This Boise & Idaho City itinerary covers 5 easygoing days of good food, scenic drives, and hot springs without overpacking the schedule. You’ll spend time eating really well in Boise, then slow things down in Idaho City, a tiny mountain town with gold-rush roots and a refreshingly quiet pace.
This Boise & Idaho City itinerary is designed for travelers who want variety without rushing, flexibility without overplanning, and food that’s actually worth building a day around.
If you’re figuring out where to base yourself at the start of the trip, check out my guide on Where to Stay in Boise: Best Areas & Hotels for a First-Time Visit to narrow things down without getting overwhelmed. I always recommend walkable downtown options so you’re not driving to every meal—browsing hotels in downtown Boise through Booking.com or Hotels.com makes it easy to compare locations and prices without overthinking it.
Kick off your Boise & Idaho City itinerary by staying central. Downtown Boise is compact, walkable, and ideal for easing into the trip without immediately needing a car.
Spend the afternoon wandering. Walk through nearby parks, pop into coffee shops, and get a feel for the city. Boise doesn’t demand a packed schedule on day one—and that’s part of the appeal.
Alavita is a strong downtown choice for house-made pasta and a seasonal menu that’s focused and well executed. Burrata starters and fresh pappardelle highlight what they do best—comforting Italian food that feels balanced and satisfying without being heavy.
Fork is a dependable downtown favorite with a polished-but-relaxed feel and a menu that balances comfort food with thoughtful, farm-to-table touches. It works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for dinner, which makes it easy to fit into any Boise itinerary.
Downtown’s walkability makes either one an easy night—see my full review of Alavita Boise or check out my Fork Boise review to decide which fits your vibe (or plan both).
Breakfast is a non-negotiable part of this Boise & Idaho City itinerary.
BACON if you want indulgent, unapologetic brunch
Goldy's Breakfast Bistro for classic plates and generous portions
After breakfast, walk it off along the Boise River Greenbelt. It’s flat, scenic, and one of the easiest ways to enjoy Boise without committing to anything strenuous.
Keep lunch casual and leave the afternoon open—breweries, shops, or more wandering all work here.
This is where your Boise & Idaho City itinerary really shifts.
Renting a car makes this portion dramatically easier, especially if you want flexibility with timing and stops. We rented a car in Boise through Discover Cars because it lets you compare options and you can get the best deal.
The drive into the mountains is short but scenic, and Idaho City immediately feels quieter and slower. Spend the afternoon walking the compact downtown, grabbing lunch at a local spot, and leaning into the fact that this town is small by design.
The highlight of the day is The Springs, where private pools are reserved in advance. This isn’t a quick stop—it’s an intentional soak and worth planning around.
If you want to know exactly how reservations, timing, and the pools work, see my full review of The Springs Idaho City Hot Springs: What to Expect & How to Plan Your Visit before you go.
Mornings in Idaho City are quiet and unhurried. Enjoy breakfast, explore a bit more of the town’s gold-rush history, and then decide how adventurous you’re feeling.
If you want another soak (which I highly recommend), you have options:
Bonneville Hot Springs for a more secluded experience
Kirkham Hot Springs if crowds don’t bother you
If you’d rather skip soaking, the forest drive alone is worth the time.
Head back to Boise in the evening and don’t hesitate to repeat a favorite restaurant. This itinerary intentionally leaves room for that.
End your Boise & Idaho City itinerary with a relaxed brunch and no rush out the door.
Fork is a solid option if you missed it earlier, or you can keep things simple with coffee at Flying M Coffee and one last walk downtown. If you’re still on the fence about how Boise stacks up overall, check out my post Is Boise Worth Visiting? An Honest First-Timer’s Travel Guide before you head out.
This trip prioritizes good meals, manageable drives, and hot springs that are unique and exciting. The schedule is realistic, the food is worth planning around, and there’s enough downtime built in that you won’t feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. If that’s how you like to travel, this Boise & Idaho City itinerary is a good fit.
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
@peacefulsidesocial is what happens when someone builds exactly the restaurant a mountain town deserves. Made-from-scratch food. Craft beer brewed on site. A kids’ play area outside, & mountain views from the patio. ⛰️
It’s casual in the best way, the kind of place where you sit down for lunch and suddenly it’s two hours later and you don’t care.
@cityoftownsend | 📍Townsend, TN
I walked through the gates and immediately understood why people fly back to Curaçao just for this place. 🌴
23 rooms. Private beach. A Balinese-inspired resort built stone by stone by the owners themselves. Buddha statues next to conch shells. Candles lit everywhere at night. Beachfront dining that eats like fine dining but feels like you’re just having dinner on the sand.
It’s currently the #1 resort in the Caribbean and after spending time there, I get it completely.
Full review linked in bio
#travelling #curaçao #visitcuraçao #luxuryresort #travelvlog
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
