Boise’s Best Trick-or-Treat Spots

Photo courtesy of 107.9 Lite FM Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to prepare for the tradition of trick-or-treating. Full of charming neighborhoods and bustling streets that go all out for this festive day, there is no lack of Halloween magic in Boise, Idaho. Grab your costumes and candy bags and try these trick-or-treating spots!   Harrison Boulevard: The pinnacle of trick-or-treating spots in Boise is Harrison Boulevard. Located in the North End, this street features stunning estates and historic homes whose Halloween decor is truly on the next level. On Halloween, Harrison Boulevard is closed to cars and gets an estimated 6,000 trick-or-treating kids and their parents visiting. This is a must-see Boise experience!    Warm Springs Avenue: Located in the East End, Warm Springs Avenue offers a similar but less busy experience as Harrison Boulevard. This street is lined with historic mansions and estates, and residents fill their yards with spooky decorations and even homemade haunted houses. Bring your candy-hungry children and check out the beautiful homes and decorations while trick-or-treating this year.   North End: The North End of Boise is sure to impress on Halloween. This prime neighborhood features charming craftsman and bungalow homes that date back to the early 1900s. Festive and spooky decorations are set up by the majority of residents, and there is an abundance of sweet treats for the young ones. While still busy, this neighborhood offers a much more spread-out trick-or-treating experience than the previous two options.    Harris Ranch: Nestled in southeast Boise is Harris Ranch, a newly established neighborhood sitting beneath the foothills and next to the Boise River. Full of families, this neighborhood is a wonderful place to trick-or-treat. Expect top-notch decorations, plenty of candy for the children, and a well-lit environment with minimal car traffic for a safe and exciting Halloween experience!   JUMP-or-Treat: Located in downtown Boise at JUMP (Jack's Urban Meeting Place), this is a family-friendly and fun event that transforms the campus into a world of wonder. Giant inflatables and local partners fill the plaza to hand out treats to costumed attendees. This event is on Saturday, October 26th from 5-8pm. View more details here.   More Halloween Fun! Another option includes Trunk-or-Treats, which are coordinated treat-or-treating events where multiple participants hand out candy in a specific public area. See a nice guide of opportunities here. Looking for more Halloween magic? Check out this map of epic Halloween displays throughout the Treasure Valley!   Some helpful tips and reminders for a safe and fun-filled evening: Trick-or-treating is observed on Thursday, October 31st this year. Some neighborhoods and trunk-or-treat events might host their events the following Friday or on other days. Trick-or-treating usually takes place from sunset to 8pm. Please be mindful of the time and try not to knock on doors in the late hours. Homes that have porch lights off are typically not participating in trick or treating Spot a teal pumpkin on someone’s porch? It may indicate that the house is participating in a ‘food-free’ treat. They may hand out non-food items like stickers or small toys. These are great options for those with food allergies. Check the candy haul for any odd items and tampered pieces. Boise is a beautiful and safe place for trick-or-treating, but it is always good practice to keep your family safe.  

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Haunted Houses and Pumpkin Patches in Boise

Photo: Jenn Jackson   Fall has begun in Boise and the crisp air carries the promise of fall activities starting back up. Boise has plenty of options for those searching for a wholesome pumpkin-picking experience or a spooky night at a haunted house. Here is our list of the best-haunted houses and pumpkin patches in the Boise area and the Treasure Valley!   Lowe Family Farmstead: Located in Kuna, the Lowe Family Farmstead is the area’s most popular fall attraction with a wide variety of activities for the whole family. The Farmstead has a large pumpkin patch where you can search for the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern. It also features other fun fall activities including a corn maze, a mini corn maze for young kids, hayrides, gemstone mining, a potato sack slide, farm animals, a ropes course, their iconic dragon maze, and countless other things to keep the whole family entertained!   Haunted World: Haunted World is the largest indoor and outdoor spooky attraction and haunted house in Idaho and prides itself in its ability to scare anyone who enters. It is open on Fridays and Saturdays in September and every day excluding Sundays in October. Tickets start at $30 and it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to go through all the screams and horrors offered to get your heart racing.   Requiem: Requiem is a haunted house in downtown Caldwell. It is entirely indoors and offers 13,000 square feet of spooks and scares. It is open on Friday and Saturday nights to start and opens on increasing days as Halloween approaches. Tickets start at $15 and opening night is September 29th!   Shindig Farms: Shindig Farms opens Friday, September 21 in Nampa. Aside from a pumpkin patch, Shindig also offers a straw maze, a zip line, a giant slide, and a fun play area for kids. A haunted maze is also offered on Saturday nights in October. Weekday tickets are $12, weekend tickets are $14, and haunted maze tickets are $19.    Jordan’s: The Pumpkin Patch at Jordan’s Garden Center opens on September 15th and there is a huge variety available with prices typically cheaper than grocery stores. There is no cost to enter the pumpkin patch and Jordan’s also offers a hay maze, petting zoo, corn pit, toys, and photo ops at no charge!

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Top Things to Do in Summer in Boise

Boise in the summertime is a treasure trove of activities to keep the whole family entertained. From outdoor endeavors such as floating the river or paddleboarding to events such as the Western Idaho Fair, there is no shortage of things to do. Check out our list of our favorite ways to spend the summer months in Boise, Idaho.   Float the Boise River: One of Boise’s signature attractions is the Boise River, a 102-mile-long tributary of the Snake River that is a beloved spot to float down, enjoy the scenery, and relax during the warmer months of the year. Floating season officially begins in June when water levels are lower after the Spring runoff. The put-in for the Boise River float starts at Barber Park, located in SE Boise off of Eckert Road (about 6 miles from downtown). For more information on floating the Boise River, check out this blog.   Paddleboard at Lucky Peak Discovery Park or Esther Simplot Park/Quinns Pond: Cool down on the hot summer days and enjoy the thrill of paddleboarding at Lucky Peak Discovery Park or Quinn's Pond. At Lucky Peak Discovery Park, take in the breathtaking mountain views in the calm, clear waters perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers. For an adventure closer to downtown, head to Esther Simplot Park and Quinn's Pond, a popular spot that provides an excellent opportunity to cool off, get some exercise, and paddleboard with beautiful mountain views.   Boating at Arrowrock Reservoir: Located just 20 minutes from downtown Boise, Arrowrock Reservoir offers the perfect place to cool off amidst breathtaking natural beauty. With its vibrant blue waters surrounded by beautiful foothill landscapes, Arrowrock Reservoir is perfect for all types of boating, from relaxing cruises to water sports such as wake surfing and wakeboarding.    Swim at one of the local pools or splash pads: Photo credit to Daniel Olson.  As Boise summer temperatures rise, beat the heat in Boise by taking a refreshing dip at one of the local pools or splash pads. There are many public pools in Boise, from the iconic Natatorium Pool & Hydrotube, Ivywild Pool, Fairmont Pool, and more (check out the full list here). Or, check out a splash pad, an interactive water feature that kids will love. Splash pads are located at Molenaar Park, Borah Park, Comba Park, and more (full list here). With these great spots, Boise offers plenty of ways to stay cool and have fun in the sun!     Grab an Ice Cream Potato at Westside Drive In: Photo credit to West Side Drive In.  Nothing tastes better in the warm summer months than some freezing cold ice cream. The Westside Drive-in is a classic Boise staple that might be best known for its famous Idaho Ice Cream Potato, which is vanilla ice cream coated with cocoa powder and other toppings that looks just like a baked potato! This must-try fun dessert celebrates Idaho’s potato-filled history, and this popular drive-in even had its 5 minutes of fame on the show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives with Guy Feiri.     Cool off in the mountains: Photo credit to Bogus Basin. Escape the heat and head to Bogus Basin, just a short drive from the city. With its higher altitude, Bogus Basin offers a refreshing retreat with cooler temperatures (sometimes up to 20 degrees cooler than the valley!) and stunning alpine scenery. Bogus Basin is also fully operational in the summer, with activities including hiking, mountain biking, and scenic chairlift rides. They also offer an exhilarating mountain coaster for those seeking a thrill.      Visit the Idaho Botanical Gardens: Photo credit to the Idaho Botanical Garden. Summer in Boise means the Idaho Botanical Gardens are in full bloom. This lush, 50-acre garden offers a stunning array of themed gardens, vibrant plant collections, and scenic walking paths. The Idaho Botanical Garden also hosts a variety of events, workshops, and concerts, so make sure to check their calendar before you go. They are open from 9 am to 5 pm, with admission starting at $14 for nonmembers and discounts offered for children, seniors, and students.     Visit Green Acres Food Park: Photo credit to Green Acres. Tucked away on the Boise Greenbelt right by Payette Brewing Co., Green Acres offers local food trucks, drinks, and live music in a relaxed park setting. It is family-friendly and dog-friendly with plenty of yard games to keep everyone entertained. They are typically open from 11 am to 8 pm, but check the daily schedule before you go for more details!     Enjoy an outdoor concert: Boise has no shortage of outdoor concerts in the summertime. The Neighborhood concert series offers free pop-up concerts in parks around Boise with food trucks, vendors, and beer from Lost Grove Brewing. The summer schedule includes 6 concerts and can be found here. Another great spot is Outlaw Field, a wide-open grassy, park-like setting with a backdrop of the foothills located by the Old Idaho Penitentiary and the Idaho Botanical Gardens. For more information on outdoor concerts this summer, check out this blog.   Go to the Western Idaho Fair: Photo credit to Expo Idaho. Held annually in August, the Western Idaho Fair offers a fun-filled mix of thrilling rides, live entertainment, and delicious fair food. With plenty of agricultural exhibits, lively concerts, and exciting rides, the fair is sure to have something for everyone. This summer it will take place from August 16th through 25th, and more information can be found here.    

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