Boise’s 5 Spookiest Places to Visit this Fall

Every city has its share of haunted spots, and Boise is no exception. From the heart of downtown to the edges of the foothills, we’ve rounded up five of the spookiest locations around the Boise area—perfect for a Halloween adventure! Old Idaho Penitentiary Built in 1870, this Boise landmark tops our list of the area’s most haunted buildings. During its 101 years in operation, over 13,000 inmates were housed within its iron bars. The penitentiary was the site of ten executions and 129 deaths, and a staggering 90 inmates attempted to escape over the years. The walls of this eerie building have held everyone from armed robbers to infamous killers. Perhaps its most notorious inmate was Harry Orchard, who confessed to killing over 17 people, including a former Idaho governor. Visitors on the penitentiary’s tours have reported chilling experiences—voices, shadowy figures, and an inexplicable sense of “heaviness” lingering throughout the grounds.   Idanha Hotel This six-story, French-chateau-style brick landmark is a downtown Boise icon. Built in 1901, the Idanha initially opened as a luxury hotel, hosting prominent figures, including presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft. At its original five stories, it was Idaho’s tallest building and the first to feature an elevator. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the upper floors were converted into apartments. Residents claim paranormal encounters, with sightings of a bellboy, tragically shot in 1970, and a woman reportedly murdered by her husband in the 1920s. Our own Bryan, who worked across the street, recalls curtains mysteriously floating in the Northwest tower. Curious? Experience the eerie charm of this historic Boise treasure for yourself.   Fort Boise Cemetery If you've spent a Boise summer enjoying the outdoors, chances are you've explored the trails near Fort Boise. Hidden in these peaceful foothills is a cemetery with 247 headstones, many belonging to military men, army officers, and even family members of those who served. While serene by day, this cemetery reportedly becomes a hotspot for paranormal activity at night. Visitors have shared eerie tales of ghostly figures near the headstones and faint, disembodied voices drifting through the quiet.   The Egyptian Theatre Opening in April 1927, the Boise Egyptian Theater quickly became a local favorite, drawing tourists and locals alike to experience its unique architecture, inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1926. This Egyptian Revival design brought a striking landmark to Boise’s Capitol Boulevard. Years ago, a projectionist named Joe, who worked there for 35 years, reportedly passed away from a heart attack inside the theater. To this day, some claim he never clocked out—visitors and staff have spotted a ghostly figure walking toward the projection room. Others say they’ve glimpsed the apparition of a woman crossing the stage, perhaps a former actress unable to leave the spotlight. Haunted Stories   The Owyhee Building Shortly after the Idanha Hotel welcomed guests, the Owyhee Plaza Hotel opened on 12th and Main Street in 1910. Originally designed with 99 rooms, the hotel has since undergone nearly 40 renovations and now houses restaurants and retail spaces. While there are no recorded fatal incidents here, many former guests and staff claim that spirits may still linger. Reports of strange noises, shadowy apparitions, and the unnerving sense of being watched add an air of mystery to this historic Boise landmark.  

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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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