Top Rated Attracties in Boise

Although country-western music still reigns in Idaho, the Philharmonic soothes classical music fans with a rich selection of concerts throughout the year. Performing in the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts or Swayne Auditorium in nearby Nampa, the area's best musicians perform everything from Berlioz to Beethoven, often attracting international artists. The repertoire includes Handel's Messiah in December and a free family concert in May.

Responsible for housing more than 200 birds of prey, this wood and glass interpretive center stands out against Boise's flat southwestern fields. Visitors to the World Center for Birds of Prey can admire peregrine falcons, eagles, owls and California condors, or stroll through the grounds, crossing over a rocky creek on a wooden bridge. The 7,200-square feet (668.90 square meters) interpretive center features soaring wooden beams and colorful wildlife art. Volunteers answer questions and provide informational programs and workshops.

Situated on the Boise River near the Boise Public Library, Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is part of the Boise Greenbelt. Stopping by this memorial featuring a statue of Anne Frank, a well-maintained garden. a small amphitheater and water fountains is a must while in the neighborhood. This educational park also features a quote wall inscribed with quotes of different famous personalities from around the globe. Here, you will also find an plaque reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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.

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.

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.