How to Spend a Long Weekend in Boise: 3 to 4 Day Fall Itinerary
Y’all know how much I love my hometown of Boise, Idaho! Because there are so many fun things to do in Boise in all seasons, it’s become a popular weekend getaway destination.
Boise is the perfect place to spend a long weekend! Whether you prefer city life or would rather enjoy the wilderness adjacent to Boise (or maybe a bit of both?), there really is something for everyone no matter your interests. Boise boasts multiple outdoor city markets, a vibrant dining scene, beautiful hiking trails, and more!
If you’re headed to the City of Trees in the fall, this post will help you make the most out of your long weekend in Boise! Below, I shared my suggested itinerary for three or four days in Boise, places to stay, and fall weather you can expect.
READ NEXT: How to Spend a Long Weekend in Boise: 3 to 4 Day Summer Itinerary
How to Spend A Long Weekend in Boise in Fall
-Day 1-
EAT BREAKFAST AT GOLDY’S
This is one of the most popular breakfast destinations in downtown Boise! It’s an extremely cozy space located on Capitol Boulevard, so be sure to get there early if you want to avoid a wait. Weekends tend to be busier than week days (but week days are also busy!).
Explore downtown museums
Boise has a number of great museums, and the best part is that they’re all close to each other downtown! Also, museum hopping is a great idea if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Start by learning Idaho history at the Idaho State Museum. Next, bop over to the Idaho Black History Museum to learn important history, and then stop by the Boise Art Museum, which are both located next to the Idaho State Museum.
Head west across Capitol Boulevard (or take the greenbelt under the bridge) to visit the Anne Frank Memorial and/or walk the other direction to find the Discovery Center (located on Myrtle; this is a GREAT spot for kiddos with lots of interactive displays).
TAKE IN THE VIEW FROM THE BOISE DEPOT
If you travel south on Capitol Boulevard, you’ll eventually see the Boise Depot. It’s one of the most iconic Boise landmarks; passenger trains used to serve Boise at the depot many years ago. It’s also one of the most popular places to take photos, so be sure to get that perfect Instagram shot! (I’ve shot quite a few outfits there myself!)
Spend time wandering around the Depot grounds, stop in for a tour if they’re available, and look north to see downtown, the Idaho state capitol building, and the foothills in the distance. It’s even more beautiful when the leaves are changing in the fall!
Grab dinner and drinks on 8th Street
8th Street in downtown Boise is open to foot traffic only and offers a plethora of shops and restaurants. You really can’t go wrong with any restaurant on 8th Street, but some top spots for dinner include Fork, Eureka, Bittercreek Alehouse, and Diablo and Sons. Or, head around the corner to Saint Lawrence Gridiron. I also recommend grabbing a German beer at Prost! If it’s nice out, be sure to enjoy your meal on the patio.
-Day 2-
EAT BREAKFAST AT CERTIFIED KITCHEN AND BAKERY
Kick off your morning with a delicious breakfast at Certified Kitchen and Bakery on 13th Street in Boise’s beautiful, historic North End neighborhood. I highly recommend a breakfast sandwich on their English muffins made from a 52-year-old sourdough starter. They’re incredible! (Get a half dozen English muffins, too!) The breakfast burrito is also excellent.
Hike (& leaf peep) Camel’s Back & Hulls Gulch
Boise has an incredible system of hiking trails throughout the foothills that sit directly to the northeast of the city. While you should definitely also hike Table Rock if you have time, I recommend going off the beaten path (slightly, it’s still a popular hiking area) to check out and hike Camel’s Back and Hulls Gulch.
Camel’s Back is a fun (and challenging) hike with a beautiful view of the city at the top. That’s also a good area to leaf peep if you time it just right! Most of the leaves in Boise are changing by early to mid-October through early November.
EXPLORE HYDE PARK ON 13TH STREET
Hyde Park in Boise is a cute mini downtown along 13th Street in the North End just down the road from Camel’s Back Park. Explore the local shops, and once you’re ready for a sweet treat, be sure to pop into Goody’s for their yummy hot chocolate (or ice cream, if it’s warm out!).
If you have time, I recommend walking through the streets of the North End, especially if the leaves are changing! Harrison Boulevard in the fall is stunning—the leaves tend to pop there in early November.
Celebrate spooky season at the Old Idaho Penitentiary
If you love all things spooky, be sure to check out the Old Idaho Penitentiary while you’re in Boise! The Old Idaho Penitentiary is a historical prison located in east Boise near the foothills that operated from 1872-1973.
Today, the site is maintained by the Idaho State Historical Society. They have records of all of the inmates! Take part in a guided or self-guided tour and/or check out one of the many weekend events happening throughout September and October.
-Day 3-
Grab brunch downtown
There are a plethora of places in downtown Boise to enjoy a late morning meal. You really can’t go wrong with any restaurant, but some top spots for breakfast or brunch include Fork, Stardust, a café (pronounced like the “aye” in day), Bacon, and Bardenay. If it’s nice out, be sure to eat on the patio!
Wander Freak Alley Gallery + shop local
After filling up on brunch, wander around downtown to explore the public art at Freak Alley Gallery! This is a popular place for high schoolers to take their senior photos (and for people like me to take outfit photos, haha). There’s always new sections of art to be found!
Make sure to walk to Bannock Street to shop Shift Boutique and City Peanut (the latter shop is a MUST). You’re also close to Mixed Greens and Hearts on Fire Books on 9th Street.
Explore the Basque Block
Did you know Boise is home to the second largest population of Basque people outside Basque Country in Spain? If you have time, it’s worth checking out the Basque Block downtown (the area around Grove and 5th Street). Visit the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, enjoy a Basque meal at Bar Gernika, and shop the Basque Market.
Try fall flavors at a local brewery
Boise has a plethora of local breweries all over the city, and most of them brew up some fun flavors during the fall, including pumpkin! I’m not a big drinker (especially beer), but I still find it fun to hang out, grab food from a food truck, and enjoy the company of others. (If I do get a drink, I go for the ciders!)
A few of my (and my family’s) personal favorites include Payette Brewing, Boise Brewing, Western Collective (technically located in Garden City, a town surrounded by Boise), 10 Barrel Brewing, and Mother Earth Brew Co. There are so many others, though! You really can’t go wrong.
-Day 4-
Have an extra day to explore Boise? Here are some bonus activities to consider!
BROWSE A FARMERS MARKET (seasonal)
If it’s still farmers market season (generally through mid-October), head downtown to grab a quick breakfast and browse a Saturday farmers market! Boise has two farmers markets.
The Capital City Public Market is located on the Grove Plaza and features mostly locally-made products and not as much fresh produce. You’ll find the bulk of the fresh produce, meats, etc. at the Boise Farmers Market off of Americana (a long walk/short drive away).
Go apple picking in nearby towns
If you want to go apple (or pumpkin) picking, you’ll have to venture outside Boise city limits. Head to either Emmett (45 minutes to the NW) or Kuna (25 minutes to the SW). I’ve picked apples and pumpkins at Cabalo’s Orchard and Gardens in Kuna, but there are more orchards in the Emmett area (Anderson Apple Ranch, Candy Apple Orchard, Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard, Williams Fruit Ranch). Prime time for apple picking is September through early October.
Attend a Boise State home football game
If your long weekend in Boise falls over game day, don’t miss your chance to watch the Broncos in action on their very own blue turf! There’s not a bad seat in the stadium, though I would recommend a seat on the west side if you want to avoid the sun as much as possible (plus you get a nice view of the foothills), and if it’s rainy, buy a seat under the overhang. It’s a fun place to watch a football game! If there’s no home game, find a local bar downtown—they’re sure to be playing the Broncos on TV!
Enjoy a fall event
There are so many events and things to partake in during fall in Boise! September is by far one of the busiest months in Boise. Labor Day weekend kicks things off with the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic (I think I consider this more of a summer event, but I’ll mention it here, too).
There’s also Art in the Park (local and regional art showcase at Julia Davis Park supporting Boise Art Museum), Boise Pride, Hyde Park Street Fair (more local and regional vendors), various Oktoberfest celebrations, Boise Comic Arts Festival, and more!
If you’re in Boise over Halloween, be sure to check out Harrison Boulevard in the North End. That street goes all out and is one of the most popular trick-or-treating streets in town!
Best Places To Eat In Boise
Besides the places I highlighted in my suggested itinerary, there are SO many other great places to eat in Boise! Check out these blog posts to find a full selection of places to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Best Places to Stay in Boise, Idaho
If you’re planning a long weekend to Boise, you might also be wondering about the best places to stay. Personally, I’m big a fan of hotels when I travel, and there are a plethora of hotels in Boise to choose from. (The interactive map below also shows Vrbo locations if you need the space.)
If you prefer staying in fun boutique hotels, these options in and around downtown are worth checking to see if they have availability during your trip:
Hotel Renegade
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The Avery Hotel
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The Sparrow
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Modern Hotel
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The Grove Hotel
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Hotel 43
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Inn at 500
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Boise Guest House
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The Riverside Hotel (Best Western Premier Collection)
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There are also a variety of chain hotel options to choose from in downtown Boise if you are loyal to a particular brand or have status:
Courtyard by Marriott Boise Downtown
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Hampton Inn and Suites Boise Downtown
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Hilton Garden Inn Boise Downtown
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Home2 Suites by Hilton Boise Downtown
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Hyatt Place Boise Downtown
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Residence Inn by Marriott Boise Downtown/City Center
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott Boise Downtown/University
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Fall Weather in Boise, Idaho
Boise is fortunate to get all four seasons, and unfortunately fall sometimes feels like the shortest season of them all! September is one of the best months to enjoy Boise because the daytime high temperatures usually range from 70-90 degrees and the nighttime lows cool off quite a bit. That said, Boise is also often impacted by wildfire smoke well into September, but Boiseans relish the nice weather when there’s no smoke!
As with most fall seasons through November, cold fronts pass through frequently, bringing showers and the occasional thunderstorm. We’ve gotten some great November thunderstorms the past couple of years! The temperatures can feel like a rollercoaster, which can make it difficult to pack for a short stay if there are lots of changes in the weather. Expect breezy conditions on warm day prior to cold fronts, and then watch the forecast for showers coinciding with any fronts.
Expect fall max temperatures in Boise to range wildly (generally around 60-90°F with the occasional 50°F day). I personally find 70-degree days in the fall to be perfect, but those can feel like they’re few and far between. The best leaf peeping in Boise happens in October and early November.
If you prefer to spend your time in or around water, come in September. If you’d rather spend your time enjoying other aspects of the outdoors, aim for September or October for the best weather, though November can be nice, too. Be sure to check the local NWS weather forecast before your trip, and don’t hike or mountain bike if the trails are muddy!
Learn more about Boise weather year-round!
