Literary retreats
Book People. Beautiful Places. Whole Weekends.
Where we stop, the stories begin. A few times a year, we let them last a little longer.
Each season, Curbside Books takes over a beautiful place and fills it with books, good food, real time to read, and a few things worth putting your book down for.
There's a schedule, but it's more of a menu: everything on it is an invitation, nothing is an assignment, and no one will hand you a name tag.
Read on the porch. Join a workshop. Wander into town. Slip back to your room and finish your chapter. Join us with your favorite reading buddy, or join solo and leave with a few new friends.
One retreat each season · Small groups on purpose · Trolley Parton comes too
Now Booking: The Practical Magic Retreat
October 24 & 25 at the Boise Heritage House · All six rooms booked · Sunday passes still open, $95
Every room is booked. You can still join us Sunday morning for coffee at the trolley, an audiobook stroll or porch reading, gentle yoga and the scent bar.
The Retreats
Each Curbside retreat has its own theme, venue, and plans for the weekend.
When a retreat sells out, it will stay here with its photos and stories so you can see what happened, and know to join the list before the next one opens.
Retreat No. 1 · October 24 & 25, 2026 · Downtown Boise
The Practical Magic Retreat
We're taking over the Boise Heritage House for a weekend of books, candlelight, tarot, tea blending, a blind book swap, letters to your future self, and real reading time built right into the schedule.
Saturday night brings dinner around one long table, chocolate cake, and a parlor screening of Practical Magic, with margaritas poured when the sisters pour theirs.
All six rooms are booked. The Sunday morning pass is still open, though: pancakes, an audiobook stroll or porch reading, gentle yoga and the scent bar.
What a Curbside Retreat Actually Is
A small, thoughtful getaway for people who love books and would like someone else to make the plans for once.
There is always a theme, real meals, time to read, and a few guided things you might genuinely want to do: a workshop, a walk, something to make and take home.
Everything is invitational. Join every activity. Skip one for a nap. Spend an hour reading on the porch while everyone else does yoga. You are not doing the retreat wrong. That is the retreat working exactly as intended.
Groups stay small on purpose: big enough to meet new people, but small enough that you'll probably know everyone's name by dinner.
Join us with a friend or join solo. Solo retreat guests are very welcome here.
Every Retreat Includes
The themes and venues will change. These parts stay the same.
What People Say About Curbside Books
These reviews are from everyday trolley life. After our first retreat, this is where the weekend stories will live too.
"The cutest book trolley!!! Lots of fun options including cute puzzles, kid books, journals, etc and of course books in all genres. Super cozy atmosphere, definitely recommend!!!"
★★★★★ · Cassandra B. · Google review
"Love Curbside Books. A great selection and a really fun vibe. One of my favorite spots to stop by."
★★★★★ · Tyler M. · Google review
"This is such a great concept and so well carried-out!"
★★★★★ · MB T. · Google review
A Few Fair Questions
Can I join solo?
Please do. Solo readers are kind of the point. Welcome hours, shared tables, and small groups are all designed so nobody stays a stranger for long. Arrive with a book, leave with people.
Do I have to participate in everything?
Nope. Everything is invitational, nothing is mandatory, and the porch is always an option. If you skip the workshop to finish your chapter, we'll assume the book was good and honestly want to hear about it.
How much do retreats cost?
It varies by retreat and room, and each retreat's page lays out exact pricing before you book. Overnight stays generally run a few hundred dollars per person, most rooms can be split with a friend to bring that down, and day passes offer a lower-cost way in. Shop Pay also lets you break any booking into four payments at checkout.
What if my plans change after I book?
Tickets are always transferable to a friend (no questions, no fees). Refund windows are spelled out on each retreat's page before you book, so there are never surprises.
Where do the retreats happen?
Somewhere lovely in or near the Treasure Valley: historic houses, boutique venues, wineries, lodges. Each retreat picks a venue to match its theme, and someday we've got our eye on McCall and Sun Valley for a proper mountain edition.
Are all retreats 21+?
Some are, when there's tequila involved. Each retreat's page will always say clearly. And wherever there's a pour, there's a lovely zero-proof twin, so not drinking changes nothing about your night.
Can I give a retreat stay as a gift?
What a great friend you are. A Curbside gift card works toward any retreat, or reach out and we'll help you arrange a specific spot as a surprise.
How do I hear about new retreats first?
The retreat list, full stop. List folks hear themes and dates before our socials do, and they get first crack at rooms and any last-minute openings. With small groups and only a handful of rooms per retreat, first dibs matter.
Be the First to Hear About the Next One
New themes, dates, venues, and booking announcements go to the list first.
You'll also hear where the trolley is parking each weekend, plus the occasional Snoots update. No daily emails. No inbox haunting. Unsubscribe anytime, no hard feelings.
You're on the list. We're so glad you're here.
We'll write when there's actual retreat news: new themes, dates, and first crack at rooms. (If a confirmation email shows up in your inbox, give it a click so we're official.)
Questions instead? Ask us anything. We read every one.
Have a Place We Should Know About?
If you run a lodge, winery, inn, or beautiful old house in the Treasure Valley, we'd love to hear from you. And yes, McCall, we are looking in your direction.
We're searching for places with character, comfortable gathering spaces, room for a small group, and at least one corner where someone will immediately want to sit down with a book.
Tell Us About Your Venue