About Boise, ID

Boise is a regular member in a variety top 10 lists, and is often ranked among the best downtowns in America. Boise is well-regarded for raising families, retiring, and everything in between. If you're into health and fitness, Boise's yoga, gyms, asthmatics, and the great outdoors will provide plenty of opportunities to stay fit.

At the end of the day, the Boise area is a recreationalist's dream. From deep canyons to wind-swept deserts, towering mountains, thick forests and fast flowing streams, Boise offers plenty of variety. Nearby areas offer great fishing opportunities, top-notch hiking trails, and other opportunities to enjoy nature. So if you enjoy spending your time outdoors, there is plenty to do in Boise.

Boise itself is a very green city, with trees seeming to rise up from every crack and cranny. In fact, Boise is often nicknamed the "City of Trees." Indeed, a walk through parts of the city can feel like a walk through a forest. Of course, when it comes to cities, people often think of enticing skylines. Anchored by the Zions Bank building, the skyline is well regarded, and the downtown continues to boom, with construction being common.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of options for food and entertainment. The many locally sourced drinks and foods can please many palettes. The local residents love to spend their time on the many patios scattered around town, enjoying their meals.

Beyond dining, there are a plethora of concerts, music festivals, shopping opportunities, happy hours, art fairs, farmers markets, movies in the parks, and other events. The Alive After Five is a favorite among locals, as is the Tour de Fat bike and beer tour. There's also the Movies Under The Stars events, and Art in the Park, as well as the beloved Hyde Park Street Festival. Meanwhile, "gingers" are celebrated at the Ginger Fest.

There's also the famous "Basque Block", Located between Capital Boulevard on Grove Street and 6th. This cultural neighborhood is filled with restaurants, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, the Basque Market and other landmarks, all celebrating the Basque community.

The "North End" is a favorite place for the locals. This posh area is dominated by historic homes and inviting tree-lined streets. The North End is bucolic, quaint, luxurious, and green all at the same time. Further, you can head to the park to enjoy a great view of the downtown itself. The American Planning Association cited this area as a top ten neighborhood in the whole of the United States!

Boise nabbed the top spot in a "Get It Right" piece published by Time Magazine's "Solutions for American" article. Meanwhile, in 2008 Forbes ranked Boise trailed only Raleigh, NC in regards to "Best Places for Business and Careers." Further, Farmers Insurance cited it as one of the most secure places to lay down your roots. A lot of people call Boise the "Treasure Valley," and given the accolades it's not hard to see why.

With all of these distinctions, is it really a surprise that Boise residents are also known for being friendly and laid back, even after the downtown has been yarn bombed? Like other cities in the Pacific Northwest cities, Boise has a reputation for getting "weird" at times but that just makes the city more unique. When it comes to Boise, there's a lot more to enjoy than just potatoes.