YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE DOWNTOWN BOISE HOLIDAY BIKE TOUR
- City Cycling Guide
- Dec 11, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
Experience the magic of downtown Boise during the holidays from the best seat in the city—your bicycle! Forget the traffic and the hunt for parking; this roughly four-mile route is designed to help you experience the festive atmosphere while showcasing Boise’s best downtown bikeways including the city's newest improvements. Thank you to our partner, Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), for their support with this initiative and the many bicycle improvements they've made in Boise (several of which are showcased on this ride!).
So whether you're planning a unique date night, a family outing, or a friends' night out, our guide has everything you need to enjoy an authentic Boise holiday experience by bike. Read on for an overview of what you can look forward to with this experience - no need to take notes for the directions, you can navigate the route from your phone with turn-by-turn audio directions using the Ride with GPS route map linked below.
🚲 BEFORE YOU ROLL 🚲
Step 1: Grab a City Cycling Passport for only $20 and make it a full downtown experience! The City Cycling Passport is a great stocking stuffer and your key to exclusive deals at Boise bike-friendly businesses, with several featured along this route.
Step 2: Review the Route through our interactive maps and detailed directions. To access turn-by-turn audio directions and navigation features, use the Ride with GPS map (download the Ride with GPS app for full functionality).
Step 3: Review our safety and cold-weather riding tips to maximize your comfort and enjoyment on this ride!
View Safety & Cold-Weather Riding Tips
Tip 1 - Layer Up: Check the forecast before you head out. Layers are key to staying warm, dry, and comfortable! Consider a base layer, mid-layer and waterproof layer, and make sure to bring gloves, a hat and warm socks.
Tip 2 - Ride Bright: Make sure you have powerful front white and rear red lights, and wear reflective gear (or even holiday lights!).
Tip 3 - Use Boise’s Bikeways: Stick to dedicated bikeways where possible. For a map of all bike facilities, visit: ACHD Bike Map
Tip 4 - Slow Your Roll: Enjoy the sights, use your friendly bell to notify pedestrians when passing, and be extra cautious when approaching intersections and driveways to make sure drivers see you before crossing.
Tip 5 - Master the Two-Stage Turn: When turning left from a protected bike lane, use a two-stage left turn (video tutorial: How to use a two-stage turn box video). And remember, you can make a two-stage turn at intersections without the green box or with standard bike lanes! It’s a great way to avoid having to merge over to access a left-turn lane.
View here for more information on bicycle safety and basic laws, and check out our latest blog post for our top winter cycling gear and safe riding techniques!
🚲 LET'S ROLL! 🚲
The route begins at our favorite late-night coffee shop, Flying M Coffee. Pick up last-minute gifts at the uniquely Boise gift shop and grab a hot cocoa or your favorite holiday beverage before you roll out (Passport deal: 50% off espresso drink!). Now that you're warmed up and ready to ride, you'll begin your ride on 5th Street heading left (north) from Flying M for one block. Stay in the left lane as you’ll promptly make a left turn onto Bannock Street. As you travel down the Bannock Bikeway, the festive lights of downtown Boise will emerge. Turning right onto Capitol Blvd, you’ll see your first photo stop: The Idaho Capitol Christmas Tree.
As you pedal down Jefferson Street towards 8th Street, prepare to take a left turn onto 8th Street (note the street is one-way for cars, but has a protected southbound bike lane).
From here you’ll have a prime view of the dazzling lights of car-free 8th Street. But before you venture along this vibrant pedestrian space, the route heads right on Bannock Street to visit other downtown highlights. Rest assured – you’ll be back to enjoy 8th Street soon.
Passport Stop: At the intersection of Bannock and 9th is Meriwether Cider House, a great spot for a local cider (Passport deal: $1 off a beverage or flight).
Your next turn is left onto 10th Street, which has striped bike lanes and is one of downtown’s best holiday streets (that's bike-friendly), in our opinion. Enjoy views of the red & green lights displayed on the Empire Building and other festive business decorations as you roll towards Grove Street. Turning right on Grove Street, you’ll pedal one of Boise’s newest bikeway projects: Rebuild Linen Blocks.
As you roll comfortably along the raised bike lanes along Grove Street, you’ll experience the hustle & bustle of Boise’s newest hotel district, public art installations, and more. Photo Stop: rolling under the Signs of our Times Gallery (outdoor neon sign museum).
From Grove Street, the route heads right (north) on 14th Street before turning back in the direction of downtown on Bannock Street. As you ride towards 11th Street and Cherie Buckner-Webb Park, look to your left for views of the sparkling holiday tree inside Boise Plaza. Before turning right on 11th Street, consider a rest break and holiday photo at Gentle Breeze, the iconic Pink Tree Swing.
Traveling along the 11th Street Bikeway (Boise’s best downtown bikeway connecting the Greenbelt to the Foothills), you’ll be treated to views of several holiday trees in the 11th & Idaho Building and other festive decorations along the way.
From 11th Street, you'll be heading to your next holiday photo stop: JUMP. Route note: you will need to cross 11th Street using the pedestrian and bike crosswalks at Myrtle Street to access JUMP. Use caution and watch for left turning vehicles. Once at JUMP, glide along the pathway lit up by holiday tractors, inflatable decorations, and red and green lights.
From JUMP, the route travels into BODO to get back on 8th Street. But first, consider a stop at The STIL, located on the corner of 8th and Broad streets. Who said you can’t enjoy ice cream in the winter?! Passport Deal: buy one get one free (single scoop). If you're not quite ready for ice cream, not to worry, you'll have another chance...the route ends at the newest of The STIL locations on car-free 8th Street (the STILetto).
With perhaps some extra sugar to keep you warm and energized, continue pedaling down 8th Street to the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial – consider a stop to experience the latest improvements to the Memorial and reflect on this remarkable place. Travel around the new and improved pathway to connect to the Boise River Greenbelt and head towards Julia Davis (turn left on the Greenbelt).
Immediately after passing through the Capitol Blvd underpass, the route makes a sharp left to access Capitol Boulevard. From here, you’ll get to experience the new Capitol Boulevard protected bike lanes as you head back towards downtown! The route travels down Broad Street before turning left on 3rd Street. Optional detour: for a peaceful excursion, check out the new Boise City Canal Multiuse Pathway, which heads east from the intersection of 3rd Street and Grove Street. This lighted pathway connects users from 3rd to Broadway, where you can continue on the Dona Larsen Path to Warm Springs Avenue.
The main route turns left on Grove Street, which features new pedestrian and public space amenities as part of the Rebuild Old Boise Blocks project. All along Grove Street, you can read about the history of the corridor through its “Storywalk” signs located next to the sidewalk.
Photo Stop: Kaixo Corner – this new well-lit public space is worth an evening stop to explore the diversity of art installations and read out the history and culture reflected through this unique space (once a Basque Boarding House, later a surface parking lot). It’s also a nice spot for a peaceful break before pedaling the Basque Block.
You're nearly there! After rolling along Boise’s iconic Basque Block, you'll cross Capitol Boulevard using the pedestrian signal. Enjoy the mural-adorned alley and artistic concrete patterns as you head to Grove Plaza, where
the Holiday Tree and plaza festivities await. Pedal around the tree for the complete experience before departing Grove Plaza and heading back to the glowing car-free 8th Street. Soak up this vibrant space before ending your tour at the final stop of the night: Bittercreek Alehouse, a Boise favorite especially around the holidays where you can enjoy the vibrant public space from the comfort of their heated patio. Passport Deal: Housemade pretzel (w/ beer cheese sauce) and local beer for $6!
Oh yeah, and if you're still going strong - The STILetto is next door!
We hope you’ve enjoyed your festive night on the town! Feel free to reach out with any questions before you roll
