Boise area
Around Boise area
Photo: Charles Knowles from Meridian Idaho, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Idaho · 935k people
Boise area
Locals say Treasure Valley · “City of Trees”
A friendly city where the river meets the foothills.
Boise State blueBoise State orange
Welcome to Boise, the heart of the Treasure Valley. You'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors, good food, and a laid-back vibe. Whether you're here for the foothills, the river, or the local brews, there's always something to do.
Clubs for Boise area
No clubs for Boise area yet.
The room
Boise area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Boise's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Boise. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Boise area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Boise River Greenbelt 25-mile paved trail along the river connecting parks and downtown.
- Basque Block Historic downtown district with Basque restaurants, murals, and the Basque Museum.
- Old Idaho Penitentiary Historic prison museum with tours and exhibits.
- Albertsons Stadium (Blue Turf) Home of Boise State Broncos football, famous for its blue artificial turf.
- Idaho State Capitol Historic sandstone capitol building with public tours.
- World Center for Birds of Prey Raptor conservation center with live bird exhibits.
- Outdoors Float the Boise River
- Outdoors Hike Ridge to Rivers trails
- With kids Visit Zoo Boise
- With kids Explore Discovery Center of Idaho
- Evenings Bar hop on 8th Street
- Evenings Catch live music at Treefort venues
- Locals love Greenbelt paths
- Locals love Foothills trails
Through the year
- Treefort Music Fest March Multi-day indie music and arts festival with dozens of venues downtown.
- Boise Music Festival July Outdoor concert with national acts at Expo Idaho.
- Western Idaho Fair August Carnival rides, livestock exhibits, and fair food at the fairgrounds.
- Art in the Park September Juried arts and crafts fair in Julia Davis Park.
- Boise Farmers Market April–October Weekly local produce, crafts, and hot food at the 8th Street lot.
Boise has a semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons: hot, dry summers; mild springs and falls; and cold but relatively dry winters with occasional snow. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temperatures and green foothills.
Talk like a local
- “Treasure Valley”
- The metro area including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell.
- “The Bench”
- A neighborhood in Boise south of downtown, known for its older homes.
- “The North End”
- Historic neighborhood north of downtown with bungalows and cafes.
- “Spud”
- Nickname for Idaho, often used in a self-deprecating way.
Getaways
- Mountain Home Nearby town with access to the Snake River and desert recreation.
- Ontario Oregon border town with antique shops and the Four Rivers Cultural Center.
- Hailey Gateway to Sun Valley ski resort and Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
- Baker City Historic Oregon Trail town with the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
Local flavour
Teams
- Boise State Broncos NCAA Division I
- Idaho Steelheads ECHL
- Boise Hawks MiLB (short-season A)
Eat and drink
- Finger steaks Deep-fried strips of steak, a Boise specialty
- Basque pintxos
- Idaho baked potato The state's iconic potato
- Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries are a regional treat
Where people go
- Boise River Greenbelt A scenic riverfront trail system
- Basque Block Historic downtown district with Basque restaurants and culture
- Foothills Hiking and biking trails with city views
- Bogus Basin Local ski resort
Heritage and traditions
Boise is proud of its Basque heritage, its outdoor lifestyle, and the iconic blue turf of Boise State, along with a friendly, welcoming community in the Treasure Valley.
This time of year in Boise area
- Boise State football season Fall Bronco games bring tailgating and blue-clad crowds.
Say it like a local: “The Foothills” — The hills east of Boise
Festivals
- Jaialdi Every five years in July Largest Basque celebration in the US, with music, dance, food, and sports.
- Snake River Stampede July Professional rodeo in Nampa with bull riding, barrel racing, and a small-town fair atmosphere.
- Basque Festival July Annual celebration of Basque culture with traditional dancing, food, and games.
- Idaho Shakespeare Festival June–August Outdoor performances of Shakespeare and other plays in a beautiful amphitheater.
- Eagle Fun Days June Eagle's annual community festival with a parade, carnival, and fireworks.
Landmarks with a story
- St. John's Cathedral Historic Catholic cathedral in downtown Boise, known for its Gothic architecture.
- The Egyptian Theatre A 1920s movie palace with an Egyptian-themed interior, now a live performance venue.
- Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial An outdoor garden with quotes and statues honoring human rights and Anne Frank.
- Basque Museum and Cultural Center Preserves and interprets the history of the Basque people in Idaho.
- Fort Boise A 19th-century military post, now a park with remnants of the original fort.
- Idaho State Historical Museum Exhibits on Idaho's natural and cultural history, from Native Americans to pioneers.
Food traditions
- Basque chorizo and lamb stew Served at festivals and family gatherings, reflecting the region's strong Basque heritage.
- Ice cream potato A dessert shaped like a potato, often served at local ice cream parlors.
- Fry sauce A mix of ketchup and mayonnaise, a staple for dipping fries in the Mountain West.
- Huckleberry picking Families head to the mountains in late summer to pick huckleberries for jams and pies.
- Potato bar A baked potato with toppings, a common offering at community events.
Music and arts
- Boise Philharmonic Symphony orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Idaho Shakespeare Festival Summer theater tradition with outdoor performances.
- Indie rock scene Home to bands like Built to Spill and the Treefort Music Fest.
- Basque folk music and dance Traditional performances at festivals and cultural events.
A little history
- 1863 Boise founded as a gold rush town
- 1890 Idaho becomes a state, with Boise as the capital
- Late 19th century Basque sheepherders immigrate to the region, shaping local culture
- 1915 Arrowrock Dam completed, one of the tallest dams in the world at the time
- 1986 Boise State installs the iconic blue artificial turf
Rivalries
- Boise State vs. University of Idaho In-state college football rivalry, though not played every year.
- Boise State vs. Fresno State Mountain West conference rivalry in football and basketball.
- Idaho Steelheads vs. other ECHL teams Hockey fans get passionate about divisional matchups.
- Game day Boise State football tailgating
- Game day The 'Smurf Turf'
- Outdoors Camping in the Boise National Forest
- Outdoors Birdwatching at the World Center for Birds of Prey
- With kids Idaho State Historical Museum
- With kids Aquarium of Boise
People in Boise speak with a neutral Western American accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. The city name is pronounced 'BOY-see' (not 'boy-zee'). Some Basque words like 'agur' (goodbye) are heard in the Basque community.
Only here
- The Blue Turf at Boise State – the only blue artificial field in college football.
- The Idaho Potato Drop on New Year's Eve – a giant potato lowered at midnight.
- The largest Basque community in the US, centered around the Basque Block.
- The World Center for Birds of Prey – a global leader in raptor conservation.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce it 'BOY-see' (rhymes with 'noisy'), not 'boy-zee'.
- The summer is dry and hot; stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
- Traffic on I-84 can be congested during rush hour; plan accordingly.
- The foothills are great for hiking, but watch for rattlesnakes.
- Try a finger steak and fry sauce at a local pub.
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Areas in Boise area
Nearby
Every areaWeiserIdahoWhere the river meets the fiddleGoodingIdahoWhere the river carves the canyon and the fields run green.Baker CityOregonWhere the Oregon Trail meets the mountains and the heart stays wild.HaileyIdahoMountain air, small-town heart.Twin FallsIdahoCanyon country with a big heart.West Central MountainsIdahoWhere pines meet the water's edge.Wallowa CountyOregonAlpine valleys, bronze artistry, and wide-open skies.BurleyIdahoWhere the potatoes are as big as the sky and the people are as warm as the harvest sun.
Boise City-Mountain Home-Ontario, ID-OR CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.