Discover Boise: 9 Entertaining Facts About Idaho's Vibrant Capital City

1. Spiderman Meets Black Cliffs

Move over, Spiderman: the people of Boise have their own thrilling vertical adventures on their doorstep! The Black Cliffs, a range of volcanic columnar basalt rising majestically above the Boise River, have been providing local adrenaline junkies with griptastic climbing challenges since the 1960s. These obsidian-hued playgrounds cater to climbers with a range of abilities, making the Treasure Valley of Idaho a popular destination for rock climbing enthusiasts.
Source => atlasobscura.com

2. Boasting Basque in Boise

In the land of potatoes, some like it "Basque" and spicy: Boise, Idaho boasts one of the largest Basque communities in the United States, with about 16,000 residents who share a strong bond through their cultural heritage, showcased in the distinct Basque Block featuring the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, traditional dance, and delicious cuisine.
Source => thebasqueblock.com

Did you know Idaho's countryside plays a key role in your toothpaste's refreshing taste? Discover the surprising minty connection between Idaho and your oral hygiene routine!

=> Fun Facts about Idaho

3. Treemendous City of Trees

Who needs the Big Apple when you can have a whole city of trees? That's right, folks – step aside, New York City, because you've got nothing on Idaho's leafy gem: Boise boasts over 43,000 trees within its borders, lending it the nickname "City of Trees". Furthermore, they have initiated the "City of Trees Challenge" with a splendid goal of planting 100,000 trees by 2030 and an additional 235,000 trees in surrounding forests, complete with an online tree-logging tracker for residents to keep tabs on their eco-friendly contributions.
Source => ktvb.com

4. Boise River's Dam-tastic Secret

Hold on to your flotation devices, Idaho lovers, because the Boise River has a secret to spill: The lifeblood of Treasure Valley, the Boise River snakes through 64 miles and 1290 square-miles of diverse terrain, from forests to urban centers, all of which are kept high and dry thanks to the marvelous trio of Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock, and Lucky Peak dams that prevent flooding and store water for sunny irrigation days.
Source => digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu

5. Spooky Spud Penitentiary

In the land of potatoes, there exists a monument to the bad spuds of yesteryear: The Old Idaho Penitentiary, constructed in 1870, served as a home for outlaws for 101 years, witnessing escapes, scandals, and Boise's transformation from a wild west town to a capital city.
Source => history.idaho.gov

6. Thunderbolts Take Flight

When pigs fly, or rather, when A-10 Thunderbolts soar: Boise, Idaho is home to the 124th Fighter Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard, which operates the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, specializing in ground support and close air support missions.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Señorita Depot Bell Tower

In the heart of Boise lies a charming Spanish señorita who goes Ding Dong every 15 minutes, known as the Boise Depot Bell Tower: This historic landmark, completed in 1925, features a 96-foot-tall tower and a campanile ringing every quarter of an hour thanks to chimes donated by E.H. Harriman, debunking previous rumors of having the largest 4-sided clock in Treasure Valley.
Source => sah-archipedia.org

8. Ada Lovelace's Melodious Tour

If you can't snap it, then why not tap it, with Ada Lovelace by your side: Boise Art Museum offers an audio guide accessible through your cell phone that divulges all the nifty secrets about the artwork on display, encouraging visitors to engage in this melodious museum tour rather than attempting sneaky photography, which is forbidden due to copyright and contractual agreements.
Source => boiseartmuseum.org

9. Soaring Sands at Bruneau Dunes

In a town where The Great Gatsby's favorite pastime might just be put to shame, bewhiskered gentlemen and daring damsels alike congregate to tackle an entirely different kind of elevation – and they're not horsing around: Boise, Idaho's Bruneau Dunes State Park boasts the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America, a whopping 470 feet high, and offers year-round camping, horseback riding trails, fishing for bluegills in park lakes, an equestrian campground, day-use areas, and the Bruneau Observatory with the largest telescope available for public viewing in Idaho.
Source => parksandrecreation.idaho.gov