By Sarah Kuta
UPDATED: July 31, 2024 at 7:29 a.m.
BOISE, Idaho — I’m pedaling along next to the Boise River when a shadow catches my eye. I pause and look up, just in time to see an osprey soaring overhead, a fish dangling from its talons. I hear a group of laughing tubers floating by in the burbling waters of the river below. A cool breeze rustles the leaves of the black cottonwood trees lining the banks.
In this idyllic moment, I find myself pondering: Why has it taken me so long to visit Boise?
On my first trip to Idaho’s capital last year, I fell hard for this midsize city in southwest Idaho. Nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boise strikes the ideal balance between outdoor adventure and urban amenities — you can hit the hiking trail in the morning, immerse yourself in Basque culture in the afternoon and indulge in a fine-dining meal at a James Beard Award-winning restaurant at night.
Boise’s current tourism tagline is “a city you’d want to have a beer with” and, honestly, it fits perfectly. The college town is casual and charming, with a palpable undercurrent of fresh energy and optimism.
I’m already plotting my next trip back. But, in the meantime, these are my recommendations for where to eat, play and stay the next time you’re in Boise.