Five Fun Day Trips from Boise
One of the coolest parts about living in Boise is that you can be out of the city and on an adventure in about 15 minutes. While going camping for the weekend has its advantages, sometimes you need a short break from the everyday, but you don’t have a full weekend free. Here’s five fun day trips from Boise, Idaho.
Ideas for Day Trips from Boise, Idaho
These mini adventures are the perfect size for a quick day trip from Boise and you can be back by dusk and sleep in your own bed!
1. Jump Creek Falls
Travel Time from Boise: 55 minutes
How to get to Jump Creek Falls: From I-84 W, take Exit 33A, then follow Highway 55 through Marsing and on to the junction with US-95. Continue 1 mile past the junction and turn left onto Cemetery Road. In a short distance you arrive at a T-intersection with a stop sign. Turn left. This road turns into Jump Creek Road. Follow this road until you reach the recreation are and the trailhead.
Jump Creek is a short drive from Boise and though the whole family will enjoy it, it’s especially fun for teenagers. After a short, easy 1/2 mile hike, you’ll arrive at a large swimming hole in the basin of some large cliffs. There is a stunning 60-foot waterfall that flows down the rocks and into the swimming hole.
For more adventurous people, you can hike straight up the large boulders surrounding the swimming hole and get a breathtaking view from the top. The trail open only during the day and there are picnic tables and a restroom at the trailhead.
For those who just want the hike and may not be prepared to get wet, note that in the spring, part of the trail can be covered by up to shin high water, so plan your shoes and attire appropriately.
2. Weiser Classic Candy Store
Travel Time from Boise: 1 hour 12 minutes
How to get to Weiser, ID: From 1-84W take exit 374 onto OR-201 N in Malheur County. Follow OR-201 N into Weiser, following the signs.
Weiser Classic Candy is a blast from the past, and a delicious one at that. The drive to Weiser takes you through several small Idaho towns and if you enjoy a nice drive through the country with the windows down, getting to Weiser Classic Candy is half the fun.
Once you arrive you’ll be greeted with the most charming candy store. The long glass case features dozens and dozens of delicious handmade chocolates, lots of varieties of fudge, dipped pretzels, caramel corn and so much more. Old fashioned jars atop the class display case feature even more wrapped candy options.
One of the best parts about Weiser Classic Candy is the Idaho themed candies and gifts. They feature huckleberry confections, Idaho shaped chocolate boxes and even a baked potato shaped fudge.
The candy store also doubles as a deli, so grab some lunch and then enjoy picking out your sweet treats.
3. Silver City, Idaho
Travel Time from Boise: 2 hours 4 minutes
How to get to Silver City, ID: From I-84 W take Exit 42. Merge onto Ten Mile Rd. Turn Right on Amity Rd. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto S Robinson Rd and follow Robinson Rd to Deer Flat Rd. Turn right on Deer Flat Rd, then turn left onto ID-45 S. Take ID-45 S until it turns into ID-78 E, then continue on. In approximately 20 miles, you’ll turn right onto Silver City Road which will take you into the town.
Silver City, Idaho is an old mining town that hasn’t changed since it was a bustling city of 2,500 in the 1860’s. Visiting Silver City is truly like stepping back in time. Walk through the city and see dozens of original structures including an old schoolhouse and a church on the hill. There are a few different cemeteries to visit with beautiful old headstones that would be great for photographers.
Silver City has a few gift shops you can visit and you can eat at the historic Idaho Hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served there along with pie, root beer floats and adult beverages. This is a fun day trip that seems to be an Idaho bucket list item.
Note that the road to Silver City is narrow and unpaved and is only open June - September. 4WD vehicles are recommended.
4. Miracle Hot Springs
Travel Time from Boise: 1 hour 45 minutes
How to get to Miracle Hot Springs: From 1-84 W, take Exit 141 and turn right. Then, turn left onto US-30 E and continue for 18 miles. Turn right at E 4800 N where you will find the destination.
Miracle Hot Springs is an unexpected luxury just outside of Hagerman, Idaho. Enjoy one of four geothermal fed public pools of varying temperature, or reserve one of the private VIP hot pools. With on-site massages, kayak and paddle board rentals and a live pet alligator pen, there is for sure something here for everyone.
If you love to camp, there are tent and RV spaces for rent as well as a few cabins. If camping isn’t quite your thing, try one of the Glamping Domes with a luxury queen bed and a/c or heat. A fun adventure for those who love the water!
5. Idaho City, Idaho
Travel Time from Boise: 55 minutes
How to get to Idaho City: Take ID 21 past Lucky Peak. You’ll drive right through Idaho City.
Idaho City was once a booming town of 7,000 comprised mostly of gold miners seeking their fortune. Many years later the gold dried up and tpeople moved on, leaving Idaho City with just around 100 inhabitants. The history and charm of this somewhat abandoned settlement has earned it the title of an Idaho Ghost Town.
Whether or not ghosts are actually roaming the town is up to interpretation, but you’ll find plenty of wild West charm along the streets of Idaho City. Many building are original, or have been restored with old time charm. You can visit the old jail, the courthouse, stop by the antique stores and if you are a history buff, don’t miss the Boise Basin Museum.
Of course no visit to Idaho City is complete without a stop at Sarsaparilla Ice Cream Parlor, and you can also grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants like The Gold Mine Bar & Grill or Diamond Lil’s Steakhouse & Saloon.
Have you visited all of these day trips from Boise? I grew up in Boise and there are a few even I haven’t been to!