5 Reasons to Visit® · Idaho
5 Reasons to Visit Boise, Idaho, the Capital Heated by Its Own Hot Springs
Idaho’s Capitol is warmed by water from deep underground, and its downtown hides one of the largest Basque communities outside Europe. Add a riverside Greenbelt, desert foothills and a surprisingly good food and wine scene, and Boise is ready for its close-up.
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Boise, Idaho, has been the capital since 1865, and few capitals are as easy to love. Its sandstone Capitol is the only statehouse in the country heated by geothermal water, drawn from hot springs beneath the city. Downtown’s Basque Block celebrates the immigrants who arrived to herd sheep in the 1800s, the Boise River Greenbelt runs for 29 miles through the heart of town, and foothills trails begin minutes from Main Street. Here are five reasons to visit Idaho’s capital.
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1Things to See & Do
Things to Do in Boise: A Geothermal Capitol and the Basque Block
The Idaho State Capitol, built of local sandstone, is the only statehouse in the United States heated with geothermal water, and self-guided tours are free. A few blocks away, the Basque Block on Grove Street honors one of the largest Basque communities outside Spain and France, with the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, a historic boarding house and Basque restaurants and bars. Every five years, it hosts Jaialdi, one of the world’s largest Basque festivals, and the San Inazio festival fills the block each summer.
East of downtown, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, which held inmates from 1872 to 1973, offers atmospheric tours of its cell blocks and solitary confinement. South of town, the World Center for Birds of Prey introduces visitors to eagles, falcons and condors.
2Dining Scene
Where to Eat in Boise: Basque Classics and Idaho Wine
Boise’s signature flavors are Basque. On the Basque Block, Bar Gernika serves croquetas and lamb grinders, and Leku Ona offers hearty Basque dinners and pintxos. Idaho is also the nation’s leading potato state, and local chefs put the spud to creative use on menus across downtown.
The Snake River Valley wine region lies just outside the city, and Garden City, surrounded by Boise, has become a hub for urban wineries and tasting rooms, an easy bike ride along the Greenbelt. Downtown’s food halls and craft breweries round out a lively scene.
Boise is a mountain-town lifestyle with a capital city’s energy: trails at the edge of downtown, a river through the middle and Basque wine bars in between.
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3Recreation
Outdoor Boise: The Greenbelt, River Floats and the Foothills
The Boise River Greenbelt is a 29-mile paved path that runs through the heart of the city, linking parks and neighborhoods for walking, biking and running. In summer, floating the Boise River on a tube or raft through town is a beloved local tradition, and Boise Whitewater Park creates surfable waves for kayakers and river surfers, with new features added in 2026.
The Boise Foothills rise right behind downtown, laced with the Ridge to Rivers trail network for hiking and mountain biking. Table Rock is the classic short climb for city views. In winter, Bogus Basin ski area sits less than an hour’s drive north.
4Shopping
Shopping in Boise: Saturday Markets, Hyde Park and Downtown Boutiques
On Saturdays from spring through fall, downtown hosts the Capital City Public Market and the Boise Farmers Market, gathering local growers, bakers, artists and makers. Downtown’s boutiques and the BoDo district add clothing, outdoor gear and gift shops within an easy walk.
The historic Hyde Park neighborhood in the North End has independent shops, cafés and a neighborhood feel, and Basque gifts, Idaho wines and locally made goods make the best souvenirs.
5Art & Culture
Boise’s Art Scene: Freak Alley, Shakespeare by the River and Treefort
Freak Alley Gallery, an alleyway downtown covered in ever-changing murals, is one of the largest outdoor art galleries in the Northwest. The Boise Art Museum, beside Julia Davis Park, showcases contemporary and regional art.
In summer, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival stages plays in an outdoor amphitheater by the Boise River, a magical night out under the stars. Each March, Treefort Music Fest brings hundreds of bands and artists to venues across downtown.
Plan Your Boise Trip
Boise is at its best from late spring through early fall, when the river floats, Shakespeare runs by the river and the Saturday markets fill downtown. Give it three days: one for the Capitol, the Basque Block and the Penitentiary, one on the Greenbelt and the river, and one in the foothills and Garden City’s wineries. Winter visitors can pair the city with skiing at Bogus Basin.
Boise, Idaho: FAQ
Is Boise, Idaho worth visiting?
Yes. Boise offers a geothermally heated State Capitol, the Basque Block and Basque Museum, the 29-mile Boise River Greenbelt, summer river floats, foothills hiking and biking, Freak Alley Gallery, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and nearby Idaho wineries.
Is the Idaho State Capitol heated by geothermal water?
Yes. The Idaho State Capitol in Boise is the only state capitol in the United States heated with geothermal water, drawn from hot springs beneath the city.
What are the best things to do in Boise?
Top things to do in Boise include touring the Idaho State Capitol, exploring the Basque Block, visiting the Old Idaho Penitentiary, biking the Boise River Greenbelt, floating the Boise River in summer, hiking Table Rock, seeing Freak Alley Gallery and attending the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
Why are there Basques in Boise?
Basque immigrants came to Idaho from the Basque Country of Spain and France in the late 1800s and early 1900s, many to work as sheepherders. Boise’s Basque community is one of the largest in the United States and is celebrated on the downtown Basque Block.
When is the best time to visit Boise?
June through September is the best time to visit Boise for river floats, outdoor theater, trails and markets. December through March is best for skiing at nearby Bogus Basin.
How long is the Boise River Greenbelt?
The Boise River Greenbelt is a 29-mile paved pathway along the Boise River, connecting parks and neighborhoods through the city.
When did Boise become the capital of Idaho?
Boise became the capital of the Idaho Territory in 1865, moving from Lewiston, and remained the capital when Idaho became a state in 1890.
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