East End
This is the part of Boise that locals show off to visiting friends and family. From the northeast corner of downtown and along Warm Springs Road sit grand historic mansions, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, Idaho Botanical Gardens, and the Warm Springs Mesa. This area is named for the natural hot springs that flow from Boise’s fault line, warming many of the homes. It is one of Boise’s oldest, most expensive and soughtafter neighborhoods, with direct access to downtown.
As you make your way to Boise’s East End, you’ll discover newer communities like Harris Ranch in the highly sought-after Barber Valley. This masterplanned community is amazing in growth, location, and stewardship. Once fully developed, Harris Ranch will include more than 2,800 homes with pedestrian access to trails, restaurants, shops and the Boise foothills.
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.
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