Idaho is the Gem State for good reason. The tourism industry totaled $3.7 billion in 2017 alone. 75% of tourists to Idaho said they were satisfied after visiting Idaho.
Yet many people decline a trip to Boise. They think that a trip to Idaho is boring or that the state is too remote.
What are some of Boise’s best locations? What should you do when you want to spend a day outside? Where can you sample Idaho’s best food?
Answer these questions and you can have a satisfying and sublime trip in Idaho. Here is your quick guide to seven things to do.
1. Visit Zoo Boise
Zoo Boise is a city-owned zoo in Julia Davis Park. You can spend the morning inside the park, eating breakfast and stretching your legs. You can then head into the zoo.
Zoo Boise is best-known for its collection of African animals. The zoo structures its African exhibits to resemble villages.
You engage in a walking safari of sorts, viewing lions and African birds amongst other animals. The zoo’s Gorongosa National Park exhibit raises awareness and funds for the eponymous park in Mozambique.
But you can also find animals from Asia and South America. The zoo is smaller than the zoos in most cities, making it best for an afternoon visit.
2. Walk On the Bruneau Sand Dunes
The Bruneau Sand Dunes lies outside of Boise. You should rent a car or an RV and head out there. If you would like, you can stay for several days out by the dunes.
The park has the tallest single sand dune on the continent. It is nearly 500 feet tall, and you can climb it by yourself. For a more fun experience, you can rent a sandboard.
You can enjoy warm weather at the dunes well into the fall. This makes the dunes a great location to visit during a fall Idaho vacation. If you are looking to learn about Idaho’s wildlife, you can study animals yourself and visit education centers in the area.
3. View Art at the Boise Art Museum
The Boise Art Museum lies inside Julia Davis Park. It is Idaho’s leading art museum with a collection of a few thousand different works.
It is best known for holding a large number of contemporary realist works. You can find paintings and ceramics from artists like Alex Katz and Mary Pratt.
The museum also houses many works from James Charles Castle. Castle was an outsider artist and Idaho resident. Viewing the Museum’s collection of his works lets you understand how artists without a formal education hone their craft.
4. Tour the Idaho State Capitol Building
The Idaho State Capitol Building is where the Idaho state government meets. Its construction began in 1905 and it was opened to the public in 1912. This makes it one of the more modern state capitol buildings in America.
The building went through a renovation in 1998. This added new windows, restored floors, and modern electric systems.
You can take a tour of the building and see its old and new elements. You can take a guided tour any weekday, though you need to schedule one in advance.
You can also take a self-guided tour, using a booklet to guide your path. Make sure you do not disrupt any political meetings.
5. Go For Hikes Around the City
You can go for hikes at many locations. The Boise River Greenbelt runs several miles through Boise.
As the name suggests, it contains the Boise River. You can walk along the river and take in incredible natural sights. You can also visit several small parks when you need to rest.
The Table Rock Trail is good for an afternoon hike. You can see views of the city from large rocks and you can walk through a sandstone quarry. The Hulls Gulch Nature Trail provides more of an incline if you want to climb higher rocks.
6. Catch a Sports Game
Boise does not have professional sports teams. But it does have several semi-professional teams, and you can watch them play for cheap tickets.
The Boise Hawks are Boise’s minor-league baseball team. You can watch a game at their small stadium during the summer.
If you like football, you can watch a BSU game. BSU has a blue football field, which can make it easier to follow the players. The BSU fans are very enthusiastic, making for an enjoyable experience.
7. Sample Idaho Food
The best Idaho restaurants are in Boise. Many people think of potatoes when they think of Idaho food. There are plenty of restaurants where you can get potatoes, including the Boise Fry Company.
But you can find a wide variety of options. You can visit the Boise Farmers Market and sample dishes from different vendors. When you want some pastries, you can visit the Capital City Public Market every Saturday morning.
Boise has some of the best pizza in the Pacific Northwest. Boise pizza contains fresh ingredients from local farms. You can find meat, vegetable, and exotic toppings, including shaved ribeye.
What to Do on a Trip to Idaho
You can see a lot on a trip to Idaho. You can go on an African safari through Zoo Boise. You can go sandboarding at the Bruneau Sand Dunes.
If you like contemporary art, you can stop by the Boise Art Museum. You can see modern architecture inside the Idaho State Capitol Building.
When you want to get some exercise, you can hike. When you need to rest, you can watch a BSU football game and eat some delicious pizza.
Once you visit Idaho, you can visit the rest of America. Read informative travel guides by following our coverage.