15 Fun Things to Do in Southern Idaho
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11. Explore outdoor recreation & cultural attractions at Julia Davis Park
Julia Davis is a beautiful, large park in downtown Boisee. This large park is home to numerous attractions including: Zoo Boise, The Anne Frank memorial, The Boise Art Museum, and the Idaho Historical Museum. From the park, you can access the Greenbelt path (Julia Davis is a great place to park and start your ride). Summer is a great time to visit with lots to do, including: paddle boating, tennis, and attending special events. Be on the lookout for food, music, and art festivals. We also run into eclectic events here. One time while biking, we came across this really unique Renaissance Fair.
Learn more about the Boise parks system
12. See an event at the Idaho Center
The Idaho Center in Nampa, a suburb of Boise, hosts various events throughout the year. Concerts, circus shows, horse shows, and Monster Jam are just a few of the more popular annual attractions. The Center is most famous for an annual rodeo show called The Snake River Stampede. The indoor track is used by Boise State University. Visit the Center website for information regarding upcoming events.
13. Attend a lively play at the Knock Em Dead Dinner Theater
Seeing a show at this unique theater is a great addition to your Boise itinerary. Throughout the year, the theater hosts various productions including specialty holiday themed plays. Dinner and drinks are available before each performance. We saw a cheesy, but fun production of Xanadu. The show was fun and the cast was super nice afterwards. I definitely recommend checking the calendar of upcoming events. Most recent, I saw You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown on the lineup.
Tip: Show your student ID 10 minutes prior to show time for discounted tickets (subject to availability). Check the theater website for information regarding this year’s lineup.
14. Hike up to a stunning overlook
There are hundreds of beautiful hiking trails throughout the state and you don’t have to drive up north to see something beautiful. The Boise foothills and Craters of the Moon are 2 popular destinations. Pocatello is also a great area for outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of hiking and biking opportunities to take advantage of. One of my favorite hikes is short, nevertheless, provides scenic panoramic views of the entire area.
This hike named the Red Hill trail, located near Idaho State University, takes you up to a summit where you will find 4 columns, each which represent a year spent at the University. The hike is moderate in intensity and comes in at just over a mile.
15. Take a walk around Pocatello Zoo (now Zoo Idaho)
Pocatello is one of 2 US zoos featuring animals native to the intermountain west, including grizzly bears, bison, elk, pronghorn, lynx, cougar, and bobcats. I enjoy the steep climb (great workout!) and excellent views of the mountains. While not worth going totally out of your way for, it’s a great little zoo to visit if you find yourself in Pocatello.
Tip: Check the event calendar for special discount days and events.
Tips for a great trip
*Visit during the off-season for the best hotel deals and cheapest flights. For example, Yellowstone is much less crowded outside of the busy summer months, and thus, hotels are typically cheaper. Spring (asides from free National Park week) is a great time to plan you visit!
*Search for discount hotel and attraction deals on Groupon and Kayak.
*Check restaurant reviews on sites like Trip Advisor & Zomato. This will ensure that you do not get stuck wasting your money at a bad restaurant.
*Concentrate on nature & beautiful natural attractions instead of malls, restaurants, & shopping. Idaho is a beautiful state with lots of free or low natural wonders to explore. There is no need to waste money shopping (which you can do at home) and on overpriced restaurants.
