If you’re new to the area, or maybe just don’t get out much, you may not be aware of the many wonderful opportunities we have, right here in the Boise area. Whether you’re going out for the first time or the 50th, here’s my list of date night suggestions for any couple looking to keep it fresh year-round in the Treasure Valley.
Spring
Spring is beautiful in Boise, but the weather can be a little unpredictable. One minute it’s 70 and sunny, the next it’s 40 and rainy. Layers are an Idahoan’s springtime best friend, and it never hurts to keep an umbrella in your car trunk.
Hiking in the foothills — Try trails like Polecat Loop at the top of Collister Drive or the Camelsback trails in North Boise. Pack a picnic, or dine out afterward at one of the many great North End eateries.
Treefort Music Festival — Love music? Love the downtown scene? Don’t miss Treefort, a five-day music festival that takes over the heart of Boise with Indie bands and other entertainment offerings.
Saturday morning market — Technically you could do this all summer as well, but it starts in the spring! And why wouldn’t you want to enjoy some of Boise’s most delicious treats as soon as they’re available? This is a morning date, for sure, but we’ll count it anyway, since it could be an extension of Friday night’s fun 😉
Date night, wine night — Most people don’t equate Idaho with wine, but our state has plenty of vino to bring to the table. Take a tour through wine country, just an hour away, or try out the downtown wine scene at a place like City Center Wines, which offers affordable, guided tastings.
Summer
If you ask me, summer is the best time of year to be an Idahoan. There’s so much to do, particularly if you love the outdoors!
Shakespeare under the stars — Pack a picnic and guard your wine at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Get there early for the Green Show, and enjoy a night of the Valley’s best performers under the starry Idaho sky.
Paddleboarding at Quinn’s Pond — Don’t have paddleboards? No worries! Rent a pair by the hour from Idaho River Sports, a short walking distance from the pond. Paddleboarding is easy to learn and super fun! A great way to bond and be adventurous.
Art in the Park — This artsy tradition takes place every Labor Day weekend at beautiful Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise. Check out wares from over 200 vendors and take home unique treasures you’ll want to show off.
Ice skating — What better way to cool off from those triple-digit temps? It may be 100 degrees outside, but at Idaho IceWorld, it’s downright chilly!
Outdoor concerts at Outlaw Field — The Idaho Botanical Gardens are stunning any time of year — you’ll see them on the Winter list as well. But why not check them out in the summer, then follow up your visit with an outdoor concert in Outlaw Field?
Sand dunes and stargazing — If you haven’t yet taken a trip out to Bruneau Sand Dunes, located just south of Boise, this is your chance! Stay the night and check out the park’s telescope and observatory, and view the Milky Way around midnight with the naked eye.
Fall
Like spring, fall weather in Boise can be a little unpredictable. One thing you can always count on, though? Stunning fall colors, in the form of bright red maples, golden ginkos, and fiery aspens. You know, it sounds like the perfect time to take some Boise family photos…
Get lost in a corn maze — Is there anything more rural than wandering through a corn maze, hand in hand with the one you love? Get lost on purpose or maybe by accident at one of the Valley’s top-quality corn mazes.
Harvest and bake an apple pie — Why not make a day of it? Take a drive out to farm country and one of Emmett’s many orchards. Pick a bushel of apples (be sure to bring cash), and take the fresh fruit home to bake a couple homemade apple pies with your sweetie-pie.
Escape the room together — Is your significant other a bit of a puzzle? Hoping to solve the mysteries of your relationship? Boise’s escape room options can’t exactly do all that, but they’re fun just the same! Choose a room that meets your desired difficulty level, and crack the case together.
Cooking classes at Sur La Table — Like escape rooms, you can enjoy cooking classes at Sur La Table year-round, but fall seems like the perfect time. ’Tis the season of harvest, and therefore the season of food, right? Why not learn a few tips and tricks and make your time in the kitchen all the more special?
Winter
The McCall Winter Carnival — Maybe you go for the ice sculptures. Maybe you go for the food trucks. Either way, the McCall Winter Carnival is an Idaho favorite, and it’s just two hours outside of Boise. Some nights feature fireworks over the frozen lake, right over visitors’ heads. Could anything be more romantic?
Winter Garden aGlow — Grab a cup of hot cocoa or cider and wander a spectacular display of over 400,000 lights. Be sure to bring your camera to capture lots of Instagram-worthy photos.
Boise’s many museums — Boise may not be the cultural hub of the Northwest, but what museums and cultural centers it does have are lovely. Check out the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho State History Museum, the Basque Museum, or for an extra-creepy date night, the Old Idaho Penitentiary.
Night skiing at Bogus Basin — You don’t have to be a winter sports pro to enjoy a night of adventure at Bogus Basin. The ski resort is open to the public and serves food and drink, as well as opportunities to ski while enjoying exceptional, breathtaking views of our capital city.
No matter what time of year it is, Boise is a beautiful place to take pictures. Call me — your Boise family and wedding photographer — and let’s set up a session! Just another fun activity to do this season here in the Treasure Valley.
