What to Do Outside This Month

Getting outside is remarkable and refreshing. During these cold days, it can be hard to find motivation and enthusiasm to weather the frigid air. We’ve got some cool tips (pun intended) and places to go to have some fun.

First off, have a mindset like the Norwegians. They have a saying- Det fins ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær. That means “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” 

Then, create a fun endpoint, such as stopping at a local coffee shop for a delicious warm mocha, and a hot chocolate for the kiddos. 

1. The Springs in Idaho City. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Boise. Here, you’ll be able to dip in a man-made pool with hot springs water. It’s the Cadillac of man-made hot springs pools. There’s a wait staff to bring you poolside treats and beverages, including beer & wine. Just be sure to make reservations!
   http://www.thespringsid.com/
2. Kirkham Hot springs near Lowman. If you’re more interest in free, when it comes to hot springs, and don’t mind an extra hour drive, this hot springs is your best bet. There are several small pools, and a hot springs waterfall, all beautifully located along the South Fork of the Payette.
   https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/hot-springs/kirkham-hot-springs/
3. Camel’s Back Park. One of the best times to hit Camel’s Back, in the winter, is when it’s cold and gorgeous. The trails will all be frozen, and the views are typically stunning at the top of the hill. Hike around, play on the equipment, and then hit one of the many eateries or coffee shops right in Hyde Park.
   https://northend.org/camels-back-park/
4. Tubing Hill at Bogus Basin. Just a 45-minute drive from Boise, and enjoy the thrill of flying down a hill, and then being brought back up on a people moving conveyor belt. Then, repeat! You’ll want to be sure to make reservations!
   https://bogusbasin.org/tickets-passes/tickets/reserve-tubing-hill/
5. Tubing Hill at Eagle Island. If you’re closer to Eagle and don’t want to make the trek up to Bogus, then Eagle Island is your best bet. It’s not as big as Bogus Basin’s Tubing Hill, but still a lot of fun, and easy to get to.
   http://gatewayparks.com/eagle-island/
6. Ice Skating at The Village. It’s not quite like ice skating in the Rockefeller Center in New York, but it’s still pretty cool. And, it supports the philosophy of having an end game that warms you up. There’s plenty of places to grab a warm bevy afterward or even a movie.
7. Family Scavenger Hunt. This is something that we hope to be offering very soon. In the meanwhile, check out some other groups by Googling Scavenger Hunt in Boise. We created our own and a trial, and it was an absolute blast for our test group. Here’s one we found, but don’t know anything about this group.
   https://www.getyourguide.com/idaho-l1620/boise-amazing-scavenger-hunt-adventure-t70722/
8. Zoo Boise. I know, I know! Everyone says the Zoo, whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall. But, seriously, we think the Zoo is great when it’s cold. Unlike the summer, the animals are cooler and aren’t resting in the shade as much. And, there are a lot fewer people.
   ​https://zooboise.org/

Hopefully, you can find some fun activities. If you’ve got some ideas, share in a comment. And, remember our main tips:

• There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing. Bundle up and don’t let this stop you.
• Pick an activity.
• Establish an end game such as coffee and hot chocolate.