In New York City, most cab rides are conducted in complete silence — in Boise, every driver knew my life's story by the time they dropped me off, and vice versa. Further, the Boise River dissects the city and is surrounded by a lush 25-mile trail called the Greenbelt that has tree-lined paths for runners and cyclists, as well as a wildlife habitat, picnic tables, access to 850 acres of parks, and even a golf course. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, the fastest-growing city in the US in 2018, seven breweries, 21 cafés, six wine bars, and a distillery, I spent a day touring a few of the wineries, I ate at Idaho's fast-food chain that serves 6 kinds of potatoes, and it's heaven for fry fans, I spent $400 to sleep in Idaho's 'big potato' Airbnb and it was one of the most stylish places I've ever stayed in. Boise is so hot right now.. I felt pretty silly in my winter boots and down jacket when, in February, the temperature in Boise was a balmy 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Since I didn't know the area well, it made me question whether I was somewhere I shouldn't be. Consequently, as someone with a hefty caffeine addiction herself, coffee shops — or a lack thereof — are usually one of the first things I notice when traveling. Apparently, the average commute in Boise is only 22 minutes — another reason why people love it there. After 14 years of living in New York, I barely bat an eyelid at a $16 cocktail or $6 iced coffee. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in October. Coming from New York City, where empty streets are a rare sight, this disconcerted me a little bit. The thoughts expressed are those of the author(s). Inc. 1864. more, Top Things to Do in Boise, ID - Boise Attractions. However, its explosive growth has also brought with it some growing pains. The city’s diversified industries now include agriculture (fruit, sugar beets, and livestock), lumbering, electronics, and wholesale trade and trucking. Boise, ID. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Boise-Idaho, Official Site of the City of Boise, Idaho, United States, CRW Flags - Flag of Boise, Idaho, United States, Boise - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Boise - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). A surprising number of shops and restaurants in Downtown Boise were hyper-local. At first, I wondered if something gave me away as a tourist, but then came to find that people were simply chatty and genuinely seemed curious about each other's lives. Idaho's popularity hasn't let up during the pandemic: Moving marketplace HireAHelper reports that 194% more people moved into the state than left it since March. I also met a disproportionate amount of California transplants. Boise has one of the largest and most concentrated Basque communities in the US with around 15,000 people of Basque heritage — it's even home to something called the "Basque Block," which features a Basque museum, cultural center, market, and various restaurants. I was surprised to find just how many cool spots it was home to — Downtown Boise alone boasts seven breweries, 21 cafés, six wine bars, and a distillery. Boise, capital and largest city of Idaho, U.S., and the seat (1864) of Ada county. However, I also saw a severe lack of public transportation, and longtime locals said they're getting priced out by the influx of newcomers. Boise State University was founded in 1932 as a junior college. As I chatted with locals, one thing came up again and again: Boise's newfound popularity was causing prices to rise, they said, and was beginning to price them out. Editor's note: Our travel correspondent visited Boise in February. Boise, ID × Show Labels. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). As cool as 8th Street/Downtown was, the many shops and bars were clustered around a maybe six-block radius. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The Idaho capital was the fastest-growing city in the US in 2018, according to Forbes, and was ranked as the best place to live for millennials in 2019. SATELLITE. Help. Boise, capital and largest city of Idaho, U.S., and the seat (1864) of Ada county. Situated in the city center of Boise, the Inn at 500 Capitol is a very special boutique hotel where pride of place, exceptional service, and thoughtful amenities come together to create the ultimate luxury experience in Idaho’s capital city. Looking for smart ways to get more from life? According to Snake River Wine Tours guide Samantha Maxey, Idaho is said to be the fastest-growing wine industry in the US. Looking for financial advice? Boise is currently growing at a rate of 1.25% annually and its population has increased by 14.05% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 205,671 in 2010. Boise, Idaho, was named the fastest-growing city in the US in 2018, according to Forbes, and was ranked as the best place to live for millennials in 2019. But what struck me the most, besides the sheer number of stylish eateries, was the variety: everything from dive bars with $2 well drinks to fancy cocktail bars with mixologists, and all within easy walking distance. Eighth Street in Downtown Boise is the city's hip epicenter. And even when there was a bus, they seemed to come sporadically at best. Situated in the city center of Boise, the Inn at 500 Capitol is a very special boutique hotel where pride of place, exceptional service, and thoughtful amenities come together to create the ultimate luxury experience in Idaho’s capital city. A walk around the North End, which TripAdvisor named a top US hipster neighborhood, really cemented to me why people are moving to Boise en masse. Boise felt like a small town when it came to its residents, who were incredibly friendly and talkative. Buildings of historical interest include the Assay Office (1871), Old Idaho Penitentiary (built c. 1870, closed 1973), and the Idaho Historical Museum (1907). According to Lonely Planet, Idaho has 114 mountain ranges and "some of the most rugged mountains in the Lower 48. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Boise was named by early 19th-century French Canadian trappers for the tree-lined river (French boisé, “wooded”) that provided relief for travelers crossing the desolate Snake River plain. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. I spent so much money on cabs it's ridiculous (even though the fares were inexpensive). Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Boise, Idaho on Tripadvisor: See 11,849 traveller reviews and photos of Boise tourist attractions. Federal and state government agencies also provide much local employment. In Boise, there are not only plenty of cafés, but they are also all incredibly stylish. Beyond that, I saw mostly office buildings and strip malls. After 1902 the Boise Irrigation Project built nearby Arrowrock Dam and several other dams on the Boise River to provide the region with water storage and recreational facilities. Meanwhile, Idaho has traditionally prioritized low taxes, with a progressive income tax rate roughly between 1% and 7%, and a sales tax of 6%. Boise, Idaho, has been named one of the best places for millennials to live in the US. The best outdoor activities in Boise according to Tripadvisor travellers are: What are the most popular things to do in Boise with kids? But even during a global pandemic, Idaho's popularity hasn't waned: Moving marketplace HireAHelper reports that 194% more people moved into Idaho than left it since March.. Ski resort Bogus Basin is only about 40 minutes from Boise, while the famous Sun Valley is about 2.5 hours away. One of the world’s largest construction companies also grew up there. Idaho just might be home to the next Napa Valley. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get more of it. Not only was everything cheap, but it was also very good. The clean and attractive downtown is framed by mountains to the northeast and irrigated agricultural plains to the west. Boise’s numerous city parks contain specimens of trees from all over the world, many planted by U.S. presidents and visiting dignitaries. Between the bars, healthy cafés, and boutique gyms, I can see why so many millennials are relocating: Downtown is tailored to their wants and needs. MAP. Apparently, winter in Boise sees moderate snowfall and average temperatures of around 24 to 45 degrees. The same goes for the cool North End neighborhood: Besides around three café and shop-filled blocks in the Hyde Park district, it mostly consisted of private homes. I spent five days there back in February to see why it has become such a popular place. Like what you see here? Even on a sunny Sunday afternoon, in the heart of Downtown, among shops and restaurants, I encountered only a handful of people on the streets. And with these transplants come trendy new breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants that wouldn't be out of place in Brooklyn or Los Angeles. Claim this business Favorite Share More Directions Sponsored Topics. I spent a day touring a few of the wineries, and was pleasantly surprised by how good the wine was. With 3.9 million acres of Wilderness, it's the third-wildest state in the union." Growth in the high-tech industries around Boise accounted for much of the city’s increase in population during the 1990s. So an eyelid I did bat when I ordered a fancy cocktail at The Atlas Bar for $9, or a half-pint of beer at Bittercreek Alehouse for $2, or a cold brew at Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters for $2.85. Back in February, I spent five days in Boise to see why it's become such a hot spot. As Katie Warren reported, "the average home price in Boise jumped almost 12% from 2017 to 2018, and average rent has increased by roughly 7% in the past year.