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Attractions

:: Entertainment & Events :: Shopping :: Old Boise ::

Photo courtesy: Boise Convention & Visitor Bureau

hat was then still holds true today. The Boise River and its wooded banks were the main attraction for fur trappers when they arrived in the area in the early 1800's. As you discover Boise's many attractions, you will notice how important the river remains to this community, as parks and other attractions have been developed along its banks or within close proximity to the water's edge. More than one hundred years later, we are proud to say that La Riviere Bois remains our city's major attraction.

Boise boasts a variety of traditional, as well as unique, sights and attractions. Five city parks, each with distinctly different offerings, line the Boise River as it flows through the city and afford visitors and residents alike wonderful opportunities to explore the city. Within walking distance of the river, the downtown area encompasses many points of interest, and still more exist outside the city limits.

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Attraction	Phone	City
Bogus Basin Mountain website	208-332-5100	Boise
Bogus Basin Mountain, just 16 miles north of Boise, offers great day and night skiing with 52 runs and seven chairlifts. Deep powder, short lifts lines, 32km. of groomed Nordic ski trails, and a children's tubing hill make Bogus Basin a popular winter destination.
Boise Art Museum website	208-345-8330	Boise
Boise Art Museum (BAM) features a diverse range of exhibitions, from cutting edge to historical. BAM also hosts one of the Northwest’s most popular arts and crafts festivals, Art in the Park, held the weekend after Labor Day.
Boise River Float website	800-292-7238	Boise
Cascade Raft Company - Take a refreshing float down the Boise River in downtown Boise. Experience a new view of the City of Trees as you spend a relaxing hour enjoying area history, river lore, and serene natural beauty. Fun for all ages, finding wildlife around every bend as you meander downstream without getting your feet wet!
Boise Tour Train website	208-342-4796	Boise
The Boise Tour Train is one of the best ways to get acquainted with the capital city's many points of interest. The Tour Train is a replica of an 1890's puffer-belly locomotive that pulls three open-air passenger cars on a one-hour narrated tour of Boise's historic neighborhoods, central business district, and other sites of interest. Tours leave from the Tour Train Depot in Julia Davis Park.
Old Boise Historic District website	208-345-7852	Boise
Old Boise Historic District, located at 6th and Main Streets, offers a large array ofbusinesses, including a number of diverse restaurants, unique shops and popular nightlife.
Roaring Springs Water Park website	208-884-8842	Meridian
Experience the thrill of the Northwest's largest waterpark! Roaring Springs features more than 20 attractions for all ages, including the new Viper's Vortex bowl slide, a wavepool, family raft ride, float river, tube rides, two kiddie play areas, and more. Roaring Springs is located five miles west of Boise at I-84, exit 44, Meridian.
Ann Morrison Park website	208-384-4240	Boise
Ann Morrison Park, Boise's largest park, takes up across Capitol Boulevard where Julia Davis leaves off. It features athletic fields, a lighted fountain, picnic facilities, cycle and jogging paths and playgrounds. Children will enjoy feeding the resident ducks and geese!
Barber Park website	208-343-1328	Boise
Barber Park is a county park located along the Boise River six miles upstream, and is the usual starting point for raft and tube trips down the "Mighty Boise." The Boise River also offers year round fishing for rainbow trout right in the heart of town.
Basque Block website	208-343-2671	Boise
Boise is home to the largest population of Basque people outside their native Europe. The Basque Block, on Grove St. between 6th St. and Capitol Blvd., houses several historical buildings, including the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Several restaurants, including two that serve great traditional Basque food, add to the attraction ofthe Basque Block.
Basque Museum and Cultural Center website	208-343-2671	Boise
The Basque Museum & Cultural Center provides a look into the heritage of the Basque communities of Idaho and surrounding areas. The Basque Museum & Cultural Center provides a look into the Basque heritage by exhibits, collections, and tours. As a cultural center, it's a gathering place for events and educational opportunities - in which people of all backgrounds can participate in Basque activities.
BoDo		Boise
Located at the crossroads of Broad and 8th Sts., BoDo is a four-block multi-use shopping, dining and entertainment district that combines the renovated warehouses of former 8th Street Marketplace with new construction.
Boise Depot	208-384-4228	Boise
Up Capitol Boulevard from downtown is the city's most photogenic landmark - the stately mission-style Boise Depot, completed in 1925 when the railroads still ruled the West. Today the Depot, enhanced by the scenic Platt Gardens nearby, offer some of the best views of downtown Boise.This stately structure was built by Union Pacific Railroad in 1925 during the glory years of rail transport. Immersed in the beauty of the Platt Gardens, the Depot offers one of the best views of Boise's downtown backed by scenic foothills.
Boise River Greenbelt website	208-384-4240	Boise
The Boise River Greenbelt, a system of walking and biking paths along both banks of the Boise River, provides approximately 25 miles of surfaced pathways for jogging, skating, cycling or just strolling. With its towering trees, lush growth and abundant small wildlife, it is one of Boise's most popular features and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
C.W. Moore Park website		Boise
C.W. Moore Park is a quaint city park at the corner of 5th and Grove Sts. that features pieces of Boise's past architecture and a working waterwheel. It's a great place to take a coffee or lunch break or relax at any time.
City Hall Plaza website		Boise
City Hall Plaza is located in the heart of downtown in front of City Hall. It features a flag plaza, fountain, and public art, and is a great place to take a break from exploring the city.
Discovery Center of Idaho website	208-343-9895	Boise
At the edge of Julia Davis Park is the Discovery Center of Idaho, a participatory science and industry facility offering a unique hands-on learning environment that is fun for both children and adults.
Downtown Boise	208-433-5670	Boise
Boise's pioneer heritage has been preserved in numerous historical buildings in the downtown area, including three entire shopping districts - Old Boise, the central downtown core and BoDo (Boise Downtown) - all of which feature specialty shopping in renovated and restored buildings of historical interest. Other buildings ofspecial interest include the restored 1927 Egyptian Theater, the French chateau-style Idanha Hotel that has been converted to apartments, the Simplot Building, Alexander Building, the Union Block, Pioneer Building, Fidelity Building, the old Central Fire Station and the original U.S. Assay Office. Several churches near downtown are also of historical interest.
Floating the Boise River website		Boise
Floating the river from Barber Park to downtown is a popular summertime activity. Tubes or rafts can be rented at Barber Park and shuttle service is available for a small charge. Several companies also offer guided trips that include a refreshing float combined with a learning experience about historic river lore.
Hyde Park website		Boise
Hyde Park, located on North 13th St. in Boise's historic North End neighborhood a little more than a mile from downtown Boise, has been a thriving commercial district from the turn of the century. Today, it's a popular gathering place that includes a variety of restaurants, unique antique shops, boutiques and galleries.
Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial website	208-345-0304	Boise
A few blocks west of downtown, at the intersection of 8th St. and the Greenbelt, sits the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. This educational park consists of the Human Rights Wall inscribed with more than 60 quotations and stories from human rights heroes; two reflecting ponds; three waterfalls; an amphitheater; and a life-sized bronze sculpture of Anne Frank.
Idaho Black History Museum website	208-433-0017	Boise
The Idaho Black History Museum was established to preserve, enhance and display accurate and stimulating information regarding the African American culture as an essential part of Idaho’s diverse heritage. Housed in a renovated church building in Julia Davis Park, the museum is a showplace of historical photos and artifacts.
Idaho Botanical Garden website	208-343-8649	Boise
The Idaho Botanical Garden, located on the grounds of the Old Pen, is an ever-expanding complex of horticultural offerings, featuring fourteen separate theme and display gardens, including the new Lewis and Clark Native Plant Garden.
Idaho Historical Museum website	208-334-2120	Boise
The Idaho Historical Museum recreates the state's colorful past in a friendly, open museum that includes exhibits like an Old West saloon, a blacksmith’s forge, turn-of-the century kitchen, cowboy and Indian artifacts and even a Chinese apothecary’s shop.
Idaho Museum of Military History website	208-422-6128	Boise
This museum features Idaho naval history, the development of Gowen Field and the General Patch collection of WWI.
Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology website	208-368-9876	Boise
Follow in the steps of miners as they rushed to Idaho's hills and fought each other in pursuit of gold and silver.
Idaho State Capitol	208-334-5174	Boise
A replica of our nation's capitol, this is the only statehouse in America with a geothermal heating system, fed by naturally hot water from deep in the ground. The building was completed in 1920 from locally quarried sandstone. We do offer guided tours.
Julia Davis Park website	208-384-4240	Boise
Julia Davis Park itself is the site of several of Boise's main attractions. Named for a pioneer family, this grande dame of the city's extensive park system lies along the Boise River in the very heart of the city. This beautiful 90-acre park also has ample picnic facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts and horseshoe pits, boat rentals and a band shell featuring free summer entertainment and the home of Zoo Boise.
Kathryn Albertson Park website	208-384-4240	Boise
Across Americana Boulevard from Ann Morrison Park, near the river, is Kathryn Albertson Park, a passive botanical and wildlife park. Located near downtown, the park is an excellent place for a quiet stroll, featuring wide walking paths, ponds, fountains, outdoor gazebos, thousands of trees and other plants, in addition to the birds and small wildlife.
Lucky Peak State Park website	208-336-9505	Boise
A popular recreation spot is Lucky Peak State Park, approximately eight miles east of Boise offering top-quality fishing year-round, water skiing and sailing all summer long in the reservoir and swimming at Sandy Point Beach below the Lucky Peak Dam.
Memorial Rose Garden website	208-384-4240	Boise
Located in Julia Davis Park, the garden features over 300 different rose varieties and over 1,600 rose bushes. It is a favorite spot for flower lovers and a lovely, fragrant place to stroll or relax.
Military Reserve Park		Boise
Military Reserve Park, located at Fort and Reserve Sts., is a 466-acre historic and natural attraction that encompasses the Old Boise Barracks, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and hiking trails in the foothills that offer spectacular views over the city. Also situated on the grounds is O'Farrell Cabin, considered to be the city's first permanent residence and first place of Catholic worship. Limited tours are available.
MK Nature Center website	208-368-6060	Boise
At the edge of Municipal Park lies the one-of-a-kind MK Nature Center, a living museum that allows visitors to observe the major ecosystems in the state, represented by a mountain stream with logjams and a waterfall, a wetlands pond and a high desert plain bordered by lava rock. Underwater viewing windows, interpretive signs and a variety of small wildlife that inhabit the nature center provide a wonderful sample of wild Idaho.
Municipal Park website	208-334-3700	Boise
Located on Walnut Avenue, this park offers playgrounds and picnic facilities adjacent to the Idaho Fish and Game headquarters, the source for hunting and fishing information and licenses.
National Interagency Fire Center website	208-389-2512	Boise
Located near the Boise Air Terminal, the center is the national logistics support center for all wildfire fighting and other emergency operations in the United States. Tourse of the warehouse and many of NIFC's operation systems are available but must be arranged in advance.
O'Farrell Cabin website	208-384-4060	Boise
Located on the grounds of Military Reserve Park, the cabin is considered to be the city's first permanent residence and first place of Catholic worship. Limited tours are available.
Old Idaho Penitentiary website	208-368-6080	Boise
Towards the end of Warm Springs lies the Old Idaho Penitentiary, built in 1870 and still used until 1973. The Old Pen housed manyWildWest desperadoes in its time, and their stories are told in a slide show and self-guided tour. Today, the Old Pen site also houses the Idaho Transportation and the History of Electricity in Idaho exhibits.
The Grove website	208-336-8900	Boise
The city's public plaza and the focal point of the downtown area, The Grove is a pleasant place to stroll and relax and is also the venue for many community activities, including Alive After Five, a weekly music and entertainment event during the spring and summer months.
Veterans Memorial Park website	208-384-4240	Boise
Veterans Memorial State Park, out State Street, features hundred-year-old cedars along the Boise River, a large lake popular with fishing enthusiasts, extensive trails and a children's playground.
World Center for Birds of Prey website	208-362-8687	Boise
Just south of Boise is the World Center for Birds of Prey, where endangered peregrine falcons and other raptors are studied and reared. Visitors can observe more than 200 birds of prey at close range, as well as the programs being used to increase the populations ofspeciesthat are endangered.
World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame website	208-343-7224	Boise
The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame showcases memorabilia of world-class athletes honored for their humanitatian service. Located in the Allen Noble Hall of Fame at the east end of the Boise State University campus, the Hall of Fame has recognized over 30 sports humanitatians since its 1994 inaugural year.
Zoo Boise website	208-384-4260	Boise
Zoo Boise is home to over 200 animals from 83 different species, including the largest display of birds of prey in the Northwest. Special exhibits include Idaho big game animals, the Small Animal Kingdom which features three separate environmental areas to explore, and a variety ofexotic speciesfrom around the world.
Oregon Trail Centennial Greenway website		Caldwell
The city of Caldwell has established a pathway along the Boise River for jogging, bicycling, fishing, or just strolling to enjoy the scenery. Historic markers are included along the way. The Greenway is located in Whittenberger Park located on the corner of Chicago Street and Centennial Drive.
Van Slyke Agricultural Museum website	208-459-1597	Caldwell
Located in the Caldwell Memorial Park, this open-air agricultural museum features two 1864 log cabins with period furnishings, a variety of antique farm machinery and a pair of circa 1950 railroad cars. Open by appointment.
Camille Beckman website	208-939-7700	Eagle
Located just west of Eagle, the corporate headquarters of Camille Beckman, a world manufacturer and distributor of cosmetics and toiletries, occupies a lovely Tudor-style building on 35 acres of wild rose bushes and beautiful English gardens close to the Boise River. You can take a self-guided tour of the property that includes a gift shop and private art gallery.
Eagle Historical Museum website	208-939-2669	Eagle
A small but informative museum, the Eagle Historical Museum highlights the history of Eagle and its early residents.
Eagle Island State Park website	208-939-0696	Eagle
Eight miles west of Boise, this park features a 15-acre man-made lake, waterslide, swimming beach, fishing, hiking and five miles of equestrian trails. Group facilities are available with picnic tables, showers, horseshoe pits, and more. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Boise Hawks Baseball website		Garden City
The Boise Hawks baseball team, a Northwest League Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, plays a full schedule from mid-June through early September. Home games are played in Memorial Stadium at the Western Idaho Fairgrounds.
Boondocks Fun Center website	208-898-0900	Meridian
Family fun center featuring go-carts, miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages, arcade,a snack bar and restaurant for refreshments. The ultimate laser tag experience also awaits you. The littlest members of the family can go to the Kiddie Cove Play Center for indoor fun.
Meridian Speedway website	208-888-2813	Meridian
Car fans can enjoy colorful stock car racing at the Meridian Speedway track located just north of the I-84 Meridian exit every Saturday from April through the end of September. Special events include motorcycle racing and monster truck demonstrations.
Canyon County Historical Society Museum website	208-467-7611	Nampa
All aboard for a trip to the past! Canyon County's original train depot, built in 1903, is now the home of the Canyon County Historical Museum. Used as a depot until the 1920's and then as offices for the Union Pacific Railroad, the building now houses displays of both Canyon County and Union Pacific memoribilia. It is perhaps Idaho's finest example of Baroque revival architecture. Please call for more information.
Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho website	208-442-0823	Nampa
This regional attraction includes a museum, gift shop and various programs and cultural events and activities including an Internet cafe. Tour the Center to sample the many activities at this one-of-a-kind facility, whose mission is to recognize, celebrate and preserve Hispanic/Latino arts, heritage, culture and values.
Warhawk Air Museum website	208-465-6446	Nampa
Located at the Nampa Municipal Airport, the Warhawk Air Museum is one of the largest WWII museums, with memorabilia including uniforms, photos and aircraft. The 20,000 square foot museum's exhibits include Sweetheart Pillows, ration books, V-mail, Mother Flags, Victory Puzzles and numerous items that represented the Home Front during WWII.