Idaho · United States
Where to stay in Boise
Boise is a city in Idaho, United States, home to about 236,000 people.
- Best months
- May, June and September
- Nearest airport
- BOI6 km · Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/Boise
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Boise
Boise (locally also ) is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Idaho. It is the county seat of Ada County.
Although its economic growth has its roots in agriculture, the city is now home to many high-tech firms, including Micron Technology. Related to Idaho's agricultural history, notable food-related firms such as Albertson's, WinCo Foods and the J.R. Simplot Company are headquartered in this city. Although the origin of the name is disputed, "Boise" is thought to be derived from the French les bois, or "the woods." The name is a reference to the tree-lined Boise River, which passes through the heart of the city.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Boise
See
Boise is the administrative and cultural hub of Idaho. Many of Boise's main attractions are in the downtown area.
- Idaho State Capitol Building
- Basque Museum & Cultural Center
- Julia Davis Park
- Boise Art Museum
- Idaho State Historical Museum
- Discovery Center of Idaho
- Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
- Idaho Black History Museum
- Zoo Boise
- MK Nature Center
- Old Idaho Penitentiary
- Idaho Botanical Garden
Do
Because of Idaho's massive outdoor recreation industry, Boise is the starting point for many outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking. However, since Boise is also a large city, it also has urban attractions consistent with its status as the largest city in the state.
- Boise Contemporary Theater
- Idaho Shakespeare Festival
- First Thursday
- Gene Harris Jazz Festival
- Capital City Public Market
- Alive After Five
- Hyde Park Fair
- Art In the Park
- Winter Garden Aglow
- Boise River Greenbelt
- Floating the Boise River
- Table Rock
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Boise
6 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Anduiza Hotel | 1914 | 2.9 km |
| Boulevard Mo-tel | 2.4 km | |
| Mitchell Hotel | 2.5 km | |
| The Grove Hotel | 2.7 km | |
| Airport Inn | 5.2 km | |
| Hotel 43 | 2.6 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Boise
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Boise are May, June and September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; December is the wettest, with about 66 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Boise: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI), about 5.6 km from the city centre in a straight line; McCall Municipal Airport (MYL, 142 km) is also within reach.
Getting in
The Airport Bus stop serves as the "Central Bus Station" for regional and long distance buses serving Boise. It is in the outer blue curb outside the main arrivals doors. Same location for Shuttles & Taxis/Rideshare. The other stop for Valley Regional Transit (local city bus) is at the purple curb nearest to the main terminal building.
Getting around
Idaho is not known for public transportation, so most places outside the city center require a vehicle.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
BOI · Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field
MYL · McCall Municipal Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Boise
Drink
Boise has a surprisingly well-rounded nightlife, all stereotypes to the contrary, but once again, the best places to drink are all downtown. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, throngs of young women in midriff-baring outfits (no matter the weather) and young men strutting their stuff cruise downtown bars. Boise bars may serve from 10AM-2AM daily, however some close earlier. All bars within Boise city limits are smoke-free, although smoking at bars is still permitted in nearby Garden City.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Boise: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Boise?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Boise are May, June and September. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; December is the wettest, with about 66 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Boise?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI), about 5.6 km from the city centre in a straight line; McCall Municipal Airport (MYL, 142 km) is also within reach.
What currency is used in Boise?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Boise
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.