Quickly, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the state of Idaho?
I will be honest, I pictured nothing but a field of potatoes. Sounds ignorant, but you don’t know what you don’t know.
To my surprise, Idaho offered a beautiful mountainous landscape, alpine lakes, high desert, forests and the highest number of naturally occurring hot springs in all of the US.
Far from a field of potatoes.
I was absolutely in for a treat.
At the end of March I left Phoenix just as the temperatures were starting to regularly reach the mid to high 80s and there were even a few record breaking days of temperature for that early in the year. I like a little heat but knew that it was time to head north.
A lot of my stays have been places that I have been wanting to visit, others, like Boise, just happen to be a random choice. I knew that I wanted to spend some more time exploring the western part of the United States as I was already out here, but needed some more time to allow for snow to melt in the other places that piqued my interest in this region.
So, the only logical thing to do was to pack my vehicle and move to Boise, Idaho for the month of April.
After a 14 hour road-trip and 3 blizzards later, I arrived at the new city and state I would be calling home.
Boise, the capital of Idaho, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Shoshone, Bannock, and Nez Perce, the area was a vital hunting and gathering ground. In the early 1800s, European explorers and fur trappers, including the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, passed through the region, marking the beginning of settler interest in the area.
Boise's growth began during the 1860s with the discovery of gold in nearby areas like the Clearwater and Salmon River. The influx of prospectors led to the establishment of Fort Boise in 1863 by the U.S. Army to protect settlers and keep peace between Native American groups and newcomers. The fort's location along the Oregon Trail eventually grew into a small settlement.
In 1864, Boise was officially designated as the territorial capital of Idaho, and its importance grew even more with the completion of the railroad in the 1880s, connecting it to the broader economic networks of the West.
While Boise has a considerably smaller population than Phoenix, it is still considered to be a mid-sized city with about 235,000 residents.
Downtown Boise is known for its walkability and its eclectic mix of trendy coffee shops, art galleries, cocktail parlors and fine dining. The heart of the city is a blend of historic buildings and modern architecture creating an environment that is inviting to both locals and visitors.
I arrived to the city right on the cusp of the spring season. Some of my first days were a bit chilly, with temperatures barely breaking 40 degrees but by the time that I was getting ready to leave, temperatures were more regularly in the mid to upper 60s and lower 70s. The stark contrast of leaving the desert and arriving at a city that was lush with green foothills and blooming flowers was a welcomed change of scenery.
A day trip to central Idaho showed me that this state absolutely has some elevation with some spots still harboring over 6 feet of snow in late April.
With that being said, most of my hiking remained local to the Boise area and even in one spot located just south of the city. I was quickly reminded of how different hiking out west is than the hikes that I was completing on the east coast. Some of my hikes started out at over 3,000 feet above sea level.
I made a commitment to myself at the beginning of the year that I would spend time at least once a week hiking and I can say with great happiness that I stuck to that here in Idaho. Hiking the infamous Table Rock, China Ditch, Adelmann Mine and to the Bonneville Hot Springs!
Exercise is always more fun when there are beautiful things to look at!
The public transit in Boise consists of the ValleyRide bus system, with a network of routes connecting downtown, the suburbs, and surrounding neighborhoods. While I did not have the opportunity to try out their bus system, it looks fairly user friendly and is extremely affordable at $1.50 for an adult fare. For those looking for a more sustainable mode of travel, Boise also offers bike-share programs and is known for its growing network of bike lanes, making cycling a popular choice. The city’s emphasis on pedestrian-friendly design further enhances the experience, encouraging walking as a great way to explore local attractions.
While public transit in Boise may not be as extensive as larger cities, the system is continually evolving to meet the needs of a growing community, offering an easy and green way to enjoy all the city has to offer.
If you are staying in the city, you could absolutely get away with using public transit, or even Ubers as I found them to be extremely affordable averaging around $8 per trip. If you have plans to do a bit more exploring, a vehicle would be needed.
The cuisine that you can expect to find when visiting the city is plenty of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, especially potatoes (of course, it’s Idaho!). The city has a growing reputation for its farm-to-table restaurants, where you can savor everything from grass-fed beef to fresh vegetables straight from nearby farms.
Boise also has a vibrant food truck scene, offering everything from tasty tacos to gourmet donuts. And for those who love a good craft beer, the city’s many local breweries pair perfectly with the food offerings.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the craft cocktail scene as well. From a few very unique speakeasies to cocktail parlors and hotel bars, there were many opportunities to grab a tasty cocktail. Their happy hours were some of the best specials that I have seen on my travels and you know how much I love a good happy hour!
The people that I had the opportunity of meeting while visiting The Gem State were very friendly and were happy to see that I was enjoying my time exploring their city and state. Their attitudes and demeanor felt very similar to those that I have grown so accustomed to in the Midwest.
It is always my favorite when I travel to a destination with little to no idea on what to expect. My preconceived notions of Boise and Idaho were well off the mark. A great downtown that offers everything that one could need paired with mountains, copious amounts of water and incredible outdoor opportunities just like their neighboring states.
Much like Utah, this one might just be another hidden gem of a state.
Which is a secret both myself and the locals will be more than happy to keep.
Idaho, I can see why you're called The Gem State.
