Things to Do
Last updated: 2026-05-28
The Treasure Valley is unusually rich in things to do for a metro its size. Downtown Boise has the Idaho State Capitol (one of the few in the country open to walk-in tours), the Old Idaho Penitentiary (operating from 1872 to 1973, now a museum), the Basque Block (centered on the Basque Cultural Center — Boise has one of the largest Basque populations outside of Spain), the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho Black History Museum, and the Idaho State Museum. Zoo Boise sits in Julia Davis Park along with the Idaho History Museum and the Discovery Center of Idaho. The Idaho Botanical Garden shares the Old Pen campus and runs the Winter Garden aGlow holiday lights show each November and December.
Just west of Boise, the World Center for Birds of Prey is the global headquarters of the Peregrine Fund and one of the best raptor experiences in the country. Roaring Springs Water Park and the adjacent Wahooz Family Fun Zone in Meridian are the kid-summer staple. The Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa preserves WWII aircraft. For day trips, McCall and Cascade are two hours north — lake town, ski hills, and the Winter Carnival in late January; Sun Valley is about three hours east; Hells Canyon and the Snake River are a long but worthwhile day.
For "what's the best _____" questions, the local newspapers and magazines publish well-regarded reader-voted Best Of lists every year — those guides are how locals decide on the best brewery, best burger, best ice cream, best hike. The links below collect the major museums and attractions, the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Best Of guides from the Idaho Statesman, the Idaho Press, Boise Weekly, and others.
What you'll find on this page
- Cultural attractions — Capitol, Old Pen, Basque Block, the major museums.
- Family destinations — Zoo Boise, Roaring Springs, Wahooz, Discovery Center.
- World Center for Birds of Prey and the Warhawk Air Museum.
- Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau and tourism guides.
- Day-trip and weekend-getaway destinations — McCall, Cascade, Sun Valley, Hells Canyon.
- Reader-voted "Best Of" guides from local publications.
Museums & Attractions
Discovery Center of Idaho
Hands-on science museum in Julia Davis Park — over 150 exhibits great for kids, families, and curious adults.
Zoo Boise
Family-friendly zoo in Julia Davis Park with over 200 species — every paid visit contributes to wildlife conservation worldwide.
Boise Art Museum
Idaho's premier visual arts museum in Julia Davis Park, with rotating exhibitions and a strong American art collection.
Idaho Botanical Garden
15-acre garden next to the Old Pen featuring themed gardens, seasonal events, the Outlaw Field summer concert series, and Winter Garden aGlow lights.
World Center for Birds of Prey
Live raptors up close — the Peregrine Fund's interpretive center on the Boise bench with eagles, owls, hawks, falcons, and California condors.
Historic Sites
Idaho State Capitol Tours
Free guided tours of Idaho's beautiful sandstone capitol building in downtown Boise — Fridays year-round, more days in summer.
Idaho State Museum
Idaho's flagship history museum in Julia Davis Park — engaging exhibits on geology, Native peoples, statehood, and modern Idaho.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
Historic prison (1872–1973) on the edge of the Foothills — guided tours, ghost tours, the Bishops' House, and the J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit of Arms.
Basque Block & Basque Museum
Downtown Boise's Basque Block — home of the largest Basque community in the U.S. with the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, restaurants, and the Basque Market.
Idaho City Historical Foundation
Step into the gold rush — preserved 1860s buildings, the Boise Basin Museum, and self-guided walking tours through the old territorial mining town.
Reader-Voted Best Of
Best of Boise — Boise Weekly
Annual reader-voted Best of Boise awards from Boise Weekly covering restaurants, services, and local favorites.
Boise Favorites — Idaho Statesman
The Idaho Statesman's reader-voted local awards (formerly Best of Treasure Valley) — top businesses, restaurants, and services.
Best of Meridian — Idaho Press
Idaho Press annual Best of Meridian and Kuna reader awards for local businesses and services.
Best of Canyon County — Idaho Press
Reader-voted Best of Canyon County awards recognizing top businesses in Nampa, Caldwell, and surrounding communities.
Visitor Information
Visit Boise
Official Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau — where to stay, eat, drink, and play in Idaho's capital city.
Visit Southwest Idaho
Regional tourism guide covering Boise, Meridian, McCall, and the entire Treasure Valley — itineraries, attractions, and hidden gems.
Visit Idaho — Statewide
Idaho's official statewide travel guide — road trips, scenic byways, things to do, and seasonal recommendations.
Read next
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