Boise, ID Road Trips

Although its economic growth has its roots in agriculture, the city is now home to many high-tech firms, including Micron Technology. Related to Idaho's agricultural history, notable food-related firms such as Albertson's, WinCo Foods and the J.R. Simplot Company are headquartered in this city. Although the origin of the name is disputed, "Boise" is thought to be derived from the French les bois, or "the woods." The name is a reference to the tree-lined Boise River, which passes through the heart of the city. To this day the city takes its "City of Trees" moniker very seriously, although before white settlement, there were actually very few trees in the area. Boise began its life in the mid-1800s as Fort Boise, a U.S. Army installation located at a strategic junction on the Oregon Trail between what were then the major settlements in southern Idaho Territory, the mining camps of Silver City to the south and Idaho City to the northeast. A city grew quickly around the fort, and by 1865 became the capital of Idaho Territory (much to the chagrin of northern Idahoans, namely residents of the original capital of Lewiston). By the dawn of the 20th century, Boise was far and away the dominant city in the region, having long eclipsed the likes of Silver City and Idaho City. Today Boise is sometimes seen as the eastern edge of the Pacific Northwest, or the western edge of the Rocky Mountains, or both, depending on whom you ask.

Boise is the administrative and cultural hub of Idaho. Many of Boise's main attractions are in the downtown area. 1 Idaho State Capitol Building, 700 W Jefferson St (Downtown at the northeast end of Capitol Blvd). M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM. If you are bold, you can ring the bell at the foot of the Capitol steps. The Capitol underwent extensive renovation and in early 2010 reopened amidst much fanfare after being completely closed (including to government officials) for the better part of two years. Guided tours are by reservation only, but there is an exhibit about Idaho and its government on the ground floor. All exibits and floors, except for government offices and the legislative chambers during government sessions, are free and open to the public. (updated Jun 2018) 2 Basque Museum & Cultural Center, 611 W Grove St (Downtown between Capitol and 6th St), ☏ +1 208-343-2671. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 11AM-3PM. The Boise area is home to one of the largest concentrations of Basque populations in the world outside of the Basque Country. The museum, in a part of downtown known as the "Basque Block," is a great place to visit whether or not you are of the Basque descent. Chock full of enriched heritage and even a bar to hang out at. A must see if you are in the Boise area. $5/adult, $4/concession, $3/child. (updated Jun 2018) 3 Julia Davis Park (Downtown with entrances on Myrtle St. and Capitol Blvd.). sunrise to sunset. This Olmsted-esque urban park contains many of the downtown attractions in Boise. It sits across the Boise River from Boise State University.

Because of Idaho's massive outdoor recreation industry, Boise is the starting point for many outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking. However, since Boise is also a large city, it also has urban attractions consistent with its status as the largest city in the state. 1 Boise Contemporary Theater, 854 W Fulton. Since 1997, Boise Contemporary Theater has been Boise's premiere professional contemporary theater. Located in downtown Boise, BCT creates, produces, and presents vibrant and dynamic professional theater that illuminates enduring themes while exploring contemporary issues and ideas. BCT has had several world premieres, including Last of the Breed by Maria Dahvana Headley (author of The Year of Yes) and No.You Shutup, a one-woman show starring former Daily Show correspondent Lauren Weedman. (updated Feb 2016) Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Of course, this is why you come to Boise. During summer, shows are performed at the theater at the base of the Boise foothills. First Thursday (Downtown). Just like it says, on the first Thursday of every month there are a variety of events including a gallery stroll, live music, and in-store entertainment. Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Student Union Building (Boise State University), [email protected]. Held in the Student Union on the BSU campus, this March event benefits the Gene Harris Scholarship Endowment. Capital City Public Market (Downtown). Boise's largest farmer's market.

Most of the fancier restaurants are in the downtown area. 1 Lucky 13 Pizza, 3662 South Eckert Rd, ☏ +1 208-344-3967. Pizza and beer in a patio setting snuggled into the Harris Ranch area of East Boise. A great place to go on a warm summer evening. Smoking is allowed on the patio. 2 Flying Pie Pizzaria (sic), 6508 Fairview Ave, ☏ +1 208-345-0000. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Possibly the best pizza in the Northwest. They have a great selection of beers which can be delivered (along with the pizzas themselves). A summer-only promotion is the habanero pizza which is definitely not for the timid - the heat equivalent of pounds of jalapenos. Flying Pie and their habanero pizza have been featured on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food. The "Pie" also has locations on State Street, Broadway, and in Meridian. 3 Big Jud's, 1289 S Protest Rd, ☏ +1 208-343-4439. Not to be outdone and with a national reputation in its own right, Big Juds offers quite possibly the biggest hamburgers in the state. They have one-pound burgers, and yeah, they do doubles. 4 Cottonwood Grille, 913 West River St, ☏ +1 208-333-9800. An amazing place to eat. With its specialties in American and Caribbean foods, it is one of the most popular places to eat in Boise. Whether you're going on a date or just want a nice night out, you can't go wrong. Reservations recommended. 5 Mai Thai Restaurant & Bar, 1744 W Main St, ☏ +1 208-344-8424. A great selection of Thai cuisine. The lunch bento specials are a nice sampling of various dishes. Dinner runs on the pricier side.

Boise has a surprisingly well-rounded nightlife, all stereotypes to the contrary, but once again, the best places to drink are all downtown. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, throngs of young women in midriff-baring outfits (no matter the weather) and young men strutting their stuff cruise downtown bars. Boise bars may serve from 10AM-2AM daily, however some close earlier. All bars within Boise city limits are smoke-free, although smoking at bars is still permitted in nearby Garden City. 1 Bittercreek Alehouse (Red Feather Lounge), 246 N. 8th (8th & Idaho downtown Boise), ☏ +1 208-345-1813. 11AM-late. Very busy local independent downtown hangout, rustic northwest food & beer. Focus on local organic products and 30 beers on tap from small batch regional brewers. The above standard "pub grub" fare is also vegetarian friendly. lunch dinner. (updated Feb 2016) 2 Red Feather Lounge, 246 N 8th St, ☏ +1 208 429-6340. Sibling of next door's watering hole Bittercreek, these two bars/restaurants share a bathroom and a patio, but just about nothing else. Red Feather is a swanky, low-lit lounge with an amazing three story, award winning wine selection. Red Feather's menu emphasizes products that thrive in the southwest Idaho region. Both have freshly made cocktails and share an outdoor see-and-be-seen patio on the pedestrian friendly 8th street corridor. 3 Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery, 610 W Grove St, ☏ +1 208-426-0538. M 11AM-9PM, Tu-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 10AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM.

1 Holiday Inn Boise Airport, 2970 W Elder St, ☏ +1 208-344-7444. A completely non-smoking hotel for business travelers located near Boise Airport and 3 mi (4.8 km) away from Boise State University. 2 The Grove Hotel, 245 S Capitol Blvd. A part of the Coast Hotels chain, it's probably the highest end hotel in Boise. 3 Homewood Suites by Hilton, 7957 West Spectrum Way, ☏ +1 208-375-8500. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Free breakfast and light dinner. Free high-speed Internet. 4 Hotel 43 (formerly, Statehouse Inn), 981 Grove St, ☏ +1 208-342-4622, toll-free: +1-800-243-4622, [email protected]. A boutique hotel in downtown Boise. (updated Oct 2019) 5 Idaho Heritage Inn Bed & Breakfast, 109 W Idaho, ☏ +1 208-342-8066. Built in 1904, former Governor's mansion, near downtown shops and dining, close to parks and historic district. Rooms $70-85, suites $99-110. All have private baths and are furnished in turn of the century antiques. Free wifi. Free gourmet breakfast. 6 The Modern Hotel and Bar, 1314 Grove St, ☏ +1 208-424-8244. Boutique hotel with tiled spa-like bathrooms, 32" flat screen HDTV, free wifi. 7 Hilton Garden Inn Boise Spectrum, 7699 West Spectrum Street, ☏ +1-208-376-1000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $99. (updated Jan 2016) 8 Hyatt Place Boise / Downtown, 1024 W. Bannock St, ☏ +1 208-991-5275. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A new hotel within walking distance of much of downtown Boise, including the Idaho State Capitol. $119. (updated Dec 2020) 9 Fairfield Inn & Suites Boise West, 7881 W Emerald St, ☏ +1 208 378-4044.

1 Boise Airport (BOI IATA), 3501 W Airport Way (terminal at the south end of S Vista Ave, off of I-84 at Exit 53). is less than 5 mi (8.0 km) south of downtown Boise. It can be directly accessed from both directions of Interstate 84 at Vista Rd (Exit #53). Getting downtown from the airport is simple, essentially requiring driving in a straight line (i.e. north on Vista Avenue). The airport is serviced by several airlines, including Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Jetblue, Southwest, and United.The airport sports a modern terminal building and offers free WiFi.Buses #3 and 4 run hourly from the airport to downtown Boise and further. It costs $1 or a daypass is $2. (updated Jun 2018) Boise can be accessed by car via Interstate 84, which connects to Meridian, Nampa, and eventually Oregon to the west, and to Twin Falls and eventually Utah to the southeast. Boise can also be accessed via State Highway 55 from McCall and Northern Idaho. Boise can also be accessed via State Highway 21 from Idaho City, Stanley, and broadly into central Idaho. 2 Greyhound, (bus station) Flying J Travel Center at 3353 Federal Way (Federal Way & Broadway Ave, off of Exit 54 from I-84), ☏ +1 208-343-3681, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 84 (Portland, Hood River, The Dalles, Baker City, Stanfield/Hermiston, Pendleton, La Grande, Ontario, Nampa, Boise, Twin Falls, Burley, Tremonton, Ogden and/or Salt Lake City) some eastbound buses continue contiguously from Salt Lake City to Denver.

Idaho is not known for public transportation, so most places outside the city center require a vehicle. Valley Regional Transit. Routes are lacking compared to other cities of similar size. Make sure to check schedules since most buses do not run on Sundays and many stop running at 6:45PM. $1.50/ride or $2.50/day pass. (updated Apr 2024) Cars can be rented at the Boise Airport from major rental companies including Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise. Traffic in Boise is relatively light and peaceful, especially compared to Seattle or Portland. But Boise is no stranger to heavy traffic in certain places. Interstate 184, Capitol Boulevard, Meridian Road, Eagle Road and State Street should be avoided during rush hours. Interstate 84 between I-184 and the Garrity Boulevard exit in Nampa (and sometimes into Caldwell) can be challenging as well. I-84 traffic in eastbound lanes is heavy in the morning, and in westbound lanes in the afternoon. If I-84 is in bad shape, Ustick Road can be a smart alternative from Boise to Canyon County and vice versa, passing north of Nampa and south of Caldwell. Ustick runs unbroken for some 35 mi (56 km), from the Boise Bench neighborhood to U.S. Route 95 northeast of Homedale, close to the Oregon border. Victory Road provides a similar but more direct alternate route between south Boise and Nampa. Traffic east of the Idaho City (State Highway 21/Federal Way) exit on I-84 from Boise towards Twin Falls is rarely - if ever - problematic. However, winter storms can make the Mountain Home area treacherous.