Touch down, get settled, and if you have a car, aim for parking in or near Downtown Boise so you can keep the rest of the day simple. The easiest way to shake off travel is a gentle walk on the Boise River Greenbelt—start near the river access by Julia Davis Park or the downtown bridges and just follow the path for about an hour. It’s flat, shaded in stretches, and very “Boise” in the best way: runners, cyclists, families, and people lingering by the water. If you’re arriving without a car, rideshares from the airport to downtown are usually the quickest option, roughly 15–20 minutes depending on traffic.
From the Greenbelt, drift into Julia Davis Park, which is basically Boise’s front yard. Take a slow lap past the lawns and lakeside paths, then head into the Boise Art Museum for a compact, low-effort culture stop; it’s the kind of museum you can enjoy without committing your whole afternoon, and admission is usually modest, around the teens or less depending on exhibits. After that, walk or drive a few minutes back downtown to Bardenay Boise for dinner. It’s a dependable first-night choice with a relaxed patio vibe, Idaho-friendly cocktails, and plates that land in the roughly $25–40 range per person; if it’s a busy holiday evening, a reservation is smart.
After dinner, take a short, unhurried wander through Freak Alley Gallery, just a few blocks from the main downtown core. It’s free, open-air, and best experienced at dusk when the murals pop in softer light and the alley feels lively but not rushed. This is a good night to keep it loose: if you’re still awake, grab dessert or a coffee nearby and call it early so tomorrow’s Boise day feels easy.
Start at the Idaho State Capitol right after breakfast, when the building feels calm and the marble is catching soft morning light. It’s one of the easiest downtown stops to appreciate without rushing: walk the rotunda, look up at the dome, and wander the public halls for an hour or so. Parking is generally easiest in nearby downtown garages or street spots, and this is a very walkable start if you’re staying in the core. Admission is free, and if you like architecture, this is one of those places that’s worth lingering over instead of treating as a quick photo stop.
From there, head east to the Old Idaho Penitentiary in East Boise. It’s usually a short drive, roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic, and it’s best to go before the day heats up since you’ll be walking outdoors between cell blocks and yards. Expect about 1.5 hours; tickets are typically in the low teens, and the self-guided pace works well if you like reading the signs and taking your time. The atmosphere is memorable without being heavy-handed, and the contrast between the capitol and the prison makes for a strong Boise history pair.
Continue a little farther to the Idaho Botanical Garden, which is a perfect reset after the penitentiary. Summer is the sweet spot here: shaded paths, seasonal blooms, and enough quiet corners to slow down for a bit. Plan on about 1.5 hours, and if it’s a hot July afternoon, bring water and use the cooler sections of the garden first. From there, head back toward downtown for The Basque Block, where the murals, storefronts, and old neighborhood feel give Boise some of its most distinctive character. It’s compact and easy to wander on foot, so this is a nice low-effort stop between bigger sights.
Build in your meal at Bar Gernika on the Basque Block. It’s casual, local, and exactly the kind of place that fits this day: a good place for a Boise-style lunch or early dinner, with sandwiches, croquetas, and a relaxed bar atmosphere. Expect around $18–30 per person, depending on what you order. If you’re timing lunch here, aim for a slightly early or late window to avoid the busiest rush.
If you still want one more easy stop, finish out in Meridian at The Village at Meridian. It’s about a 15–20 minute drive from downtown Boise in normal traffic, and it works best as a low-key evening stroll rather than a “must-shop” destination. The fountains and open-air layout make it an easy place to unwind, grab a coffee or dessert, and let the day taper off without much planning. If you’re heading back afterward, leaving by early evening keeps the drive simple and avoids the heavier west-side traffic.
Arrive in Twin Falls with enough daylight to ease into the canyon rather than race it. Start on the Snake River Canyon Rim Trail, where the walking is straightforward and the payoff is immediate: wide-open views into the gorge, basalt walls, and that classic high-desert light that makes the river look brighter than it really is. Plan on about 1.5 hours if you stop often, and bring water plus a hat because there’s not much shade once you’re out on the rim.
From there, it’s a short hop to Perrine Memorial Bridge, which is the must-do overlook in town. If you’re lucky, you may catch base jumpers stepping off the bridge platform, but even when nothing’s happening it’s worth the stop for the scale of the canyon. Parking is easy and free, and 20–30 minutes is plenty unless you want to linger for photos and watch the river traffic below.
Use the late morning for the 1000 Springs Scenic Byway, a slow scenic drive that gives you a different side of the region: green river corridors, spring-fed water, farms, and those surprisingly lush pockets around the Hagerman area. Don’t try to “do” it quickly; the point is to pull over where the water or views catch your eye and keep the day loose. Afterward, head back toward town for lunch near the canyon at a casual spot around the Snake River Canyon area or downtown Twin Falls—think a diner, sandwich shop, or cafe where you can get in and out for roughly $15–25 a person.
Save Shoshone Falls Park for later in the day, when the light is softer and the falls look best from the main overlook. This is one of those places that can feel a little crowded at peak hours, so mid- to late-afternoon is ideal; budget about 1.5 hours to walk the viewpoints, take photos, and just stand there for a while. If you still have energy, wrap up at Centennial Waterfront Park, where the river walk is easy, the mood is relaxed, and the evening light over the water is a nice reset after a full canyon day. It’s a good low-key finish, especially if you want one last stretch before dinner or a quiet sunset stroll back to your hotel.
Start early for Shoshone Falls Park in east Twin Falls, ideally before the sun gets high and the overlook fills up. It’s about a 10–15 minute drive from most Twin Falls hotels, and the park entrance typically charges a small vehicle fee in peak season, usually around $5–10. Morning is the best time for softer light on the canyon and less glare off the water, so you can actually linger at the main overlook and the smaller pullouts without fighting crowds. Give yourself about 1 to 1.5 hours here, and wear shoes with decent grip if you want to wander a bit along the rim.
From there, head west toward Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in the Hagerman area, about a 35–45 minute drive depending on where you stop for photos. The drive itself is part of the experience: broad Snake River country, farm fields, and then the low, volcanic landscape that makes the geology story make sense. The visitor information is the key stop here—usually free, with interpretive exhibits and a quick intro to the fossils and ancient lake history. Plan on about an hour, and if you’re into easy, low-effort sightseeing, this is one of the smartest stops on the route.
Continue into Thousand Springs State Park, where the whole point is to slow down and look at water moving everywhere through the lava cliffs and spring-fed channels. You do not need a strenuous hike to enjoy it; the viewpoints and short walks are the win here, especially around the Hagerman Wildlife Management Area side and other easy access points depending on what you want to see. Expect a scenic, relaxed 1.5-hour stop. Before or after this stretch, swing by Maverik or a local Twin Falls café to grab picnic supplies, cold drinks, and snacks; $10–20 per person is a realistic range, and it’s worth stocking up before you get too deep into the day’s driving.
On the way back toward Twin Falls, make the quick roadside stop at Balanced Rock near Castleford. It’s one of those “you have to see it once” Idaho oddities: a massive balanced stone perched in a way that seems impossible until you’re standing right under it. You only need about 30 minutes here, which makes it an easy reset between bigger scenery stops. Back in Twin Falls, take a little downtime before dinner, then finish at Eddie’s Restaurant for a solid local meal—steaks, burgers, comfort-food plates, and the kind of no-fuss dinner that fits a full canyon-and-waterfalls day. Expect around $20–35 per person, and if you get there a bit before the dinner rush, parking is easier and the wait is usually shorter.
Arrive in McCall with enough time to ease into the day, then head straight to Ponderosa State Park. The park is the best first stop in town because it gives you that classic Payette Lake setting without any effort: flat, easy trails, shaded sections, and lots of places to stop and look back across the water. If you get there before the day warms up, the Lakeshore Loop area is especially pleasant; parking is straightforward, and day-use access is usually inexpensive, often around $5–10 depending on the season and entrance point.
After a lakeside walk, stay with the water and move over to the Payette Lake shoreline for a slower hour — sit on a bench, walk the beach edge, or just watch boats come and go near downtown. From there, it’s an easy transition to The Mill at McCall, which works well as a midday wander because it’s compact and low-key: local shops, seasonal vendors, and a good place to pick up snacks, postcards, or a quick browse if you want a break from the heat. For lunch, settle in at Broken Horn Brewing Company; it has exactly the relaxed mountain-town feel you want here, with pub-style food, local beer, and an easy lunch bill in the $18–30 range per person. If you’re driving, downtown parking is usually easiest in the lots off E Park St and the nearby side streets.
Keep the afternoon unhurried with a short stroll through Legacy Park, a nice little reset after lunch and a good place to sit in the shade before the evening picks up. If McCall Lake Cruises is running, this is the payoff for staying in town: the golden-hour boat outing on Payette Lake is the prettiest way to end the day, with calm water, cooler air, and mountain light that makes the whole shoreline glow. Check same-day departure times when you arrive, because seasonal cruises can change with weather and demand, and it’s worth booking ahead in July if you can.
Start early at Ponderosa State Park before McCall warms up. This is the easiest place in town to get that “we’re really in Idaho” feeling without doing anything strenuous: the peninsula trails are flat, shady in spots, and perfect for a slow 1.5-hour loop with lake views on both sides. If you’re driving, enter through the main park gate and keep a few dollars handy for the day-use fee; in summer it’s usually modest, and parking is straightforward if you arrive before the late-morning crowd. Bring water and a light layer, because the breeze off Payette Lake can feel cool even when the sun is already strong.
From there, head north to Brundage Mountain Resort for a scenic lift ride or a relaxed mountain-view stop if summer operations are running. It’s about a 20–30 minute drive up the hill, and the road is easy but worth taking slowly because the views start almost immediately. If the chairlift is open, this is one of those nice, low-effort ways to see the valley from above; if not, the base area still works well for a coffee break and a look around. Then roll back into town for the McCall Farmers Market downtown, where you can browse local produce, small-batch foods, and crafts for about an hour. It’s the kind of market that feels genuinely local rather than staged, so don’t rush it. For lunch, My Father’s Place is a solid, no-fuss stop—classic burgers, sandwiches, and hearty portions, usually around $18–30 per person depending on what you order.
After lunch, take the scenic side trip to Lake Cascade State Park near Donnelly. The drive is roughly 35–40 minutes each way from McCall, and the route gives you a broader, more open-water view than you get around town. It’s a nice change of pace after the forested trails: pull over for shoreline photos, stretch your legs, and enjoy the bigger, windier feel of the lake. If you want the most relaxed version of the afternoon, just pick one access point and linger rather than trying to “do” the whole park. Back in McCall, end the day at Salmon River Brewery for dinner. It’s a dependable local favorite for a post-outdoors meal, with pub food, house beer, and enough energy in the room to feel lively without being noisy; plan on about $25–40 per person. If you’re staying nearby, it’s an easy walk or short drive back afterward, and if you still have daylight, a final stroll near downtown or the lakeshore is the perfect way to close out the day.
Leave McCall early and take Banks-Lowman Road / ID-21 for one of the prettiest mountain drives in Idaho. It’s a road that rewards an unhurried pace: thick forest, river bends, and sudden big views as you climb toward the high country. Plan on a full morning with a few pullouts, and keep your fuel topped off before you go—services are sparse once you’re in the mountains. If you’re driving in July, start as close to sunrise as you can so you’re not dealing with heat or afternoon traffic near the resort areas.
Your first real stretch stop is Stanley Lake, which is exactly the kind of place where you step out of the car and immediately feel like you should stay longer. The shoreline is great for photos of the Sawtooth Mountains, and even a quick 30–45 minutes is enough to reset your travel day. From there, continue to Galena Summit for the classic big-sky overlook; it’s a short, easy stop with sweeping views and a breezy, high-elevation feel, usually best around midday before the light gets too harsh.
By the time you roll into Ketchum, you’ll be ready for a proper lunch, and Ketchum Grill is a smart, no-fuss choice. Expect around $20–35 per person, and if you can, aim for a table a little earlier than the main lunch rush so you’re not waiting after a long drive. The town core is compact and walkable, so once you park near Sun Valley Road or around the nearby side streets, you can keep the rest of the afternoon easy.
After lunch, head over to Sun Valley Village and just wander. This isn’t a place to over-plan; the charm is in the setting—mountain views, tidy paths, resort lawns, and people drifting between shops, cafés, and the lodge area. Give yourself about 1.5 hours to stroll, sit for a bit, and take in the alpine atmosphere without needing to “do” anything strenuous. If you’re tempted to add a bonus stop, the area around Bald Mountain Road and Elkhorn Road is where you’ll feel that classic Wood River Valley rhythm most clearly.
Wrap the day with a calmer pace at Sawtooth Botanical Garden back in Ketchum. It’s a lovely cooldown after the drive, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the garden feels quieter. Entry is typically modest, often by donation or a small admission depending on programming, and you only need about an hour to enjoy it properly. It’s the right kind of final stop for this leg of the trip: low-effort, beautiful, and a nice transition into a relaxed evening in town.
Start at Adam’s Gulch Trailhead while the day is still cool. This is one of those Ketchum hikes that feels properly outdoorsy without asking much of you: mellow foothills, sagebrush, big sky, and a steady grade that lets you settle into the morning instead of working for every view. Give yourself about 1.5 hours, and go early if you can — parking is easiest before the town wakes up, and the trail is much nicer before the sun starts reflecting off the open hillsides. Bring water and a hat; there’s very little shade once you get moving.
From there, head over to Bald Mountain Trail in the Sun Valley area for those classic high-country views without committing to a summit day. If you’re using the lift, check the summer operating schedule before you go; ride tickets can change seasonally and usually run in the ballpark of $25–40 depending on what’s open. If you’re just exploring the lower-mountain area on foot, keep it relaxed and enjoy the views over the Wood River Valley and the resort lawns. Afterward, swing back into Ketchum for a quick stop at the Wagon Days Museum — it’s compact, local, and easy to absorb in under an hour, usually with a small donation or modest admission if the seasonal exhibit is staffed.
For lunch, settle in at Enoteca in downtown Ketchum. It’s a good pick when you want something unhurried but polished, and the usual lunch spend lands around $22–40 per person depending on whether you go light or make a meal of it. If you’re sitting outside, it’s one of the nicest places in town for people-watching, especially when the sidewalks are busy but not packed.
After lunch, keep the pace easy with a walk or bike ride on the Wood River Trail. This is the kind of stretch that makes Ketchum feel livable: flat, scenic, and easy to dip in and out of without needing a plan. If you have bikes, this is the best time to use them; if not, a long walk is still lovely, especially around the open stretches between Ketchum and Sun Valley. Plan on about 1.5 hours, and don’t worry about “doing” the whole thing — even a short out-and-back gives you a nice reset.
Before the day winds down, stop at Atkinsons’ Market deli stop for picnic snacks, dessert, or something you can turn into an easy no-fuss dinner later. A deli run here usually lands around $10–20 per person, and it’s the kind of place locals actually use for a practical backup meal. If you’re feeling energetic, you can pair it with a quiet evening stroll around town instead of a formal dinner; if not, take your food back, put your feet up, and enjoy the mountain light fading over the valley.
Set out from Ketchum after breakfast and treat the drive to Idaho Falls as the day’s main event: US-20 E is the straightforward route, and if you leave around 7:30–8:30 a.m. you’ll still reach eastern Idaho with enough energy for a couple of worthwhile stops. This is a long transfer day, so build in one real pause for coffee, gas, and a stretch rather than trying to power through. If you want a practical break in town, the Museum of Clean in Pocatello is the kind of quirky, low-effort stop that works well on a road-trip day; budget about 45 minutes and roughly $10–15 per person if you decide to go in, or just keep it to a quick visit and continue east.
If you’re in the mood for one more leg-stretcher, swing south for a detour to Lava Hot Springs. It’s the classic Idaho mountain-town pause: easy to park, walkable, and relaxing without requiring a full itinerary shift. You can spend about 1.5 hours wandering Main Street, crossing the river, or just grabbing an early lunch and sitting outside if the weather is good. It’s a nice place to reset after the highway, and in July the town has enough movement to feel lively without being overwhelming. Keep it simple so you still roll into Idaho Falls with daylight left.
Once you’re checked in, head to The Sandpiper Restaurant for dinner on the river. It’s an easy first-night choice because the setting does half the work for you—good views, comfortable pacing, and a menu that lands in the roughly $25–40 per person range depending on what you order. After dinner, take a slow walk on the Snake River Greenbelt to unwind and get your bearings downtown; the evening light on the water is the best version of Idaho Falls, and a 45-minute stroll is usually enough to make the city feel familiar before you turn in.
Start with the Idaho Falls Greenbelt while the air is still cool — this is the best time to catch the riverfront before the midday sun flattens everything out. Park near the downtown stretch by Broadway or Park Avenue and spend about an hour walking the paved paths along the Snake River, where you’ll get the waterfalls, the old railroad bridge, and that easy, open-river feel that makes Idaho Falls such a pleasant stop. If you want coffee before you begin, Villa Coffeehouse downtown is a simple grab-and-go option, and mornings here are usually calm enough that parking is painless.
From the river, drift over to the Japanese Friendship Garden for a quieter change of pace — it’s a small stop, but in July it feels especially restful with the shade, water, and carefully kept plantings. After that, head to the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park for a low-effort midday visit; give yourself about 90 minutes, and try to arrive before the hottest part of the day since shaded areas fill quickly. When you’re ready for lunch, Copper Rill Restaurant is the nicer sit-down choice on the north end of town — expect $25–45 per person, and it’s worth making it an unrushed meal if you want something a little more polished than the usual road-trip stop.
After lunch, head downtown for the Museum of Idaho. It’s an easy indoor reset, especially if the heat is up, and the mix of regional history and rotating science exhibits makes it a good “breathing room” stop rather than a heavy museum day. Plan on about 75 minutes, then leave yourself time to wander a block or two near Downtown Idaho Falls before dinner; the sidewalks around Park Avenue, Broadway, and the riverfront are pleasant for an unstructured stroll. For the evening, settle in at Snow Eagle Brewing & Grill for a casual finish — a solid local-beer-and-dinner place with a relaxed crowd, usually around $20–35 per person. If you’re driving, keep the car parked downtown and walk between the museum, dinner, and the river areas; everything on today’s route is close enough that you don’t need to keep moving the car.
After breakfast, head south on I-15 and keep the pace easy so you roll into Pocatello with enough energy for a proper town day rather than a rushed one. Once you’re in the Idaho State University area, start at the Idaho Museum of Natural History — it’s usually a good 60–90-minute stop, and the mix of fossils, geology, and Idaho history makes it a strong first pause on a drive day. Admission is typically modest, and it’s the kind of museum that rewards a slow lap more than a hard sprint; if you’re parking nearby, street and campus lots are usually straightforward on a weekday.
From there, take a short drive or a walk over to Westside and Old Town Pocatello for a change of pace. This is where the city feels most lived-in: older storefronts, murals, little blocks of local character, and plenty of easy places to linger without committing to a big schedule. For lunch, settle in at Goody’s Deli in the historic core — it’s casual, reliable, and ideal for a travel day, with sandwiches and sides generally landing around $15–25 per person. If you’re lucky with timing, grab a table, stretch out, and let the midday heat pass before the next stroll.
After lunch, wander through the Railroad District and the broader downtown Pocatello area for an unhurried hour. This is more about texture than checklist sightseeing: brick buildings, rail-town history, a few local shops, and the sort of low-key downtown blocks that make a place feel real. It’s an easy area to explore on foot, and if you want a quick coffee or cold drink before dinner, this is the time to duck into a nearby café and keep the afternoon loose.
Finish at Portneuf Valley Brewing for a relaxed dinner and a beer-garden-style end to the day. It’s a classic Pocatello stop for a reason: friendly, casual, and good for winding down after a fair amount of road time, with meals usually running about $20–35 per person. If you still have a little daylight after dinner, a short drive back through downtown is worth it just to see the city calm down in the evening.
If you’re rolling out from your hotel in Pocatello, start the day over in the Ross Park area and keep it easy. Pocatello Zoo is a good first stop because it’s compact, low-stress, and usually feels most pleasant in the morning before the heat builds. Plan on about 1.25 hours; admission is generally modest, and parking in the Ross Park lots is straightforward. From there, drift through Ross Park itself for another relaxed 45 minutes — shaded paths, lawns, and that local-neighborhood feel that makes it a nice breather before you head into the foothills.
Next, drive or ride-share a few minutes up toward City Creek Trail for an easy out-and-back. Stick to one of the gentler lower sections so you get the foothills views without turning it into a workout; in July, an early start and plenty of water matter more than mileage. Expect around 1.5 hours including photo stops. It’s the kind of trail where you can turn around whenever it feels right, and if you time it well you’ll catch the dry sagebrush slopes and the edge of town in that bright southeastern Idaho light.
Head back downtown for a change of pace at the Museum of Clean, one of Pocatello’s quirkiest and most unexpectedly entertaining stops. Give it about 1.25 hours; admission is usually in the low-teens range for adults, and it’s a very air-conditioned reset after the foothills. Afterward, grab a meal at Tandoori Oven — a reliable local choice when you want something flavorful and unfussy, with most people spending roughly $18–30 per person. If you’d rather make it an early dinner than lunch, that works well too, especially if you want to linger downtown first.
If you still have energy and want one more Idaho-style landscape stop, continue west toward the Soda Springs area for a short scenic pull-off on your return loop. Keep this as a quick geology-flavored break rather than a big excursion: about 30 minutes is enough to stretch, look around, and enjoy the road-trip scenery before heading back. It’s an easy way to round out the day without overpacking it, and it pairs well with a slower evening back in Pocatello.
Leave Pocatello early enough that you’re not crawling into the Treasure Valley in the heat of the day — this is a better drive when you’re on the road around 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. so you can keep stops efficient and still land in Boise with some daylight left. Once you’re back on I-84 W, aim for one clean scenic break at the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway pullouts in southern Idaho. Keep it short and sweet: 20 to 30 minutes is enough to stretch, snap a few photos, and get that wide-open river-and-cliff landscape without blowing up the schedule.
By late morning or around noon, make your lunch stop in Mountain Home. This is the kind of road-trip town where a dependable diner or cafe is the right move — nothing fancy, just solid food, quick service, and easy parking right off the highway. Budget about $15–25 per person and don’t linger too long if you want a relaxed Boise afternoon; this is a good place for sandwiches, burgers, or a simple hot plate before the final stretch west.
When you roll into Boise, ease back into city mode with a gentle walk through Julia Davis Park. Park once and take your time — the shade, river access, and broad lawns make it the best “we’re done driving” reset in town, especially after a long highway day. From there, it’s a short hop into the Basque Block for The Basque Market, which is one of the best places in Boise for a casual early dinner or snack stop; expect around $15–25 per person for pintxos, sandwiches, or a few things to share. If you still want to keep the night lively, check whether Knitting Factory Boise has a show that matches your date — it’s an easy downtown finale, usually a 2–3 hour commitment, and the neighborhood is walkable enough that you can park once and finish the day on foot.
Start your final Boise day at the Boise Farmers Market downtown while the stalls are still lively and the heat hasn’t settled in yet. Saturdays are the sweet spot for the full market feel, with produce, baked goods, flowers, and local crafts packed into the walkable core around 8th Street and Main Street. Give yourself about 1.5 hours to wander, snack, and browse; if you’re driving, park in one of the downtown garages and plan on paying roughly $2–8 depending on how long you linger. If you want coffee first, grab it from a nearby downtown café and just stroll in — this is the kind of place where the morning is part market, part people-watching.
From there, head to the First Thursday-style downtown art scene or whatever seasonal Boise art or craft festival is running nearby; if there’s a specific event on the calendar, this is the slot to prioritize it. Boise’s downtown event spaces and pop-up markets often cluster within a few blocks, so you can usually walk between venues without moving the car. Then shift north to Camel’s Back Park in the North End, where the neighborhood climbs right into the foothills. The short trails and switchbacks are easy enough for a midday outing, and the overlook gives you one last good look across the city — just bring water and start the climb before the sun gets too sharp. Afterward, fuel up at Big City Coffee and Cafe on 16th Street for a casual brunch-lunch; expect about $15–25 per person, and it’s a good spot for a no-fuss sandwich, breakfast plate, or coffee break before your last museum-style stop.
Spend the afternoon at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in east Boise, which is one of those places that gives you a very Boise-specific sense of place without requiring much effort. It’s usually best to allow about 1.5 hours, with admission typically in the low teens per adult, and it’s much more comfortable if you go before the late-day sun bakes the brick yards. From there, drift back downtown for a final evening at the Boise Centre, where any festival, art fair, or event happening in the city center can serve as your wrap-up. If you have a little extra time before heading out, this is the easiest place to do one last dinner, a drink, or a slow walk through downtown before departure — Boise tends to end best when you leave room for a little wandering instead of trying to squeeze in one more big thing.