Lively, culturally diverse, and unendingly beautiful, Idaho's capital city seems incapable of running out of things to do. Boise pride is a big thing in the City of Trees, meaning that all things local are celebrated first and foremost in the City of Trees. But rather than hearing about the same ol' attractions that EVERY travel site talks about when it comes to Boise, here are a few awesome places in the City of Trees that you've no doubt heard of, but offer a little more personality and fewer selfie sticks.
The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is a .81-acre educational park and contemplative site next to the Boise River Greenbelt. Designed by a local Idaho architect, the inspirational memorial combines the beauty of natural elements with messages of hope from various rights activists and speakers throughout history. It's a beautiful place to rest, refocus, and recharge.
Sometimes overlooked for the local hike up to Table Rock, Camel's Back Park offers plenty of open space, an outdoor gym, and a cherished (but steep) hike up the namesake hill.
This stunning church is a masterpiece in terms of both architecture and size. Built in the Romanesque Revival style and inspired by the cathedrals of Germany, St.John's is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for good reason.
The 50-acre Idaho Botanical Garden (Idaho's largest public garden) is located next door to the Old Idaho Penitentiary. The garden once served as the farm and nursery to the penitentiary for inmates, but today has expanded and developed into a serene oasis for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, catching a movie, or getting your zen on.
Science turned awesome meets the childlike joy of discovery in the heart of Boise. Rotated exhibits, unique presentations, and "adult nights" all make the Discovery Center a place to visit over and over. It's easy access to Julia Davis Park doesn't hurt either!
Boise has been repeatedly ranked as one of the healthiest and most active cities in the country, and the city's special emphasis on hiking and trail-running really shows why. The Ridge to Rivers system in the Boise foothills is a series of trails, many with a particular user focus for biking, hiking, or dog-friendly walks. It's a wonderful addition to the city that makes use of Boise natural landscape to its fullest.
Uniquely housing a collection of over 250,000 objects (including a two-headed cow), the IHM is a special museum that partners with various history groups and locations all over the city to rotate in new exhibits and continuously expand.
Often overlooked in favor of the ornate and historic Egyptian theater, the Flicks is an awesome place to catch underrated, foreign, and independent films not shown in traditional theaters. Alcohol and food-friendly, there is also a large outdoor patio, plus the occasional live concert.
Boise gets a great deal of attention for its Basque culture and unique Basque block, but this awesome city also features a museum dedicated to the African-Americans who paved the way for Idaho and US history. It's quaint and spectacular, and features incredible art in a historic setting.
Boise's art scene is surprisingly vibrant, and interweaves itself throughout the city in places like the Boise Art Museum, Freak Alley, and even the Boise State University campus. MING is a special gallery that rotates in socially and culturally relevant galleries by locals and through national partnerships. Recent exhibits include the Museum of Broken Hearts, Holding What Can't be Held, and many more. The gallery also hosts live forums, meet-and-greets, and special art-related events.
In addition to Zoo Boise, the Snake River Birds of Prey in nearby Kuna, and a wealth of other outdoor activities, the MK Nature Center just off of the Greenbelt is a special haven for deer, small critters, fish, and nesting birds. It's a special oasis that offers locals the unique opportunity to see Idaho's natural, native wildlife and flora up close and personal -- without an entrance fee.
What's your favorite off the beaten path place to visit in Boise?
Wintertime in Missouri promises so many magical moments - from the peaceful silence after the first snowfall to strolling down snow-dusted Main Streets as we go Christmas shopping. While we might not all love the return of the cold and the snow, we can all likely agree that winter in Missouri offers a ton of fun and plenty of memorable moments, even if we're just curled up under our favorite blanket, watching the snow fall outside. When you're ready for adventure, here are some of the best things to do in Missouri in winter.
Certainly one of the highlights of winter, the holiday season is usually jam-packed with things to do. While Christmas shopping, cooking, baking, and decorating can fill up much of our time, we sometimes need to slow down and soak up the season with family and friends. Get in the holiday spirit with one of the best walk-thru or drive-thru Christmas light displays in Missouri, and bring the whole family to one of the best Christmas festivals in Missouri. Here are some holiday events in Missouri to help get you started.
1. Winter Wonderland
Location: St. Louis
Popularity: Extremely popular, expect crowds, especially 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Price: Family vehicle $20
Make the car toasty; turn up the Christmas carols, and slowly drive through the Winter Wonderland of Tilles Park in St. Louis. The beloved drive-thru Christmas lights display in Missouri has been a staple since 1987. Marvel at the more than one million lights and 100 Christmas light displays as you drive through light tunnels and past beloved holiday characters. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Winter Wonderland runs daily, except on Christmas Eve, from late November through December 30. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
2. Christmas Lights In The Park
Location: Moberly
Popularity: Popular. Expect a wait, especially on weekends.
Price: Free
Start a new tradition with a drive through Christmas Lights in the Park at Rothwell Park in Moberly. The free event offers an idyllic way to get into the Christmas spirit as you wind your way past more than 100 Christmas displays and thousands of dazzling lights. Christmas Lights in the Park kicks off the season with a tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 26, 2023. The drive-thru light display in Missouri will run on select nights through Dec. 23. Donations to Altrusa, the event's sponsor, are welcome.
3. Santa’s Magical Kingdom
advertisement
Location: Eureka
Popularity: Can get really busy, especially on the weekends
Price: $35 (family vehicle); $45 (passenger van, transport van, small bus)
Pile the whole family in the car for a magical Christmastime adventure at Santa's Magical Kingdom. The drive-thru Christmas lights display in Missouri boasts millions of twinkling lights, a tunnel of lights, and a lights waterfall. Keep the magic going after your drive by heading into Jellystone Park for more holiday fun. Santa's on hand to listen to Christmas wishes; visit Kringle's Store, and indulge in a seasonal treat. Climb aboard a wagon ride, too. Santa's Magical Kingdom runs from mid-November through early January. Hours vary depending on the day and the time of the season.
4. Powell Gardens
Location: Kingsville
Popularity: Can get extremely busy during the weekend
Price: $8-$16. Children four and younger are free.
Bundle up for a stroll through the Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, an epic annual event that runs from mid-November through the end of December. Whether you're starting or continuing a beloved Christmastime tradition, take your time as you meander through light tunnels and past glittering Christmas trees. Powell Gardens lights up from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
5. Silver Dollar City
Location: Branson
Popularity: Extremely popular, especially on the weekends
Price: Tickets start at $89. Additional activities and events may cost extra.
Step into a winter wonderland of millions of twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and seasonal entertainment at An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City. Boasting more than 6.5 million lights, Silver Dollar City promises a ton of fun - visits with Santa, a Christmas parade, family-friendly entertainment, and delicious food. An Old Time Christmas runs from early November through the end of December. Hours vary depending on the day.
6. Grant’s Farm
Location: St. Louis
Popularity: Can get quite busy
Price: Ranges from $12-$29+
Make the most of the merry season with a visit to Grant's Farm in St. Louis. Whether you decide to drive through or walk through the farm that's aglow with more than one million lights, you're sure to get into the Christmas spirit. You can book a carriage ride that will take you on a magical journey to see the lights or warm up next to your very own VIP fire pit. Or how about surprising the kiddos with breakfast with Santa? Grant's Farm's Christmas celebration runs from late November through late December. (The drive-thru Christmas lights display in St. Louis, Missouri, however, only runs through mid-December.)
Christmas Towns In Missouri
Because the Christmas season is usually quite short compared to all there is to do, we have to carefully plan our calendars, so we don't miss out on any of the many Christmas events and activities in Missouri. If you have a free day or even a weekend, plan a getaway to one of these enchanting Christmas towns in Missouri, where you'll feel as though you've stepped back through the pages of time. (You'll even find some of the best free things to do in Missouri in winter in these picturesque towns.)
advertisement
7. Hannibal
Location: Hannibal
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: $2 admission to the Festival of Trees
Journey back through time with a Christmastime visit to <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/missouri/old-fashioned-christmas-town-mo/" target="_blank">Hannibal. The charming small town in Missouri hosts the Victorian Festival of Christmas in Historic Downtown Hannibal, an epic holiday celebration that runs the first three weekends of December. (Events are also held on Small Business Saturday at the end of November.) Festivities include living windows, carriage rides, and a Festival of Trees. Earmark some time, too, to explore the historic downtown, where you can do a bit of Christmas shopping and indulge in a delicious meal.
8. Branson
Branson, Missouri USA December 4, 1993: Christmas decorations adorn the shoreline by the Old Highway 65 Bridge in Branson, Missouri.
Location: Branson
Popularity: Can get very busy, depending on the attraction
Price: Varies
With its jam-packed schedule of activities and events, Branson just might deserve the title of the Christmas Capital of Missouri. Visit Silver Dollar City for its epic Old Time Christmas celebration (and more than 6.5 million lights). Follow one of the town's drive-thru light displays, like Shepherd of the Hills' Trail of Lights. Go Christmas shopping in the historic downtown, or ride the Polar Express with Santa (and the Branson Scenic Railway).
9. Independence
Location: Independence
Popularity: Can get busy during the holidays
Price: Varies, depending on activity. Admission to Vaile Mansion ranges from $5-$10.
Celebrate the Christmas season with a visit to the bustling town of Independence. Get into the holiday spirit with a tour of Vaile Mansion, which gets all decked out for the Christmas season. Tours are offered from late November through the end of December. Put on your hiking shoes for the Annual Winter Solstice Torch Lit Hike in early December, and walk around town to admire the Christmas decorations.
Outdoor Activities
Some of the best Missouri winter activities offer us the chance to enjoy the fresh air and the freshly fallen snow (if we're lucky). Missouri boasts some of the best sledding hills - can you say Art Hill at Forest Park in St. Louis - and epic snow tubing parks that will transform those cold and snowy days in Missouri into action-packed adventures. Here are just a few of the best family things to do in Missouri in winter.
advertisement
10. Steinberg Ice Skating Rink
Leg of woman wearing ice skates standing on an ice rink
Billed as the largest ice skating rink in the Midwest with 27,600 square feet, <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/missouri/largest-ice-skating-rink-mo/" target="_blank">Steinberg Ice Skating Rink is the place to go for a day of fun gliding around the ice. The rink offers all-day skating. Take a break to warm up near the firepit, and recharge with a hot drink and a snack. Skating lessons are also available. The rink is generally open seasonally from mid-November through early March. (From May through October, the rink offers roller skating.)
11. Summit Rink
Location: Lee’s Summit
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: $11/$8 for Lee's Summit residents; skate rental $3
Glide around the rink at Summit Ice. The 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink also features fire pits and a patio with plenty of seating. When you need a breather, grab a bite to eat from the concession stand and relax on the patio. It's certainly one of the best cheap things to do in Missouri in winter. Summit Ice generally opens in mid-November.
12. Hidden Valley Ski Resort
Location: Eureka
Popularity: Two-hour sessions are offered to prevent overcrowding.
Price: Tickets are not yet on sale for the season.
Bundle up for one of the best family things to do in Missouri in winter when you go snow tubing at<a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/stays/missouri/longest-snow-tubing-run-mo/" target="_blank">Polar Plunge Tubing Park at Hidden Valley Ski Resort. Tickets are sold in two-hour sessions, so you can zip down the hill as many times as you want. Catch your breath as the conveyor belt takes you back to the top to do it all over again. If you need more of a break, warm up by one of the roaring fire pits.
13. Snow Creek Ski Area
Location: Weston
Popularity: Extremely popular. Buy tickets in advance as they often sell out on the weekends and holidays.
Price: Tickets are not yet on sale for the season.
advertisement
Get ready for a day of fast-paced fun at Snow Creek, where you can go snow tubing or skiing. Timed tickets can be purchased in advance for your rides down the 700-foot hill. Go up the conveyor belt, and go back down again...and again. Skiing is also popular at this winter park. The season typically begins in mid-December.
Winter Getaways
While most people count down the days until their summer vacations, there's something so enchanting and tranquil about a winter getaway. Escaping to a cozy cabin or a lively resort the whole family will love adds an extra bit of magic to the season. Here are some of the best winter getaways in Missouri.
14. River of Life Farm
Location: Dora
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: Starting at $259
For one of the most romantic things to do in Missouri in winter, plan a getaway to River of Life Farm, where you can stay cozy in one of its treehouses or cabins. The Missouri resort offers a variety of accommodations for two to six guests. When you're not staying warm in your home-away-from-home, explore the farm on one of the snow-dusted hiking trails, or go stargazing. (River of Life Farm boasts some of the best stargazing in Missouri.)
15. Fair Winds Cabin Resort
Location: Cherryville
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: Starting at $159
Check into a charming cabin for a winter getaway at Fair Winds Cabin Resort. All cabins promise luxury with some featuring a fireplace or a Jacuzzi. If it's not too cold, sit on the rocking chair on the front porch and watch the snowfall.
16. Grand Country Resort
Location: Branson
Popularity: Popular
Price: Rates start at around $200 per night
advertisement
Treat the whole family to a blast of summer in the middle of winter with a visit to Grand Country Resort in Branson. While the snow's falling outside, stand under a tipping bucket or float in the crystal-clear pool. The resort offers a full menu of family-friendly amenities, including bowling, a movie theater, laser tag, and indoor go-karts. Dig into some of the best food in Branson, too, at this resort that has a buffet, a pizza joint, and a restaurant that grills all of the favorites, including burgers.
What are your favorite things to do in Missouri in winter? Let us know in the comments! On the hunt for more free things to do in Missouri in winter? How about going on a refreshing winter hike? Check out the best winter hikes in Missouri then, for more hikes, stop by AllTrails.
With a population of around 215,000, Idaho’s capital city has plenty to see and do. It’s big enough to offer plenty of amenities, but small enough that you’ll be able to navigate the city easily. Plan a day and see these 12 absolutely amazing places to see in Boise while you’re there!
The Old Idaho Penitentiary opened in 1872 and housed some of the West’s most notorious criminals. Take the tour, which includes visits to the cell blocks, gallows and solitary confinement. The penitentiary is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the summer. 2445 Old Penitentiary Road.
The 50-acre Idaho Botanical Garden is located next door to the Old Idaho Penitentiary (the garden once served as the farm and nursery to the penitentiary). Wander through the gardens, practice Tai Chi, take a class or enjoy a concert. 2355 Old Penitentiary Road.
The 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt is a gorgeous walking trail that takes you right through the city. It’s a great place to take a leisurely stroll or go for a run. Watch for wildlife, and bring some binoculars if you’re into bird-watching.
The World Center For Birds Of Prey is the national headquarters for the Peregrine Fund, which works for the conservation of raptors all over the world. The 580-acre center is also home to the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center, which offers interpretive exhibits, live birds of prey and demonstrations of the birds themselves. 5668 W. Flying Hawk Lane.
Julia Davis Park has almost 90 acres of pretty park amenities for your enjoyment. The park is home to Zoo Boise, the Gene Harris Band Shell and several museums. Take a picnic lunch, paddle around on the pond, enjoy the rose garden and play on the playground. 700 S. Capital Blvd.
This Egyptian Revival-style theater opened in 1927. Today, you can view a classic movie, enjoy an opera performance, laugh at a comedy show or take in a concert. 700 W. Main Street.
Visit the hundreds of animals who live here, take the African Boat Ride, explore the butterflies in the greenhouse and pet the animals at the Zoo Farm. The zoo also hosts events, such as "Run Wild," pictured above. 355 E. Julia Davis Drive.
You’ll find plenty of wildlife at Kathryn Albertson Park, including ducks, bullfrogs, turtles, raccoons, beavers, rabbits and even red foxes. Find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy this oasis. 1001 W Americana Terrace.
This little gem in Boise allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reflect on human rights and Anne Frank’s belief in the goodness of humanity. Read the quotes on the Quote Wall and admire the sculptures, statues and other offerings of this quiet spot. 770 S 8th St.
You haven’t lived ‘til you’ve floated the Boise River. Put in at Barber Park, then float downriver six miles to Ann Morrison Park. Shuttles run between the two parks for a small fee. 4049 S Eckert Rd.
The Union Pacific Mainline Depot was built in 1925 and is an example of Spanish architecture. The depot is open to the public on Sundays and Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free guided tours are offered on select days. 2603 W Eastover Terrace.
