Here's Why Boise is Attracting New Residents and Visitors

Idaho's western side gets very little talk. Nearly seven hours from Yellowstone on the other side of the state, Boise is extremely isolated and far from any major hubs or widely-recognized National Parks.

For a long time, Boise remained overlooked, left to itself. The past few years have seen things change. Locals talk freely about the eye test of their developing city, and the research seems to agree. In 2018, Boise was named the fastest-growing city in the country by Forbes.

Why are people flocking to Boise? We went to see for ourselves.

It's Close to the Mountains-Hiking, Skiing, and Hot Springs

The Boise Mountains, which you can see from the center of the city as a scenic backdrop, provide year-round recreation for residents and visitors. With Bogus Basin Ski Area only 16 miles from downtown Boise, an abundance of hot springs-some official and some secret-in the foothills, and three national forests within a two-hour drive, access is first-rate.

For a quick preview, hike the Table Rock Trail on the southeast side of the city, or climb Camel's Back in the North End Neighborhood for views of the city skyline.

A River Runs Through It, and They Use It

Despite being a dry region, there is an oasis amongst the golden brown, dry hillsides. The Boise River flows just adjacent to downtown Boise, flanked by sprawling green spaces, parks, and an extensive network of bike paths known as the Green Belt. You can take a tour of it with Boise Bike Tours.

The parks provide the gathering space, the Green Belt offers scenic transportation and recreation, and the river a grounding, calming respite from the hot summer weather. From spring to fall, the Boise River is fished and "floated" by locals via inner tubes and rafts, offering an easily-accessed natural escape.

Visitors can join in on the fun by renting a raft from Boise River Raft and Tube or a stand-up paddleboard from Idaho River Sports.

It Has A lot of Diversity and Culture for a Small City

Middle of nowhere Idaho is not what you'd expect. The presence of Boise State University and the influx of new residents has brought a mixed crowd to the city, each culture manifesting itself in different ways. The music scene is strong in Boise, with venues like Pengilly's Saloon (western-style), Neurolux (modern), and High Note Café (local vibe).

Take note of the up and coming public art scene, headlined by Freak Alley, where murals and street art dominate the city's alleyways.

Boise is also home to the largest Basque population outside of Spain-most came as miners and shepherds back in the 1800s. Stroll through the Basque Block of downtown Boise, visit the historic museum and boarding house, and have an authentic Basque lunch of paella and pintxos at the Basque Market.

Entrepreneurs are Running Wild

In a growing city, opportunities are everywhere and the possibilities and potential are contagious. The locally-run Treefort Music Festival is becoming a national draw, taking place right after South by Southwest every year in March and courting many of those same bands to "stop in Boise on the way home."

So far so good, as the festival continues to grow and has spread its venues throughout downtown Boise. Breweries are in abundance, from the rock music and hazy IPAs of White Dog Brewery to the pinball machines and barleywine of Woodland Empire.

Not into beer? Try Longdrop Cider Company to taste the transformation of local apples or local grapes at Coiled Wine Bar.

In the mood for variety and creativity? The Stil pairs its homemade ice cream with flights of local wine and craft beer.

The City Takes its Environmentalism Seriously

Boise is proud of its creativity and resourcefulness in its environment and has several on-going initiatives that prove its mettle. As you explore the city, keep your eye out for plaques on buildings that indicate it runs on geopower, derived from underground renewable energy. Many of the city's historic buildings, including the State Capitol Building, are run on geopower.

Additionally, the Pure Water Brew Challenge is a movement set up by the city to encourage local brewers and cider makers to produce a product from treated, reclaimed water. The mission presents it as an innovative way to maximize the benefits of water that's treated locally and raise awareness of water treatment and how valuable it is to conservation.

---

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore