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Our Personal Boise Guide

Welcome

Welcome to our guide! We hope you have a fantastic time exploring Boise.

Tips for the Harrison House

  • Please help yourself to any food or drink whenever you'd like.
  • Atticus LOVES soft fabrics and will seek them out, especially when people aren't around. Always be sure to secure your jackets, shoes, hats, and all other clothing behind a closed door or in a locker if no one will be at the house.
  • Sadie showers affection at full throttle with kisses and cuddles. If it ever becomes too much or you need space, she responds to these commands: "Go away", "Off", "Go get a toy", and "No"

🍽️ Food

Breakfast & brunch

  • Stardust: Standout brunch—great drinks (mimosas, bloodies, espresso martinis) and creative breakfast plates. Mid-century vibe on W. Main.
  • Candy's Cafe: Breakfast and lunch—eggs florentine, chili burger, chef salad, Idaho skillet, and more. 3095 N Lakeharbor Ln. Order online (including delivery).
  • Goldy's Breakfast Bistro: Boise breakfast icon—scratch pancakes, Hollandaise, Red Flannel Hash, full espresso bar. Downtown on Capitol; tiny dining room, expect a wait (no reservations).
  • Moon's Kitchen Cafe: Homemade breakfast and lunch (including beignets), espresso, and a fly-fishing shop—downtown near 8th & Main.

Upscale, chef-driven & date night

  • Percy: Polished American cuisine—upscale but approachable. Brunch, lunch, and dinner. 400 S. 4th Street, Boise.
  • KIN: Reservation-only prix fixe on West Main—James Beard Best Chef: Mountain and regular spots on national best-restaurant lists (e.g. Food & Wine).
  • House of the Little Pig: Shareable plates from a Basque charcoal Josper grill—Mediterranean and new American near Barber Valley.

Burgers, fries, pubs & drive-ins

  • Boise Fry Company: Build-your-own fries and burgers; try the bison burger on the side.
  • O'Michaels: Monday night $7 burger special includes a side!
  • Hawkins Pac-Out: Classic drive-in with delicious burgers and shakes.
  • West Side Drive In: Classic drive-in burgers, finger steaks, and ice cream—Boise tradition since 1957.

Pizza

  • Americana Pizza: Delicious pizza with a variety of toppings.
  • Pie Hole: New York–style pizza by the slice or pie—steps from Fork and Red Feather on 8th Street.
  • Lulu's Pizza & Sushi: A unique combination of pizza and sushi.

Sushi & Japanese

Mexican

Indian

  • Bombay Indian: Our favorite Indian spot in Boise—rich curries and tandoor dishes; look for their dinner-for-two specials.

Chinese

  • Yen Ching: Reliable Chinese downtown (9th & Bannock). (208) 384-0384.

Thai

  • Mai Thai: Classic Thai dishes, curries, and noodles in a lively downtown setting.
  • Chiang Mai House Thai: Our go-to for Thai—Emerald Street location with curries, noodles, and full bar.
  • Pad Thai House: Long-running West Boise Thai spot—pad thai, curries, and family-friendly dining.

Vietnamese

  • Pho Nouveau: Vietnamese pho, banh mi, and noodle bowls—comfort food done right.

Mediterranean & Ethiopian

Sweets & ice cream

Co-op, food trucks & downtown dining

☕ Coffee

🍻 Dranks

Breweries & Cideries

  • Payette Brewing: Flagship taproom right on the Greenbelt in Garden City—core lineup plus seasonals and a big patio.
  • Mother Earth Brew Co.: California-born brewery with a downtown Boise tap house—30 taps, patio, food trucks, and live music.
  • Cloud 9 Brewery: Organic-focused brewpub with food in Southeast Boise.
  • Bittercreek Alehouse: Downtown craft beer bar with huge tap list and from-scratch pub food (sister to Red Feather).
  • Mad Swede Brewing: Boise and Meridian locations—Belgian and experimental styles alongside clean classics.
  • Edge Brewing: Solid beer lineup plus a full kitchen—great for dinner and pints.
  • Barbarian Brewing: Creative sours, barrel projects, and bold ales—multiple Treasure Valley taprooms.
  • Highlands Hollow Brewhouse: North Boise neighborhood brewpub in the foothills—house beers and hearty food.
  • Lost Grove: Sustainable brewery with unique brews.
  • Woodland Empire Brewery: Creative and flavorful beers.
  • Meriwether Cider: Local cidery crafting traditional and innovative ciders using regional ingredients.

Cocktails & Bars

  • Modern Hotel Bar: Mid-century hotel lounge—well-made cocktails, wine, and a stylish downtown patio.
  • Red Feather Lounge: Inventive drinks and seasonal menu—upscale casual next to Bittercreek on 8th Street.
  • Mode Lounge: Speakeasy-style cocktails in a dim, lounge setting downtown.
  • Matador: Tequila-forward bar with Mexican small plates—lively energy on the edge of downtown.
  • Handlebar: Bike-themed bar with solid drink specials, bikes on the walls, and a laid-back crowd.
  • Press & Pony: Neighborhood cocktail bar—watch for BOGO specials on Mondays.
  • The Silly Birch: Creative drinks and a fun crowd—fish racing on First Thursday.
  • Thick As Thieves: Hidden cocktail lounge with creative drinks and a cozy, intimate vibe.
  • The Highlander Rooftop Bar: Rooftop bar at Hotel Renegade with skyline views, creative cocktails, and outdoor fire pits.
  • Ochos Cocktail & Wine Bar: Cocktail and wine bar with patio seating and upstairs dancing. Features Salsa & Bachata every Friday night.
  • Hap Hap Lounge: Rooftop lounge above Treefort Music Hall—classic and creative cocktails with city views.
  • Whiskey Bar: Extensive whiskey selection on Main St.
  • The Royal: Popular bar on 13th Street.
  • The Balcony: Dance club and rooftop—chart hits, electronic nights, and weekend DJs.
  • Humpin' Hannah's: Downtown dance club on Main—live bands, DJs, trivia nights, and a high-energy crowd.
  • Pengilly's Saloon: Historic downtown bar with pool, whiskey, and nightly live music.

Wine

  • COILED Wines: Garden City tasting room and winery—distinctive wines and private event space.
  • Parcero Wine Bar: Colombian-inspired wine bar—bubbles, reds, and whites by the glass, flights, 200+ bottles, and small bites.
  • 8 Horses Lounge: Intimate basement wine and cocktail lounge in the historic 805 Idaho building featuring outstanding cocktails and wines. Located below Fork restaurant.
  • Les Bois Wines: International wine bar with themed weekly tastings (regions, grapes, techniques). Curated bottles, first come first served.
  • Telaya Wine Co.: Beautiful winery along the greenbelt.
  • Split Rail Winery: Unique and bold wines.

🎨 Activities & Outdoor Adventures

👶 For Kids

  • Zoo Boise: Lions, snow leopards, penguins, and 200+ animals in Julia Davis Park—easy half-day with little ones.
  • JUMP: Downtown campus with the four-story spiral slide, climbing structures, and hands-on creative spaces.
  • Discovery Center of Idaho: Hands-on STEM exhibits and rotating shows—great for curious kids and tweens.
  • Boise Greenbelt: Flat, scenic riverside path—walk, bike, or scooter between playgrounds and parks.
  • Boise Public Library: Story times, summer reading, and kids’ collections at multiple branches—check the events calendar.
  • Camel's Back Park: Playground at the base and short foothill trails above—classic Boise outing.
  • Morrison-Knudsen (MK) Nature Center: Fish and Game–run river habitat with trails, viewing windows, and wildlife along the Greenbelt (free).
  • Boise WaterShed: Interactive water-science exhibits plus outdoor wetlands—fun and educational.
  • Walk through Hyde Park: Stroll 13th Street’s cafes, shops, and ice cream in the historic North End.
  • Aquarium of Boise: Touch tanks and smaller-scale exhibits sized well for younger kids.
  • Children's Museum of Idaho (Meridian): Imaginative play exhibits and hands-on zones a short drive from Boise.

🛍️ Shopping

  • The Record Exchange: Boise institution for new and used vinyl, CDs, gifts, and in-store shows downtown.
  • St. Vincent de Paul Thrift: Treasure-hunt thrift across several Treasure Valley locations—clothes, housewares, and furniture.
  • Boise Vintage: Curated mid-century furniture and dĂŠcor near downtown (often weekend hours—check before you go).

🌳 Parks & Neighborhoods

  • Hyde Park (North End): Tree-lined 13th Street strip—coffee, pastries, and a relaxed neighborhood stroll.
  • Camel's Back Park: Foothills playground and trails with quick views over downtown and the valley.
  • Julia Davis Park: Zoo, museums, ponds, playgrounds, and direct Greenbelt access—Boise’s central park.

🏛️ Museums & Educational

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary: Historic prison site and gardens—self-guided cell blocks, exhibits, and seasonal events next to the Idaho State Museum.
  • World Center for Birds of Prey: Raptors, conservation science, and hillside trails overlooking the valley (The Peregrine Fund).
  • WaterShed Climate + Water Center: Hands-on water and environmental exhibits—sand watershed, snow theater, simulated Boise River, and Idaho's largest public art collection. Open Monday–Saturday.
  • Discovery Center of Idaho: Hands-on science museum with interactive physics, engineering, and technology exhibits. Rotating displays and educational programs for all ages.
  • Aquarium of Boise: Intimate aquarium with marine life, touch tanks, and educational programs. Great for younger children.
  • Children's Museum of Idaho (Meridian): Interactive museum with themed play areas and hands-on exhibits encouraging creativity and imaginative play.

🖼️ Art Museums & Studios

  • Boise Art Museum: Contemporary exhibitions, family programs, and a sculpture garden in Julia Davis Park.
  • Idaho State Museum: Idaho’s flagship history museum (many locals still say “history museum”)—interactive state stories beside the Old Pen.
  • Discovery Center of Idaho: Rotating feature shows where art and science overlap—great for families and curious adults.
  • Boise Art Glass: Watch glassblowing, take a class, or shop handmade pieces in Garden City.

🎭 Theater

🎬 Movies

  • The Flicks: Independent, foreign, and art films—small theaters, full kitchen, beer and wine downtown on Fulton.
  • Regal Edwards Boise & IMAX: Multiplex blockbusters and IMAX at the Boise Spectrum.

💃 Dancing & Nightclubs

  • Neurolux: Underground club nights—hip hop, indie, punk, and DJs depending on the calendar.
  • Grainey's Basement (Tom Grainey's): Sub-level dance floor with DJs spinning top hits from the ’80s through the 2000s.
  • The Balcony: Top-40 and electronic-focused club nights plus a rooftop patio over downtown.

🎸 Live Music Venues

🍰 Sweets & Ice Cream

  • Janjou Patisserie: French-style pastries and desserts in the North End—special-occasion treats.
  • Goody's Soda Fountain & Ice Cream: Old-school sundaes, phosphates, and candy in Hyde Park.
  • The STIL: Artisan ice cream (including boozy scoops), vegan options, and local ingredients—multiple Boise-area locations; downtown on West Broad in BoDo.

🎨 Arts & Culture

🎪 Family Entertainment

📚 Library & Events

  • Boise Public Library: Multiple locations with children's programs, story times, summer reading, and extensive kids' collections. Check event calendar for age-specific activities.
  • Tasty Tales Story Time at Guru Donuts: Weekly story time with picture books and treats—see Rediscovered Books' events calendar for current days and times.
  • Alive After 5: Family-friendly summer concert series in downtown Boise with live music, food vendors, and activities for all ages.

🥾 Hiking & Trails

🌊 Water Activities

  • Boise Greenbelt: A scenic walk along the Boise River.
  • Float the Boise River: Seasonal tube float from Barber Park to Ann Morrison (roughly late June–Labor Day most years)—shuttles, flows, and safety info on the official Float the Boise site.
  • Lucky Peak: Stunning reservoir views and outdoor fun.
  • Pine Flats Hot Springs: Relax in natural hot springs surrounded by beautiful scenery.

🏔️ Parks & Seasonal Activities

  • Idaho Botanical Garden: 50-acre garden with themed areas, children's garden, and family events including concerts and hands-on gardening activities.
  • Julia Davis Park & Greenbelt: Premier park with playgrounds, duck ponds, picnic areas, and Greenbelt access. Home to Zoo Boise and museums.
  • Bogus Basin (Seasonal): Mountain recreation area with winter skiing/snowboarding and summer biking/hiking. Beginner-friendly slopes and family activities.
  • Disc Golf: Play on Boise's well-maintained courses.

🚗 Day Trips

  • Craters of the Moon: Explore unique volcanic landscapes.
  • Cascade: Scenic drive to a mountain-lake town on Lake Cascade.
  • McCall: Payette Lake, walkable downtown, and big views—classic high-country day out.
  • Idaho City: Historic gold-rush town with a compact main street and easy forest access up the highway.
  • Bruneau Dunes State Park: Tall sand dunes, dark-sky stargazing, and high-desert scenery.
  • Kirkham Hot Springs (near Lowman): Riverside pools along the Payette on the Hwy 21 corridor—bring a towel and expect company on nice days.
  • Thousand Springs / Hagerman area: About 1.5–2 hours from Boise; waterfalls spilling from canyon walls and the state park’s spring-fed landscape.
  • Idaho City Yurts: Idaho Parks backcountry yurts near Idaho City—ski or snowshoe in winter, short hikes in summer; book through Idaho State Parks (plan ahead for weekends).

🌤️ Weather & Packing Tips

  • View Weather
  • Boise air can be dry. Moisturizer may be recommended.
  • Boise in winter can be cold and snowy. Pack warm clothing, including a heavy coat, gloves, and a hat.
  • Layering is key to staying comfortable in varying temperatures.