BOISEvisitor guide WELCOME Welcome Greetings from Boise, Idaho! Idaho’s capital city is situated in the high desert of southwestern Idaho, right on the Boise River. There are 20 non-stop destination flights daily connecting our city at the foot of the Boise mountain front to the world. Boise’s stellar quality of life includes a vibrant urban downtown, cultural and culinary experiences, unique attractions and close-in outdoor recreation. When you get here, you’ll enjoy a thoroughly walkable, friendly and safe downtown. We are delighted that you are thinking about Boise as your place to visit. My hope is that once you stop in, you’ll see why we’ve made so many “Top 10” lists in the last few years. We designed this booklet to be both engaging and useful as you arrange your vacation, or use it to help you navigate the area once you are here. We’ve put lots of useful information such as where to stay, what to do, history and culture, day trips, unique parks and features along the Boise River and so much more. We’ve never met a stranger. In Boise we meet friends! Carrie Westergard, Executive Director TABLE OF CONTENTS INFORMATION RESOURCES 2 Welcome 18 Getting Here 52 Breweries Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Boise Association (800) 635-5240 boise.org (208) 385-7300 downtownboise.org 4 Connect with Boise 20 Getting Around 56 Wineries Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Idaho Department of Commerce 6 Fun Facts 24 Lodging 60 Attractions (208) 472-5205 boisechamber.org (208) 334-2470 commerce.idaho.gov 8 Then & Now 32 Outdoors 66 Day Trips Boise Parks & Recreation Idaho State Parks & Recreation 10 Basques in Boise 40 Sports (208) 384-4240 parks.cityofboise.org (208) 334-4199 12 Events 42 Dining Boise Valley Economic Partnership parksandrecreation.idaho.gov (208) 472-5229 bvep.org Road Conditions Report Toll Free (888) 432-7683 BOISE.ORG Visitor Information Center (208) 810-7324 boisecentre.com BOISE VISITOR GUIDE | BOISE VISITOR 2 3 WELCOME CONNECT with Boise Planning a trip to Boise? Looking for insights and tips while you’re here? Stop by our office during your visit where experts will provide maps, Or just want to vicariously live the Boise lifestyle from somewhere else in brochures, insider tips and recommendations. the world? The Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau is your official source Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau 1101 W. Front St., #100, Boise, ID 83702 for acquainting you with Boise! (208) 344-7777 or (800) 635-5240 or connect with us at boise.org. connect with us at #visitboise & these resources: BOISE.ORG FACEBOOK PINTEREST YOUTUBE @visitboise @visitboise youtube.com/c/VisitBoise BOISE.ORG MONTHLY MEETING PLANNER 101 BROCHURE TWITTER INSTAGRAM E-NEWSLETTER GUIDE Download at boise.org BOISE VISITOR GUIDE | BOISE VISITOR @boisecvb @visitboise Sign up at boise.org Order at boise.org 4 5 WELCOME 1 on Forbes list of America’s Fastest-Growing Cities in 2018. fun facts March 2018 Every city and state offer something unique. Idaho and its capital are no MORE STATE FACTS: State flower different! To check out a few of our favorite insights and learn more about The Syringa all we have to offer, visit boise.org. State bird The Mountain Bluebird IDAHO’S POPULATION State tree The Western White Pine 1,716,943 State animal The Appaloosa Horse State fish The Cutthroat Trout State insect The Monarch Butterfly BOISE’S POPULATION WEATHER State vegetable 223,154 BOISE HAS ALL FOUR SEASONS The Potato AND IS WARM AND DRY WITH LOW State fruit HUMIDITY IN SUMMER AND FALL. The Wild Huckleberry State gemstone The Star Garnet State fossil The Hagerman Horse Who was the first Idaho BOISE’S ELEVATION potato grower? In 1836, Henry Harmon Spalding, a Presbyterian missionary, taught 2,840 the Nez Perce tribe how to FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL 4+K cultivate potatoes. What special potato does Idaho produce? BOISE.ORG 3K INDUSTRY Russet Burbank 2K MAJOR INDUSTRIES INCLUDE AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING, HEALTHCARE, 1K HIGH TECH, TOURISM AND GOVERNMENT. BOISE VISITOR GUIDE | BOISE VISITOR 6 7 WELCOME then & now History comes alive in Boise. And not just in the places you’d expect. Here you’ll find it in the streets, in the hills and in the State Capitol — all of which define what makes Boise unique. Get up-close, embrace it, learn, and most importantly, enjoy it! Did you know that the City of Boise has its own Department of Arts and History? Check out their website at boiseartsandhistory.org. 6 Best Neighborhoods in America to Spend a Weekend. Thrillist, February 2018 Idaho State Capitol The Oregon Trail Idaho Anne Frank Museums Old Idaho Human Rights Penitentiary Located in downtown Do you know which route Take your pick: there’s the Memorial Boise, the Idaho State of the Oregon Trail passed Idaho Historical Museum, A state historic site, Capitol building features just south of Boise? You A place to learn about and the Idaho Black History this museum lets you BOISE.ORG a host of displays and can travel to Three Island be inspired by the valiant Museum, the Idaho Mili- experience Idaho’s former educational exhibits Crossing State Park to see efforts of this amazing girl tary Museum, The Basque territorial jail. Explore the relating to the history where pioneers crossed the and her family. Museum & Cultural Center grounds and relive the of Idaho. mighty Snake River. and more. historic events of one of the most infamous prisons in BOISE VISITOR GUIDE | BOISE VISITOR the West. 8 9 WELCOME basques IN Boise In Boise, the Basque culture is alive and well — enriched by both its history and the vibrancy of an active, engaged community. More people of Basque descent live in the Boise area per capita than any other place outside of the Basque region of Southern France and Northern Spain. Basque descendants first began arriving in Idaho in the late 1800s, often taking work as sheepherders for English and Scottish immigrants. Today, Basque traditions from “the old country” as well as their time as sheepherders can be experienced in Boise. The most notable place to find it all? The Basque Block! Here, the Basque Museum, set in a historic Basque boarding house, tells the story of Basques in Idaho and beyond. Restaurants Bar Gernika and Leku Ona give you a taste of Basque culture. The Basque Market, stocked with wines and food from the Basque Country and Spain, lets you take a bit home with you. And the Basque Center, built in 1949, offers an opportunity to participate in community events and The Basque Country is Basque dancing and gatherings. Bay of Biscay France home to approximately 3 While events and small festivals are a common occurrence on the million people. The region Basque Block, none match the size and scale of the international Basque covers 8,088 square miles of of Southern France and festival “Jaialdi” (pronounced hi-all-dee). Every five years, Boise welcomes Northern Spain. Basque performers and visitors from the Basque Country and around the world. Country The next Jaialdi Festival is July 28-August 2, 2020. Portugal Spain Learn more at thebasqueblock.com. Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean Sea BOISE.ORG BOISE VISITOR GUIDE | BOISE VISITOR 10 11 EVENTS CONNECT with Boise 2 on Lonely Planet list of Destinations You Need There’s always something happening in Boise. Here’s a list of a few favorite To See in 2018. events. Looking for more? Visit boise.org for a complete calendar of events. March 2018 OnGoing Events April through December June through August October through May Boise Farmers’ Market Local food & products. Alive After Five Music, entertainment and Boise Contemporary Theater Season Year-Round Saturdays 9am-1pm, Downtown Boise. food on the Grove Plaza in downtown Boise, Performances at Fulton Street Theater. Bogus Basin From hiking, mountain biking, disc 10th & Grove St. (208) 345-9287 Wednesday evenings 5pm-8pm. (208) 331-9224 bctheater.org (208) 385-7300 downtownboise.org golf, camping, live music, and horseback rides, theboisefarmersmarket.com November through March Bogus Basin has incredible outdoor activities June through early September Capital City Public Market Enjoy the bountiful Boise State Basketball Season at Taco Bell Arena. for you and your family! They also provide daily harvest of fruits, vegetables and specialty Boise Hawks Baseball Season Home games at (208) 426-4737 broncosports.com summer chairlift and mountain coaster rides products available for purchase. Saturdays Memorial Stadium near Expo Idaho. starting in July. In winter, families can enjoy both November through April 9:30am-1:30pm, Downtown Boise. (208) 345-3499 (208) 322-5000 boisehawks.com downhill and cross-country skiing. capitalcitypublicmarket.com Idaho Dance Theatre Season Most performances (208) 332-5100 bogusbasin.org Concert Series Ste. Chapelle Winery. Sunday at BSU Special Events Center. (208) 331-9592 May through September afternoons. (208) 453-7840 stechapelle.com First Thursday of the month events in downtown idahodancetheatre.org Boise. (208) 385-7300 downtownboise.org Idaho Shakespeare Festival Open-air theater. August through November Bring your own picnic or purchase items from November through April Morrison Center Today the center is recognized Boise State Football Season Home games Cafè Shakespeare. Low-backed chairs or Ski Season at Bogus Basin. (208) 332-5100 or as a major destination for arts and culture, hosting at Albertsons Stadium. (208) 426-4737 blankets are recommended. (208) 336-9221 (800) 367-4397 bogusbasin.org hundreds of live entertainment and arts education idahoshakespeare.org broncosports.com events that serve to enrich the lives of patrons of November through January May through September September through April all ages. The Fred Meyer Broadway in Boise series Winter Garden aGlow Artfully arranged display Flea Markets at Expo Idaho Saturdays and brings you the very best that Broadway touring Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series Musical of lights and color at the Idaho Botanical Garden.