✦ October 24 & 25, 2026 · The Boise Heritage House · Downtown Boise ✦
The Practical Magic Literary Retreat
For one October weekend, we're stepping inside the world of Practical Magic.
We're taking over the Boise Heritage House for the first Curbside Books Literary Retreat. There will be books, candlelight, tarot, tea blending, one long dinner table, a parlor screening of Practical Magic and actual time built into the schedule to read.
The margaritas will be poured when the sisters pour theirs. Pancakes are happening Sunday morning. Chocolate cake may appear more than once, as it should.
Book one of six rooms and stay overnight, or join us Sunday morning. Either way, it will be a fun magical time!
21+ · Six overnight rooms · Twelve Sunday passes
Early Birds Get a Little Something
The first three rooms booked get $50 off with code EARLYBIRD.
The Weekend at a Glance
There will be plenty to do, but there will also be real time to read, sit on the porch or quietly disappear into your room for an hour. We planned it that way. Reading hours are a must on the schedule.
Saturday · 2:45 pm
Arrive and Settle In
A welcome cocktail, a zero-proof option and your spell kit. The rest of the afternoon is yours to ease into: have a tarot reading, explore the house, find your favorite reading corner and settle in.
Saturday · Afternoon
Books, Tea and Reading Time
Bring a beloved book you have already read, wrap it and exchange it with someone new. You'll also blend your own botanical tea to take home, visit Trolley Parton and settle in for an uninterrupted reading hour before dinner.
Saturday · Evening
Dinner and the Movie
We'll gather around one long table for dinner and chocolate cake, followed by Practical Magic in the parlor. Margaritas will be poured when the sisters pour theirs, with zero-proof versions always available.
Sunday · Morning
Pancakes, Audiobook Walk, Yoga, and a Few More Good Things
Sunday begins with pancakes, coffee and the completely acceptable option of eating leftover cake for breakfast. After that, choose between an audiobook stroll and porch reading, join gentle all-levels yoga and create a scent inspired by your favorite book.
Around the House
Everything is optional. Even dinner. Dinner has cake, though...
Before It Was the Movie
Before Practical Magic became the movie with the midnight margaritas, it was a novel by Alice Hoffman.
This retreat pulls from both: the books, the sisters, the house and the parts of the movie we all still think about.
Every overnight guest will receive a copy of the novel in the mail before the retreat, along with a wax-sealed acceptance letter. Read it ahead of time, bring it with you or save it for later. No reading quiz will be administered.
Trolley Parton will be parked outside throughout the weekend with the complete Owens family series.
Inside the house, the Honor Shelf will stay open all weekend. Browse whenever you feel like it and pay on your honor.
Choose Your Room
The Boise Heritage House has six historic guest rooms, each with its own personality. Book one for yourself or split it with the friend you want beside you for the weekend. Every overnight booking includes your room, the full retreat schedule and everything listed below.
The first three rooms booked get $50 off with code EARLYBIRD.
Plans change. Tickets may be transferred to a friend at any time. Full refunds are available up to 30 days before the retreat, and 50% refunds are available up to 14 days before it. The full policy is included in the questions section below.
The Governor's Suite
The largest suite in the house includes a private sunroom for morning reading, a clawfoot tub and a cedar-lined walk-in closet. There is plenty of room to spread out, read in the sunroom and briefly pretend the entire house belongs to you.
Early bird pricing: $775 solo or $1,230 for two with code EARLYBIRD.
You may also divide the total into four payments with Shop Pay at checkout.
Book This RoomThe Upper Chamber
A private third-floor room with a skylight, a queen bed and a fold-out couch. Come solo, bring a friend or bring two. Fall asleep looking at the sky and wake up one floor away from the pancakes.
Take $50 off any booking option with code EARLYBIRD.
You may also divide the total into four payments with Shop Pay at checkout.
Book This RoomThe Secretary's Suite
A spacious main-floor room with high ceilings, tall windows and a deep tub. For anyone who needs or simply prefers to skip the stairs, this one is yours. Zero stairs between you and the pancakes.
Early bird pricing: $695 solo or $1,100 for two with code EARLYBIRD.
You may also divide the total into four payments with Shop Pay at checkout.
Book This RoomThe Senator's Room
A charming second-floor room filled with Boise history, including antiques that once belonged to the C.W. Moore family. The adjustable queen bed is also ideal for reading comfortably, which absolutely feels worth mentioning.
Early bird pricing: $645 solo or $1,030 for two with code EARLYBIRD.
You may also divide the total into four payments with Shop Pay at checkout.
Book This RoomThe Judge's Chambers
A cozy upstairs suite with a queen bed, private bathroom, cedar-lined closet, plenty of natural light and access to a shared patio.
Early bird pricing: $600 solo or $950 for two with code EARLYBIRD.
You may also divide the total into four payments with Shop Pay at checkout.
Book This RoomThe Mayor's Study
A snug upstairs studio with a queen bed, private bathroom and access to a shared patio. It is the smallest room in the house and has the friendliest price.
Early bird pricing: $575 solo or $900 for two with code EARLYBIRD.
You may also divide the total into four payments with Shop Pay at checkout.
Book This RoomEvery Room Includes
Everything on that list is per guest, so if you bring a friend they get all of it too.
Arrivals begin at 2:45 pm on Saturday, and we ask everyone to be there by 3:15 so nobody misses the welcome circle. The retreat wraps around 1:30 pm on Sunday at the trolley. No one will be rushed out the door.
Parking at the house is limited. Trolley Parton has claimed the best spot, and she is the size of a small building. Getting dropped off, riding together or using nearby street parking will be easiest.
Join Us Sunday Morning
You do not need to stay overnight to be part of the weekend.
Join us Sunday morning for coffee at Trolley Parton, an audiobook stroll or porch reading, gentle all-levels yoga, the scent bar and the first gathering of the Curbside Book Club.
Do everything, choose a few things or spend part of the morning reading on the porch. This is not a participation-grade situation.
The Sunday Sanctuary
$95 · Sunday, October 25 · 10:15 am to 1:30 pm
Twelve spots are available.
Your Sunday pass includes: coffee at Trolley Parton, your choice of an audiobook stroll or porch reading, gentle all-levels yoga at the house, the scent bar (where you'll create a scent inspired by your favorite book) and the first gathering of the Curbside Book Club. 21+.
Grab a Sunday PassThe House
The Boise Heritage House is a historic home at 109 W. Main Street in downtown Boise. We'll have the entire house for the weekend, including the six guest rooms, gathering spaces, porch and backyard.
It is beautiful, full of character and feels like it was waiting for a book retreat.
What People Say About Curbside Books
This is our first literary retreat, so no, these are not retreat reviews. They are from people who have visited Curbside Books and experienced the books, atmosphere and slightly unusual way we do things. The retreat is the next, much longer version.
"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
Quick Questions
Can I come by myself?
Absolutely. You will not be the only one. We have a few easy ways built into the weekend to help people meet without turning it into a networking exercise. You'll be paired with a Sister at check-in, exchange a wrapped book with someone new and share dinner around one table. You may arrive alone, but you will not spend the weekend feeling like the odd person out.
Do I need to have seen the movie?
No. But if you can recite it, you will be among your people. Overnight guests will also receive a copy of the novel before the retreat, but there is no requirement to finish it before you arrive.
What should I bring?
Bring three things: one beloved book you have already read, wrapped for the blind book swap; your ID (IDs are checked at arrival); and a cozy layer for sitting outside after dark. Clothes that feel a little witchy are encouraged from dinner onward, but never required. We'll handle everything else.
When does the retreat begin and end?
Arrivals begin at 2:45 pm on Saturday, October 24, and we ask everyone to be there by 3:15 so nobody misses the welcome circle. We'll wrap around 1:30 pm on Sunday, October 25, at Trolley Parton.
How big is the group?
Smaller on purpose. There are six overnight rooms, which means approximately twelve overnight guests. Twelve additional guests may join us for the Sunday morning portion. You will know people's names by dinner.
Is the retreat really 21+?
It is. There will be tequila, and IDs will be checked at arrival. Every alcoholic drink will have a zero-proof version available, so choosing not to drink will not change your experience.
Can you accommodate dietary needs?
Leave your dietary needs and allergy information in the order notes at checkout, including your friend's if you're bringing one. Please tell us everything. We read every note and will plan the menu accordingly.
Where should I park?
Getting dropped off is the easiest option. Parking at the house is limited, and Trolley Parton has already taken the largest space. Riding together or using nearby street parking will also work. Please give yourself a few extra minutes.
What accessibility accommodations are available?
The Secretary's Suite is on the main floor and does not require stairs to reach, and Saturday evening's screening happens in the parlor downstairs. Chairs will be available during yoga, and porch reading is always an alternative to the audiobook stroll. The Boise Heritage House is a historic building and may have limitations. Please reach out before booking with any specific accessibility needs. We will be honest about what the space can accommodate and work with you wherever possible.
What happens if my plans change?
Tickets may be transferred to a friend at any time. A full refund, minus processing fees, is available up to 30 days before the retreat. A 50% refund is available up to 14 days before the retreat. Tickets are nonrefundable within 14 days because, by then, the chocolate cake is already in motion.
Can I split the cost into payments?
Yes. Choose Shop Pay at checkout to divide your room total into four payments. The first three rooms booked also receive $50 off with code EARLYBIRD.
Want First Dibs Next Time?
This is the first Curbside Books Literary Retreat, but it will not be the last.
Join the Curbside list and you'll hear about new retreat dates before anyone else, get first access to any last-minute openings for this one, and find out where the trolley is parking each weekend.
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Or see all our literary retreats →Six Rooms. One October Weekend.
Only six overnight rooms are available. The first three booked get $50 off with code EARLYBIRD. You probably already know which friend you would send this page to. This is that part.