Weekend Itinerary: Boise & Garden City

In partnership with the Idaho Wine Commission and Southwest Idaho Travel Association (SWITA)

Boise is the perfect jumping off point to explore Southwest Idaho’s wine region. The state has three American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) and over 70 wineries and cideries, the majority of which are in the greater Boise area. The Snake River Valley AVA includes urban wineries and the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, which stretches from Kuna to Caldwell. The Eagle Foothills AVA is located north of Boise. Check out this sample 3-day weekend itinerary for some travel inspiration!

Know Before You Go

During your stay, enjoy a complimentary tasting when you visit any of the participating tasting rooms by showing your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan membership and an inbound Alaska Airlines boarding pass (paper or digital) with an Idaho airport arrival. Create your own custom case of wine or take home one from any winery and check it for free on your returning domestic Alaska Airlines flight, courtesy of Idaho Wine Flies Free.

Don’t forget the packaging as well, as you’ll need to bring your wines safely boxed up to the airport for your flight home. Many wineries or bottle shops can provide you with materials they have on hand.

Bring lots of water to stay hydrated between and during your tastings.

As always, please drive sober and responsibly during and after your wine tastings. There are several wine tour operators if you prefer to have someone else do the driving. Reservations are required, so be sure to plan ahead!

• Snake River Wine Tours
• Idaho Winery Seekers
• Idaho Wine Tours
• Sunshine Wine Tours
• Ciao Bella Wine Tours

DAY 1

Cinder Wines tasting room | Photo credit: SWITA

Telaya Wine Co. | Photo credit: SWITA

Potter Wines | Photo credit: Kim Fetrow Photography

COILED | Photo credit: SWITA

Meriwether Cider | Downtown Boise

JUMP | Photo credit: BVEP

The Owyhee | Photo credit: Visit Boise

Inn at 500 | Photo credit: Inn at The 500 Capitol

Day 1: Morning

Breakfast - Fuel up for the day’s adventures at one of Boise’s favorite morning eateries. Bacon or Big City Coffee & Cafe both offer big plates of fresh made fare. We suggest the Benny Hill at Bacon or the Farmer’s Daughter at Big City.

Explore Boise Downtown Landmarks and Businesses

Get a feel for the clean, accessible downtown by taking in some of the sites and shops. Suggested stops:

• Idaho State Capitol
• JUMP
• Freak Alley Gallery
• Idaho Made
• The Chocolat Bar
• City Peanut Shop
• Rediscovered Books
• Shift Boutique
• Mixed Greens

Day 1: Afternoon

Lunch at The Warehouse Food Hall - 370 S 8th St.

• Boise’s new food hall and culinary hub features 11 independently owned restaurants and two bars. Grab a scoop of ice cream at The STIL next door and be sure to take a peek at the Treefort Music Hall, home to the wildly popular Treefort Music Fest.

Urban Winery Tastings

After lunch, drive or walk/bike the Boise River Greenbelt to your pick of urban wineries. Many of the wineries offer food or charcuterie board options if you get hungry along the way. Find three possible itineraries below. Wineries marked with * offer a complimentary tasting when you show your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan membership and an Alaska Airlines boarding pass (paper or digital) with an Idaho airport arrival. Remember to buy an extra bottle or two to take home as part of the Alaska Airlines Wine Flies Free promotion.

• Downtown
  • SCORIA*
  • Meriwether Cider Co.
• Greenbelt/Garden City: Walk, bike, drive or Uber to discover wineries further up in Garden City.
  • Walkable/bikeable:
    • Telaya Wine Co.*
    • Split Rail Winery*
    • 3100 Cellars*
    • Coiled Wines*
    • Cinder Wines
    • Proletariat Wines - opening in 2023
  • Drive:
    • Rolling Hills Urban Tasting Room
    • Par Terre Winery
    • Potter Wines*
• Eagle Foothills: Venture north of Boise to wineries in the Eagle Foothills.
  • 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards
  • Dude Dewalt Cellars
  • Sol Invictus Vineyard

Day 1: Evening

Dinner - Enjoy your meal at a unique-to-Boise restaurant offering Idaho wines:

• Fork
• Bardenay
• Owyhee Tavern
• The Wylder
• Juniper

Hotel - Book your overnight stay at one of the hotels located in Boise’s walkable downtown.

• The Grove Hotel
• Hotel 43
• Modern Hotel + Bar
• Inn at 500 Capitol

DAY 2

Sunshine Spice Cafe | Photo credit: Sunshine Spice Cafe

Basque Market | Photo credit: Basque Museum and Cultural Center

8th Street | Photo credit: Visit Boise

The STIL | Photo Credit: The STIL

Julia Davis Park - The Greenbelt | Photo credit: Boise Parks and Rec

Western Proper | Photo credit: Western Proper

Rolling Hills Urban Tasting Room | Photo credit: Rolling Hills Vineyard

Split Rail Winery | Photo credit: Split Rail Winery

Dude DeWalt Cellars | Photo credit: Dude DeWalt Cellars

Day 2: Morning

Breakfast at Sunshine Spice Cafe

• Four sisters, all refugees from Afghanistan, opened Sunshine Spice Cafe in late 2019. Their traditional baked goods, tarts and Turkish coffees and teas quickly caught the attention of locals and media alike, garnering a 2022 James Beard Award nomination in the baker category.

If you’re just looking for a cup of coffee to get you moving, the city has you covered. Choose from one of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Boise.

Culture - Boise has the largest Basque population outside of Spain. Hit downtown Boise’s Basque Block filled with restaurants, bars and a museum/cultural center. Sample from Ansots (a 2023 James Beard semifinalist, known for their chorizo), Leku Ona, the Basque Market (they make paella for a crowd out on the patio twice a week), and Bar Gernika.

Day 2: Afternoon

Urban Winery Tastings

Select another area of urban wineries to explore to round out your Idaho wine experience.

• Downtown
• Greenbelt/Garden City
• Eagle Foothills

Day 2: Evening 

Dinner - Explore the dining scene around Boise’s 8th Street Corridor or Hyde Park neighborhood

• 8th Street: Juniper, Bittercreek Alehouse, Mai Thai
• Hyde Park: Parilla, 13th Street Pub and Grill, Casa Mexico, North End Pizza

Performing Arts - Check local event calendars to find a show or live music at the Morrison Center, Boise’s premier performing arts venue, Treefort Music Hall, or one of Boise’s breweries or clubs.

Movie - BoDo Cinema, located in the same building as The Warehouse, is Boise’s newest upscale movie theater. Auditoriums feature luxury electric recliners, DLP projectors and even some two-seater loveseat-style seats.

Nightcap - If you’re looking for a late evening drink, try:

• Gatsby - a 1920s style speakeasy where visitors must call for the password
• Western Proper - food, drinks, bowling and arcade
• The Modern Bar (located inside the Modern Hotel)
• Stardust
• The Royal Cocktail Co.

DAY 3

Camel's Back | Photo credit: Visit Boise

Camel's Back | Photo credit: Visit Boise

Hyde Park Fine Wines | Photo credit: Hyde Park Fine Wines

Boise Co-Op North End | Photo credit: Boise Co-Op

Day 3 Morning:

Hike - Head out for a hike in the Boise Foothills, located just minutes from downtown. The Ridge to Rivers System offers over 190 miles of trails, including accessible options for hikers of all abilities. We suggest Camel’s Back or Table Rock trails for great views of the city. 

Before you leave town, make sure you have some bottles of Idaho wine to take home. If you forgot to grab some during your winery visits, stop by Hyde Park Fine Wines or the Boise Co-op, the city’s community owned natural food store. 

Looking for more activities just a short drive away? Check out our Sunnyslope & Snake River Valley itinerary.