20 Things to Do in Boise in the Winter
Wondering what there is to do in Boise, Idaho, in the winter? Here is your ultimate guide to fun things to do in Boise in the winter, according to me—a Boise local! I included a wide variety of family-friendly outdoor activities for those of you that can’t get enough of the snow and cold, indoor activities if you’d prefer to stay warm, and a variety of fun wintertime events you can’t miss. Winter in Boise is just as lively as summer in Boise!
Loved this post? Don’t forget to share it with your friends and pin it to Pinterest for future reference. And if you haven’t yet visited Boise, I hope this list convinces you to make the trip someday!
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20 Fun Things to Do in Boise in the Winter
(According to Boise locals!)
Things to Do Outdoors
1. Hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski in the Boise Foothills
You can't visit Boise and not check out the foothills in one way or another! The best area to snowshoe and/or cross-country ski is around Camel’s Back Park and Hulls Gulch Reserve. Check out the Ridge to Rivers website for more information about hiking trails (and whether they’re open to snowshoeing, cross country skiing, pets, etc.). Make sure to stay well hydrated and wear sunscreen; keep in mind that most trails do not offer much in the way of shade, especially in the winter. And keep your pets on leash; you want them close in case of a coyote encounter.
Note that the main trail to Table Rock is normally closed in the winter to keep the trail in good condition. If you ever come across a muddy trail, turn around! Hiking through mud destroys the trail.
2. Sled at Camel’s Back Park
One of the most popular areas to sled when it’s snowy is at Camel’s Back Park, which I mentioned above as a popular option to hike/snowshoe/cross-country ski. The giant hill is a sledder’s paradise! Afterwards, wander down to Hyde Park for a bite to eat and the best hot chocolate at Goody’s.
3. Ice skate at The Village or Indian Creek Plaza
Technically, The Village at Meridian and Indian Creek Plaza are not in Boise…but they’re close, and they’re the only two spots you can ice skate outdoors (among other activities!). Skate rentals are available. If you would prefer to ice skate indoors, check out Idaho Ice World in southeast Boise.
4. Enjoy winter activities at Gateway Park at Eagle Island
The open space at Eagle Island State Park in Eagle, Idaho, just northwest of Boise transforms into a winter wonderland called Gateway Park. Gateway Park offers a plethora of family-friendly winter activities on its small hill: tubing, skiing, and snowboarding. The skiers and snowboards can enjoy a terrain park!
5. Ski, snowboard, and/or tube at Bogus Basin
Located just to the north of Boise is Bogus Basin Ski Resort, where I grew up skiing as a kid! Its close proximity to Boise makes it a popular destination for all things alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and even tubing! Lessons are available.
6. Grab some goodies at a winter/holiday market
There are two farmers markets that offer fresh, local produce, Idaho-made products, and more goodies on Saturday mornings through mid-December! The Capitol City Public Market runs along 8th Street and 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).
7. Warm up in a natural hot spring at The Springs resort
Just east of Boise in Idaho City is The Springs, a luxury hot spring resort. Take a dip in the large natural hot spring pool, book a private pool, and/or indulge in a massage. There are many other natural hot springs found in the mountains near Boise if you prefer something a little more rustic!
8. Walk or ride the Greenbelt and visit the Boise River
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. If it’s clear of snow and ice, 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!)
9. Visit the animals at Zoo Boise
The zoo in Boise is nothing like the fancier zoos you may visit, but it is a fun place for kiddos! You can easily kill a morning or afternoon hanging out with the animals if it’s not too cold. If you’re along the greenbelt outside of the zoo, keep your eyes peeled for the giraffes!
10. 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 another great place for kids!
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Things to Do Indoors
11. Visit the Boise Art Museum, Idaho State Museum, Idaho Black History Museum, and/or Basque Museum
The first three museums 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!
12. 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. Haha!
13. Take a glass blowing class at Boise Art Glass
I’ve taken this class twice and it’s so much fun! (And a great option if you want to be REALLY WARM, haha!) Boise Art Glass is a local glass blowing studio, and you can take a class to learn the art of glass blowing—plus make your own piece(s)! I’ve made Christmas ornaments as well as glass pumpkins.
14. Attend The Nutcracker ballet at the Morrison Center
One of my favorite things to do every holiday season is attend Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracket ballet at the Morrison Center! There’s nothing better to get into the holiday spirit. Check out the Morrison Center’s events page to see if other events are happening over winter. They host a variety of Broadway in Boise shows, concerts, and more.
15. Catch a movie at The Flicks or Egyptian Theatre
The Flicks is the cutest local theater downtown 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. The Egyptian Theatre is another fun local theater located downtown. They play a selection of popular Christmas movies around the holidays! The Egyptian also hosts concerts and comedy shows.
16. 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, Woodland Empire, 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.
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Winter Events in Boise
17. Winter Garden aGlow at the Idaho Botanical Garden
From late November to late December/early January, the Idaho Botanical Garden is decked out in thousands of twinkling holiday lights during Winter Garden aGlow! Looking for more holiday lights around the Boise area? Head over to Scentsy Commons in nearby Meridian or Indian Creek Plaza in Caldwell for more incredible displays! You can also take a quick drive-through Christmas light display timed to music at Christmas in Color (Western Idaho Fairgrounds in Garden City), and check out Boise Christmas Lights to find amazing residential light displays. There are even more places to see Christmas lights and over 20 holiday events and things to do in Boise!
18. Watch an Idaho Steelheads hockey game
Are you an ice hockey fan? Or a beer and sports fan in general? The Idaho Steelheads is Boise’s minor league hockey team, and they play games at the Idaho Central Arena in downtown Boise.
19. Attend a Boise State basketball game and/or gymnastics meet
Boise State University sponsors at least three winter sports—men’s and women’s basketball and women’s gymnastics. Gymnastics starts their regular season in January, and it runs through mid-March. (You already know I’m a huge fan and highly recommend attending a meet in person if you’re able!) If you’re in Boise in late November/early December, you might be able to catch a Boise State football game. The Idaho Potato Bowl happens a few days before Christmas in December.
20. Spend New Year’s Eve at the Idaho Potato Drop
Every new year is celebrated with the annual Idaho Potato Drop, wherein a giant potato is dropped like the Times Square ball in downtown Boise. It’s as exciting as it sounds. (I honestly do think it’s great LOL! I like quirky things like this!) Go early for food trucks, concerts, a photo op with the Big Idaho Potato Truck, and even a ski and snowboard competition. Dress warm!
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Just like in summer, there’s so much to do in Boise, Idaho, in the winter! You definitely won’t be bored if you’re visiting the Boise area in the cold winter months.
If you’re looking to get out of town, check out these 24 easy and fun day trips from Boise. If you happen to be visiting in January and want a fun getaway out of town, head north to McCall for the McCall Winter Carnival! The highlight of the carnival is always the amazingly intricate ice and snow sculptures, but there are lots of family-friendly activities that happen all weekend long.
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