Exploring Boise

Boise is the capital of the US state of Idaho.

The Boise River Greenbelt stretches for 25 miles and is a very popular park. There are tree-lined paths that follow the Boise River. It is a place to relax, stroll, and enjoy the views. Besides taking the walking trails there is a ten-mile self-directed bike trail or you can take a hike that includes a scavenger hunt related to the history of the city.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary dates back to the 1870s. Here you can learn about criminal history and the history of the prison system. Visitors can take a tour of the penitentiary and see the cells and solitary confinement. It is also interesting to hear the stories and scandals surrounding the prisoners that once did time here.

The Idaho State Capitol Building is of rich historical significance. It is an architecturally impressive building that was completed in 1920.

The World Center for Birds of Prey is a great place to explore. It is dedicated to the preservation and care of many birds of prey among them owls, eagles, falcons, hawks, and vultures. You can enjoy shows like the Live Raptor Presentation as well as indoor exhibits and educational programs.

The Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is an educational park. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. An architect from Idaho Falls, Kurt Karst designed this memorial to convey a message of hope by using natural elements like native plants, stone, and water.

Among the highlights here are the Quote Wall, the Anne Frank Statue, and the Stone Bookcase.

Kathryn Albertson Park offers over 40 acres of natural beauty. Here you can see local wildlife and enjoy the tranquility. There is a lovely riverside setting. This is one of several riverside parks that were named for important local women. She was the wife of the founder of the Albertsons chain of grocery stores and a notable philanthropist. The park has paved footpaths, a variety of wildlife, and gazebos to reserve for special occasions.

There are also several ponds and a fountain. Inlaid in large rocks along the paths are signs describing the wildlife and themes of nature around the park.

The Idaho Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to see natural beauty with colorful flower displays. Visitors can enjoy such gardens as the English Garden, the Alpine Garden, and the Cactus Garden. Various events are held here such as live music.

The Julia Davis Park dates back to the early 1900s and is located near the Boise River. This is the first park in the “String of Pearls”, referring to the parks located along the river. Places of interest within the park are the Idaho Historical Museum, the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Zoo Boise. The Boise River Greenbelt stretches through the park. The park features the lovely Rose Garden, statues, a playground, and a tennis court as well as a pond and access to the river.

The Boise Art Museum offers new exhibits every year that range in a variety of artistic styles, media periods, and cultures. Besides the main building, there is an Education Wing, a Sculpture Court, and Museum Store. There are also monthly education programs, studio art workshops, children's ARTexperiece Gallery, and special events.

You can enjoy more art by visiting the largest outdoor gallery in the northwest called Freak Alley. It stretches between 8th and 9th Streets. It all began in 2002 when Colby Akers started the first drawing on the back-alley door of the Moon Cafe. During the coming years more murals, drawings, and graffiti paintings have been added. In the summertime, a large and popular painting event is held by the members of the local art community.

The Aquarium of Boise opened in 2011 and is an interesting interactive aquarium. It offers a range of hands-on exhibits like touch tanks filled with crabs, corals, starfish, and rays. You'll see tanks featuring giant octopuses and a shark nursery. Besides creatures of the sea, there is a bird aviary.

The Discovery Center of Idaho is an interactive science center. Visitors can learn things in the fields of engineering, math, science, and technology. There are about 200 exhibits. Some of the highlights are the Bubble Wall, the Centripetal Wheel, and the Turbulent Orb.

Zoo Boise is a large zoological park with a vast array of animal species. The zoo is divided up into themed sections like Butterflies in Bloom and the Sloth Bear Encounter. Some parts of the zoo are interactive like the farm where children can hand-feed farm animals like sheep and goats.

Camel's Back Park is a popular open space located at the north end of the city, at the edge of the Boise Foothills. Here visitors can play tennis and there is an outdoor gym. There are picnic areas and open-play spaces. There is access to the foothills and sprawling Ridge to River trail system. The two miles of the larger trail system climb up to offer fantastic views of the city. Several trails lead through the Boise Foothills from Camel's Back Park including Hulls Gulch Trail which is one of the best hiking trails in Boise.

Hulls Gulch Reserve has two trails The Grove and Lower Hulls Gulch. This reserve is found at the base of the foothills north of downtown Boise. It gets its name from the creek that begins in the foothills and then flows through the reserve. There are many different trails for hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and runners.

You can enjoy wildlife like the great horned owl and reptiles like lizards and snakes. Among the mammals making their home here are coyotes, mule deer, and red foxes. The Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center teaches visitors about the environment and preservation.

The Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center located east of downtown Boise stretches along the Boise River Greenbelt. The Visitor Center offers hands-on activities for children.

StreamWalk is an interpretive trail where visitors can see the stream through special viewing windows. Self-guided tours and specialized tours include interactive experiences with plants, aquatic insects, and fish.