Plan your visit to Boise State

Whether you’re here for a quick look around or for the weekend, we want to help you make the most of your visit and experience Boise, Idaho like a true Bronco.

Explore Admissions and Visits

Learn about Boise

Come Prepared

Check the weather, bring a bottle of water, wear sunscreen, and lace up your comfiest walking shoes.
You will be able to park in the Lincoln Parking Garage free of charge. Parking instructions will be included in your confirmation email. Please note your license plate number on the day of your visit.
Arrive on time. Allow yourself plenty of time to park and navigate to the Admissions Office (located on the first floor of the Student Union Building).
Check-in will take place outside of the Admissions Office which is located in the Student Union Building – follow the Campus Tour signs to our check-in station.

How long are you visiting for?

Day 1

Hungry from traveling? Grab a bite downtown and stroll through Freak Alley while you’re there.
Head to Julia Davis Park and walk across Friendship Bridge over to campus.
Take a look around the Student Union Building to stock up on Bronco gear for your visit.

Day 2

Start your day at Albertsons Stadium.
Wander through a few of our first-year residence halls next to ExtraMile Arena.
Head down to the Rec Center to check out our award-winning facilities.
Walk over to the Student Union Building to grab a bite to eat.
Depending on your interests, take the afternoon to explore Boise. You could hike Table Rock, bike the Greenbelt, look around the Boise Art Museum or tour the Capitol Building.
Enjoy dinner in Hyde Park—be sure to get some ice cream afterward!

Day 3

Grab breakfast or coffee in downtown Boise before making your way to campus.
Head to the center of campus to visit Albertsons Library and The Quad.
Stop in the Interactive Learning Center (ILC).
Take in views of downtown from the Center for the Visual Arts.
Check out the Micron Business and Economics Building.
Wrap up your visit at the B Plaza and pose with the “B.”

Experience Boise like a Bronco

Hotels and Hospitality

Staying in downtown Boise is a a convenient 5 minute drive from our beautiful campus. Make sure you ask about the “Boise State Rate” at any of these options.

The Inn at 500 | Boise’s Premier Four Diamond Hotel | Call (208) 227-0500 | The BSU friends and family link is Inn at 500 Boise / BSU Family Discount
Courtyard by Marriott Boise Downtown | Call (208) 331-2700 | Online Reservations for Courtyard by Marriott use U4B code for booking directly on Marriott.com
The Grove Hotel | Call (208) 333-8000 | Boise State University – The Grove Hotel
Hotel 43 | Call (800) 243-4622 | Boise State University – Hotel 43
Red Lion Downtowner | Call (208) 344-7691 | Red Lion Boise Downtowner, code BSU
Residence Inn Marriott | Call (208) 424-9999 | Boise State Residence Inn by Marriott
Hilton Garden Inn | Call (208) 342-7000 | Hilton Garden Inn Boise Downtown

Boise State Admissions does not have any business agreements to promote these establishments and simply provides this information as a courtesy to Boise State visitors. All lodging is 3 stars and above at time of posting, and guests conduct business at their own risk. Let us know if your business or organization offers services for visiting students.

Transportation around Boise

Everything in Boise is so close that you may not even need a car. Walk the short 10 minutes from campus to the heart of downtown or rent a bike at our Cycle Learning Center (CLC) for the day. Located in the Lincoln Parking Garage, the CLC is focused on developing healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

The Bronco Shuttle is a free service provided by Boise State University Department of Public Safety, which carries students, faculty, and guests all around campus with routes into downtown.

Ride-sharing and electric scooters are also in abundance around the city.

Off Campus

Boise prides itself on our local farm-to-table eating and fun dishes around the Treasure Valley. We suggest you check out these areas of Boise to find a restaurant that suits your cravings. Make sure to ask locals when you are out-and-about what their favorite stop.

8th Street in Downtown Boise | Located in the center of Downtown, you can’t go wrong with any restaurants here!
BoDo | BoDo (Boise Downtown) is a specific area located on 9th and Broad Street that offers outdoor dining, live music, and a fantastic ice cream spot.
Hyde Park | In Boise’s Historic North End is Hyde Park – a place that feels like stepping back in time. Make sure to check out Hyde Park for more ice cream spots (what can I say, Boiseans have a sweet tooth!), fun patio spaces, and great local shopping.

Boise State Admissions does not have any business agreements to promote these establishments and simply provides this information as a courtesy to Boise State visitors. Visitors conduct business at their own risk. Let us know if your business or organization offers services for visiting students.

On Campus

Need a quick bite to eat? Our campus has these great places for you to choose from.

We feature quality, value, variety, and convenience. We have over 20 dining locations including dining halls, cafes, on-campus markets, and several seasonal food trucks. Dining hubs are located across campus in the following locations:

Interactive Learning Center (ILC)
Student Union Building
Education Building
Honors College and Sawtooth Hall
Albertsons Library
Micron Business and Economics Building

Visit Boise State’s new Dine on Campus site that features hours, menus, events, and a ton more programmatic information.

Activities

Float the Boise River in the summer. If you need a break from the Boise heat, hop in the Boise River that runs through campus for a scenic 6-mile float (takes about 1.5 hours). Rentals and shuttles are available at Barber Park.
Enjoy a hike, jog, or bike ride along the Greenbelt or through the Boise Foothills at Camel’s Back Reserve, the Military Reserve, or the Foothills East Reserve.
Eat your way through Boise. There are plenty of great dining options across town! See our Eat Local tab for ideas.
During the summer, shop local as you explore the Capital City Farmers Market – located in Downtown Boise for local vendors, fresh produce, and live music.
Head to Quinn’s Pond to watch (or partake) in water sports! You can rent kayaks and paddle boards or take a turn at the Whitewater Park where you can surf the Boise River.
Thrill-seekers can find everything from skiing to snowboarding and tubing to mountain coaster riding at Bogus Basin ski resort!
Boise also has tons of great all-ages friendly venues offering entertainment like concerts, karaoke and virtual reality. Not to mention non-profit arts communities like The Hive and Boise All-Ages Movement Project.

Places to See

Check out the Idaho State Capitol Building located in the heart of downtown!
Walk around Hyde Park in Boise’s Historic District for a cup of coffee or a sweet treat.
Head to Table Rock for a must-see panoramic view of Downtown Boise, our own campus and the foothills.
Explore more than a dozen museums, including the Boise Art Museum, Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, Idaho Black History Museum and Zoo Boise.
Visit Freak Alley near 8th street (a local art space with great photo-ops).
Check out the Old Idaho Penitentiary for a historical tour.
Visit Bogus Basin, our local nonprofit ski resort located just 40 minutes away from campus in the Boise National Forest. From night-skiing to tubing to a mountain coaster, Bogus has it all!

Got a question?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) related to visits. Or, if you want to find the best visit type for you, schedule an appointment with an advisor, or simply learn more about Boise State, connect with one of our Admissions representatives.

Connect with Boise State Admissions