Spud Buddies

BOI: 5 Things We Love About Boise Airport

Our “5 Things We Love …” series of features and amenities at airports around the country and the world continues today with Idaho’s Boise Airport (BOI)

Keep in mind that right now some features and amenities at BOI may be temporarily unavailable due to health concerns. We are confident they will be back.

If we miss something you love about BOI, please drop a note in the comments section below.

Let us know, too, if there’s an airport you’d like us to include in the 5 Things We Love… series.

5 Things We Love About Boise Airport

Flying into the Season by Louise Kodis 

1. Public art at BOI

The City of Boise’s Department of Arts and History curates a charming collection of art in the BOI terminal and in both concourses.

Slip Stream by Kelly McLain
Sky Bridge by Seth Palmiter

2. Shopping at BOI

Idaho is famous for potatoes, of course, and BOI shops have fun potato-themed gifts for sale.

3. Donation Kiosks in TSA Checkpoint


Passengers who show up at the Boise Airport security checkpoint with extra change in their pockets can donate that money to local charities at one of the donation kiosks. Choose the Boise Zoo, the Boise Library, or the local groups helping out people in the community who are experiencing homelessness.

4. The Arcades at BOI

The Boise Airport has four Family Fun Center arcades throughout the airport. Passengers can play pinball, test their luck with a claw machine, or try flying an airplane.

5. Locally Made Spirits at BOI


Boise is home to Bardenay, which claims to be the country’s first restaurant distillery. The menu at the airport branch of Bardenay includes cocktails made with locally distilled vodka and gin.

Souvenir Sunday: Spud Buddies from Boise Airport

It’s Souvenir Sunday – a day to take a look at some of the fun, inexpensive and local items you can pick up when you’re stuck at the airport.

This week we’re celebrating the fact that Spud Buddies – stuffed dolls in the shape of potatoes – are back in stock at the Boise Airport.

“They cost $8.99 each and are crazy popular!,” says Patti Miller the airport marketing director.

You can see why:

Spud Buddies

Souvenir Sunday: Spud Buddies at Boise Airport

If your travel plans take you anywhere near eastern Oregon or southern Idaho, you’ll likely begin and end your trip at Boise Airport (BOI), a small-hub airport with an easy-to-negotiate terminal, two concourses (B & C), a three story rotunda, a single security checkpoint and a well-rounded range of services and amenities.

The airport is home to a branch of the artist-owned Art Source Gallery, which represents more than 40 Idaho artists and to several shops which offer a nice variety of Idaho-made or themed gifts and gourmet treats, including chocolates, wine, microbrews and local sports team memorabilia.

Boise Spud Bar

Souvenir Sunday shoppers will head straight for the potato-shaped Idaho Spud Bars – marshmallow covered in dark chocolate and sprinkled with coconut – and for the Spud Buddies, which are plush potato-shaped dolls wearing tiny t-shirts that say “Famous Potatoes, Grown in Idaho.”

Spud Buddies

Have you found a great souvenir while stuck at the airport?

If you find something that’s inexpensive, “of” the local city or region and, ideally, a bit offbeat, please snap a photo and send it along. If your souvenir is featured on Souvenir Sunday, I’ll send you a fun travel souvenir.