Skiing is a popular winter pastime in Boise.
Idaho's capital city is also one of the biggest cities in the Pacific Northwest, and like its neighbors Portland and Seattle, Boise is a popular destination for families in search of authentic community and outdoor adventure. Whether you're visiting Boise for the day or settling down for good, you'll quickly appreciate the family-friendly attractions that help the City of Trees consistently earn its top spots on "Best Cities" lists.
Visit the Animals
The touch tide pools -- where kids can gently touch the smooth, prickly and slippery inhabitants of the ocean -- and a tank where kids can feed and pet fish from around the globe are highlights of a visit to the Idaho Aquarium. Be sure to keep an eye out for the poison dart frogs in tanks around the aquarium -- they won't hurt you, but they're fun for kids to find. Go ahead and buy the $3 pail of mealworms to feed the sloth bear, Paji, at Zoo Boise -- watching the bear chow down on grubs is likely to make a lasting memory. Meeting the zoo's more than 200 residents, representing 83 different species, can take the better part of a day. At the World Center for Birds of Prey, kids can learn more about condors, raptors, kestrels, hawks, falcons and other birds of prey through exhibits and animal demonstrations.
Explore a Museum
Even parents may be surprised by some of the things you can learn at the Discovery Center of Idaho, a hands-on museum where kids can blow enormous bubbles, create a 7-foot-tall tornado and send stuffed animals on an exciting ride on the centripetal wheel. A museum dedicated to rocks may not sound like a fun family outing, but the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology is full of fascinating displays about fossils, plate tectonics and unusual minerals. If you can, plan a visit for the museum's annual Rock Party, which includes geology hikes and gold panning. Ask for a family pack when you check in at the Boise Art Museum: You can choose from several options to guide you through the galleries, from toddler-friendly options such as the animal scavenger hunt to more sophisticated packs that focus on topics such as writing poetry and Chinese calligraphy.
Answer Nature's Call
Kids and grown-ups alike will find the carnivorous plants section of the Children's Adventure Garden one of the most fascinating sights at the Idaho Botanical Garden. Check out a Family Backpack, stocked with field guides, magnifying glasses and binoculars, to take a scavenger hunt tour of the gardens. At Eagle Island State Park, you'll find horseback riding trails, two disc golf courses and a beach for sunning, swimming or boating. Explore the desert at the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center. Follow the Story Trail, a self-guided trail walk with markers that tell a nature-related story -- the story changes every month. On the second Saturday of each month, the center hosts free activities for families.
Make It Play Time
In winter, the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area is a fun place to introduce your kids to winter sports, including skiing and snowshoeing. You can rent all the gear you need at the mountain, including helmets and snow pants. Stop by the Boise Parks & Recreation Administration Office on Royal Boulevard to get the Quest for the Golden Apple map for Julia Davis Park. The quest leads you across the Broadway Bridge and through the park with a series of activities designed for families to participate in together. Wednesday nights are Family Nights at Idaho Ice World, but the park has open skating hours most days of the week, too.
Tags: where kids, scavenger hunt
