Two days in Boise, Idaho

the greenbelt is lovely especally along julia davis park, and that's right across the river from boise state. the zoo is right there as well.

if you're into history at all, the idaho state museum is in the same area and honestly pretty good! you can see everything in a few hours so it isn't an all day thing.

there's a lot of good stuff along the greenbelt besides the above - the mk nature center is right on the river tucked into armstrong park, the bethine church nature trail section of the greenbelt is great for bird watching (literally across the river from armstrong park) and there's the whitewater park - go surfing if you like - on the river in garden city, which is close to cafes and a lot of wineries.

the float season usually starts in mid or late june depending on river flows, that would be an option (floating the boise river) if you're into that. there is fly fishing for trout right in town, if float season has started just get out early in the morning before the "bikini hatch".

if you're into hiking, the trails at the military reserve are close to downtown and you can make them as long or as short as you like.

the drive up to bogus basin (you'll go from high desert to pine forests) is nice and depending on when you go in june, the scenic chairlift rides may be running. will be about 10-15 degrees cooler up there too. there are also pullouts along the road to access hikes.

hyde park in the north end has a ton of cafes, restaurants, and bars and has a unique kind of feel. good options for coffee and pastries downtown are flying m, for lunch in hyde park certified has awesome sandwiches (but bluffside on bogus basin road is good too). for a fancy dinner, the avery downtown is always a great meal. if you don't want to plan, just walk up and down 8th street (no cars are allowed, it's pedestrian only) and it's lined with restaurants and bars with pretty views of the state capital.

and if you've got time, the 2-hour drive to mccall along 55 (payette river scenic byway) is totally worth it for the views of the north fork of the river and then payette lake.

or the 3-hour drive to stanley up 21 (ponderosa pine scenic byway) for views of the south fork of the payette and sawtooths is really good. you can come back the way you came, or head down 75 through sun valley and back to boise on 20.

My dad and sister live in the area.

As others have said, the greenbelt is a great afternoon if the weather is good.

If you fish the Boise river is right there and good trout fishing. I am sure you can grab a set up or guide if that's your thing.

If you really have two days to do whatever I am going to recommend two things that are both a two hour drive each way and in my opinion better than anything you will find in Boise (not a dig at Boise by any means).

Go to McCall, especially if you can make it an overnight excursion. Fun small town on a beautiful lake with good hikes. If you want to cut the drive, check out Cascade.

Check out Shoshone Falls, near Twin Falls.

Boise is great with plenty to fill 48 hours, especially if you don't want to spend time in a car, but these are two of my favorite places in the world.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Looking at Stanley and McCall makes me wish I had more time.

I don't think you read the thread before posting. All of the recommendations were to get out of Boise for this two days.

OP is looking into McCall and Stanley which are great for their preference of outdoor activities. They should have a great time at either.

They aren't moving there, so their interactions with the locals will be fine as the main issue is living in a highly Mormon area when you aren't one. They are polite and cordial during the types of interactions they will encounter

The city is safe, so they don't need to keep their head on a swivel and they probably won't have to deal with any homeless beggars.

Despite those positives, I get it. I choose to live in Colorado with a homeless problem, pretty high crime rates and other issues.