It’s not a wonder Travel Tips magazine dubbed Boise the “Jewel of the West” in 2006 given the diverse and beautiful surroundings of the Rocky Mountains and Boise River, coupled with the growing, dynamic metropolitan area. There are so many things to do in Boise, the options are endless! Explore the nearby high deserts and dunes, take a hike up the Rocky Mountains or fish on the Boise River. Rich in culture as well as the arts, you, too, can be steeped in Boise’s life. Visit the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, spend an evening listening to the Boise Philharmonic or learn a bit of history with a tour of the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. You name it, and Boise’s got it – a terrific place to live, work and play!
Location
Boise is the largest city in Idaho as well as the state’s capital. Often referred to as Boise City, so as not to be confused with nearby Boise County, Boise is the county seat of Ada County, located in the southwest portion of Idaho. Bordering counties include Boise County to the northeast, Elmore County to the east, Owyhee County to the south, Canyon County to the west and Gem County to the Northwest. Nearby states include Oregon to the west, Nevada to the south and Utah to the southeast.
Geography/Terrain
Boise, also known as “The City of Trees”, is situated along the foothills of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, bordered by the high, arid desert lands and with the scenic Boise River running right through the metropolitan city. Residents enjoy the beautiful views afforded to Boise, which sits 824 miles above sea level and encompasses a whopping total of 64 square miles. Portland, Oregon is 421 miles southwest of Meridian, a 6½ hour drive.
Distance to 3 Closest Major Cities
Salt Lake City, Utah is the closest major city to Boise, 340 miles to the southeast, or a 4 hour and 50 minute drive. Reno, Nevada, “America’s Adventure Place”, is 422 miles southwest of Boise, a 7-hour drive. Spokane, Washington is 426 miles northwest of Boise, 6 hour and 45 minute drive, while Seattle, Washington is 79 miles further northwest, an additional hour’s drive. Portland, Oregon is 431 miles southwest of Boise, a 6 hour and 45 minute drive.
Jobs
Headquarters for such major corporations as Micron Technology, Albertsons Grocery Stores, Idaho Power and Washington Group International, Boise is also the center for the diverse and thriving Boise metropolitan area. The high technologies industry is a major force in Boise with Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard serving as the 1st and 2nd largest private employers in the area. Other major employers include the State of Idaho, of course, as Boise is the state’s capital as well as Boise State University.
Housing
Culturally diverse Boise offers a wide array of housing opportunities. For instance, in downtown Boise, there are modern residential apartments and condominiums coupled with corporate buildings, sky scrapers as well as retail stores, while in the North End district there are older single and multi-family homes along tree-lined streets. The Southwest Boise district is known for its sparsely populated neighborhoods and large lots, including some farmlands. The Northwest Boise district is a mix of old and new homes and known for its affordability, while the Warm Springs district offers the cities largest and most expensive homes / estates. There are homes to fit every individual and family’s unique needs.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
Boise boasts almost 100 beautiful parks within its city including open spaces and trails. With the majestic Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, take advantage of the picturesque tree-lined, river views. Enjoy a number of outdoor activities including fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. Make use of the baseball fields, skate parks, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts and swimming pools. There are playgrounds a-plenty for the children to romp around in, as well as several picnic areas for the entire family to enjoy and even off-leash areas for our four-legged friends. The newly built BMX Dirt Jump Park is now open to the public for the more adventuresome, or just the curious onlooker.
Boise’s Recreation Department offers a wide range of activities for all members of the family to enjoy, whether they are new to the sport or a seasoned expert – all levels of play are taken into account. There are league and tournament play for the more competitive in such sports as volleyball, flag football, basketball, tennis and more. Looking for something new to do? Take up golfing lessons, or for those looking to sit back and relax, enroll in a course and learn the finer points of cross-stitching. Boise makes it easy for you – just check the schedule and register online today!
Boise is the proud home of Idaho IceWorld, the premier indoor ice skating rink and entertainment center for all to enjoy. Come and join the popular public skating sessions, where anybody can drop in, lace up their skates and hit the floor! Idaho IceWorld offers lessons in ice skating, figure skating, speed skating, ice hockey and even curling lessons. There are pick-up games as well as league play available for the more competitive. The facilities can be made available for parties or events as well, so plan Junior’s next birthday party at the rink!
Boise has much to offer in terms of golf. There are 23 golf courses within a 20-mile radius of Boise city, with 9 courses within its city limits: Plantation Country Club offering an 18-hole course featuring 6,339 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 71; Pierce Park Greens offers a 9-hole course featuring over 900 yards of golf from the longest tees; Hillcrest Country Club offers an 18-hole course featuring 6,769 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 72; Indian Lakes Golf Course offers a 9-hole course featuring 3,093 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 35; Boise Ranch Golf Course offers an 18-hold course featuring 6,691 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 72; Quail Hollow Golf Club offers an 18-hole course featuring over 6,373 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 70; Crane Creek County Club offers an 18-hole course featuring 6,594 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 71; Warm Springs Golf Club offers an 18-hole course featuring 6,719 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 72; Shadow Valley Golf Course offers an 18-hole course featuring 6,433 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 72.
Special Attractions/Events
The Boise Art Museum is definitely a hot Boise spot you don’t want to miss out on. The only art museum in all of Idaho accredited by the American Association of Museums, it is not a wonder why given their continued innovative strides and proven excellence through their unique and creative presentations of art. Their mission statement sums it up in a nutshell: “The Boise Art Museum champions excellence in the visual arts through exhibitions, collections and educational experiences.”
The Boise Philharmonic is Idaho’s largest and oldest performing arts organization, performing for audiences exceeding 50,000 a year. This professional orchestra of 70 members proudly performs 14 Masterworks concerts each season including pieces from such famous composers as Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky. The Boise Philharmonic do not confine themselves to such classics, but rather embrace and perform new works including those of local Idaho composers Jim Cockey and David Alan Earnest.
Take the kids to Zoo Boise and be wowed by the great animal kingdom. Witness first hand the magnificent prowling tigers in their adapted habitats, or the red panda with their curious stares and furtive glances. There are sloth bears, snow leopards, camel, zebra, moose and more. Take a peek at Penguin Pavilion, or visit the Aviaries just next to the Primate House. The zoo’s latest campaign is the establishment of the “Out of Africa” exhibit.
Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
The correct pronunciation of Boise is Boy-see, not Boy-z.
Locals often refer to the city of Boise as Bobo. There is speculation that this long-standing nickname influenced the name of the new Boise downtown mall, BoDo.
Boise is French for “wooded area”.
Boise is not located in Boise County, but rather Ada County.
Boise has the largest Basque community in the United States.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
