Boise

On hot summer days, hundreds of people float down the Boise River on rubber tubes, right through the middle of the city. A trip to Boise takes you to the capital of Idaho, a city that surprises with a green riverside path, hiking trails just behind downtown, and one of the largest Basque communities outside Europe.

Trees in the Steppe

French trappers are said to have cried out "Les bois!" – "The woods!" – at the sight of the tree-lined riverbanks in the barren high plateau. In 1863, the U.S. Army built a fort here on the Oregon Trail, and soon afterward Boise became the capital of the Idaho Territory. Beginning in the late 19th century, Basque sheepherders arrived from the Pyrenees, and their descendants still shape the character of the city today. In recent years, Boise has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., drawn by nature, tech companies, and quality of life.

Sights in Boise

The Idaho State Capitol is heated with geothermal water – Boise has been using its hot springs for more than a hundred years. The Boise River Greenbelt, a riverside path about 25 miles (40 km) long, connects parks such as Julia Davis Park with the zoo, the art museum, and the Idaho State Museum. The Basque Block downtown, with the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, a pelota court, and murals, is one of a kind in the U.S. The Old Idaho Penitentiary, a prison dating from 1870, is open for tours. Right next door is the Idaho Botanical Garden. Behind the city, the Boise Foothills rise with hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, for example to Table Rock, with views over the valley.

Eating and Going Out in Boise

Basque cuisine is a must: chorizo, lamb stew, croquetas, and pintxos are served in the restaurants around the Basque Block, and every five years the city celebrates its Basque heritage at the Jaialdi festival. Idaho potatoes naturally show up on many menus, as does trout from the mountain rivers. Downtown, the Hyde Park neighborhood in the North End, and the area around 8th Street offer breweries, wine bars, and cafés; the nearby Snake River Valley is an up-and-coming wine region. On Saturdays, the Capital City Public Market is a gathering place with regional products.

Neighborhoods of Boise

Downtown Boise is compact and easy to explore on foot, with Capitol Boulevard as the axis running from the Capitol to the river. The North End, with its bungalows and old trees, is the most popular residential neighborhood, and Hyde Park Street is its heart. To the east runs Warm Springs Avenue, lined with mansions that have been heated with thermal water for more than a century. Boise State University, with its famous blue football field, lies on the south bank of the river and brings the city to life with its students.

Getting Around Boise and Best Time to Visit

Boise Airport is just a few minutes south of downtown. Buses serve the city, and the compact center is easy to explore on foot or by rental bike. The best time to visit is summer, with dry heat and river fun; in fall, the trees along the Greenbelt glow with color. In winter, the Bogus Basin ski area beckons, just under an hour's drive away. Excursions lead to the hot springs of the Sawtooth Mountains, to Sun Valley, to the Snake River Birds of Prey area, and to Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls.