Hey Boise's Free Guide To the Best of Boise
Boise has no shortage of hidden gems, from cultural attractions to outdoor recreation options. Our city has an overwhelming array of things to learn, places to go, and foods to try. So what are the best of the best? The City Cast Boise team put together our ultimate guide to getting the most out of life in the City of Trees.
An illustrated map of Boise, Idaho. (City Cast)
- Learn the unspoken rules of Boise to survive our changing city.
- Take a Season + Taste Cooking School class to learn new culinary skills and meet some new Boiseans.
- Shop locally at Food Land Market, a Middle Eastern store with Arabic, European, halal and kosher food. (Plus, enjoy Turkish coffee and baklava!)
- Take in the latest street art at Freak Alley, the largest outdoor mural gallery in the Northwest.
A mural in Freak Alley. (Mariah McBride/ City Cast)
- Substitute a movie snack for a great meal at The Flicks, from lasagna to burgers everything on the menu is good.
- Get a two-week pass to the Idaho Botanical Garden using your Boise Public Library card.
- Pro tip: Max out your library card perks at other libraries around the Treasure Valley, from Eagle to Caldwell.
- Plant yourself on a patio with a cold drink anywhere on 8th Street: Bittercreek, Pie Hole, Red Feather.
- Switch up your route and explore a new section of the Greenbelt with this map (or see our list of the best nature walks in Boise).
- Pre-plan your WinCo shopping trip by making a list before you shop.
- Visit the best new and classic local coffee shops like our Old Faithful Flying M.
Flying M on a Saturday. (Mariah McBride/City Cast)
- Start some seeds indoors and give your crops a head start before transporting them outdoors.
- Need more gardening tips? Here’s how to garden in Boise’s changing climate.
- Grab a beer at Payette then enjoy Boise’s best Nashville fried chicken sandwiches at Queen’s food trailer camped outside.
- Visit these Boise classics: Record Exchange, Old Pen, Egyptian Theatre, and Boise Art Museum.
- Experience “Space Banana, a new micro club” behind Mad Swede Brew Hall.
- Immerse yourself within Basque culture and enjoy paella outside at the Basque market.
- Check out dog-friendly water play areas in parks like Ann Morrison Park and Discovery Park to help your pup stay cool and hydrated during the summer months.
- Eat or drink at women-owned businesses like Water Bear Bar or Oh Vegan Soul.
- Check out some of our favorite women-owned restaurants and bars.
- Catch a live performance at Treefort Music Hall or Shine Social Club and understand how venue expansions helped Boise’s music scene.
- And if you need a break from the city, find cheap flights out of Boise.
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