Boise’s 5 Spookiest Places to Visit this Fall

Every city has its share of haunted spots, and Boise is no exception. From the heart of downtown to the edges of the foothills, we’ve rounded up five of the spookiest locations around the Boise area—perfect for a Halloween adventure!

Old Idaho Penitentury

Built in 1870, this Boise landmark tops our list of the area’s most haunted buildings. During its 101 years in operation, over 13,000 inmates were housed within its iron bars. The penitentiary was the site of ten executions and 129 deaths, and a staggering 90 inmates attempted to escape over the years.

The walls of this eerie building have held everyone from armed robbers to infamous killers. Perhaps its most notorious inmate was Harry Orchard, who confessed to killing over 17 people, including a former Idaho governor.

Visitors on the penitentiary’s tours have reported chilling experiences—voices, shadowy figures, and an inexplicable sense of “heaviness” lingering throughout the grounds.

Feeling brave? Visit their website for details on tours and special events.

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Idanha Hotel

This six-story French-chateau style historic brick building is hard to miss in downtown Boise. Dating back all the way to 1901, this structure originally operated as a luxury hotel, and even provided hospitality to former presidents, Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. 

At the time, standing at five stories, the Idanha was recorded as the tallest building in Idaho along with the state's first building to have an elevator. It was not until the 1970’s the top floors of the building were turned into apartment complexes. 

Residents that live there have claimed to have witnessed many paranormal encounters. Rumor has it the ghost of a bell boy that was shot in 1970 can be seen throughout the hallways, along with the ghost of a woman that was said to have been murdered by her husband with just a pair of scissors in the early 1920’s.

“We saw all kinds of activity in that building,” said Bryan, one of our marketing team members who used to work across the street from the Idanha in the past. “The most common occurrence was the curtains that would randomly float or flutter for several seconds with no wind or an open window in the Northwest tower.”

Don’t believe us, check it out for yourself at this historic building.

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Fort Boise Cemetary

If you have lived in Boise for a whole summer and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, chances are, you have hiked the trails along Fort Boise. Tucked away in these quiet foothills, lies a cemetery containing 247 headstones. Most of these headstones belong to men that were enlisted in the military, army officers, and even family members of those that served. 

Although this cemetery may seem tranquil and hushed during the day, the night time is claimed to be a hotspot for paranormal activity. Some people that visited claimed to have seen ghostly figures around the headstones and heard faint voices.

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The Egyptian Theatre 

Opening back in April of 1927, the Boise Egyptian Theater located in the heart of downtown Boise off of Capitol Boulevard was a popular silent theater that drew a lot of attention for tourists and a favorite attraction for locals. With the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1926, this was a huge inspiration for the design of the theater which gave the little town of Boise a unique architectural icon.

It is said that many years ago, a projectionist by the name of Joe who had worked there for 35 years had died in the building due to a heart attack. Apparently he never clocked out for his last shift, as claims from staff and visitors have seen a ghostly male figure walking up the stairs to the projection room.Others have said they have also spotted the entity of a woman walking across the stage. Possibly a former actress who can’t give up the lights of the stage?

About The Theater

Haunted Stories

The Owyhee Building

Not long after the Idanha Hotel opened, the Owyhee Plaza Hotel located off of 12th and Main street in downtown Boise opened its doors to guests in 1910. The hotel was first designed with a total of 99 rooms. Since then, it has undergone 39 to 40 renovations and is now occupied with restaurants and retail space.

Although, there have not been any fatal incidents on record, hotel guests from the past believe ghosts live within the walls of this historic building. Many hotel guests and staff have claimed to hear strange noises, see apparitions and have had the feeling of being watched.

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