Take a Tour of Boise
We’ve covered a lot in the past few months, arming you with all there is to do in our happening city. And it’s all just in time for spring! We love this season just as much as all the others, but feel that special promise for all the bright and unexpected discoveries the months ahead. So in that spirit, we’d like to share with you what we think is the perfect mix of entertainment: guaranteed fun in ways you can’t predict. Boise’s guided tours will take you to places you might recognize from the outside, but probably haven’t heard their stories. We’ll highlight a few of our favorites.
The Idaho Capitol
The Idaho State Capitol building in downtown Boise serves up a main course of history with a side of style and functionality. The historic building with its columned rotunda is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to tour and experience art, architecture, and a past rich with Idaho lore. It’s likely that when you see photos or postcards of our capital city that the images feature downtown Boise’s picturesque skyline and undulating foothilled backdrop. The capitol building is often front and center and it’s no surprise why; the iconic structure stands out at one of the city’s most striking architectural display with beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens.
But as impressive as it is from the outside, the inside of the building is even more breathtaking, with multi-colored marble from around the world, sandstone from Table Rock, natural light cascading from giant windows, plus a large collection of paintings and statues.
The Capitol is open to the public seven days a week and visitors are encouraged to come in and see the building during open hours. Of course, during the legislative session, government functions may mean certain rooms are unavailable or off-limits, but for the most part, the Capitol is free and open. When the legislature is in session, the 4th-floor gallery is open to the public to view the House and Senate proceedings. You can take a self-guided tour any time you like or schedule a guided tour by submitting this form online. Check in next month to read all the historic details about what you can expect to learn during your visit!
The Boise Depot
The stunning historic train depot is a wonderful location to tour, and the added bonus is a panoramic view of downtown Boise and the foothills included.
The Boise Depot is a beautiful historic Spanish-style landmark operated by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department. Its primary use these days is as a public ceremonial or meeting space. But its history makes it worth visiting, too. Designed by New York architects in the early 1900s, the building first opened in 1925 to elaborate fanfare. There’s an open house scheduled every month with free public tours scheduled twice during the day, usually at noon and 1:30.
Any visit to the depot should include a tour of the grounds; located on a hillside overlooking Capitol Boulevard and downtown Boise, Platt Gardens is a scenic location for photos of the grandest or smallest proportions. The gardens were donated to the city in 1982 by the Union Pacific Railroad. Designed by Spanish landscape architect Ricardo Espino, the Platt Gardens feature a winding walk, benches, ponds, a monument of volcanic rock and a welcoming display of greenery.
Check the Boise Depot website for updated schedule and site details.
Historical Trolley Tour
Don’t love the idea of a long walk through town? Take a trolley through Boise’s historic downtown instead! Opening again at the end of April, Boise Trolley Tours advertise an easy way to see for yourself what makes Boise “wonderful and unique.” Ride along to the tune of well-told stories about many locations throughout the city including the Old Penitentiary, the Depot, the Capitol, the Old Fort, city parks, and other lesser known sites along the way. Trolley Tours promises a well-researched script to ensure all information delivered is accurate. The trolley is enclosed, has heat and air conditioning, and has a wheelchair lift to provide easy access for all.
Daily tours start in May and run once a day at 11 am Monday through Friday and 2 pm on weekends. Buy tickets online.
Boise Brew Bus
Finally, for the wine and beer enthusiasts in your group, we’ve got a customizable tour of breweries and wineries sure to satisfy any palatte. Boise Brew Bus offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes educational look at the brewing process and invites you to sample some great beer all while celebrating local craft beer and the brewing community! Sample a variety of delicious beers from different breweries with the last stop offering incredible local cuisine. Choose from the following four tours:
Boise Brewery Tour - Celebrate Idaho’s best local craft beer by visiting three local breweries and enjoying a flight or pint while learning the brewing backstory as well as fun facts about the creative people who make it.
Urban Wine Tour - Find out why Boise and the surrounding area is primed to be the next great U.S. wine region. Taste your way through the relaxing high desert wine country with visits to three local wineries.
Dive Bar Tour - Embark on a three-stop dive bar tour throughout the Treasure Valley. Find your next favorite dive bar, bond with friends, and celebrate some of the best local watering holes in our great city.
We’re sure there’s a tour for everyone in your group. Book your stay at Inn at 500 Capitol and schedule a tour that excites you! Next month, discover our State Capitol Building!