Boise, ID

Boise, "The City of Trees," is the Idaho's capital and its largest city with a population of nearly 200,000. Surrounded by the Boise foothills and the Boise River, the city offers an abundance of outdoor recreational activities. With an annual average of just 12 inches of rain, Boise boasts more than 200 sunny days each year.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Boise was ranked third on the list of Best Places for Business and Careers by Forbes magazine in 2007.

• Industrial corporations located in Boise include URS Corporation, Washington Division, Boise Cascade LLC, New Albertsons LLC, Idaho Pacific Lumber Company, Idaho Timber Corporation, and Hewlett-Packard's printer division.
• The Idaho state government is also a major employer.
• Some of the Boise's largest private employers are high-technology corporations such Bodybuilding.com, Crucial.com, and Microsoft.
• The customer service industry is another major employer in Boise, as call centers for companies such as DIRECTV and T-Mobile employ thousands of people.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Downtown Boise: Downtown offers numerous shopping and dining choices. Many small businesses are located downtown, as well as bars and restaurants.
• East End: This historic district was developed in 1890. Primarily residential, it's known for a charming, eclectic mix of homes, from craftsmen to Queen Anne cottages, American foursquare, and Mission Revival/Spanish eclectic.
• The Boise Bench: This naturally elevated part of town creates the appearance of a "bench"-type area. The Bench is the location of many residential neighborhoods as well the old Boise Train Depot and, just south of the Bench, the Boise Airport.
• West Boise: This district is home to the largest mall in the state, the Boise Towne Square Mall. Many other strip malls and restaurants are located in this area, and it is also the site of Hewlett-Packard.
• Horseshoe Bend/Idaho City: Occupied mainly by families with children, this remote area consists primarily of small rental houses.
• Highlands/Boise Hills Village: A wealthy, suburban part of town, this quiet area is home to people of a variety of age groups.
• Boise Junction: Home mostly to renters of all ages, this artsy area is made up of small homes as well as apartment complexes and high rises.

BEST BETS

• Basque Museum and Cultural Center: This museum is dedicated to the old-world origins of Idaho's Basque community. The Basque population here is the second-largest in the United States, with more than 15,000.
• Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center: The Nature Center sponsors daily outdoor nature walks, with rotating exhibits in its visitor center.
• Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial: This park honors the faith that Anne Frank had in humanity. The memorial was built with the intention of inspiring high ethical and spiritual values within all people. Trees and flowers from around the world and stainless-steel statues of world human rights leaders extend the universal theme.
• The Peregrine Fund World Center for Birds of Prey: An establishment that helps foster conservation and respect for nature by educating and training the public. The fund has a visitor's center.
• Idaho Black History Museum: Founded in 1995, this museum is currently the only African American history museum in the Pacific Northwest.

EDUCATION

Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in the state. Nearly 20,000 students attend BSU, in academic programs that span more than eight academic colleges within the university. Boise State has both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Other colleges and universities include Boise Bible College, University of Idaho at Boise, and Idaho State at Boise.

EVENTS

• First Thursday: The first Thursday evening of every month, downtown Boise comes to life when store and gallery owners open their doors for special viewings and in-store events. The city also offers free trolley service throughout the evening.
• Alive after Five: This summer concert series is held every Wednesday night from June through September in Boise's downtown Grove Plaza. Participants enjoy live music and vendor booths.

FAMILY FUN

Boise has more than 130 area parks, covering more than 4,000 acres. With approximately 70 playgrounds, 27 outdoor basketball courts, 78 tennis courts, 16 football fields, 48 soccer fields, 6 outdoor swimming pools, and river access, Boise offers plenty of wholesome recreational opportunities.