Boise

is less than south of downtown Boise. It can be directly accessed from both directions of Interstate 84 at Vista Rd (Exit #53). Getting downtown from the airport is simple, essentially requiring driving in a straight line (i.e. north on Vista Avenue).

Connects Salt Lake City to Seattle via Boise, La Grande, Pasco, Yakima, and Ellensburg on I-84 and 82. They also have another stop at a Chevron/Mile High gas station at 123 N Orchard St. Check tickets as to where your bus board at.

Connects Boise to Pocatello via Mountain Home, Glenn's Ferry, Bliss, Wendell, Jerome, Twin Falls, Kimberly, Burley, Rupert, and American Falls. Passengers transfer in Pocatello to continue towards Salt Lake City or Idaho Falls.

Bus service to Spokane via ID-55 & US-95, and to Portland on I-84 on two separate routes.

Connects Jerome and Salt Lake City where passengers transfer buses towards the Mexican border.

Routes are lacking compared to other cities of similar size. Make sure to check schedules since most buses do not run on Sundays and many stop running at 6:45PM.

If you are bold, you can ring the bell at the foot of the Capitol steps. The Capitol underwent extensive renovation and in early 2010 reopened amidst much fanfare after being completely closed (including to government officials) for the better part of two years.

The Boise area is home to one of the largest concentrations of Basque populations in the world outside of the Basque Country. The museum, in a part of downtown known as the "Basque Block," is a great place to visit whether or not you are of the Basque descent.

This Olmsted-esque urban park contains many of the downtown attractions in Boise. It sits across the Boise River from Boise State University. Located within its confines are Zoo Boise, the Rose Garden, Boise Art Museum, a scenic railroad, and the Idaho Black History Museum.

A great contemporary art at a very reasonable price. This museum is planned out beautifully and much more than most would expect from a town the size of Boise. Great local pieces as well as other western art. Free and open later on the first Thursdays of the month.

History of Idaho from prehistoric days to now. Includes exhibits on Native Americans, Basques, pioneers, and Chinese history. Due to renovations, a small temporary exhibit is at 214 Broadway Ave and open M-F 11AM-4PM.

An interactive science museum that offers educational programs sensory exhibits designed to make the sciences, technology, and math tangible.

Park with reflecting pools, waterfalls, and a statue of Anne Frank. "Never Again," a moving tribute to the Dutch hero and all those who struggle to advance the dignity of us all.

Housed in the historic St. Paul Baptist Church building and located in Boise Julia Davis Park. Tours are by appointment only.

One of the most popular attractions in Southern Idaho as well as a living science facility that is home to over 201 animals from 83 various species. On Thursdays there is discounted admission.

On the Greenbelt, the museum and stream-walk present a glimpse of Idaho's wildlife. The walk also includes viewing windows giving a glimplse of life in the river.

A great sight to see. This gem is a museum set in the Old State Penitentiary where guests can sit in old prison cells, solitary confinement, and explore the inner workings of this supposedly haunted prison.

A truly serene place to visit. The gardens have been the site of many weddings and performances because of its beautiful setting of vibrant flowers and other vegetation. At no cost, it is a superb setting for a picnic.

Historical museum includes photos and exhibits from the earliest days of mining in Idaho. Also there are displays of the geological treasures of the state.

A local favorite. The Ada County Barber Park is in Southeast Boise and is a refuge for various wildlife, including: deer, elk, bald eagles, hawks, various birds, salmon, trout, and many more. Barber Park is also the starting point for a summer tradition in Boise: floating down the Boise River.

BSU is the largest university in Idaho with over 20,000 students. The campus includes the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

History of Idaho's military. Includes the World War II Farragut Naval Training Station and the Air Force Gowan Field.

Since 1997, Boise Contemporary Theater has been Boise's premiere professional contemporary theater. Located in downtown Boise, BCT creates, produces, and presents vibrant and dynamic professional theater that illuminates enduring themes while exploring contemporary issues and ideas.

Of course, this is why you come to Boise. During summer, shows are performed at the theater at the base of the Boise foothills.

Just like it says, on the first Thursday of every month there are a variety of events including a gallery stroll, live music, and in-store entertainment.

Held in the Student Union on the BSU campus, this March event benefits the Gene Harris Scholarship Endowment.

Boise's largest farmer's market. Held every Saturday from April to December, the local producers offer a wide variety of produce alongside local artists and live music.

Every Wednesday evening is the summer concert series that also features food, beverages, and the Grove Plaza fountain.

Held every August, the Hyde Park Fair is in the North End of Boise at Camel's Back Park. It houses various indie rock bands and various hippie cultured events, clothing, and accessories.

September Art in the Park features artists from across the nation. There is live entertainment, food, children's activities, and a pub.

Located in the Idaho Botanical Gardens, this event is held every November through January. This holiday festival of lights includes a special visit by Santa and a train ride.

A great place for a walk, rollerblading, biking, or just walking the dog. The greenbelt is a walkway follows the Boise River through beautiful trees, through golf courses, and brings you through downtown. It is one of the more popular and beautiful walks that Boise has to offer.

This is something of a local tradition, with the floating season starting in the summer dependent on river conditions. The put-in site is at Barber Park. Floaters may bring their own tubes or rafts, or rent them at the put-in site. The float takes around three hours, and ends at Ann Morrison Park.

Take a trip to Table Rock, directly above downtown Boise, to see the spectacular view overlooking the city and the entire valley. You can see herds of deer and elk frolicking through the rolling hills.

A great opportunity to explore Idaho. Very good for hiking, biking, sightseeing, and taking the dogs.

Hundreds of miles of trails throughout the foothills on the north side of the city. The Ridge to Rivers organization manages paths throughout the area including those on Table Rock and Hull's Gulch.

About east of Downtown on Warm Springs Ave to Highway 21 you will come to Lucky Peak State Park. A huge reservoir that residents love to wakeboard, water ski, tube, hang out, camp, and even cliff dive. A great day trip for the summer.

Major regional ski resort with two peaks, multiple lodges, and almost 100 runs. In the banner image of this article, Bogus Basin is visible as the tallest shaded mountains to the middle left of the image.

The city's main mall. It is a fairly large mall, mostly due to its lack of competition from any other similarly sized shopping center in the city. Its anchor-stores include Dillard's and a particularly upscale Macy's (formerly the Bon Marche). The mall also has a free-standing MAC makeup store.

The Eighth Street Marketplace is a popular sight to go shopping, have a bite to eat, and go dancing at night. It's all three in one! This area has been revitalized and is often referred to as "BoDo," short for "Boise Downtown."

Along with the Eighth Street Marketplace, you may want to just wander throughout the downtown core. The area of Broad St (between 9th and Capitol) and 8 St (between Front and Myrtle) is home to many fashionable retailers like Urban Outfitters. As well, the area of 9th St.

A view into Boise's "greener" lifestyle, the Hyde Park district is on the National Historic Register due to its unique architecture and unique environment. Hyde Park sports a great number of eateries such as the 13th Street Pub and Grill, as well as some more "independent" retail stores such as Hyde Park Books and…

Pizza and beer in a patio setting snuggled into the Harris Ranch area of East Boise. A great place to go on a warm summer evening. Smoking is allowed on the patio.

Possibly the best pizza in the Northwest. They have a great selection of beers which can be delivered (along with the pizzas themselves). A summer-only promotion is the habanero pizza which is definitely not for the timid - the heat equivalent of pounds of jalapenos.

Not to be outdone and with a national reputation in its own right, Big Juds offers quite possibly the biggest hamburgers in the state. They have one-pound burgers, and yeah, they do doubles.

An amazing place to eat. With its specialties in American and Caribbean foods, it is one of the most popular places to eat in Boise. Whether you're going on a date or just want a nice night out, you can't go wrong. Reservations recommended.

A great selection of Thai cuisine. The lunch bento specials are a nice sampling of various dishes. Dinner runs on the pricier side.

Home grown, cut and made fries, "with a burger on the side." Choose your type of potato, the cut, and size and then fry them to order. Get a Bison burger to go along.

Very busy local independent downtown hangout, rustic northwest food & beer. Focus on local organic products and 30 beers on tap from small batch regional brewers. The above standard "pub grub" fare is also vegetarian friendly.

Sibling of next door's watering hole Bittercreek, these two bars/restaurants share a bathroom and a patio, but just about nothing else. Red Feather is a swanky, low-lit lounge with an amazing three story, award winning wine selection. Red Feather's menu emphasizes products that thrive in the southwest Idaho region.

Bardenay, the first restaurant in the nation to include a distillery, features hand crafted cocktails of the finest ingredients. Bardenay distills rum, vodka and gin and uses them all in their drinks. This bar has an outdoor patio and a cool, laid-back vibe. Happy hour from M-6PM

A friendly neighborhood bar on the Bench which tends to get livelier as the night progresses. McCleary's also has a location on State Street towards Eagle.

Maybe a little what you might expect; Country music, sawhorse tables, peanuts and a mechanical bull that ladies can ride for free. You might not expect that this bar is popular with college kids and is nearly impossible to get into on a weekend night.

A typical would-be Irish dive bar with a very distinctive, but not altogether unpleasant smell. There's pool, of course, but also airhockey and foosball. And well shots sometimes. It's a great place to enjoy a drink on the patio and people-watch.

Located in the basement of the Idanha Hotel (now apartments) you can experience the relaxed crowd, friendly staff, and charm of a former speakeasy. As long as you don't ask for a 'pint' (only 10 oz glasses are served) you'll be welcome to stay the night. They generally close at 1:30AM.

The stiffest drinks in Boise, bartenders here use a five-count pour, instead of the standard three-count. Arguably the best jukebox in town. The clientele are about as varied as their tastes in music, so nobody is judgmental of anyone else, just what's playing on the jukebox.

Boise's Tiki outpost. Along with tasty Pupu's, a good menu and freshly made exotic drinks the Reef has plenty of live music. Rooftop patio with full service outdoor bar.

A Basque restaurant with a good bar and home to a slightly older set than the rest of the downtown scene.

Also home to the slightly older crowd and smoke free. Most nights have live music, usually jazz or alt-country. There are pub quiz and open mic nights.

The most well known LGBT bar in Boise, The Balcony is so named for its wrap around, open-air balcony, right above the pedestrian center of downtown (beautiful view).

This place is great for late night college life. It has an old-school feel, with classic video games like Pacman at the tables.

A well-established local hangout in the Bench neighborhood, Quinn's offers a full menu and bar, weekend champagne brunch, live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and some of the best karaoke in town on Thursdays and Saturdays.

A completely non-smoking hotel for business travelers located near Boise Airport and away from Boise State University.

A part of the Coast Hotels chain, it's probably the highest end hotel in Boise.

Free breakfast and light dinner. Free high-speed Internet.

A boutique hotel in downtown Boise.

Built in 1904, former Governor's mansion, near downtown shops and dining, close to parks and historic district. Rooms $70-85, suites $99-110. All have private baths and are furnished in turn of the century antiques. Free wifi. Free gourmet breakfast.

Boutique hotel with tiled spa-like bathrooms, 32" flat screen HDTV, free wifi.

A new hotel within walking distance of much of downtown Boise, including the Idaho State Capitol.