10 Best Tourist Attractions in Boise, Idaho

Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. Photo by Tamanoeconomico. Wikimedia Commons.

10 Best Tourist Attractions in Boise, Idaho

Boise is the capital city of Idaho. The Boise River Greenbelt is a series of tree-dotted trails and parks hugging the water’s edge. In an art deco building, downtown’s Boise Art Museum has contemporary works and an outdoor sculpture garden.

The grand, sandstone Idaho State Capitol Building is nearby. The Old Idaho Penitentiary contains 19th-century prison cells and gallows, plus historic military weaponry. In short, the tourist attractions in Boise, Idaho are endless. Here are the 10 Best Attractions in Boise, Idaho. 

1. Boise River Greenbelt

One of several motor vehicle-free bridges across the Boise River connecting both side of the Boise Greenbelt. Photo by Kenneth Freeman. Wikimedia Commons.

The Boise River Greenbelt is a recreational and alternate transportation trail along the banks of the Boise River through Boise, Idaho, United States. The Greenbelt provides scenic views, wildlife habitat and pedestrian access to many of Boise’s popular riverside parks.

It also provides opportunities to see birds and other wildlife. You can also do some fishing in the Boise River Greenbelt. Visitors can see songbirds, ducks, Canada geese, great blue heron as well as bald eagles in the winter. Wildlife viewing is best in early morning or late afternoon as sunset approaches. For cycling, bikes can be rented from nearby hotels.

2. Julia Davis Park

Julia Davis Park is a municipal park in the downtown region of Boise, Idaho. Amenities at Julia Davis Park include river access, statues, a rose garden, a playground and tennis court, a pond with paddle boat rentals, and a pedestrian bridge that connects the park to Boise State University.

Julia Davis Park also provides the perfect setting for an informal yet elegant wedding celebration. It is a beautiful get away featuring gardens and great scenary. You can enjoy an evening stroll or a picnic with family and friends.

3. Telaya Wine Co.

Telaya started in 2008, when we produced 50 cases of carefully conceived wine. The facility–which includes a full production space and tasting room–is located right on the Boise Greenbelt, just minutes from downtown and few feet from the Boise River.

Guests can enjoy tastes, glasses and bottles of our Washington and Idaho wine while overlooking the scenic river. This homey winery in Idaho, United States, is the product of family and hard work. A must go if you’ve always wanted to visit a winery.

4. Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is a .81-acre educational park inspired by Anne Frank’s faith in humanity. The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial in Boise is a unique monument in a picturesque setting.

The memorial is dedicated to human rights, with information about many different historical stories. Boise Parks and Recreation maintains the memorial, which is also run by the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. Although much of it is focused on Anne Frank, there are also a number of other pieces related to other human rights atrocities.

5. Bogus Basin

Bogus Basin ski area. Photo by cifraser1. Wikimedia Commons.

Since 1942, Bogus Basin has been The Treasure Valley’s year-round destination for mountain recreation, education, and community. At Bogus Basin, your opportunities for outdoor recreation are as expansive as the mountain itself.

From summer time mountain biking adventures, to powder-perfect skiing and riding – we’ve got something for everyone at Bogus. Bogus Basin & The Basin Gravity Park are open daily from 11 am – 7 pm. Enjoy extended operations of The Basin Gravity Park until 8 pm on Thursdays!

6. Basque Museum and Cultural Center

Located in scenic Boise, Idaho, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center provides a look into the heritage of the Basque communities of Idaho and surrounding areas. The Basque Museum and Cultural Center was established in 1985 as a small museum in the historic Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga House on Grove Street.

Through hard work and the support of many individuals, businesses, foundations, and Basque communities, the Museum began to interpret the rich and colorful history of the Basques, their origins, and their new life in America.

7. Hulls Gulch

Hulls Gulch is a great place to learn about the unique natural history of the Boise Foothills and surrounding valley. To help maintain these qualities, the trail is for pedestrians only. Reconnect with the natural world outside the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Upper Hulls Gulch is a secluded single track open only to foot traffic, making it a fantastic option for hikers and joggers looking to get away from bikes. You can access it by ascending lower Hulls Gulch or you can park at the designated Hulls Gulch lot on 8th Street and do only the upper portion. Upper Hulls Gulch is just a lovely trail.

8. Lucky Peak Lake

Lucky Peak Lake. Photo by Karthikc123. Wikimedia Commons.

Lucky Peak Lake is a rolled earth and gravel fill embankment dam in the western United States, located on the Boise River in Ada County, Idaho. Recreation opportunities include swimming, fishing, boating, water-skiing or enjoying a relaxing picnic.

State Highway 21, which runs alongside Lucky Peak, is a scenic drive and includes historic towns and other sites along its route. Desert and forested federal public land abound close by for a semi-primitive or primitive recreation experience.

9. The Military Reserve

The Military Reserve is approximately 734 acres reserved for several different uses. The reserve is in the northeastern section of the city. The amenities available in the area are an archery range, an old military cemetery, bike park, dog park and trails. associated military maneuvers that were performed here between the 1860s and 1940s.

The area served several purposes, including the staging of gunnery practice into the hills above. After the military halted its operations, the community recognized the importance of this area and the Boise Front for recreation and wildlife values. 

10. Idaho Botanical Garden

Idaho Botanical Garden. Photo by Alitarr7023. Wikimedia Commons.

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. Nestled in the Boise Foothills, it is a sanctuary in the heart of the Old Penitentiary Historic District. The Garden promotes horticulture in the Treasure Valley using native and domestic plants adapted to the intermountain region.

Managed plant collections are what sets botanical gardens apart from other gardens, parks, and green spaces. Records for each of the plants in our garden are maintained in a way similar to items in a museum. Because of this, the plants in our collection have more than simply aesthetic value; they have educational, historical, and scientific value that plants without a known provenance do not.

This is one of the many ways that the Idaho Botanical Garden benefits the public, the horticulture industry, science and education interests, and the botanical garden community at large.