This is the central Idaho mountains, at 4800’ elevation, both a winter and summer resort area. There are rivers and many lakes so lots of water sports - (one river branch gentle enough for inner tube floating), kayaking, canoeing, boating, water skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing. Plus a scenic train ride excursion, hiking, picnics, hot springs, small museums, old ghost mining town, golf, a yoga/spa, ski lift rides, biking, etc, all within a few miles from the cabins. In Boise itself, there is a zoo, Shakespeare festival, Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Museum of Idaho Military History, botanic gardens, and much more –and oh yeah, BOWLING!!. I think we won’t be bored…

Links to further information:

Things of interest along Route 55, the highway out of Boise to Garden Valley and beyond to Cascade, McCall, etc.: http://www.southwestidaho.com/attractions/attractsearch.cfm

Thunder Mountain Scenic Train Rides http://www.thundermountainline.com/index.htm 

Here’s the marketing spin on the train rides!:
Thunder Mountain Line has scenic train rides that take several routes in Idaho, starting from Horseshoe Bend and Cascade. Depending on the route you choose, you'll travel through dramatic narrow canyons, sagebrush-covered hills, mountain meadows, or pristine evergreen forests. The tracks follow the mountain trails settlers used a hundred years before. You may see deer, fox, elk, blue herons, osprey, and bald eagles. Rides vary from three to five hours, depending on the route.

Cascade Chamber of Commerce (1 hr drive north of Garden Valley) http://www.cascade-chamber.com/

McCall Chamber of Commerce (1 ½ hr drive north of Garden Valley) http://www.mccall-idchamber.org/

Boise Visitors and Conventions Center http://www.boise.org/