When people hear that one of my favorite places in the world is Boise, Idaho, they simply laugh or look at me with a perplexed gaze.
But hear me out: beautiful hikes within a half hour drive, a food scene that holds its own against far bigger cities, quirky and refreshing breweries abound, and a downtown that simply cannot be beat by a city of Boise’s size. There’s something for everyone in this city that packs quite the punch.
Day 1: Get Outside and See Something
If you’ve spent any time in the Pacific Northwest, you know that getting outdoors and seeing something–anything–is a must, and Boise is no different.
Start your day right with an acai bowl and donut from Manna’s Donuts, a cute food truck on the east side. Certified Kitchen and Bakery and Boise Juice Company are also great choices for a quick breakfast.
Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, head to either the Boise Greenbelt (not strenuous), Table Rock (moderately strenuous), Five Mile Gulch, Watchman and Three Bears Loop (moderately strenuous but longer than Table Rock) or Cervidae Peak (very strenuous).
The Boise River Greenbelt runs along the Boise River for 25 whopping miles. The flat and (mostly) paved trail connects Downtown Boise, Boise State University, numerous parks including Julia Davis Park and Ann Morrison Park, Garden City, and a myriad breweries, restaurants, and bars.
Parking at Ann Morrison Park (a must stop) is easy and serves as a great jumping off point; head west to Payette Brewing Company and then make your way east, stopping at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, the rose garden in Julia Davis Park, and Boise State University to catch a glimpse of the blue field at Albertsons Stadium. Then, walk over to Mother Earth Brewing on the east side of downtown Boise or at The Wylder for some of the best pizza you’ll try. Finally, head to Barbarian Brewing in Garden City for Boise’s best beer (they also have a smaller taproom downtown).
If you opt for a hike at Table Rock or Cervidae Peak, head back to town for a late lunch at The Wylder before enjoying a drink at Payette Brewing Company or Mother Earth Brewing.
After lunch, take a break at your hotel or enjoy some relaxation on the Greenbelt or any of the parks downtown.
For dinner, stay in downtown and grab a bite on 8th street, the heart of the city. Bittercreek Alehouse offers solid American food and Press and Pony or Thick as Thieves are well-regarded cocktail bars to end the evening. If you’re feeling less like alcohol and more like ice cream, walk to The STIL before heading back to your lodging.
Day 2: Neighborhood Strolls
After an adventurous first day, take some time to rest and recharge. Start the morning in Hyde Park, a historic neighborhood in Boise’s North End. Hyde Park is on the National Historic Register for its noteworthy architecture and unique setup as a “sub” downtown. Certified Kitchen and Bakery is located on 13th street, the Heart of Hyde Park. Serving coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and the ever-popular star cookies, it’s a great way to start the day. From there, head in any direction (I prefer to the east and north) and walk on the tree-lined streets that may remind you of Boston or Charleston.
North End is also home to Camel’s Back Park and Hillside to Hollows Reserve, the start of a myriad popular hiking trails in the region. The best bang for your buck is to take a jaunt up the stairs of Camel’s Back Trail to the top of the hill overlooking the North End. It’s a half-mile walk, but your calves will be thanking you for the exercise.
Around lunch time, head to downtown Boise or the Boise River Greenbelt. Enjoy lunch at Don & Charly’s, Matlack’s, Bittercreek Alehouse, Lemon Tree Co. or Ansots (fun fact–Boise has one of the largest Basque populations in the country, and Ansots is one of many restaurants paying tribute to the culture). In the afternoon, enjoy a drink at a brewery (Barbarian Brewing, Payette Brewing Company or Mother Earth Brewing), a cider house (Merriweather), a winery in town (Telaya) or drive out to wine country (Koenig Vineyards, Sawtooth Winery and Tasting Room, Peaceful Belly).
For dinner, Crave Kitchen and Bar in Eagle serves up delicious elevated American fare, Wyld Child and Fanci Freeze are your spots for a quick burger and fries, and Han’s Chimaek offers heaping portions of Korean fried chicken and beer. Catch the sunset from Boise Depot and head to Lovejoy’s Real Ice Cream (on my top 10 ice cream parlors list) for hands-down the best dessert in the Treasure Valley.
Quick Hits
Food
Hans’s Chimaek: Solid Korean fried chicken and beer. Huge portions. Huuuuge portions.
The Wylder: Top 10 pizza of all time because of the amazing sourdough crust.
Manna’s Donuts: Donut food truck with incredibly nice staff. What’s not to love?
Certified Kitchen and Bakery: Great breakfast, even better star cookies.
Boise Juice Company: Best smoothies in the Treasure Valley.
Bittercreek Alehouse: Solid American food in a great location downtown.
Crave Kitchen and Bar: Top tier upscale American. The ahi and focaccia appetizers are standouts.
Lemon Tree Co: Solid sandwiches downtown.
Wyld Child: Very good smashburgers and chicken sandwiches with lots of outdoor seating.
Fanci Freez: Drive thru spot for burgers and fries. I thought it was better than Westside Drive In.
Sunshine Spice Bakery: Sublime Afghani treats served by sisters with an inspiring story.
Drink
Payette Brewing Company: Great IPAs, lovely outdoor space; truly a great time.
Mother Earth Brewing: Fantastic beer and a chill atmosphere. Highly rated food truck at peak times.
Press and Pony: Adventurous cocktails in a classy environment.
Thick and Thieves: Speakeasy-type bar featuring creative cocktails and…donuts?
Merriweather Cider Company: My all-time favorite cider. Fantastic creative flavors.
Dessert
Lovejoy’s Real Ice Cream: Best ice cream in the Valley. Stellar taste, great texture.
The STIL: Very creative and tasty ice cream. A smidge below Lovejoy’s, but still worth the calories.
Activities
Cascade Raft and Kayak: Enjoy some time on the Payette River! Somehow helmets are optional…
Table Rock: The classic Boise hike. Short and great views of the mountains and downtown Boise.
Cervidae Peak: Looking for a challenge? 2,000 feet of elevation over 2 miles. Good luck.
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