Boise is the capital and largest city in Idaho and one of the most family friendly travel destinations you’ll ever visit. Boise boasts the Boise River flowing right through the heart of the city and a 25-mile riverfront greenbelt that is a hub for outdoor activities. If you are traveling to the City of Trees, here are five fun family friendly things to do in Boise.
Explore Animals at Zoo Boise
If your kids love animals, then a trip to Zoo Boise is a must when visiting the city. Located in the middle of Julia Davis Park, Zoo Boise is a relatively small sized zoo with a whole lot of zing. Home to over 200 animals, families can see all their zoo favorites as well as get up close with goats, sheep and llamas at the zoo farm, feed lettuce leaves to Julius the giraffe or take a conservation cruise across the zoo lagoon to view the mangabey monkey exhibit. When the kids get antsy, visit the zoo’s slides and tunnels or let them climb all over one of the many statues dotting the zoo grounds.
Get Quirky at Old Idaho Penitentiary
Boise is home to some truly unique travel experiences. If you’re looking for something a bit quirky in Boise, a visit to the Old Idaho Penitentiary will not disappoint. The prison was built in 1870 and is rumored to be haunted, adding a bit of spook factor for older kids and teens. The prison boasts numerous exhibits including 16th century swords and pistols and museums dedicated to Idaho history. But the real star of the show is the 90-minute guided tour of the penitentiary, prison blocks, solitary confinement cells, death row and the gallows. After the guided tour, visitors are invited to go back and explore most areas of the prison on their own. Despite some stairs and a few prickly rosebushes in the outdoor areas, the tour is very kid-friendly. Weather can be an issue however, as the prison has no heat or air conditioning, so keep that in mind.
Experience Wild Idaho at Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center
The Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center is the hidden gem of Boise. Located next to the Boise River Greenbelt just off downtown, the 4.6-acre center is the perfect place for families to spend an hour or two getting in touch with Idaho wildlife. Kids will love to run along the trails that follow the man-made creek and explore the fish tanks built right into the rocks and hillside that teach about the stages of trout development. The stream walk also features windows that let you see the underwater action for yourself. At the end of the creek is a large pond that is home to turtles, beaver, geese and otters. Signs posted along the trail tell about the animals that live in the many shelters on view such as beaver dams, birdhouses and twig shelters. There is also an education building featuring hands-on activities for kids. Make sure to pack a lunch and let the kids visit the playground before you leave. The Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center is one of the best free activities in Boise.
Get Scientific at Discovery Center of Idaho
Located next to Julia Davis Park, the Discovery Center is Idaho’s only hands-on science museum. The 200 plus interactive exhibits are engaging for kids of all ages, especially tweens. Kids can create their own seven foot tall tornado, blow giant bubbles from the bubble wall and spin the centripetal wheel and watch as stuffed animals cling to the cylinder walls. Adults will get a thrill out of the green screen, robotic arm and visual experiments. The Discovery Center is small enough that even after spending a day there, the kids will not be too tired or fussy.
See Live Raptors at World Center for Birds of Prey
No visit to Boise would be complete without a trip to the World Center for Birds of Prey, the biggest collection of birds of prey in the northwest. Located adjacent to Municipal Park just east of downtown Boise, the 380-acre center is perfect for kids and adults. You can observe live raptors and California Condors, learn about conservation of the birds and their habitat, see interactive displays and multi-media shows, and experience live demonstrations with hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. Admission includes the live show, a tour of the library and admission to the museum. If you have very young children or are a bit squeamish, you may want to skip the live show in the Rainforest Room.