1) The Greenbelt. Boise is a very fortunate city to have a beautiful parks system that runs on both sides (for the most part) of the Boise River. The Greenbelt is an amazing place to bike, walk, jog or lounge with a refreshing beverage. As long as the cops don't see you (if you're too close to the river, that is).2)The Pen Not, not the one people are in NOW, the Old Pen. It's on Warm Springs Avenue. It sounds weird, but touring it is cool. It's got some really interesting architecture, and I always am amazed to be reminded that when it finally was "retired", I was, I think, 7 and my husband 10. It's not surprising that the reason we got a new prison is that the prisoners rioted at this one and burned a lot of it down. I can't blame them a bit. It's kind of out of the "Shawshank Redemption" except for there's no nice Morgan Freeman around.
3) The Boise Train Depot. The company I work for built this building many many years ago. (They also built the Hoover Dam). Looking at downtown Boise from the bell tower is amazing.
4) The Capitol Building. Our capitol is, I believe, one of the most beautiful in the 50 states. It's certainly a hell of a lot prettier than Nevada's, which is basically a rectangle of bricks with a teensy white dome on top. It's been recently remodeled and it's spectacular. Now if only there were more spectacular people in it.
5) The Idaho Shakespeare Festival, if visiting from June-September. Tom & Joe. The Fool Squad. They're amazing. That is all.
6) Table Rock. The brewpub or the hill, doesn't matter. The brewpub because that's where I met The Husband (and the beer is good, even if I'm no longer fond of their menu) and the hill because it's a great hike. One I obviously need to make more often, looking at myself in the mirror.
7) The MK Nature Center. Because you can see fish THIS BIG that you can't catch and they are laughing at you because of it. However, sometimes you get to see a mink catch one there and that is extremely satisfying for both mink and human. Sometimes you even see some of these guys.
8) The Crack. Get your minds out of the gutter. I'm referring to a piece of "art" that resides at the Grove Hotel. It's been the butt of jokes ever since it's unveiling, but we're all secretly fond of it. Here's how Boise Weekly describes it (much differently than Tom & Joe do, let me tell you):
BEST PUBLIC ART THAT GLOWS IN THE DARK Grove Street Illuminated & Boise Canal by Amy Westover-This is one of the better pieces of public art gracing our fair city. Created by one of Boise's own, it's just as intriguing during the day as it is at night. Westover masterfully combined style and substance to create an artwork that is aesthetically pleasing as well as historically illuminating. 9th and Front
9) The Museums (Art and Historical). They're right next to each other, (right by Table Rock brewpub, strangely enough) and I'm always happy to go see the two-headed calf, who's been there ever since I was a tot if not before and the art museum is fun - because believe it or not, we actually have art out here in the sticks!
10) Curtis Stigers. Well, you can't just go "see" Curtis. But he lives here. And I've seen him sing jazz and I've seen him eat croquetas at Bar Gernika. He's pretty cute eating croquetas. He's pretty cute any time, actually. My sons were appalled at my slack jawed gazing while sitting next to him. He was kind and ignored me. In addition to jazz, he also wrote the title song for the "Sons of Anarchy" series and had a huge pop hit back in the day. When he had long hair.
11) All things Basque. This would include Bar Gernika as referenced above (really a small restaurant, but there's definitely a bar there), Epi's Basque Restaurant (technically in Meridian, but that's worth a 15 minute drive, trust me, food is awesome and Chris, the owner, is the sweetest thing ever), the Basque Market and the Basque Museum.
Oops, that's 11 things. It's actually more like 20, since I kept throwing stuff in. Sorry, Kris, I've probably overwhelmed you. But I hope you get to come here and I hope you like it.
9 comments:
I always thought Boise was a pretty city, but I had no idea at the amount of things to see there. Some day I will make my way east again, it has been a long while.
Thank you, Thank You, my friend, for compiling this lovely tour of your city. I'm thrilled to think of the architecture and the flavor -- and quite possibly a meetup with you? -- I might have the pleasure of greeting.
I'm a sucker for a lovely capitol building, and those spots off the beaten path, aminals, not to mention those places that hold unique emotional value for the locals. Thank you for including all of the above. :)
You've inspired me to put a DC version together. I hope it will prove as helpful! Will keep you posted on my Idaho plans.
Thank you again!
(I think the cats are slightly jealous. It might have been the deer pic.)
Seriously, there are really 10 things to do? I don't see "seeing the strangely blue astroturf" anywhere on the list.
"Ten Things to Do in Boise When You're Alive" is a new indie film starring Ben Stiller that opens Sundance next year. It's good that Ben finally found work.
Cele - yes, come this way! I'm not sure I can afford to come yours this summer, much as I want to. Dammit.
Kris - you're welcome! It's nice to repay some of the fun (and emotion) I get from reading your blog. I would love to meet up with you, even though I'll be a crashing bore in person because I'm so shy at first. Ask Cele.
t2ed - you're just jealous because I didn't have to include a "how many steeples do you see in all directions" highlight. Hee hee. J/K, Utah has some redeeming qualities. Just not enough for someone like me. And to me, the blue turf isn't a highlight. My son may go to school there next year. God save us all.
Kris meeting Fii is a must, she's not boring in the least. She, big B and the bits make a delightful evening.
You left out that fact that you cousin attended the same high school as Curtis Steigers (even though I began attending a few years AFTER he had been there).
Also, I don't like "the crack". It cost a million bucks to "Create" and yet the Boise Rescue Mission is just a block away. They could have used the money more and the building wouldn't have suffered any less for having a brown, stone corner.
And I'm surprised that you left off the fact that Boise is like "Little Green Bay" in football season. (especially considering how much of a Packer backer you are. ;)
All that aside, I like the list! :)
-Cousin Steve
Cele is too kind.
Steve, I like the sculpture when it's really hot in the summer and the water is steaming off it. But yeah, other than that, meh.
Sorry I didn't see you the other night. By the time I picked up Big Bit at the airport, fed him, etc. it was time for your leaving.
Yes, yes, yes, I want to come back for a visit!
Yvette - please do! Our patio is open for you, Ben and a bbq anytime!
We will be down your way in June to fly out on a trip. Probably wouldn't be able to have dinner with you guys but who knows? More to come on that.
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