The Ultimate Greenbelt Guide

This is hands down one of the best hidden gems in Southwest Idaho. The Greenbelt provides unbelievable access to the great outdoors, restaurants, wineries, coffee shops, parks, and scenic views. It’s all accessible from downtown Boise. There is so much to see and do on the Boise Greenbelt that to cover it all would take years! We’ve picked out 21 of our favorites spots that SHOULD NOT be missed.

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1. Esther Simplot Park

This peaceful space tucked along the river is a great place for a picnic or a swim: clear waters to dive into, docks to lay out and soak up the sun, and playgrounds perfect for a game of tag or hide-and-go-seek.

2. Push and Pour

This up-and-coming coffee shop in Garden City was created to be a place for skaters, artists, and musicians to meet over a cup of coffee. Inspired by the owners’ passion for skateboarding, this space (once an old autobody shop) features 70s-era skateboards mounted on the walls and fixtures made from the wood of the owners’ old skateboards. Our recommendation? Try their hemp milk cortado with a slice of avocado toast!

3. Telaya Wine Co.

This winery all started with a love story between two Idaho natives. In 2008, Earl and Carrie Sullivan established Telaya winery to combine their passion for travel and their love for family. Beginning with just 50 cases, the Sullivans now serve a host of Washington and Idaho wines in their full-service tasting room just a few feet away from the Greenbelt.

See our Food & Wine Guide.

4. Coiled Winery

Sip a taste of Idaho. All Coiled wines come from local Idaho grapes and are crafted on location, made from vine to wine under their roof. Check out their happy hour and order a glass of their Sidewinder (a Syrah blend), paired perfectly with locally produced nuts or chocolate.

5. Boise Whitewater Park

Who says you can’t catch some waves in a landlocked state? With the help of cutting-edge wave-shaping technology, this park features the best (and only) waves in the state, perfect for surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.

Checkout our SUP Guide!

6. The Sandbar Patio Bar & Grill

Biking along the Greenbelt can definitely work up an appetite, so treat yourself to some local, fresh grilled cuisine at this outdoor patio right off the trail. Be sure to catch some of the free, live music, featuring jazz trios, blues bands, singer-songwriters, and everything in between.

The outdoor patio bar and grill is open from mid-May through October.

7. Boise Parks

Whether it’s wandering through the rose garden at Julia Davis or playing a quick game of tennis at Ann Morrison, there’s a park for everyone along the Greenbelt.

Here’s a list of 10 of the best parks nearby:

• Julia Davis Park
• Ann Morrison Park
• Kathryn Albertson Park
• Kristin Armstrong Park
• Shoreline Park
• Boise Whitewater Park
• Esther Simplot Park
• Veterans Memorial Park
• Willow Lane Athletic Complex
• River Pointe Park
• Marianne Williams Park

8. Payette Brewing

Named after both a famous outdoorsman in Idaho history and the powerful headwaters that feed into the Boise River, this brewery prides itself on “going against the grain” to make the best beer in the west. Grab a pint, meet up with some friends, and taste it for yourself. Also be sure to check out their beer garden, where you can play a game of bocce or grab a quick bite from a local food truck.

9. Anne Frank Memorial

Inspired by Anne Frank’s persistent faith in humanity, this memorial is a quiet, peaceful space for anyone who needs time to pause, reflect, or just breathe. Take a moment to read the powerful quotes inscribed on the stone walls, or maybe just sit and listen to the rustling cottonwoods and bubbling fountains.

10. Boise Downtown

The Greenbelt runs straight along the edge of downtown Boise. Check out 8th street, the center of Boise’s vivacious nightlife and dining scene. The street is lined with high-end restaurants, lounges, sports bars, late-night eats, and tap rooms. Learn more about Boise’s food scene in our video:

11. Boise Art Museum

Immerse yourself in the creative visions of artists around the world as you stroll through the exhibits of the Boise Art Museum. Gain a new perspective as you take in the striking sculptures, sweeping landscape paintings and vibrant ceramic collections.

12. Idaho State Museum

Our newly renovated museum has been built to tell Idaho’s strange tales since becoming a state in 1890. Don’t believe us? Check out the two-headed cow at the Idaho State Museum.

13. Boise Zoo

Snow leopards, boa constrictors, and capybaras…Oh my! Take a walk on Boise’s wild side.

14. Albertsons Stadium

We really do bleed blue and orange. See the world’s only blue artificial turf football field for yourself. Bronco season typically starts in early September.

15. MK Nature Center

You don’t have to venture far from the Greenbelt to catch some glimpses of wildlife. Foxes, deer, mink, and heron — these are just some of the animals you might be lucky enough to spot during a stroll through the MK Nature Center.

16. Warm Springs Golf Course

Nestled between the foothills and the Boise River, this golf course is one of the most affordable and family-friendly in the city — and you can’t beat the scenery.

17. Lucky 13

“Where good food, good drinks, and good people leave you feeling lucky.” This is the motto of the nostalgic pizzeria and bar located near Harris Ranch. Sip on a glass of wine while taking in the panoramic views from the loft, or savor a slice of pizza on the shaded patio.

18. Idaho Shakespeare Festival

Boise’s scenery creates the perfect set for a play. Surrounded by the Boise foothills and seated under the stars, watch some of the greatest works of Shakespeare and other classic playwrights come to life at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.

The festival is open May through September.

19. Bown Crossing

This community in Southeast Boise is equal parts trendy and charming. Its streets are lined with good eats, gastropubs, and quirky boutiques. Grab a pint and some poutine at Bier Thirty, savor a steak on the rooftop patio at The Tavern, or experience nostalgia over old-fashioned sweets at Craven’s Candy Emporium.

20. Barber Pool Conservation Area

Take a step back in time to see what the Treasure Valley used to look like over four decades ago. This 712-acre conservation area is protected from most human activity, making it a home for over 200 species of wildlife, including coyotes, beavers, and raptors.

21. Lucky Peak Sandpoint

Soak up the sun and dive into the cool waters of Lucky Peak Reservoir. Featuring long sandy beaches and shady trees, this park is ideal for playing volleyball, building a sand castle, paddleboarding, or just getting out of the heat.

Thank you to our premium members of SWITA — you make Southwest Idaho the best place to visit.