Boise Bench

The Bench, as locals call it, sits about 60 feet above downtown and offers some of the best views of Boise. It’s an older residential neighborhood with a strong sense of community, old-school culture, and hipster vibe. The Bench gets its name from the plateau’s sudden rise, which gives the appearance of a step or bench. It is home to the lovingly restored Boise Union Pacific Depot, offers easy access to the freeway and downtown, and overlooks beautiful Ann Morrison Park.

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Boise

— By the Numbers —

Year Incorporated: 1863
Population: 234,576
Median Household Income: $60,035
Meidan Rent: $1,395
Average Home Value: $379,161
People Per Household: 2.4

Laid Back and Picturesque

Boise is where wilderness and adventure are just minutes from gourmet restaurants, funky local shops, and craft breweries galore. It’s a city where a river runs through it, dirt trails are right out your front door, and live theater performances are a short Uber ride away.

Boise is the quintessential city: large enough to offer everything you could want, yet small enough to feel friendly and easy to navigate.

Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreation is a way of life here. The Boise foothills are crisscrossed with more than 140 miles of trails, literally out many residents’ back doors. You’ll find mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers, and plenty of happy dogs taking advantage of them year-round. The Greenbelt provides 25 miles of paved and dirt trails along the Boise River. Run, ride or stroll this treelined pathway and discover hundreds of spots along the way to fish, play in the river, or just relax. During the summer, floating the Boise River is a must, and skiing is a huge part of the Boise winter with Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area just 20 miles up the mountain.

Arts and Music

As much as outdoor recreation is a way of life in Boise, so are the arts and music scenes. Annual jazz and music festivals, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and many other theater performances are held throughout the year. Home to one of the largest Basque communities in the United States, the Basque festival of Jaialdi is celebrated every five years and draws crowds from around the world – the next one is in 2020. The city is also home to the Boise Philharmonic, Ballet Idaho, the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, and several museums and live music venues.

Sports

Sports fans, don’t fret! While Boise may not have a professional football team, fans of the Boise State Broncos swear the team is as good as the pros! You won’t get very far in this city without seeing someone or something adorned in the telltale blue and orange colors of Boise State University. Another sports favorite is the Idaho Steelheads ice hockey team. With practices and home games played right in the heart of downtown Boise, you’re sure to rub elbows with one of these professional players any day of the week.

Whether you love the outdoors, the arts, sports, or something else entirely, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill your calendar. It’s no wonder Boise is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.