1. Boise Is Getting It Right, Literally
Boise nabbed the top spot on Time Magazine’s cities that “get it right” in the 2014 “Solutions for America” article. In 2008 Boise landed the number two spot in Forbes for “Best Places for Business and Careers.” Looks like Treasure City is a pretty accurate nickname.
2. So Naturally, Everyone Is Happy
The people in Boise are notoriously friendly and buoyantly happy. And they have a lot to be happy about living here, and not just because of those potatoes. Boise was listed as one of the 10 best places to live in 2009 and was ranked scored number one by Farmers Insurance on their list of the most secure places to live. So, smile: You’re in Boise!
3. Boise Is Full Of Tree Huggers
As well as “Treasure Valley,” Boise is also “The City Of Trees.” Stories of the origins of the name tend to differ depending on who you ask, but just take a look around and the answer is pretty obvious. From downtown to the parks Boise is full of beautiful trees that provide residents with shade and a generally gorgeous landscape.
And characteristic to the Pacific Northwest, the people in Boise have a general laid-back, tree hugging vibe to them.
4. The South End Is Broncos Territory
The growing Boise State University is located in the South End of Boise where a large portion of the student population lives. The 37,000 seat Bronco Stadium is located here as home turf for the BSU Broncos. The stadium, which is known for its unique blue turf, hosts the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl every year.
5. And The North End Has All The Character
If you’re looking for the best place to live in Boise, head to the North End. This exclusive neighborhood of Boise is defined by its older, historic homes, tree-lined streets, and quaint neighborhood full of character. In 2008, the American Planning Association named Boise’s North End as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in the country. There is a tight community feel here and they get a stellar view with downtown Boise visible from the park.
6. Boise Has Potatoes, But Not The Couch Kind
It’s impossible not to get active while you’re in Boise. The rivers are great for stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, rafting for all level, and fly fishings. The parks have great trails for hiking and biking. Locals also have their choice of working out at fitness classes in the park and year-round ice skating lessons or can opt to go more advanced with the Race to Robie Creek, the toughest half marathon in the Northwest.
7. Although You Might See One Fall From The Sky
Who needs a fancy glass ball in Times Square when you’ve got a giant spud? Every New Years Eve the people from Boise and the surrounding areas gather downtown to ring in the new year in a characteristically quirky Boise—way by dropping a humongous potato from the city sky at midnight.
8. Treefort Is Totally Rock ‘n’ Roll
The cat is already out of the bag on Boise being a great place to live, but the music scene is still a best kept secret. The city is full of extremely talented up-and-coming artists, and the hugely popular Treefort Music Fest is where they all come together—along with more than one national act too.
9. Winter Is A Sport All On Its Own
There’s no excuse to get lazy in the wintertime in Boise. The mountains make for some incredible winter sport adventures, and Bogus Basin Ski Resort is the most popular spot to hit the slopes. There’s also snow tubing for anyone looking for less of a thrill, and a small lodge if you’re looking to escape for the day without all that ski gear.
10. Beware Of Yarn Bombers
Like so many Pacific Northwest cities, Boise is weird but proud. Waking up to seeing the downtown district struck by yarn bombers overnight is not only commonplace, but a welcome sight. Anyone looking to be an elusive yarn bomber can pick up just about any type and color at the Twisted Ewe.
11. You’re Always Connected In Boise
Interstate 84 is known locally as the Great Connector because it provides a convenient route whether you’re headed to Portland or Salt Lake City. You don’t have to worry about the drivers here, either. Boise was listed as number two on AllState Insurance’s 2011 list of safest drivers in the U.S.
12. Boise Is Big On The Minors
Boise might not have any professional league sports, but they’ve got the market covered when it comes to the minors. Locals love crowding into Hawks games at Memorial Stadium, catching the action at an Idaho Steelheads hockey game, and keeping up with the Idaho Stampede basketball team.
13. Craft Beer Is King In Boise
…And there’s a lot of it. Take the self-guided Boise Ale Trail through 208 craft breweries if you don’t believe me. The Tour de Fat Festival celebrates bikes and brews in Boise every year. And you can get your liver ready for the Brew O’lympics which brings ten local breweries together with the best beer of the city during American Craft Beer Week.
14. Biking Is A Boise Institution
Since 1987, serious cyclists from all over have flocked to Boise to participate in the Twilight Criterium race. Little athletes-in-training can participate too in the Kids Ride race on the same day. Over 20,000 spectators hit the streets to cheer and show support for the riders during one of Boise’s most exciting summer events. And that’s not the only excitement to be found in Boise…
15. Boise Just Keeps The Fun Coming
There’s always something fun to do in Treasure City, with a year-round schedule of fun and quirky community events and festivals. Locals love the Alive After Five concert series, shopping and wine tasting downtown on First Thursdays, beer and bikes at Tour de Fat, Art in the Park, the Movies Under The Stars event, celebrating redheads at the Ginger Fest, and the much-beloved Hyde Park Street Festival, where even the Porta-Potties are a work of art. Seriously.
16. You’ll Be A Theater Buff In No Time
Don’t ever mistake Boise for a backwards city of potato fields. The Boise Little Theater and Boise Contemporary Theater has top-notch performances of well-known productions, and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival brings together theater lovers across the city for a more classic theater geek-off.
17. Jocks Aren’t The Only Ones At Home Here
If you need to take a break from all the great outdoors in Boise, or just looking to give your brain a workout, you’ll have no shortage of options. Art lovers should head to the Boise Art Museum, anyone looking to brush up on history of their state can hit the Idaho Historical Museum, and science lovers looking for some hands on fun can visit the Discovery Center Of Idaho. Boise is brains and brawn.
18. Don’t Know Basque Culture? You Do Now
Another charming feature of the Boise culture is the large but close-knit Basque community. The area between 6th and Capital Boulevard on Grove Street makes up what has become known as “Basque Block,” where residents proudly keep their heritage alive with the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, restaurants, and the popular Basque Market.
19. Get Your Snobby Fix At The Morrison Center
For every giant spud in Boise, there’s a symphony performance. The Morrison Center at Boise State University is synonymous with high culture, and hosts a variety of performers like the Boise Philharmonic and the highly-acclaimed Ballet Idaho. The locally-based dance company Trey McIntyre Project also performs here.
20. Aaron Paul Took Chemistry Here
Breaking Bad fans will be thrilled to find out that Jesse Pinkman himself hails from Boise. Paul graduated from Cenetennial High School one year early in 1998. Must have known there were big things in his future.
21. You Can Watch Like An Egyptian
Boise has stayed true to its historical roots, and hasn’t caved to modernism and an endless sea of chain restaurants like other cities. The classic Egyptian Theater is a perfect example of that. The seats are cramped and you won’t get IMAX here, but the locals couldn’t love it more, especially on Classic Movie Night.
