Best Boise Shopping

You could spend several days visiting the 20-plus wineries in the Boise area—which we heartily recommend, but understand not everyone will have the time to do this—or you could pop into the Boise Co-op Wine Shop. Twenty-five years ago it was just a small department inside the Co-op, but today it has its own storefront; a necessity since it carries 3,600 wines from Idaho and around the world. Staff is exceptionally excited to talk about—and taste—them all. Free tastings go on every Friday and Saturday (4:30-6:30PM and 2-4PM, respectively), so be sure to stop by if you're shopping in Boise.

Looking for music by an Iranian guitar player, a Wyoming alt-country singer or an Israeli jazz saxophonist? The Record Exchange, which has been around for more than 30 years and might be one of the very last brick-and-mortar record stores left, is your place and one of the best Boise shopping experiences if you love music. It’s Idaho’s largest independent music store, selling new and used CDs and records. There’s even a wall of used cassettes. Sorry, no 8-tracks. It does have a sweet selection of T-shirts and action figures, though.

Get something uniquely Idaho that has nothing to do with potatoes at this new art co-op. Twenty-some (and this number will grow) artists from across the state have come together in this downtown space to sell their wildly diverse handmade products. Lakeside Lavender grows and harvests lavender and then makes it into bath and body products. 52 Freckles makes Germ plushies—yes, you read that right, germ plushies—that come complete with an educational card describing the germ or virus the stuffed animal is named after. (Hey, if you can have Ugly Dolls, why not stuffed animals named for germs?) The same artist also makes and sells “Friendly Sock Monsters.” Put your dirty socks in one, throw it in the washer and never lose another sock again. Miss Courageous repurposes Legos, making rings, earrings, business card holders and belt buckles out of the toys. Beach Chicken Designs uses old book covers to make journals and recipe books. Artists, many of whom sell on Etsy.com as well as at this co-op, also make clothing, housewares, pottery and paintings for those who make Idaho Indie Works their Boise shopping goal.