Whether you travel to Boise during the winter or warm months, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of things to do in Boise Idaho which are fun, free, or relatively inexpensive.
To give you an idea, we’ve listed below inexpensive attractions, free things to do and places you can visit free of charge:
Outdoor Activities
If you love the outdoors, one of the best free things to do in Boise Idaho is enjoying some type of outdoor pursuit such as hiking, camping and skiing.
Winter
If you’re traveling to Boise during the winter months, visiting a nearby ski resort is one of the most popular things to do.
For instance, Bogus Basin ski resort is just a short drive north of downtown Boise and it’s one of the best places nearby Boise where you can enjoy snow-related activities such as snow boarding, snow tubing and even night skiing.
Alternatively, you can enjoy some tubing along the Boise River and sledding for free in either Camel’s Back Park or on one of the hills along Bogus Basin Road.
If you don’t mind heading a little bit further out of town, Lucky Peak State Recreation Area boasts some great sledding hills.
Another popular winter activity in Boise is ice skating, and there is no better place in town to spend a winter’s day than at Idaho Ice World in Southeast Boise. This place boasts a couple of ice rinks, restaurants and arcade games.
Summer
Boise is also one of the top US summer destinations to enjoy an outdoors vacation. Free things to do in Boise Idaho during the summer include swimming, fishing and boating.
Lucky Peak recreation area is one of the best places in Boise to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as swimming, fishing and boasting since it’s just half hour drive southeast of Boise.
However, if you’re looking to do just recreational fishing, it's best you head to Park Center Pond in downtown Boise.
Boise also boasts a beautiful greenbelt along the River Boise that runs between Lucky Peak and the town of Eagle.
Cycling and walking or enjoying a Segway tour along the Boise River Greenbelt is truly one of the best things you can do in Boise, especially since the greenbelt boasts interesting points of interest such as the Ann Frank Memorial.
Enjoying recreational activities such as picnicking are other free things to do in Boise Idaho in the summer, and parks such as Ivywild, Julia Davis and Fort Boise are all great places to enjoy fun summer activities.
Having said this, the Julia Davis Park is one of the best parks to visit in Boise as it's home to the popular Julia Davis Rose Garden, the Idaho Historical Museum, Boise Zoo and the Discovery Center of Idaho which is another of the free things to do in Boise Idaho.
Inexpensive Attractions in Boise
Idaho Botanical Garden
The Idaho Botanical Garden is open during the summer months, and it’s another of the fun things to do in Boise Idaho with the entire family. It costs around $5 to get in, though if you have kids less than 5 years, they get in for free.
Basque Museum & Cultural Center
Visiting the Basque Museum & Cultural Center is one of the most popular things to do in Boise Idaho. Admission into the museum is about $5 for adults and you get see cool exhibits, and enjoy cool Basque events.
Morrison Knudsen Nature Center
Visiting the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center is another great attraction you can add to the list of free things to do in Boise Idaho. The nature center is really a great place to take the entire family as you’ll be able to view fish, learn about nature and watch wildlife up-close.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
If you fancy seeing old artifacts and exploring and old state pen, Idaho’s Old Penitentiary boasts interesting exhibits and artifacts such as 16th century swords and pistols, and you’ll also be able to enjoy guided tours of the penitentiary and prison blocks.
Entertainment, Events and Festivals
One of the most popular things to do in Boise Idaho is exploring the entertainment scene, and one of the best places to enjoy a nice evening out with family and friends is at the Egyptian Theatre, which is a charming 1930’s theatre located in the heart of Boise.
Another of the free things to do in Boise Idaho in the summer is attending Boise summer concert series, which runs from June through September in the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise.
Festival-wise, two of the best festivals in Boise include the Soul Food Festival in early August, and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival which kicks off in early June
See. Top US Cities to Visit in Winter
Top 10 Places to Ski in the US
Places to Visit on the West Coast of USA
Places to Visit in Salt Lake City
Top 10 Things you need for Camping
Best Hiking Spots in the US