Despite the fact that it’s rotating between thunderstorms and sunny skies in Boise today, I'm already thinking about the long days and pleasant nights of summer.

Perhaps you forgot all the fun ways to spend the summer in Boise, since all you did last year was try to bake bread and garden. Or maybe you are new here and will eventually wonder why it's so damn hot outside and why it's still light outside at 10:30pm.

Ah, summer in Boise. Is it the most wonderful time of the year? Because it sure feels like it.

Float the Boise River

Floating just might be one of the most classic Boise summer activities. Though the opening date for float season has yet to be announced, it will be upon us soon. In order to not be that person on the river – the one bobbing along in a half inflated tube, freezing their ass off – here are a few things I have found to be helpful:

First things first, get a raft or a really good tube to float in. I prefer a raft. The tubes never seem to last long. You can find one at Fred Meyer or any similar store, or rent one from Barber Park. They have legit tubes for rent there. If you byo, there are free air pumps at the launch in Barber Park.

The longest and most popular float begins at Barber Park and ends at Ann Morrison Park. It takes 3 hours and is seriously so awesome and relaxing. There are multiple places along the way to get out if you want to make it shorter. It’s a pretty chill float overall, but there are a few little rapids and some tangly trees along the way. Be careful out there. You are still on a moving river, ya know?

Do lake stuff at Lucky Peak State Park

​Lucky Peak is a reservoir recreation area about 15-40 minutes from Boise, depending on where you go once you get there. You pass some cool stuff on your way out of Boise on Highway 21, like the Oregon Trail Reserve, the historic Boise River Diversion Dam, and the Black Cliffs, one of the best local rock climbing spots. The Greenbelt starts/ends at Lucky Peak, so you could bike or run or whatever out there, too.

If you have a boat, you’ll put in and park at Spring Shores Marina or Turner Gulch. There are a handful of pretty sweet lakeside camp spots around Lucky Peak that are only accessible by boat.

If you are looking for beaches, well, we don’t really have any. But there is some swimmable shoreline (depending on the water level) at Barclay Bay and Middle Cove, Spring Shores Marina, and Macks Creek Park.

Cruise the Greenbelt

So much of Boise can be discovered from the Boise River Greenbelt. It’s how I learned the city back when I first moved here and it’s still where I discover cool and weird bits of Boise now.

Pick a method of transportation based on how much ground you want to cover. Then pick a direction and start cruising. The Greenbelt links over 850 acres of parks and natural areas. Two of the main ones are Ann Morrison and Julia Davis (Zoo Boise is here too and sometimes a giraffe will peek over at you). Kristin Armstrong Park and M.K. Nature Center is a fun stop. My favorite nature walk is Bethanie Church River Trail (no bikes or scoots allowed).

To grab a bite or drink, go to the Whitewater Park area in Garden City. The Greenbelt takes you right to the wave and river surfers, by the 34th Street Market, and toThe YardArm, Telaya Wine, and Push & Pour. There is a lot of cool stuff to explore in that area.

The Greenbelt also goes right by Bown Crossing, which is a fun place to ride to for dinner or drinks. Flatbread Pizza, Locavore, Boise Fry Co. and The Tavern at Bown are over there. Nice patios. But honestly, the library over there is the highlight for me. It’s so beautiful that it lives up to the exclamation point.

Take the Boise Trails Challenge

The foothills are such a treasure. Once you get to exploring, you realize just how much space and how many trails there are. Being able to get out there is one of the best parts of living in Boise.

The best way to find trails is via the interactive map on ridgetorivers.org or boisetrails.com. Boise Trails has reviews and Ridge to Rivers (R2R) is kept up to date by the city (which is especially helpful now with the pilot program). R2R also posts daily trail conditions on Facebook. You probably know, but don't go on muddy trails.

A cool way to explore the trail system is to take the Boise Trails Challenge and try to hike or bike 96 foothills trails in a month. It starts June 17 until July 17, so you still have time to sign up!

Go play at Bogus Basin

The summer scene at Bogus Basin has changed a lot in the last five or so years – for the better. It’s usually about 10 degrees cooler up there too, which is lovely in the dead of summer. The views up there are absolutely amazing on a clear day.

There is a small but awesome trail system at Bogus. Around the Mountain and Elk Meadows have some of the best views in Boise. Deer Point to Brewer’s Byway is a great quick loop. Most of the trails are multi-use, but there are a few downhill mountain bike-only trails, too. You can also take a chairlift up with a ticket.

Besides hiking and biking, there is so much wildlife viewing and the wildflowers bloom later and longer up there. Bogus has the only mountain coaster in Idaho and if you have not yet taken a ride, you need to. It’s soo much fun. Bogus has summer tubing too and hopefully will bring back live music on the weekends.

Fun fact: did you know Bogus Basin is a nonprofit and one of the largest community-run mountain recreation areas in the US? We've got something special going up there and it's totally worth your support.

Hit up a Farmers Market

One of the best parts of summer is the fresh food, right? Farmers Markets happen in pretty much every town in the Boise Valley all summer long.

​Boise Farmers Market has a drive-thru and walk-thru (starting 5/29) market on Saturdays with 60+ farmers, ranchers, and producers selling their goods. BFM accepts EBT cards and will match $20 if you spend $20, which is pretty cool. It’s in the parking lot of 1500 Shoreline Drive in Boise.

​34th Street Market (also known as Capital City Public Market) pops up every Saturday at 303 E 34th Street in Garden City. You’ll find fresh produce, flowers, local producers, drinks, art, and more. This is the market that used to take over downtown pre-pandemic.

​Meridian Main Street Market is on Saturdays and has farmers, vendors, food trucks and even a few performers. They offer orders ahead and also have the same EBT deal that BFM does. Find it at 33 East Broadway Avenue in Meridian.

​Eagle Saturday Market is in Heritage Park in downtown Eagle every Saturday. Find fresh food, flowers, herbs, woodwork, and live music here every weekend through October.

​Nampa Farmers Market happens every Saturday in the summer, rain or shine. There are 94 vendors there this year and everything is from within 100-miles of Nampa. Find it on 13th and Front Street.

…or just go right out to the farm

Boise is surrounded by farms and a few of them open their doors to the public and allow us to harvest their crops.

For berry picking, check out The Berry Ranch, which is owned by a cute lil family and pick-your-own (pyo) strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pumpkins (in the fall). FYI - Berry Ranch is cash only.

You can pick your own flowers at Lovely Hollow Farm in Caldwell and Learning Barn Farms in Parma. Both of those farms and so beautiful and have some fun workshops and events too. Dream Farm Flowers is an urban garden in Boise that has some cool flower workshops all year.

Looking for lavender? You’ll be happy to know we have two lavender farms and both have u-pick and weekend festivals this summer. The Lavender Merchant in Kuna has u-pick bunches throughout the summer and its festival on June 26-27. Red Chair Lavender in Eagle has growing plants, products, culinary lavender and a festival is planned for July 3-4, 2021.

Listen to live music

I think most people underestimate Boise’s live music scene. This summer is shaping up to be a show-every-night kinda summer and I’m here for it. Make sure to read the Thursday issues – I have a live music calendar in there every week for ya.

​Jump, Jam & Jive: live local tunes every other Tuesday in the outdoor amphitheater at JUMP. Starts June 8.

​PiKINic: every week Duck Club books (mostly) local musicians and KIN serves a picnic-style dinner on their lawn. A ticket includes a delish dinner and the show. You can also watch for free from the top of the hill. The Hillfolk Noir show on Sunday was very good.

​Great Garden Escape: Duck Club puts on shows every Thursday in the Meditation Garden at Idaho Botanical Garden. Really fun lineup this summer, I genuinely recommend all the shows.

​Outlaw Field: Idaho Botanical brings in some bigger acts to Outlaw Field throughout the summer. It’s a really fun venue and fun to ride your bike to if you can.

​First Thursday: you can usually find some free live tunes during First Thursday in downtown Boise. Just go exploring and keep your ears open.

​Duck Club puts on lots of other shows in addition to the above throughout the year at local venues like Neurolux and The Olympic. And Knitting Factory is starting up shows again and has some good artists coming this summer.

Go to a classic Boise event

Summer is usually filled with events, but this year it’s really poppin' since everything was rescheduled. Here are a few rad Boise events to check out:

June 4-5: Boise Greek Food Festival has been going on for 40 years and is back this year, but doing it a bit different. It’s order-ahead and pick-up this year, and orders close on June 1. Check out the offerings and get your order in asap!

June 12: Dance Boise is a new, free dance festival at the open air Centennial Amphitheater on BSU’s campus, right on the Greenbelt.

July - Sept: Idaho Shakespeare Festival is back this year with three shows - yay. It’s one of my all-time favorite summer events. Tickets are being re-booked from last year, then will open to the public.

August 28: Boise Goathead Fest is back! Grab your bike and your costume and get ready for parades and bike shenanigans.

Sept. 1-5: Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is a magical event that has been going for 30 years. It kicks off Wednesday, the night glow is on Friday, and morning launches (my fave) happen on Saturday and Sunday.

Sept. 10-12: Art in the Park will bring artsy vendors and events to Julia Davis Park. It’s totally free all weekend.

Sept. 10-12: Boise Pridefest was rescheduled and is taking place in Cecil D. Andrus Park in front of the Capitol. Parade and more info TBA.

Sept. 17-19: Hyde Park Street Fair, or the “Hyde Park Hippiefest” as some say, will take over Camel’s Back Park (and some of 13th Street) with vendors, performances, music, and food.

Sept. 22-26: Treefort Music Fest was rescheduled to September (it’s usually in March) and is bringing ~400 bands to 30+ venues in downtown Boise. Lots of kid events and non music events happening that week too.

Oct. 9: World Village Festival is making its return later this summer and will bring music, dance, food, art, and storytelling from all around the world to downtown Boise. More details TBA.

Alright, that's all I got for y'all today. Ready for summer? What’s your all-time favorite summer activity in Boise?

With love from Boise,

-Marissa

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