That Boise remains mostly undiscovered owes something to geography. The city is perhaps the most remote urban area in the United States, located about halfway between Salt Lake City and Portland, Oregon.

Boise sits on a high desert plain between the Boise Front mountain range and the Owyhee Mountains. Those peaks help keep Boise drier than the rest of the Northwest—the city receives less than 12 inches of precipitation a year, with mild winter temperatures and few storms.

The area’s terrific weather may explain why residents of Boise seem to spend so much time outdoors. The city’s 25-mile Greenbelt carries joggers, cyclists and those out for a stroll through several parks along the banks of the Boise River. Others spend a morning at one of the area’s 12 golf courses, an afternoon whitewater rafting on the Payette River, or an evening skiing at the Bogus Basin Ski Resort. 

Boise’s arts scene is just as active. Proud of its orchestra, ballet and opera company, Boise’s attractions range from the new Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial to the Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

Boise Centre on the Grove is the area’s largest convention and event venue. The Centre’s 50,000 square feet of meeting space can be configured in 20 different ways, with capacities from 20 to 2,900 theater-style. The facility also offers 10,000 square feet of pre-function space and three loading bays, as well as free high-speed wireless Internet access.

Other large event venues include the 12,500-seat Taco Bell Arena at Boise State University, the 2,070-seat Morrison Center for the Performing Arts and the Qwest Arena, which has a fixed seating capacity of 5,000 and more than 21,000 square feet of exhibit space.

The Idaho Center, the state’s newest multi-use convention, sports and entertainment facility, is located 23 miles away in nearby Nampa. It features a 13,000 person arena and 50,000 square feet of display space, as well as an adjoining 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheater.

Undeniably unique is the Old Idaho Penitentiary (idahohistory.net/oldpen.html).  Today it holds the nation’s largest collections of historic arms and military memorabilia.

Getting up close to a peregrine falcon at the World Center for Birds of Prey (208-362-8587) is a thrill. The center is the most sophisticated facility in the world for breeding and releasing birds of prey. Bring your group here for a guided tour where the center’s guides can bring birds out on the arm. Or they can even take them to your event.

The Basque Museum & Cultural Center (208-343-2671) is said to be one of two Basque museums in the world.

For additional fun, explore Boise’s wine country (idahowine.org). There are 12 wineries near Boise and within the Sunny Slope Region about 40 minutes away. Do a tour and tasting followed by a winery.

Getting There

Boise Airport (boise-airport.com) It's located 4 miles from downtown; all hotels have shuttle service. There is nonstop service from 25 cities including: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Spokane.

Not To Be Missed

• World Center for Birds of Prey.
• Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
• Hyde Park for popular restaurants, antiques and art galleries.
• A stroll on the Greenbelt.
• Relaxing outdoors in a downtown café.