Its always a good time to head to Boise, Idaho
We were able to visit a few local bars downtown Boise, chat with some locals and our evening with a good ole fashioned hot dog from the street vendor. Our hotel we like to stay at is The Holiday Inn Express at Parkcenter, we always request again the corner room but this time we realized that Boise State University was having a football game so all the rooms were already booked. ALWAYS CALL AHEAD TO THE HOTEL TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET AN UPGRADED ROOM!!!! During this trip we were able to rent some city bikes to ride around downtown Boise as well as riding along the greenbelt- so fun!!!! Boise is a great place for families and I love heading home a couple of times a year to see my family. Boise is a great destination for the summertime, and even the wintertime can be nice with skiing only an hour away from downtown Boise at Bogus Basin and don’t forget Sun Valley, Idaho which is about 2 1/2 hours away.
The best things to experience
Boise over the years has really improved their downtown, they also have some great bike lanes. You can also rent Boise Bicycles through an app on your phone known as “Social Bicycles”, great area to ride bicycles is by the Boise River-there are great wide bike paths by the University and Parks.
If you walk along the Greenbelt you might just get a chance to view the deer that come from the mountains.
As you walk through the Parks you might be tired, so why not rest and have a chat with Abraham Lincoln.
Boise, Idaho of course is very famous for their BLUE field, you might want to check this out. Boise State University was founded in 1932 and currently has over 24,000 students.
Our favorite place to stay
Our favorite place to stay in Boise is The Holiday Inn at Park Center, its close to the greenbelt where you can bicycles. Its also within a mile of downtown Boise, so an easy Uber or Lift ride to downtown Boise for dinner or drinks. The Holiday Inn also offers free breakfast, when checking into the hotel ask for a corner room it gives you a little more room and twice the windows for good views of the mountains in every direction.
There are so many fun restaurants to check out in Boise and the surrounding city of Meridian. I just included some of my favorites, this all can be found on www.yelp.com check out for nightlife Amsterdam and Humpin Hannahs, check out some local talent and head to Pengillys. For a romantic dinner and great atmosphere go to Barbacoa its right next to the hotel we like to stay at, has great happy hour prices as well. For a family get together head to Meridian to go to Big Juds, they have large burger challenge!!!! For a fantastic lunch my favorite is going to Jakers- actually everytime I fly home to visit family that is my favorite place, they have an incredible soup and salad bar.
The best things to pack
Stargazing Kit
Want to see meteor showers and more? Stargazers will want to take advantage of Central Idaho’s certified dark sky reserve, which is one of only a dozen in the world. For a truly vivid view of planets, nebulae and galaxies, it’s worth taking your own telescope.
Water Adventure Gear
Whether you’re rafting on the Payette River or kayaking on the Salmon River, opportunities to get out on the water abound in and around Boise. Investing in a waterproof dry bag to protect your stuff is a must if you plan on taking a water adventure in Idaho.
Hiking Shoes
There are plenty of nearby trails for experienced and novice hikers alike, including the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway, Bogus Basin, Table Rock and more. Bringing a good pair of hiking boots is essential for your trip.
Binoculars
Binoculars are essential if planning to visit the World Center for Birds of Prey’s live presentations. These are crucial to have if you plan on spotting the wild raptors from the center’s trail.
Stay connected
Get updates, travel tips, and more straight to your inbox!
