Entertainment in the Treasure Valley

There are so may options for entertainment in Boise and the surrounding cities and communities.  Of course you can always do the "dinner and a movie" routine, but there is such a variety of things to do and see, no matter the season. There are simply no excuses for not getting out and getting entertained!

Concerts and Theatre

The Treasure Valley attracts top bands, musicians, plays, and other entertainment throughout the year at its many top-quality venues.

• Taco Bell Arena - Located on the Boise State University campus, Taco Bell Arena hosts concerts by world-renowned bands and artists as well as other events
• Ford Idaho Center -  Large indoor and outdoor arenas host concerts, circuses, rodeos and other events throughout the year.  Located in Nampa off the Garrity exit of I-84
• Idaho Botanical Gardens - Outlaw Field - Located at the foot of Table Rock in the beautiful Idaho Botanical Gardens, Outlaw Field hosts summer concerts in a casual, bring-your-own chair, environment
• Revolution Concert House - Located across from the Western Idaho Fairgrounds, hosts concerts and other events
• Knitting Factory - In the heart of downtown Boise, the Knitting Factory is an intimate concert venue hosting a variety of musical acts
• Idaho Shakespeare Festival - A regional repertory theatre located in an outdoor amphitheater within a habitat reserve.  Each summer the festival performs five different plays, including works from Shakespeare as well as other classical and contemporary plays.  Located at the east end of Warm Springs Avenue near Hwy 20
• Ballet Idaho - A classic ballet company and academy that performs both classical and contemporary ballets, at either the Morrison Center or the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy
• Boise Philharmonic - Established in 1960, Idaho's largest and oldest performing arts organization performs concerts throughout the valley at the Morrison Center, Swayne Auditorium (Nampa), Jewett Auditorium (Caldwell), and other recital halls and schools
• Egyptian Theater - Boise's oldest theatre, home to Opera Idaho,  also hosts theatrical plays, and screens classic movies.  Located at 700 W. Main in downtown Boise
• Boise Film Festival - established to showcase films from around the world as well as those by local film makers.  Held during the summer, this four day event is located in downtown Boise.  For information see http://www.boisefilmfestival.org
• Morrison Center - Performing arts center located on the BSU campus, hosts concerts, dance performances, comedians, and Broadway plays.
• Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy - Located on 9th street in downtown Boise, features concerts, opera, dance, and ballet performances and is home to Ballet Idaho, Opera Idaho, and the Boise Philharmonic
• Swayne Auditorium - Located on the NNU campus in Nampa, hosts concerts, plays, and ballet performances
• Jewett Auditorium - Located on the College of Idaho campus in Caldwell, holds various ceremonies, concerts, guest speakers, and other events
• Liquid Lounge -  Comedy club located in BoDo, features stand-up comedians from nationally recognized to local performers
• Stagecoach Theater - Small venue located at 4802 W. Emerald Street in Boise, puts on local productions of nationally recognized plays and performances
• Alive after 5 Concert Series - Schedule of free summer concerts held on Wednesday nights in The Grove Plaza in downtown Boise
• Boise Contemporary Theater - A small independent theater company that writes, produces and presents contemporary plays and performances, located on Fulton Street in downtown Boise
• Boise Music Festival - All day music festival with both top-name musical performers from all genres, as well as local bands and artists, held in June at the Idaho State Fairgrounds

Museums

Are you all about history?  Southwest Idaho has some fascinating history and a wide variety of museums to in which to explore it.  Great for kids and adults of all ages, there are museums from aeronautics to zoology and everything in between.

• Basque Museum and Cultural Center - Chronicles the migration of Basques to Boise and their unique and fascinating culture.  Boise has the second largest community in the US, and their involvement in the growth and development of the Treasure Valley is the focus of this fascinating museum.  Located in the Basque Block on Grove Street in downtown Boise.
• Boise Art Museum - Idaho's premier art museum, highlights local and regional artists and hosts "Art in the Park" at its home in Julia Davis Park, a three-day festival recognized as one of the premier cultural events in the northwest where visitors can view and purchase art from more than 200 artists
• Discovery Center of Boise - Interactive, kid-friendly, hands-on science museum designed to inspire life-long fascination with learning about science.  Located off Myrtle Street on the edge of Julia Davis Park, near Zoo Boise
• Eagle Historical Museum -  A history of the growth and development of the city of Eagle.  Located n the heart of downtown Eagle on old State Street
• Idaho Black History Museum - Offers a combination of exhibits, performances, and educational programs focusing on African Americans role in Idaho's diverse cultural history.  Located adjacent to the Idaho State Historical Museum in Julia Davis Park
• Idaho Military History Museum - Pays tribute to military from the region and preserves military memorabilia from eras of past and present wars and conflict.  The museum is next to the Boise Airport (Gowen Field) on Harvard Street
• Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology - Housed in the Old Idaho Penitentiary, provides a history of Idaho mining and features artifacts and geological samples
• Idaho State Historical Museum - Idaho's largest and most popular museum, chronicles the settlement of Idaho and early business and industry.  Located in scenic Julia Davis Park in downtown Boise
• MK Nature Center - Operated by the state, features an interactive wildlife experience on a 4.6 acre site along the Boise River
• Nampa Train Depot Museum - Part of the Canyon County Historical Society, features exhibits of train history, artifacts and memorabilia
• Old Idaho Penitentiary - Opened in 1872 to house the states most desperate criminals, the site is now a historical museum containing 30 buildings with exhibits and artifacts including a collection of historic arms and military memorabilia.  Located off Warm Springs road at the foot of  Tablerock.
• Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History - Housed in the College of Idaho, the only natural history museum in the region, extensive collections and exhibits of wildlife and artifacts
• Our Memories Indian Creek Museum - Historical period displays in more than 30 rooms, operated by the Canyon County Historical Society
• Warhawk Air Museum - Collection of military aircraft, exhibits of military aviation history, and military artifacts from WWI, WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and stories from area military vets.  Located at the Nampa airport.
• World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame - Located on the BSU campus, chronicles humanitarian efforts of world-class athletes

Idaho Botanical Garden

Nestled against the foothills below Table Rock, adjacent to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, the Idaho Botanical Gardens provide a peaceful escape into the beauty of native Idaho plants, flowers, trees and shrubs.  There are different exhibits of seasonal plants, art and plant sculpture, and special plant collections at different times during the spring and summer.  The Botanical Garden Hosts events throughout the year including concerts, classes, workshops, and other public events, as well as private events including weddings and parties. 

Aquarium of Boise

At the corner of Cole and Franklin, near the Boise Town Square Mall, the Aquarium of Boise is a 10,000 square foot indoor facility with over 300 different species in 30+ major exhibits.  The aquarium focuses on educating and inspiring conservation efforts of aquatic species and ecosystems. 

Zoo Boise

Located in scenic Julia Davis park along the banks of the Boise River, Zoo Boise is fun, interactive city zoo housing both native and non-native species.  Feed giraffes, growl at the big cats, check out the red panda, and check many other exotic animals -- all easy to see (unlike some larger city zoos).

Spectator Sports

The treasure valley has a variety of exciting professional and amateur sports venues for those that want to cheer on the home team!

• Boise Hawks -  Boise's minor league baseball team, single A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, with home stadium located adjacent to the Western Idaho Fairgrounds
• Idaho Steelheads- Boise's professional minor league hockey team, an affiliate of the Dallas Stars, play their home games at Century Link Arena in downtown Boise
• Idaho Stampede - NBA Developmental League professional basketball team, an affiliate of the Utah Jazz, play home games at the downtown Century Link Arena
• Firebird Raceway - Located north of Star off Highway 16, Firebird is a NHRA drag racing facility offering a full schedule of racing and events
• Le Bois Park - Professional horse racing with live races three nights per week during the summer months, and simulcast racing machines for other tracks.  Located at the Western Idaho Fairgrounds.
• Meridian Speedway - Outdoor racetrack located on the south side of Meridian, featuring weekend dirt and asphalt auto racing
• Snake River Stampede - A top-10 nationally recognized professional rodeo held at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, just off the I-84 freeway

College Sports

In addition to professional sports teams and organization, we have a vibrant college sports scene in the Treasure Valley. 

• Boise State University - The Boise State Broncos football team is nationally ranked year after year and much of the valley is "BSU crazy" during the fall.  BSU also fields very competitive teams in basketball, baseball, volleyball, track & field, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, golf, wrestling, cross country, gymnastics, swimming and diving, and softball.  Tickets are available for most events through the BSU ticket office.
• College of Idaho - The Yotes are members of the NAIA and has a long standing tradition of excellent athletic teams and programs.  C of I fields a number of teams including football, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, skiing, golf, cross country, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.  Season tickets are available for football and basketball, and individual tickets are available for most team sports.
• Northwest Nazarene University - The NNU Crusaders are NCAA Division II participants in basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, softball, soccer, track & field, and volleyball.