutine and the best Old Fashion in Boise (at least to us!) Although we have great luck for lunch and after work, we recommend calling about reservations for dinner.
20 preporučuju mještani
Old Chicago Boise Downtown
705 W Bannock StThis listing is incorrectly titled Old Chicago Boise Downtown but it’s really Saint Lawrence Gridiron. St. Lawrence Gridiron is one of our Top 3 favorite restaurants! They serve amazing smoked and grilled meats, a delicious poutine and the best Old Fashion in Boise (at least to us!) Although we have great luck for lunch and after work, we recommend calling about reservations for dinner.
Wine, beer and beverage
Telaya is a local winery with a wonderful patio on the Boise river and Greenbelt. The owners and winemakers are passionate about their wine and offer private tastings and education. The staff is friendly and the winery is dog- and kid-friendly!
41 preporučuju mještani
Telaya Wine Co.
240 E 32nd StTelaya is a local winery with a wonderful patio on the Boise river and Greenbelt. The owners and winemakers are passionate about their wine and offer private tastings and education. The staff is friendly and the winery is dog- and kid-friendly!
Barbarian has funky, barrel-aged beers and specialize in sours. Even if that’s not your jam, we recommend going outside your comfort zone and visiting one of their two friendly locations. They’ll talk you through their beers and make recommendations. There are two locations - one downtown and a second in Garden City. The downtown taproom is a bar so kids are not permitted. The Garden City brewery is bigger with a food truck and is dog- and kid-friendly.
14 preporučuju mještani
Barbarian Brewing Downtown Taproom
1022 W Main StBarbarian has funky, barrel-aged beers and specialize in sours. Even if that’s not your jam, we recommend going outside your comfort zone and visiting one of their two friendly locations. They’ll talk you through their beers and make recommendations. There are two locations - one downtown and a second in Garden City. The downtown taproom is a bar so kids are not permitted. The Garden City brewery is bigger with a food truck and is dog- and kid-friendly.
Mother Earth brewing has a great atmosphere and is dog- and kid-friendly. They usually have a food truck and are just blocks from 8th street. Add them to your downtown beer tour!
11 preporučuju mještani
Mother Earth Brew Co. - Boise
406 South 3rd StreetMother Earth brewing has a great atmosphere and is dog- and kid-friendly. They usually have a food truck and are just blocks from 8th street. Add them to your downtown beer tour!
Lost Grove is another highly recommend brewery with friendly staff and good indoor and outdoor areas. Their location has games available and darts. They also have a pizza place in house. Get the mushroom pizza!
15 preporučuju mještani
Lost Grove Brewing
1026 S La Pointe StLost Grove is another highly recommend brewery with friendly staff and good indoor and outdoor areas. Their location has games available and darts. They also have a pizza place in house. Get the mushroom pizza!
One of the more popular breweries in town, Payette has a great location with a large turf lawn, a stage with occasional artists, and indoor space with games. They are dog- and kid-friendly, and get in the outskirts of downtown off the Boise River and Greenbelt.
70 preporučuju mještani
Payette Brewing Company
733 S Pioneer StOne of the more popular breweries in town, Payette has a great location with a large turf lawn, a stage with occasional artists, and indoor space with games. They are dog- and kid-friendly, and get in the outskirts of downtown off the Boise River and Greenbelt.
Grocers
The Boise Co-Op North End is located on Fort and 9th, just a 16-min walk from our home. Here, you can buy groceries and fresh produce, and also buy coffee from the coffee bar or a delicious sandwich or burrito from the deli. Tip: Get the pulled pork burrito with all the fixings!
111 preporučuju mještani
Boise Co-op North End
888 W Fort StThe Boise Co-Op North End is located on Fort and 9th, just a 16-min walk from our home. Here, you can buy groceries and fresh produce, and also buy coffee from the coffee bar or a delicious sandwich or burrito from the deli. Tip: Get the pulled pork burrito with all the fixings!
Albertsons is a robust grocer with everything you may need for you stay. It’s very close, just on State and 16th. Fun fact: This is the first Albertsons store!
151 preporučuju mještani
Albertsons
1650 W State StAlbertsons is a robust grocer with everything you may need for you stay. It’s very close, just on State and 16th. Fun fact: This is the first Albertsons store!
If you’d like your Trader Joe’s specialities, it’s located in downtown Boise.
99 preporučuju mještani
Trader Joe's
300 S Capitol BlvdIf you’d like your Trader Joe’s specialities, it’s located in downtown Boise.
If you need emergency eggs, toiletries, beverages or snacks, just walk four blocks to Hyde Park and fill up at Stinkers Store.
Stinker Stores
1620 N 13th StIf you need emergency eggs, toiletries, beverages or snacks, just walk four blocks to Hyde Park and fill up at Stinkers Store.
Boise Parks
This park is gorgeous with open green space and rose garden. It sits along the Boise River and Greenbelt. There’s a stage and events are hosted here throughout the spring, summer and fall.
81 preporučuju mještani
Julia Davis Park
700 S Capitol BlvdThis park is gorgeous with open green space and rose garden. It sits along the Boise River and Greenbelt. There’s a stage and events are hosted here throughout the spring, summer and fall.
This park is our favorite. It’s huge with big open green space perfect for picnics, several playgrounds scattered along the Boise River and Greenbelt, and a Disc Golf course. In the spring, the park hosts the Hot Air Balloon Classic, and on July 4th, the park hosts the 4th of July celebration and fireworks.
11 preporučuju mještani
Ann Morrison Park Disc Golf Course
Ann Morrison Park DriveThis park is our favorite. It’s huge with big open green space perfect for picnics, several playgrounds scattered along the Boise River and Greenbelt, and a Disc Golf course. In the spring, the park hosts the Hot Air Balloon Classic, and on July 4th, the park hosts the 4th of July celebration and fireworks.
This park holds a special place in our heart because it’s just steps from our home. Families can play tennis on the tennis courts, beach volleyball in the sand court, slides and swings on the playground and hike 200 miles of trails. We recommend climbing to the top of hill to see all of Downtown Boise.
232 preporučuju mještani
Camel's Back Park
27 Heron StThis park holds a special place in our heart because it’s just steps from our home. Families can play tennis on the tennis courts, beach volleyball in the sand court, slides and swings on the playground and hike 200 miles of trails. We recommend climbing to the top of hill to see all of Downtown Boise.