7 Free Activities to do in Boise This Summer

Credit: Helena Lopes on Unsplash

As summer gets into full swing in Boise, there are so many things to fill your days with. On days when you want to do something fun but you don’t want to spend any money, here are 7 free activities to do in Boise this summer!

Alive After Five:

Alive After Five is a free concert series on the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise. It takes place every wednesday at 5pm and the series continues into August. These concerts are a blast and a good way to spend an evening in the warm summer weather!

Photo Credit: Boiseweekly on Instagram

Riding Bikes/Walking on the Greenbelt:

The Boise Greenbelt is a 25-mile paved path that follows the Boise River through central Boise. This path is perfect for a bike ride or a walk along the river, and has large portions shaded by trees to help with the heat. Get outside this summer and walk along the river on the Greenbelt!

Photo Credit: Chris F on Pexels

MK Nature Center:

The MK Nature Center is a family-friendly opportunity for a unique wildlife experience. With a Visitor Center and a StreamWalk, visitors are able to walk through this 4.6 acre park and experience Idaho’s landscapes and wildlife. Multiple fish viewing windows offer the chance to see a trout swim by, and a sturgeon pond full of 6 foot plus long fish is a fan favorite part of this trail. This is an awesome way to spend an afternoon and is interesting for both kids and adults!

Photo Credit: @mk_nature_center on Instagram

Visiting a Park:

Boise is full of beautifully maintained parks perfect for kids to burn off some energy or to enjoy a picnic with friends. Discovery Park is a great park in Meridian that has a large playground area, plenty of open grass fields, a sand and water play area, and an off leash dog area. Settlers Park is another Meridian park that features tennis courts, a splash pad, a large playground area, and a pond for fishing among other amenities!

Photo Credit: meridiancity.org

Playing Pickleball at a public park:

Boise is full of parks with either dual use or dedicated courts for pickleball. Grab some paddles and head down to any of the parks on this list for some fun outdoor pickleball games!

Photo Credit: Joan Azeka on Unsplash

First Thursday:

First Thursday is an event put on in Downtown Boise on the first Thursday of every month. Local businesses have a wide variety of instore events, including food and beverage tastings, local art exhibits, retail trunk shows, live music, family activities, and entertainment. These events typically run from 5-9pm, so head on down to Downtown and talk a walk around this fun exhibition of local businesses!

Photo Credit: This Is Boise

Go swimming at Quinn’s Pond:

Quinn’s Pond is right in Boise and next to the Boise River. It is a popular swimming spot to cool off on hot days and has a beach, docks, and launch areas for paddle boards and kayaks. Bring a towel to relax on and spend the day out by the water!

Photo Credit: City of Boise