28 Things to Do in Boise in the Summer
Idaho is so much more than its delicious local potatoes (and by the way, you won’t find potato farms in the Boise area—they’re all located in southern and eastern Idaho!). Need some ideas for things to do? Below, I rounded up a giant list of fun things to do in Boise in the summer months!
Because most Boiseans spend time outdoors during the summer months, I included a wide variety of family-friendly outdoor activities, including things to do in/near water because it gets quite hot here. There are also some options for indoor fun (yes, it can get TOO hot…and also very smoky), places to grab goodies or drinks, and a variety of summer events worth checking out if you’re here!
Loved this post? Don’t forget to share it with your friends and pin it to Pinterest for future reference. (Watch, save, and share my Boise summer bucket list Instagram reel if you prefer video format!) And if you haven’t yet visited Boise, I hope this list convinces you to make the trip someday!
This post was updated and recirculated on July 18, 2025.
READ NEXT: How to Spend a Long Weekend in Boise: 3 to 4 Day Summer Itinerary
28 Things to Do in Boise in the Summer
(According to Boise locals!)
Boise Summer Things to Do Outdoors
1. Hike the Boise Foothills
You can't visit Boise and not hike around in the foothills! The most popular trail is the hike to Table Rock, which features sweeping views of Boise and beyond. Another popular hiking area is around Camel’s Back Park. Check out the Ridge to Rivers website for more information about hiking trails (and whether they’re open to pedestrians, bikers, horseback riders, pets, etc.).
Plan on hiking in the morning, as it's usually too hot in the afternoon in the summer. Sunset hikes are great, too! Make sure to stay well hydrated and wear sunscreen, as most trails do not offer much shade. And keep your pets on leash; you’ll want them close in case of wildlife. (Plus, there are TONS of ticks in the brush, so you’ll want to minimize the time they spend in it.)
2. Walk or ride the Greenbelt
The greenbelt is a 25-mile-long mostly paved (in some areas it’s unpaved) path that follows the Boise River from southeast Boise all the way through downtown and out to Eagle. In some areas, the greenbelt runs on both sides of the river.
It is a fabulous trail for walking, running, strolling, biking, roller blading, and more. (Just be sure to watch out for others and tell those ahead of you if you’re passing!) It's fun to watch the river floaters go by between Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park and watch the river surfers in Garden City!
3. Wander the Idaho Botanical Garden
The Idaho Botanical Garden is a serene escape nestled below Table Rock. It is chock full of native plant species you can learn about! The Old Idaho Penitentiary is located adjacent to the garden; stop in for spooky ghost stories and to learn more about the darker side of Idaho history.
4. Meet the local wildlife at the MK Nature Center
The MK Nature Center is a unique wildlife sanctuary located just east of downtown Boise next to Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park. Here, you’ll meet a variety of local wildlife, and there are even underwater viewing windows so you can peek at the fish and other aquatic species that call Idaho home. This is a great place for kids!
5. Visit the animals at Zoo Boise
Zoo Boise is not super fancy, but it is another great summertime destination and is an especially fun place for kiddos! You can easily kill a morning or afternoon hanging out with the animals. If you’re along the greenbelt outside of the zoo, keep your eyes peeled for the giraffes!
6. Grab local goodies at the farmers market
There are two farmers markets that offer fresh, local produce, Idaho-made products, and more goodies on Saturday mornings!
The Capital City Public Market takes place on the Grove Plaza in the heart of downtown Boise (street parking is free for 20 minutes; garage parking is free for 1 hour), and the Boise Farmers Market is located at Americana and Shoreline (free parking). I LOVE grabbing a fresh-squeezed lemonade and batch of cinnamon sugar mini donuts to enjoy while wandering around!
7. Picnic in a city park
There are beautiful parks scattered all over Boise, but the three parks adjacent to each other and the river (Julia Davis, Ann Morrison, and Kathryn Albertson) offer the most open space, and they’re right in the heart of downtown! Julia Davis Park is next to Zoo Boise, three museums (more on those below), a rose garden, and a lake where you can rent paddle boats!
Other popular city parks include Cecil D. Andrus Park (next to the capitol downtown), Cherie Buckner-Webb Park (there’s a fun pink tree statue!), Camel’s Back (stop by nearby Hyde Park for shopping, eats, and goodies) and Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park (next to MK Nature Center).
8. Mountain bike through the Boise Bike Park
Mountain biking is very popular among the Boise locals, especially now that there’s a new bike park located at Military Reserve in the foothills just north of downtown! Eagle has its own bike park off of Highway 55 if you find yourself out in that direction.
9. Golf at one of the many courses
I’m not a golfer (my brother is!), but there are a few beautiful courses around Boise if you’re jonesing to spend a day outside or at least spend some time at the driving range. My partner, Korri, really enjoyed golfing with his friend at Quail Hollow, a course nestled in the foothills of northwest Boise!
10. Visit the World Center for Birds of Prey
On the south end of Boise, you’ll find the World Center for Birds of Prey, home to a multitude of raptors, including the Peregrine Falcon. It’s a little oasis on top of the hill! Learn about each of the raptors from the fabulous volunteers as you wander to each exhibit, see some of the birds up close (and flying!) during demonstrations, and pick out goodies in the gift shop. If you have time, check out the Archives of Falconry across the parking lot.
The World Center for Birds of Prey is primarily outside, but you do walk into a building to purchase tickets and enter the center. There is also another air conditioned building with more exhibits (and birds). The area is mostly paved and offers a lot of shade! It’s definitely had a glow-up since the last time I visited a couple of decades ago.
Boise Summer Things to Do Outdoors (In or Near Water)
11. Float the Boise River
Floating the Boise River is the quintessential summer activity. Rent tubes or inflatable rafts at Barber Park (or bring your own, but it must already be filled with air since there is no air available at the park anymore) and float/raft down the river until you get to Ann Morrison! You'll pass over two relatively small drops/rapids, and in a couple of places, you’ll need to paddle to stay with the current (and avoid the bushes). A shuttle will bring you back to Barber Park (or you can park at Ann Morrison and ride the shuttle back to Barber Park if you plan to rent rafts).
12. Paddleboard at Quinn’s Pond and/or surf at the Whitewater Park
One of the newest parks to town, Esther Simplot Park features winding paths next to the river and a few ponds to splash around in (but stay out if there’s a cyanobacteria bloom/blue-green algae because it can make you and your dogs sick; this happens often in the late summer months). Rent paddleboards from nearby Idaho River Sports for the pond or grab a surfboard and take it to the Whitewater Park on the river to test your skills.
13. Head to the beach and/or boat at Lucky Peak
Lucky Peak Reservoir is a boater’s paradise located just east of Boise off of Highway 21. You can do all the fun water sports there or even pop down to Sandy Point Beach below the dam for a relatively calm beach experience (insofar as there’s no boats or anything…but it’s usually full of other families trying to catch a break from the heat).
14. Swim at a city pool (Natatorium, Fairmont Pool, Ivywild Pool)
If the kiddos are dying to take a dip in a pool, there are multiple city pools to enjoy during the summer months! The Natatorium offers a large waterslide that’s always a hit. If a waterpark is more your speed, head to Roaring Springs in Meridian.
Boise Summer Things to Do Indoors
15. Visit museums and memorials
The Boise Art Museum, Idaho State Museum, and Idaho Black History Museum are located next to each other on the west end of Julia Davis Park. The Boise Art Museum features rotating art exhibits, the Idaho State Museum is recently renovated and highlights Idaho history with interactive permanent and rotating exhibits, and the Idaho Black History Museum is a small museum that shares even more important history that’s often left out.
The Basque Museum is located at the corner of 6th and Grove in Old Boise and shares the heritage of the Basque people! Also important is the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial (located behind the Library! along the greenbelt) and adjacent Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.
16. Check out the Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is a fun hands-on science center for both kids and adults alike! It features rotating interactive exhibits along with permanent displays. There’s even a room with a green screen and camera so you can pretend to be a broadcast meteorologist! I love that one, of course, even though I’m not a broadcast met myself.
17. Catch a movie at The Flicks
The Flicks is the cutest local theater that features four screens playing a variety of indie movies and new releases. There’s also an in-house cafe that offers beer and wine options!
Boise Things to Eat & Drink
18. Cool down with copious amounts of ice cream and shaved ice
Summer isn’t summer without ice cream, amirite?! Some of my favorite places to grab ice cream are The STIL (three locations), Goody’s (north end), and Lovejoy’s (southeast Boise). The STIL offers ice cream and wine flights, ice cream and beer flights, and full ice cream flights! Read all about The STIL and find a list of other places to pick up ice cream around town.
Another summer staple is shaved ice. You’ll find popup stands all over town, including in Hyde Park (north end). Want to indulge in the Idaho ice cream potato? (An icon!) Head over to Westside Drive-in (two locations)!
19. Grab a drink at local breweries and wine tasting rooms
Honestly, I can’t even keep track of all of the local breweries in the Boise area! It seems like there’s a new one I learn about every month. It’s a HUGE scene here. Favorites among my family members and friends (since I’m not a huge beer drinker, though I love a good cider) include Payette Brewing, Boise Brewing, 10 Barrel Brewery (a regional chain), Lost Grove Brewing, Barbarian Brewing, Mad Swede, and White Dog Brewing.
Western Collective in nearby Garden City includes its own selection of beers as well as fruity alcoholic slushes, my favorite in the hot weather! If you’re looking for ciders, check out Meriwether.
In addition to breweries, you’ll also find a variety of wine tasting rooms around town. Coiled Wine Bar, Scoria Vineyards, Uncorked! Wine Bar, Bodovino, and the Boise Co-op Wine Shop are all located downtown. In Garden City, you’ll find Telaya Wine Co, Split Rail Winery, Cinder Wines, and another Coiled Wine location.
20. Eat, drink, and play at the Green Acres food truck park
The Green Acres food truck park in downtown Boise (off Shoreline near Americana Blvd across the river from Ann Morrison Park) offers an assortment of food trucks on Wednesdays through Sundays; the truck offering varies so be sure to check out the schedule on their website and follow them on social media for daily truck updates. You’ll also find live music, activities, and shade! It’s a fun spot to get together.
Fun Summer Events in Boise
21. Attend a show at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Are you a fan of live theatre in an outdoor setting? The Idaho Shakespeare Festival is for you! Located near the river in southeast Boise, the professional actors of the Shakespeare Festival perform a variety of Shakespeare plays throughout their season, all with the beautiful backdrop of the river and foothills surrounding the theatre. Bring your blanket and a picnic basket!
22. Grab tickets to a concert at Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden
The Idaho Botanical Garden hosts an outdoor summer concert series at Outlaw Field featuring a variety of artists. Keep an eye on the events list and snag tickets if you’re in town (and if any are available—they tend to go quickly!).
23. Hang out downtown at Alive After Five on Wednesday evenings
Every Wednesday during the summer, make your way down to the Grove Plaza in the heart of downtown Boise for live music, alcoholic beverages, and a fountain that’s just begging for you (or your kids) to splash around in.
24. Watch competitive road bike racing at the Twilight Criterium (mid July)
Watch the best pro cyclers take on downtown Boise during the “crit” on one day in mid July every year! Grab your cowbell and find a comfy spot along the course, where races take place all day long, culminating in the women’s and men’s pro races late in the evening (hence, the Twilight Criterium).
25. Celebrate the Basque culture and people at the annual Basque Festival (late July)
Did you know that the largest population of Basque people outside of Basque country is right here in Boise? Be sure to explore the Basque Block of downtown Boise while you’re here (including the Basque Museum and Cultural Center), and if you happen to stop by in late July, you’ll be around for the annual San Inazio Festival!
Every five years, there is a much larger festival called Jaialdi held in Boise that attracts thousands of visitors. Since the last festival was in 2015, the 2025 festival is sure to be a party!
26. Catch a Boise Hawks baseball game
The Boise Hawks is the local unaffiliated minor league baseball team that plays in the stadium next to the fairgrounds (technically located in Garden City adjacent to northwest Boise). Don’t miss the potato race! Also, post-game fireworks shows take place on multiple nights during the season.
27. Attend the Western Idaho Fair (mid to late August)
The Western Idaho Fair is a 10-day affair that happens in the second half of August at the fairgrounds. You’ll find all the typical attractions at the fair: rides of questionable safety, silly games, cattle and horses, and concerts by celebrities of years past. And, of course, all the fabulous fair food!
28. Enjoy the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic (Labor Day weekend)
If Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer, cap it off with the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic! Ballooners and their prized hot air balloons descend on Ann Morrison Park for a weekend of early morning flights over the city (weather permitting). On Wednesday morning, kids are able to experience a tethered flight, and be sure to catch the Nite Glow Spectacular on Friday evening!
Plan your perfect summer trip to Boise!
If you’re looking to get out of town, check out these day trips from Boise, which includes Bogus Basin for their summer activities and wine tasting along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail.