The Boise Greenbelt runs along the Boise River and stretches for miles. It provides a great trail for biking, running or walking. Boise's Ridge to Rivers trail system offers great mountain biking, running, hiking and and dog and horse trails in the Boise foothills. Boise's parks are nice places to get together for dinner or to take a rest, particularly Ann Morrison where you can feed the ducks, Union Park where you can see a cutout of the river and watch trout andother wildlife, and Kathryn Albertson Park where you can enjoy seclusion and a stroll along shady paths teeming with wildlife. Camel's Back Park is a very popular place to take dogs, and there are other dog parks in Boise where dogs can be off-leash as well. Boise even offers a park with a horseback riding corral up 38th Street. If you'd like to camp or hike outside of Boise, the Boise National Forest is very nearby.
The Idaho Shakespeare Festival offers outdoor summer theater. Other live theaters include Boise Little Theater and Boise Contemporary Theater. There are often plays, converts, seminars and lectures (and other events) at Boise State University. The Flicks is the local independent movie theater, with most traditional movie theaters having listings on Fandango.. The Terrace is the only remaining drive-in theater in the area, located in Caldwell 40 minutes west of Boise. Boise also offers Opera, Ballet, Baroque and the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. The Basque Museum offers insight into local Basque culture. The Boise Art Museum is available year round and hosts an Art in the Park event each fall. Fall is also the time for the Western Idaho Fair. Special events tickets to local concernts and events can be found at Idaho Select A Seat. Boise Parks and Recreation also lists special events.
Family attractions include Roaring Springs Water Park, Idaho Ice World, Zoo Boise, and the Discovery Center.
Whitewater rafting is a fun Idaho adventure. Forty-five minutes from Boise you can do a half day or full day raft trip with various levels of difficulty. Check out Cascade Raft and Kayak or Bear Valley River Co. If you prefer something tamer, get a raft or innertube and float the Boise River from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park in Boise.
Bogus Basin Ski Resort is 20 minutes north of Boise. Sun Valley and McCall offer excellent nearby ski opportunities also.
Local sports fans like the Idaho Steelheads hockey team.