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City Cast Boise

From building your wardrobe to sussing out your neighbor’s politics, Boise has some quirks that can take some time adjusting to. The 

 has oft-unspoken guidance for you, whether you’re brand new to town or want to try some new things.

Among the abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities in Boise, a good pair of trail shoes will serve a lot of purposes. Beware the people with niche outdoor obsessions who “can’t believe” you don’t have a custom rock climbing harness, but a solid pair of trail shoes is a worthwhile investment.

“One of the bigger delights of Boise, the whole point of it really, is access to nature. You can get to really good trails really, really quickly, but boy those trails wear your shoes out,” Boisean and Vulture culture critic 

 said. “This might not seem like a walking city, but you’ll be doing a lot of walking outside of the city. Get some trail shoes.”

Even if you think they’re not for you. I’m not trying to sell you on beer — the people you meet at said breweries will take care of that — but breweries are a big part of the local culture and economy. They’re a great way to meet people, and learn the vibe of a neighborhood.

City Cast Boise podcast host Lindsay Van Allen

 testifies, it’s alright to be “casually outdoorsy.” This town is full of adventure fiends, which is great, but it’s OK to stick to your backyard squirrel feeder, too.

Don’t skimp on sunscreen on your inaugural trip to the Sawtooths — the elevation will have you feeling like a bug under a magnifying glass in the sun.

 city. There are some things (big nightclubs, rail systems, and anonymity, chiefly) that you need to travel to bigger cities for, and that’s just part of life here.

For those new to the desert, you’ll need to seek out greenery, depending on where you live. We’ve got a few 

In Boise, you need good footwear, a curiosity for breweries, and political resilience. Here are some of the essential rules for surviving Boise, whether you're new to town or want to expand your horizons.

Essential Rules for Surviving Boise

Find the best of everything that Boise has to offer.

Boise’s Best

Boise's Best

 it’s October. So this month, find a little balance between the busy times, Halloween, and cozy autumn vibes Boise brings.

Here at City Cast Boise, we advocate for fall camping and day trips to see beyond our front doors. Idaho may mostly turn into a vast array of browns in the fall, but you just need to watch a cool, clear sunrise on the Foothills to understand why fall is so beautiful here.

, to which I need to add a hot springs trip and the World Center for Birds of Prey fall flights, which are at 11 a.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Once you’ve taken a nature reset, it’s time to lean into the rest of the fall festivities.

October 31 falls on a Friday, so let’s all drink electrolytes and buckle up for a rowdy Halloweekend, whether you’re participating or not. Luckily, Halloween in Boise has a little of everything.

There’s a whole website (which looks pretty comprehensive to me) for the 

. And if you’ve been pondering a trip to the Haunted Mansions of Albion, I can vouch as a former Magic Valley kid that they’re worth it. But they used to be scarier.

For something less scary, try the Idaho Botanical Garden’s 

. For something kid-friendly but definitely very haunted, the 

 on Friday, Oct. 24 still has tickets available for $30.

And for the weekend of Halloween itself, the 

 on the Shrine for essentially a “mini music festival,” according to From Boise’s Marissa Lovell.

Live theater is back and movie season is picking up, so it’s time to make your shortlist of things you want to watch this year. 

 season is up and running, with other live theater on the way. The 

 season kicks off this month, with symphonic and other performances in between.

On the big screen, any movie theater will of course suffice, but we’re entering the best time of year to visit 

 (perfect your popcorn order now for Christmas). The 

 is playing a ton of movies right now as well, which is a babysitter’s salvation.

There’s always something happening in Boise that doesn’t fit into a neat category, which is a blessing. Here are a few other October happenings to keep on your radar:

! Local races don’t seem to be exactly buzzing yet, so per usual the races could be closely decided. There’s one related event that I’m keeping an eye on: An 

Idaho Banned Books Week Community Read-In

Downtown restaurants will get to let loose for 

Finally, fall sports are heating up at every level! The 

 on the 11th and 18th of this month, so join in on the blue or at the very least, be prepared for traffic on Broadway Avenue!

Somehow it’s October, so this month, find a little balance between the busy times, Halloween, and cozy autumn vibes Boise brings.

Your Guide to Boise in October 2025

What should you do in September? You could pick up a new hobby (I recommend baking this month), join a fun run, or let others fill your schedule for you because there are 

Festival minds think alike, and they all think September is the 

 month for their events. Here are some of our favorites that we think you should hit:

 For the first time, this music and food festival will take place at JUMP. There are over a dozen musical and dance groups taking the stages, with backgrounds from all over the world.

 Hundreds of artists and vendors will be at Julia Davis Park this weekend. It’s the perfect place to find a little gift for someone, or a massive art piece for your home.

 The first Pride back at Ann Morrison and down to a two-day schedule, I’m excited to see how Pride feels in a year when the LGBTQ+ community has been lambasted. The stakes are higher, that’s for sure! We’ll have a booth, come say hi!

 Try ten different pairings of locally grown foods and locally made beverages at the Indian Creek Plaza. Tickets are $45, or you can get a table.

 like it is every year for the North End Neighborhood Association’s — and Boise’s — hippiest festival.

 The Old Boise intersection may look different this year thanks to the new Kaixo Corner Park, but the Oktoberfest will still be held at 6th and Grove Streets.

 Caldwell’s Indian Creek Plaza will be bustling for one of the plaza’s biggest events of the year, with car and motorcycle shows, a market, a band, a kayak race, and more.

 There are five different events you can buy tickets for during this weekend festival, which is the premier event from this organization that supports jazz and blues culture around the calendar.

 Want to be Mr and Mrs. Oktoberfest? The best dressed attendees will take home the honor, and there are other competitions and beer, obviously.

 The valley’s only German deli throws its own Oktoberfest, of course. If you want quality German food at your Oktoberfest, this is the one to attend.

 This’ll be the Boise Bicycle Project’s second Open Streets festival, after the highly successful first at Latah Street last year. This one will be on Ustick Road; Expect more on Open Streets in Hey Boise soon!

What else is going on this September? In Boise, the month can be autumn if you want, or it can be a bonus summer month. So 

, or to spend time outside in other ways.

Along with festival season, it’s also race season. There are a few fun runs on the calendar, with the largest being 

 on Sept. 20. Even if you don’t sign up (which you can still totally do), cheering on strangers at a fun run with other strangers is fun, endearing, and encouraging.

Your Guide to Boise in September 2025

Your living room will always be there for you when you need a place to study. But as someone who’s worked remotely for three years and went to college for five, I think I can help you find the right mix of coffee shops for you to work at, depending on what you want.

Though the downtown location is sure to run out of their glittery tables during peak hours, this has to be at the top of the list because it’s the 

 shop that reliably stays open past 6 p.m. (they’re open until 10 p.m.). Working until they close over a teapot and pizza from Guido’s next door is a core memory for many a student. Definitely bring your headphones.

 I love the downtown Boise Flying M, but the City Cast Boise crew agrees it’s actually the third-best after its Nampa and Caldwell locations.

This little shop off Parkcenter Boulevard in east Boise has a maximalist feel, but in a word, it’s just cozy. The decor is whimsical and quirky enough to spark a little creativity, and everyone there is sweet. If you need to take a study break, the Greenbelt is a short walk around the building.

What the Latah Street location lacks in parking it makes up for in a spacious patio and relaxing, open feel. Plus, Wyld Child and The STIL are right there for a bite. The 34th Street Garden City location is top notch, too, especially if you’d like to be interrupted by dogs. Maybe the best part of Push & Pour shops is that they feel very 

 academia, and sometimes you need that perspective to keep your head level while starting your fourth online assignment of the day.

This shop also feels off the beaten path of higher education, while staying as friendly and community-based as you could hope for. It’s often busy, but the tables are big enough to share, so grab a friend!

The above coffee shops are my favorites for studying, working, or writing at, but there are a handful more downtown that need to be mentioned.

: With single and double tables, you can get focused quickly here. The Hyde Park location is great for reading.

: This will feel the most academic, like you could see someone pull out a chessboard (and you might). It’s bright, and a morning study session here will make you feel accomplished going into the rest of the day.

: Located right on Cherie Buckner-Webb Park, Broadcast has a lush, colorful aesthetic to help you feel both focused and creative.

: Some of Boise’s best, most technical coffee is made here, but it’s a good place to put your head down and check things off your list, too.

Need Places to Study? Find Your New Regular Coffee Shop

Boise’s patios are here to welcome you well into the fall months, and there are several new-ish ones worth checking out. I joined City Cast Boise host Lindsay Van Allen and producer Evelyn Avitia 

earlier this summer to rank our favorites

I won’t spoil our rankings, but I will say this one did well. Located right above Treefort Music Hall, Hap Hap feels like one of the hearts of downtown. We agree it could have a better view for being a rooftop patio, but otherwise it’s stellar on the criteria of vibes, drinks, decor, and a bigger-than-it-looks space.

 has a front porch, it might be Telaya Wine’s patio. It’s a fun one to bike or walk to because it’s right on the Greenbelt, and it’s also dog-friendly! On really hot days, Telaya’s patio is shaded enough and close enough to the Boise River to provide respite — not to mention, the wine is great.

You might be tired of me talking about Common Ground, so hear it from Evelyn: “It was one of the most amazing coffee shop patios that I have ever been on.” Yes, it’s in an alley — but the DIY of it all is part of why we love Common Ground. Their patio has even prompted another business in their strip mall to build a patio! If you want to studio or work remotely on a patio, try this one.

Lindsay had this in her top three favorites, a high achievement for the Eagle restaurant’s first season being open. Pig Latin looks like it might put Instagram over quality, but Lindsay and Evelyn both say it delivers. “It feels like a party, but you can still chat and you’ve got the river flowing near you,” Lindsay said.

The Caldwell standout’s new location is absolutely stunning inside, but its patio is worth the visit as well (you can make a reservation for either patio or indoor seating). The 

, but even if you only go for cocktails and appetizers on the patio, you’ll be talking to your friends about it like you work for Amano.

The New-ish Patios We Love the Most

Burgers seem to be going for the same price as steak these days, with pounds of beef cooked to varying degrees of success. But a smashburger is hard to mess up — and fun to mix up with a variety of condiment combinations. Outside of the Smashburger chain, here’s where to find thin, crispy, and juicy patties with a high proportion of Maillard reaction.

Few local restaurants have the quiet cult fandom that Smash Alley has captured in the last 10 months. That’s partially thanks to a limited menu and limited hours: Currently, they’re only grilling on Saturdays while 

preparing to open a second location this fall

Located on 9th Street in BoDo, the pop-up serves Snake River Farms Wagyu beef and fries, a wagyu and egg sandwich, and nothing else. No modifications, and their fans seem to appreciate how straightforward the execution is. Can’t wait to try it!

Just one block over is Totally Smashed, which is housed in the Warehouse Food Hall. The food hall has settled into Boise’s food economy nicely, staying busy and giving up-and-coming restaurateurs another option for where to find customers.

Totally Smashed has multiple burger options and a build-your-own burger, and I’ve loved it every time. It’s always hyperflavorful thanks to the smash, but never left without accompaniment.

The Wylder Hospitality Group nailed the “roadside” patio vibes with Wyld Child’s burgers. All of their food is good (including a solid vegetarian falafel burger), but the Griddle and Wylde Style burgers instantly became some of Boise’s best smashburgers when this Latah Street location opened in 2022.

Smash Alley, Totally Smashed, and Wyld Child: The Best Local Smashburgers

The heat is on and so is the air conditioning, which will be working hard at dozens of schools by the end of the month. But just because summer is ending for a lot of us doesn’t mean the fun has to! August has a ton to offer in the City of Trees, so let’s get into it.

I’m knocking on all things wooden when I say this, but so far this summer the Treasure Valley has had zero days with an 

, which marks the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. So go into the rest of this guide with that in mind, and let’s get out there while we can!

City Cast Boise podcast producer Evelyn Avitia has heard 

 in Caldwell, and she’s here to say it’s worth it. The farm has a flower cutting garden and multiple events every week, so it’s a perfect addition to a Canyon County winery tour. (Speaking of, 

that’s a great August-into-fall activity

Then, starting on August 12, one of the Treasure Valley’s biggest events starts. The 

 runs that entire weekend, and it’s considered one of the best rodeos in the nation. If you can make it, it’s worth the effort — the production does not disappoint.

August may mean back-to-school, but it also means the 

. That’s on August 9 in Julia Davis Park, and it’s a spotlight on the Black community — which is a rarity in Boise. Plus, it’s bite for bite the best food of any festival on the calendar. Go and try a little of everything (

one of the organizers told us a few years ago

 to just bring Tupperware knowing you’ll have leftovers), and you’re likely to find a new business you’ll become obsessed with.

Another landmark festival takes place in August: The 

. Just like a massive Darth Vader hot air balloon, this one always sneaks up on me. But it’s a treat — the balloons fill up the valley’s sky with whimsy, and the first day activities are always tailored to kids.

Friend of City Cast Boise Matthew Melton (he’s also a newly minted 

, one of the public library system’s biggest annual events. Best of all, it’s free!

Don’t let the heat drive your appetite away! This is the perfect time to 

test out that patio you’ve been meaning to try

, and split a dish or drink with a friend and enjoy the summer air.

Here are some of the most refreshing things I’ve had lately:

 mango salad (Thai basil sangria optional but recommended).

 “Sea Witch” cocktail: Gin-based, with sake, a nori simple syrup, lime, ginger, and a nori sheet — so crisp, so good.

 kalimotxo (although of course Bar Gernika is the original).

Your Guide to Boise in August 2025

Whether you live in Boise proper or somewhere else in the Treasure Valley, we all commute around for all the things we love. But, which city is the best? That’s a tough question to answer, so we asked our team to share why their city reigns supreme.

Campaigning for the City of Trees is Boise resident and Hey Boise newsletter editor Blake Hunter, who says the biggest perk of the city is the amount of greenspaces — there’s the Greenbelt, the Ribbon of Jewels, and countless parks, all of which set Boise apart from other cities.

Here are some other things Blake loves about Boise:

🚶 Walkability — from tree-lined neighborhoods to hikes in the foothills, Boise is a great place to slow down and walk.

🛍️ Local shops — escape the soulless consumerism of retail chains and opt for local staples, from coffee to merch and trinkets. Blake also has a great guide for 

🍸 Bars and restaurants — as a metro area, there are just more options for culinary adventure.

City Cast Boise host and Meridian resident Lindsay Van Allen has a deep appreciation for her community’s ability to organize around important causes. Lindsay has joined her neighbors to protest book bans and fight to keep the Meridian Library from dissolving. Meridianites really show up when it matters.

Here are Lindsay’s other Meridian perks:

😊 The Goldilocks of Treasure Valley — it’s just the right size and centrally located, so you can get just about everywhere easily.

🏡 Space — Meridian gets a lot of flack for its urban sprawl, but the amount of space can be a perk for some growing families. Plus, you’re probably getting more house for your money.

🛍️The Village — on the subject of families, easy access to big stores and nice playgrounds can be clutch during a family outing.

On the Caldwell corner we have City Cast Boise producer Evelyn Avitia, who wants to remind you that the Treasure of the Valley is home to the 

. Sure, you can drink wine in Boise and Meridian, but there’s nothing like watching the sunset with a glass of grape juice right from the source.

Here are Evelyn’s other Caldwell top picks:

🐴 Rural landscape views — in just a short drive, you can watch the growing construction disappear in the rearview mirror and find yourself at an orchard or a farm. Where else can you pet horses on your walk?

when Caldwell installed a bunch of parking meters

 and residents were not happy? You have them to thank for the abundance of free parking.

🌮 Mexican food — Boise might have more cuisine options, but everyone knows that when you’re craving Mexican food, you go to Caldwell.

I think the lesson from all this debating is that Boise, Meridian, and Caldwell all have great things to offer, so “the best city in Treasure Valley” depends on what you’re looking for.

And to make things more interesting, the team also talked about some of the things they dislike about their cities, 

including the tired cop-out of “Boise kind

Which Treasure Valley City Is the Best?

With the Fourth of July in the rearview mirror, parents can feel like they’re starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel for how to keep kids busy during the summer. So here’s a quick guide to some of the free and easy ways to keep everyone entertained before school starts!

The cities of Boise, Nampa, and Meridian all have outdoor kids’ movies in their parks throughout the rest of the summer. They all start around nightfall and are free to attend. Mark your calendars!

“Inside Out 2” on July 18 at Midway Park in Nampa.

“Moana 2” on July 25 at Midway Park in Nampa.

“Moana 2” on July 25 at Settlers Park in Meridian.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” on Aug. 8 at Settlers Park in Meridian.

“Despicable Me 4” on Aug. 15 at Julia Davis Park in Boise.

Getting your kids outdoors might take a little haranguing and training (i.e., please teach them to be careful on the Greenbelt while getting passed on their left), but it’ll pay off in so many ways.

Just picking a new park or section of the Greenbelt to explore each week can instill confidence and knowledge that will help kids feel more at home in their city. And to get things kicked off, Becca from 

And of course, there’s always the public pools to check out — 

 here, but City Cast Boise podcast host Lindsay Van Allen endorses these options as free outdoor concerts eligible for kids to attend.

 fills up the Grove Plaza after 5 p.m. Plus, there’s a splashpad!

The Neighborhood Concert Series tours the city’s parks, and this month they’re hitting 

 is another free concert series, all of them at JUMP! There are three shows this month.

The Best (Free) Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained Through the Rest of Summer

Let’s kick off the second half of 2025 strong, Boise! This weekend will be filled with (hopefully safe) fireworks celebrations, followed by three of the funnest weeks of the year if you like the heat. If you hate it, there’s still plenty to do!

 will make a comeback from July 29 through August 3 after canceling their 

. A tradition born in Boise in 1987, Jaialdi is one of the largest Basque festivals in the world and the largest in the U.S.

Among the three of us on the City Cast Boise podcast July guide, none of us had been to a previous Jaialdi (pronounced ‘hai-al-dee’) festival, but we all plan on going this year. So do the thousands of people expected to travel into Boise for the festival.

Jaialdi 2025 has been a decade in the making, so we’re excited to join the festivities. Expect a podcast episode from us soon detailing what to look forward to!

We’ve been lucky enough to avoid wildfire smoke so far this season, but that will inevitably change this month. The combination of dry heat and apocalyptic smoke — well, if it’s your first summer here, just buckle in.

For many people, Idaho’s outdoors are one of the biggest reasons for living here. Even if you only get one camping trip in this summer, July might be the month to do it, if you’re willing to brace the heat, of course. Here are a 

few recommendations to spark your imagination

No one wants to turn their ovens on in July. So, on the occasion that ice cream substitutes for a meal, 

There are plenty of stellar musical acts taking the stage this month, but we wanted to shout out some free ones (which are almost all family-friendly too).

 is a summertime classic, taking over the Grove Plaza at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Check out the schedule, or just show up!

The Neighborhood Concert Series tours the city’s parks, and this July they’re hitting 