Summary of Attractions in Boise
Visitors to the city of Boise, Idaho, can enjoy a variety of fun and interesting attractions. Whether you’re keen on art and culture, outdoor activities, food and drink, or history, you will undoubtedly find something to pique your interest. Below are some excellent recommendations for attractions that every Boise visitor should consider exploring.
Basque Museum & Cultural Center
Address: 611 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702-5971, USA
Phone: +1 208-343-2671
Boise has long been a hub for immigrants from Spain’s Basque Region, and the Basque Museum & Cultural Center offers insights into this rich culture. Exhibits encompass various topics, such as art, sports, and sheepherding. Additionally, the center provides classes in Euskara (the Basque language) and Basque cooking, along with hosting special cultural events.
Idaho State Capitol
Address: 700 W Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83702, USA
Phone: +1 208-332-1012
Tour the Idaho State Capitol building and grounds to learn about its architecture, history, and significance. Visitors can experience guided tours or explore independently with a self-guided tour booklet. Highlights include Ezra Meeker’s Oregon Trail markers and various statues situated around the grounds.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
Address: 2445 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, ID 83712, USA
Phone: +1 208-334-2844
Previously operating as a state prison from 1872 to over a century later, the Old Idaho Penitentiary is now accessible to the public. Visitors can explore both the penitentiary grounds and indoor areas, which include regular cells, solitary confinement spaces, and the gallows. Exhibits showcase prison artifacts, guard equipment, and items seized from inmates, enhancing the historical experience.
World Center for Birds of Prey
Address: 5668 W Flying Hawk Ln, Boise, ID 83709-7289, USA
Phone: +1 208-362-8687
The World Center for Birds of Prey, a pivotal conservation facility, is dedicated to the research and preservation of endangered raptors. Guests can explore the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center, which features interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and opportunities for close encounters with these remarkable birds, including the California Condor.
Zoo Boise
Address: 355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702, USA
Phone: +1 208-608-7760
Zoo Boise showcases a diverse array of animals from the local area as well as various international species, including snow leopards, red pandas, giraffes, and wallabies. Moreover, the zoo organizes special events, educational programs, and provides amenities such as a cafe and gift shop to enhance the visitor experience.
Boise Art Museum
Address: 670 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702, USA
Phone: +1 208-345-8330
The Boise Art Museum features a diverse collection centered on 20th-century American art. Focused on artists from the Pacific Northwest, American Realism, and ceramics, the museum also offers a variety of special exhibitions showcasing a broad range of artworks from across the globe.
Idaho Historical Museum
Address: 610 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702, USA
Phone: +1 208-334-2120
This museum offers a comprehensive overview of Idaho’s history, covering everything from prehistoric times to the present, including the fur trade, gold rush, and pioneer settlement. The exhibits highlight the state’s diverse cultures, including its Native American, Chinese, and Basque communities. Located in Julia Davis Park, it is the state’s largest and most frequented museum.
Discovery Center of Idaho
Address: 131 W Myrtle St, Boise, ID 83702, USA
Phone: +1 208-343-9895
This engaging museum features a wealth of interactive exhibits that cater to learning about science and nature for visitors of all ages. With over 150 hands-on displays encompassing topics like medicine, electricity, sound, and astronomy, it provides an informative and entertaining experience.
Idaho Museum of Mining & Geology
Address: next to, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd Entrance, Boise, ID 83712-8254, USA
Known as the “Gem State,” Idaho boasts an impressive variety of rocks and minerals. Museum visitors can discover examples of garnet, quartz, jasper, agate, and opal native to the state, while gaining insights into the geological processes that formed these gems. The museum also features displays of minerals and fossils and recounts the region’s rich mining heritage.
