Boise, USA - Idaho

The state of Idaho, famous for its massive potato industry, is what some call a nice blend of everything. You'll find farms aplenty as well as high-rises that would look at home in some of the busiest metropolises in the world. Idaho's capital city, Boise, is the place where you will find such structures, but apart from the average hustle and bustle that is intrinsic of nearly every major city in the US, it's quite docile, especially considering its compactness. Though it is small in comparison to Alaska's main berg, New York, or London, you certainly do not get the sense that things are cramped here. In Boise's downtown area, architectural creations do tend to expand vertically rather than take up entire city blocks with their presence, but once you travel outside the confines of its commercial district, immediately noticeable is the change in layout. Residential complexes are a joy to stroll through, where a bit of the old-time Western styling can still be seen and the majority of restaurants are family owned, giving you more personalized and friendly service as well as genuine Idahoan cuisine. You can take it easy in Boise, or delve right into some exciting activities at the Old Fort Boise Natural Reserve Park. Putters and drivers love the selection of golf courses in the area, most of which are found in eastern portions of the city. With its surrounding landscape comprised mostly of rolling hills and hundreds of acres of undeveloped forest, it's difficult not to see why so many in western America hold Boise so dear.

When to go

Things remain mostly sunny for the majority of summer in Idaho, though the chance of a sudden downpour seems to linger about more often than folks like. Windy stretches take to the grid during spring and autumn, when the atmosphere appears restless as ever, and though precipitation is more so in the form of droplets than flakes in winter, there's nothing quite like a brisk December walk through a city park when the ground is strewn with white.

Getting there and around

A surprisingly busy flight center, Boise Airport offers a great range of travel options with the added bonus of a short ride between itself and the center of the city. Though its schedule is comprised mostly of domestic connections, a few can be seen for those jets en route or arriving from Canada or Mexico. If you're lucky, you can find a direct connection with Japan, but don't count on it. European travelers will find that flying to Chicago instead of New York will present you with many more choices in getting to Boise. If you plan to stick to Boise's outskirts (golf courses, parks, etc) during your stay and you can make time to visit during the city's low season, renting a car will broaden your horizons greatly. If you happen to be like most people, however, and would like to obtain an all-encompassing Boise experience, keep with public transit as much as possible.

Attractions

Boise might be just about as "western" as one can get in the USA, but you can still find traces of interesting items to please international visitors from across the Atlantic by visiting the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. Indeed, many of the city's immigrant population originated from the Basque country, and a few have taken initiative and established what is today a fantastic site to see. If you're wandering through Julia Davis Park, you may come upon the Idaho Historical Museum. Also found inside this expansive preserve are: the Boise Art Museum, Zoo Boise, and the Discovery Center of Idaho. All are worth the few hours' time, and a picnic below an oak can certainly be fit into your itinerary as well.