Follow our St. Clair family summer road trip of 4 weeks, 5 states, and 3,851 miles: All posts
Love letter to Boise, Idaho
Dear Boise, Idaho,
We’ve hung out before, but this summer was the first time we really got to know you, Boise, Idaho, as a place to visit.
And we miss you already.
Green space galore, even in the heart of downtown.
Hikes, splash pads, waterslides, mountaintop adventures… Our entire family found so many ways to play together and explore town together.
Wherever we went, we saw so many smiles. And realized we were often grinning too. From the folks running food carts and the families romping at Roaring Springs Water Park, to the volunteers at MK Nature Center and the kids squealing with delight at splash pads and parks, we realized how much we love visiting Boise.
A vibrant city. Serene nature. Ways for all of us to play.
Boise, Idaho, you’re our kind of town. We can’t wait to come back.
P.S.: We want to thank Visit Idaho for sponsoring our trip, and Bogus Basin and Roaring Springs Water Park for hosting our visits. Our opinions, however, are our own.
Boise, Idaho family travel video
Our 2021 Boise trip kicked off an amazing month of travel: 4 people. 5 states. 34 days. 3,851 miles.
And Boise, Idaho, is where it all began:
Things to do in Boise, Idaho: Family outdoor recreation tips
In town or near town, Boise is full of family-friendly outdoor recreation options:
Less time driving, more time doing
Boise isn’t a very spread-out city. Many destinations can be less than a 20-minute drive. Even out-of-town day trips, such as Bogus Basin, are less than an hour’s drive from downtown Boise.
Green space and outdoor recreation
- Walking, cycling, and scootering: The 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt
- Urban kayaking and water play: Esther Simplot Park
- Downtown nature walk: MK Nature Center
- Day trip adventure less than an hour from Boise: Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and Ski Resort (and thank you to Bogus Basin for hosting us)
Playgrounds, splash pads, and water parks
- All-day water play from mild to wild: Roaring Springs Water Park (and thank you to Roaring Springs for hosting us)
- Just across from MK Nature Center: Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park
- Hikes, waterslide, and more: Eagle Island State Park
- Playground, outdoor gym course, and stunning city views: Camel’s Back Park
- Accessible playground and splash pad (with a great squeal-inducing huge water dumping bucket): Stephen C. Guerber Park
- Playground, bike/pedestrian trails, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and bocce ball: Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park
For more family travel ideas to Boise and to start planning your trip to Idaho, check out Visit Idaho.
