Stretching more than 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Eagle Island State Park eastward towards Discovery State Park at the base of Lucky Peak Dam, this sleek asphalt pavement offers inline skaters, joggers, walkers and cyclists with a dependable facility that can be accessed anytime around the year. The well-marked trail meanders through downtown Boise, Veterans Memorial Park and Julia Davis Park following the serpentine Boise River. The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, the Baybrook Court Pedestrian Bridge, and the Boise Public Library are just a few of the attractions to be found while traversing the greenbelt.
Looking out over downtown Boise and the Boise River, this glass-fronted train depot has welcomed visitors since 1925. Union Pacific stopped using the depot in 1971, resulting in a dilapidated building. Luckily, the Morrison-Kundsen Company financed a restoration based on old photographs and plans. Today visitors can view the valley from the bell tower or wander through the manicured Platt Gardens that surround the building. The depot is also available for special events, including weddings. Admission is free.
Though not one of the largest, Boise Brewery is one of the most renowned breweries in the city. The brewery is known for their small-batch brewing techniques and innovative varieties of craft beers. The brews are often flavored with honey and fruit from the local farms to create variety in taste. Take a tour of the brewery, then pay the tap room a visit to try out craft brews like Black Cliffs American Stout, Snowboarder Porter, Seven Crane Cream Ale and Down Down Extra Pale Ale. There is bound to be something new almost every time you visit. A number of special discounts and events also keep people coming back for more.
The oldest brick building in Boise, the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga House is also part of the Basque Museum. Built in 1864, this building served as a Basque boarding house from 1910-1970 when the Basques immigrated from the northern Iberian Peninsula, now part of Spain. The second largest community of Basque people in the world resides in the Boise area, and this museum, now mostly housed in an additional building, is the only one of its kind in the nation. Exhibits include artifacts from various cultural traditions and events.
Built in the year 1905 and modeled on the iconic building of the U.S. Capitol, the Idaho Capitol is one of the few statehouse in the country that is heated by geothermal water. Construction began in 1906 and was completed in the year 1920. The floor of the building's rotunda is laid in an ornate marble pattern called the Compass Rose. The rolling grounds on which the edifice rests are well kept and have several notable trees, some of which were planted by the U.S. Presidents. Harboring many national jewels including prized sculptures, statues, and artifacts, this courtly capitol is awash in Classical semblances of architecture. Its glorious dome overlooking Boise's charming cityscape, the capitol building is fringed by the Capitol Mall, and many older public buildings and monuments. Complete with opulent interiors restored to their original glory, the capitol building is truly a legislative beacon of Idaho.
Located in historic St. Paul Baptist Church, the Idaho Black History Museum celebrates Idaho's black culture. Open since 1995, the museum offers visitors many interesting historical tidbits, such as a look at Idaho's black cowboys and miners, and Idaho's contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. The building itself also has an interesting historical legacy as one of the first African-American churches in the Boise area, founded in 1909. Activities include storytelling, workshops, lectures and musical performances.
Idaho's largest cathedral stretches across an entire city block and has ceilings that soar up to 50 feet, but its size does not detract from its simple elegance. Warm, rich tones light the interior and intricate paintings climb the walls. Opening in 1921, the sandstone cathedral follows a Romanesque design, based on a Mainz, Germany cathedral. Even though the cathedral underwent a restoration in 1979, it retains an old-world feeling. Be sure to check out the impressive narrative stained-glass windows.
Have you ever wondered why you see colors in soap bubbles? Your answer waits at this educational center, a fun science museum that features interactive and hands-on displays. Visitors can check out the House of Science to see how machines and devices work, and what scientific principles take effect. More than 40 different exhibits, including several traveling exhibits, are featured.
Established in 1916, this open-air zoo hosts about 235 animals from around the world. Located in the Julia Davis Park, the zoo is a perfect outing for children and adults of all ages. Featuring otters, zebras and a variety of native Idaho animals, the zoo offers a special discounted admission price on Thursdays. Bring a picnic lunch and spend some time with your favorite animal friends.
This tree-filled avenue is home to some of Boise's first houses done in a graceful late 1800s architecture. Located near downtown Boise, these elegant mansions were the first in the United States to be geothermally heated. Stroll the neighborhood and find some of the best gems. The oldest home, built in 1868, is at 1035 Warm Springs Avenue. The first geothermally heated home, built in 1891, can be found at 1109 Warm Springs Avenue. At 929 Warm Springs Avenue, you come to a 1925 house built in the style of a British manor. All of the homes are private and are not open for tours.
Like a Las Vegas-style beacon in Idaho's sagebrush desert, this entertainment complex lights up the night sky. Neon, stretching seven miles, highlights this Boise anomaly. Its flagship business is the Edwards Boise Stadium 21 & IMAX. Ameritel Inn-Boise Spectrum also sits on the property, as well as several chain restaurants like the Cracker Barrel, McGrath's Fish House and the popular Chuck-A-Rama. The complex attracts families from all over the valley.
Offering a view of the Boise River's underwater world, this unique and interesting center allows visitors to see what happens under the rippling surface of a river. Hands-on computers help visitors understand and learn about the complex world of a living river. This learning center is a must for both tourists and residents, especially if you are a science buff. You will leave the center with a new appreciation for science and river habitats. Student tours are also available.