Things to Do in Boise for Couples
Last year I visited Boise, Idaho for the first time. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t given much thought to visiting Boise throughout my life, but we were road tripping our way through Idaho, Utah, and Nevada and Boise was our first stop. I’ve got to say, I loved it! We happened to book a really great hotel, we visited chick-fil-A for the first time and just had a really great time! Needless to say, I’ve since been back a few times and have spent quite a bit of time there now. I also have friends that live there and they keep me posted on all of the great happenings in the area.
With Valentine’s Day coming up, you may be looking for date night ideas. Couples looking for adventure and romance have the abundant opportunity in Boise The city’s nightlife offers great things like outdoor activities for nature lovers, interesting museums with permanent exhibits, fine dining and delicious food, dancing, and live music, ensuring that there is something to suit virtually everyone’s tastes and preferences. Those seeking outdoor adventure will find numerous outlets for their thrill-seeking spirit in Boise’s many rivers, ski hills, and hiking trails.
Things to Do in Boise for Couples
Banbury Golf Course Is One Of The Best Places To Have A Great Time
Couples who want to enjoy a laid-back day of golfing will find everything they’re looking for at the Banbury Golf Course, located just outside of the city. The Scottish-style course has been named one of the state’s best golf courses by Gold Digest magazine. Visitors will also enjoy the wildlife and scenery provided by the course’s location on the south fork of the Boise River.
Meridian Motor Speedway It’s A Great Spot For Auto Races
If you and your significant other enjoy sporting events, the Meridian Motor Speedway is an excellent venue for watching auto races and other competitions. Regular races are held every Saturday all summer long. The multi-purpose arena also hosts special events such as motorcycle races and modified vehicle contests. The speedway is certain to entertain anyone with a passion for racing and cars.
Visit the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center
This free, interactive nature center is one of Boise’s hidden treasures. The educational center is a natural history museum filled with animal pelts, taxidermy mounts, and lots of interactive educational activities for couples. Outdoors, a short walk takes visitors past a living stream filled with trout and other indigenous fish, which can be viewed through special windows. This unique nature center is one your family won’t want to miss. The Morrison Knudsen MK Nature Center is located at 600 W. Walnut, about a mile east of downtown Boise.
The Saturday’s Boise Farmers Market Is A Beautiful Place With The Best Things
The Capitol City Farmer’s Market is a regular happening in downtown Boise from mid-April to the end of October. This outdoor public market sells a lot of amazing things from organic veggies and fruits to hand-crafted art. You can usually expect to see a few street musicians, local artists and other live entertainment. The Market spans several blocks in the heart of Boise from 8th street and is open on Saturdays from 9:30-1:30.
A Romantic Cycling Trip In The Summer Months Is So Much Fun
The Boise area is famous for its outdoor recreation opportunities, and couples are bound to find many fun things to do together. A romantic cycling trip is one option given the miles of roads and trails that run through some of the most picturesque areas of the city. For those looking for something a bit more daring, there are several outfitters in the area that offer guided tours.
Rafting Trip Down the Payette
Cascade Raft Company offers trips down the Payette River, tailoring each trip to the desires of visitors, including quiet floats and wild whitewater rafting. Bogus Creek Outfitters gives wagon and sleigh rides through the Boise National Forest, allowing visitors a chance to experience Idaho’s woodlands.
Walking Or Cycling The Boise River Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is a 22-mile linear park system that follows the Boise River. This park system connects seven different riverside parks and offers up some pretty spectacular views and up-close glimpses of wildlife. Depending on what section of the Greenbelt you choose to walk or cycle, your family will discover a wide range of things to see and do. Some of our favorite stretches of the Greenbelt include the routes on both sides of the river between Ann Morrison park just past Municipal Park to the Marsden bridge. For a map of the Greenbelt, visit this link to the City of Boise’s parks department.
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
Winter sports are an outstanding choice for couples looking for fun and romance. The Bogus Basin resort is a great place for couples to stay in a cozy Nordic lodge. The resort also provides equipment rentals, ski lessons, food, and daycare for those with children. Couples may especially enjoy the night skiing afforded by the resort’s 165 acres of light ski hills. Whether you plan to ski all night or cuddle by the fire, the resort is a wonderful opportunity for couples.
Julia Davis Park
Julia Davis Park is a jewel in the Boise parks system and is considered to be the cultural and historic center of Boise. Included in this 90-acre park are Zoo Boise, The Idaho State Historical Museum, the Boise Art Museum, and the Black History Museum. While these all take admission to see, what is free is the public art, the lovely 2-acre public rose gardens, a duck pond, and of course the walking paths along the banks of Boise River. Julia Davis Park is located at 700 S. Capitol Blvd.
The Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial Is Filled With Romantic Things
One of Boise’s newer parks, the Anne Frank Memorial is a fantastic park filled with public art, waterfalls and pools, and inspirational quotes from over 60 humanitarians. The park is open from dawn to dusk and is free to the public. The Anne Frank Memorial is a bit tricky to find but is located on 8th street right behind the Boise Public Library at 715 S. Capitol Blvd.
The Idaho State Capitol Building
This gorgeous sandstone building is trimmed out in four types of marble and is filled with lots of great exhibits and artwork that you and your loved one will enjoy. The State Capitol is located between State & Jefferson streets between 6th and 8th.
Free Downtown Self-Guided Walking Tours For The Best Time
A self-guided tour is a fantastic way of getting to see a bit of Boise from the street level. Boise City Hall has a great assortment of walking tours that can be downloaded from their web page, which can be viewed here or by visiting cityofboise.org and writing the phrase “walking tours” into the search engine. Some of the self-guided walking tours available include Public Art Tours, Easement Facade tours, Morris Hill and Pioneer Cemetery walking tours, and tours of unusual Boise trees.
If you prefer date nights at home, check out this great list of romantic date night meals that you can make.
What Else Does Boise Have to Offer?
Boise Idaho is a mid-sized western town that doesn’t have much to offer in the way of glittery attractions and amusement parks. What it does have to offer are lots of recreational opportunities, a fantastic river, beautiful parks, and an extraordinary view of the mountains.
Regardless of your interests, you and your loved one are sure to find something suited to your tastes in Boise. The city is full of lively nightlife and exhilarating outdoor recreation, historic sites, botanical gardens and great restaurants serving local food. Idaho’s capital city is a great place for couples to enjoy each other’s company and have some of the most memorable experiences.
