24 Hours in Boise, Idaho
The Boise Crew!
It feels dramatic thinking back to fall 2021, a time when I was sure I was going to make no new friends. I had just transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill at the peak of COVID, and I was feeling less than optimistic about my ability to meet people and have a fun college experience. I felt lost, left out, and worried that it was too late to become a part of a friend group where I had already missed a year of inside jokes.
This, along with my passion for the outdoors led me to take some time off school in the spring of 2021. While some may view this as running away from my problems, I viewed it as putting my precious time in Chapel Hill on hold. I knew I wanted to spend this weird COVID in-between doing what I love most- exploring new places and skiing. Looking back on this adventure I took with my boyfriend Grant and our dog; I am so happy that we took the risk and moved to Boise.
I spent a lot of time researching different towns near ski mountains, and I was very drawn to the Pacific Northwest until I saw the price tag. Boise is still a bit of a hidden gem that has avoided getting crazy expensive compared to cities like Portland and Bend. Once I found out Boise had a local mountain only 40 minutes from downtown, I was sold.
We packed up the car, took a long road trip to Idaho, and spent the next five months working at a breakfast place in the mornings and skiing in the afternoons. I fell in love with Boise, and the freedom we had to explore the surrounding area and go on amazing weekend trips.
I hope to make this a series on my blog where I share my recommendations of how to get the most out of a visit with only 24 hours to spare. If you ever find yourself in Boise, here are some things you can’t miss!
Breakfast at BACON
I’m a little biased here because this is where Grant and I worked during our time in Boise. Not only was it a great job, but the food was also AMAZING. BACON has a southern theme going, so it was funny to explain what okra and hushpuppies were to West Coasters who had never heard of them. Hushpuppies are harder to describe than you’d think…
If you stop by BACON, you can’t miss the bacon flight and bacon bloody mary. I was also impressed with their take on shrimp and grits! Working here was like a little taste of home in Idaho.
Walk the Boise River Greenbelt
One of my favorite thin
gs about Boise is how walkable it is. I could walk my dog for miles through the city, all on nice trails along the Boise River. The Greenbelt connects a bunch of different parks, including Together Treasure Valley Dog Island. This is actually the nicest dog park I’ve ever been to, definitely stop by if you’re traveling with your dog.
Get a snack at Boise Fry Company
When I was heading out to Idaho, one of the only things I knew about the state was that they have the best potatoes. They weren’t wrong. At Boise Fry Co., you can pick from different potato types and cuts. They also have a giant array of seasonings and sauces to choose from. I loved the purple potatoes, and shoestring fries are the best!
Image from Northwest Travel Magazine
Drive up Bogus Basin Road for hiking or skiing
If you’re a skier, I’d suggest an early breakfast before spending the whole day at Bogus Basin. This is the mountain where I went from an okay skier to a good one, and they have a great variety of terrain for different skill levels. If you visit Boise in the summer, they have activities like outdoor yoga and live music on the mountain. Not to mention, they're a non-profit ski mountain, which is pretty damn cool.
If skiing isn’t your thing, there are a lot of pretty hikes with views of Boise up this road. There are also sheep grazing here, so if you’re lucky you might see them and their very protective Great Pyrenees keepers. Idaho has a super different landscape than North Carolina, so hiking around the rolling hills can be an interesting change of scenery.
Dinnertime!
Grant and I didn’t do a ton of dinners out in Boise, but one restaurant that I remember being amazing was Alavita. I love Italian food, and the black ravioli was worth splurging on.
If you’re looking for something a little more casual, we loved Westside Drive In, a cute 50s-themed diner serving all the classics, along with Idaho favorites. Grant was obsessed with the finger steaks, and I usually went for a burger or spud. They also have pup cups, which is always a plus when you’re traveling with your dog.
There is so much more to do in and around Boise, but that probably wraps up what you can see in 24 hours.
If you have more time, visit Stanley to check out natural hot springs and the beautiful Sawtooth mountains. A trip to Idaho isn’t complete without relaxing in a hot spring. This hotel in Stanley has a spring that they’ve put a barn over, so you can relax in private while not giving up the stunning Sawtooth views.
Thanks for reading and leave a comment if there’s any town or National Park you’d like me to feature on “24 hours”. Check back Wednesday for a recommendation a bit closer to home.
Cheers,
Katie Magnolia
