A Visitor's Guide for the CPC Annual Gathering
Welcome to Boise!
Here are some local favorites — from historic sights and museums to parks, food, and a couple of spots that speak to our shared UCC values around justice and human dignity.
Downtown & Walkable Sights
Idaho State Capitol Building
Free, self-guided tours through a stunning marble rotunda.
Freak Alley Gallery
A vibrant outdoor mural alley with ever-changing local art, close to the capitol. Between 8th & 9th Streets and Bannock & Idaho Streets,
The Basque Block
Basque Museum & Cultural Center, restaurants, and market honoring a unique piece of Idaho history. Grove St. between Capitol Blvd. & 6th St.
Egyptian Theatre — a beautifully restored historic downtown landmark and event venue.
8th Street / Downtown Boise — shops, boutiques, and patios, all very walkable.
Parks & Outdoors
Boise River Greenbelt
25+ miles of scenic paths along the river — great for a walk or bike ride. You can easily rent e-bikes at several locations around the city.
Julia Davis Park
Home to Zoo Boise, Boise Art Museum, Idaho State Museum, and the rose garden.
Kathryn Albertson Park — a quiet, wetland-style park, perfect for a peaceful stroll.
Idaho Botanical Garden — 15 lush acres near the Old Penitentiary.
Ann Morrison Park — big open green space along the river.
Ridge to Rivers trail system — foothill hiking trails with sweeping valley views, especially beautiful at sunset. Trail maps available online & at trailhead parking lots. Be aware that many trails, especially those from 8th St. to the east, as well as some others are closed due to wildfires. Even if opened again, avoid this area, as it has been burned.
Museums & Culture
Idaho State Museum — Idaho history, Native heritage, pioneer and mining history.
Boise Art Museum — an Art Deco building with rotating exhibits.
Idaho Black History Museum — free admission, a meaningful and worthwhile stop.
Basque Museum and Cultural Center — the only Basque museum in the United States.
Old Idaho Penitentiary — a historic 1870s territorial prison with self-guided tours.
Discovery Center of Idaho — hands-on science exhibits, especially fun if children are along.
World Center for Birds of Prey
Live raptor demonstrations, great fun for groups of all ages.
Food & Drink Highlights
Basque Block restaurants — Bar Gernika, Leku Ona and The Basque Market all offer a genuinely unique regional cuisine.
Boise Fry Co. — Idaho potatoes done seven different ways, a true local favorite.
Grove Plaza / The Grove — a public square that often hosts free concerts and food trucks in summer.
Faith & History
St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral — a historic downtown church, open for quiet reflection.
Hyde Park / North End Historic District — tree-lined streets, small shops, and cafes, especially on 13th Street’s Hyde Park.) Much of the North End, including the historic homes along Harrison Blvd. arenot far from Boise First UCC.
Boise Trolley Tours - Need a more relaxing way to see the sights inthestead of walking? Take a 2-hour narrated historical trolley tour of Boise. Buy tickets ahead online at boisetrolleytours.com. Leaves daily at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Have some extra time? How about a scenic drive with some fun at the end?
Idaho City - An 1860s gold rush town just 36 miles northeast of Boise on Highway 21. Explore the town, with a saloon, museum, and the old jail. Especially interesting is the pioneer cemetary on the hill. A visitors’ center has maps.
While there you can soak in a natural geothermal hot springs pool. Reservations at thespringsid.com
Don’t skip the famous huckleberry cheesecake at Trudy’s Kitchen on the highway just outside of town. Closes at 3 p.m. YUM!
Highway 55 Scenic Route & Pilgrim Cove Camp - A 2-hr. drive from Boise is the beautiful mountain town of McCall on the shores of Payette Lake. Just outside of town is our UCC camp, Pilgrim Cove. See where generations of our church have camped since the 1920s. There are cabins where you can spend the night (check the website for availability) and you can take a dip or glide atop the lake in a canoe or kayak, or simply commune with God and nature in this beautiful setting.
