Boise, which is the capital city of Idaho, lies in the northwest region of the mighty Pacific northwest.
The capital city is full of manmade and natural attractions. It is a perfect destination for all history lovers and indie music lovers.
The city has a welcoming and warm community representing public art all over the city and in its museums. There are several art and historical places to explore including some mouth-watering food that you must try in the capital city of Idaho.
Some of the major attractions in Boise, Idaho are the Boise State University, the Capitol Building, Boise Airport, Boise River, Fort Boise, Basque Museum, Boise Basin, Owyhee mines, and the Wood River Valley.
Boise, Idaho lies on the banks of the Boise River basin and marks the most populous city of Idaho. After reading about Boise's history and population, also check out facts about Baltimore, Maryland and facts about Augusta, Maine.
Fun Facts About Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital city of Idaho state in the US. Boise is also one of the most populous cities. It has derived its name from the Boise River which is 41.2 mi (66 km) long.
The river flows through the east side of the Oregon border and to the north of the Nevada border.
Boise ranks as the 99th city in terms of population in the US. In January 2021, the population was 240,000 people. Boise occupies an area equal to 85 sq mi (220 sq km). The city is not situated at a very high altitude. The average level above the sea is 2,740 ft (830 m).
Downtown Boise experienced rapid economic growth in the early 1920s. The main reasons were the expansion of agriculture and the steady growth of the commercial lumber industry. Boise holds the record of owning one of the largest construction companies.
The Idaho Potato Bowl football game is held in late December each year.
Historical Facts About Boise, Idaho
One of the most well known historic sites is the Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site. It used to be a well-functioning prison in the west of the US from 1872 to 1973.
The territorial prison was established in the territory of Idaho which was seven years old when the construction of the prison took place. It was established in the year 1870 which was two decades before Idaho acquired statehood.
Another historic site is the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. It is an educational park in Boise and also a cenotaph complex. This memorial has inspiring quotes and phrases from famous leaders and human rights activists throughout history.
The centerpiece inside the museum is that of Anne Frank. The memorial was designed by the architect named Kurt Karst. There are also saplings planted in memory of holocaust survivors. Quotations from people such as politicians, poets, and diplomats are also some eye-catching installations.
A municipal park called Julia Davis Park, created in the year 1907, is also a famous historical site in Boise. It was a land donation by Thomas Jefferson Davis. It stands to be the first park among the 'Strings of Pearls' which lies in the Boise parks region located along the Boise River.
The gardens were created for the first time in 1984 after the penitentiary was closed. After the land lay dormant for more than a decade botanical garden sized 49.4 acres (20 ha) was created called the Idaho Botanical Garden. In 1973 this place used to be a farm and nursery.
Facts About Boise, Idaho's Food
Idaho’s ice cream potato is known for its smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. It is covered with cocoa with a whipped cream topping.
However, it has no potatoes in the recipe. The vanilla ice cream is scooped and served in the shape of a potato with a spoonful of sour cream. It is the best-frozen dessert to have in Idaho.
Habanero pizza, which is made of fresh habanero peppers, is the most loved food choice. It was even featured on the popular show Man vs Food.
Ice wine is made of grapes that are frozen on the vine itself. This process results in concentrated grape sugars and intensifies the rich taste of the wine.
The huckleberry is the state food of Idaho. It is a delicious, tiny berry that is blue-purple-blackish in color. The Idaho huckleberry picking location is still a family secret and hence makes this food special. This fruit can be consumed with ice cream, syrup, chocolate, or eaten freshly picked from the mountains.
Things To Do In Boise, Idaho
One of the best things to explore is the Boise Art Museum situated in Julia Davis Park. It was created in 1983. This museum is a great educational place for kids and adults interested in Boise's history. Art lovers also have a great time at this museum.
It is open for visitors five days a week except on Saturday and Monday. One of the coolest annual events held in Boise is the Treefort Music Fest.
This is the most beloved music event for popular brands and spectators. This event started in 2012 and since then the Treefort Music Fest has been prominent in hosting musical acts and local level bands. It's a real heaven for music lovers out there.
Sightseeing and exploring the city can sometimes be a little expensive and taxing. Tourists can take help from Boise Trolley Tours which arranges a ride in an old-fashioned trolley. These rides are available every hour. The trolley will take you to exciting sites and popular places in Boise.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 71 facts about Boise, Idaho that will get you interested about the city then why not take a look at facts about Cheyenne, Wyoming or facts about Charleston, SC.
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Joan AgieBachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy
With 3+ years of research and content writing experience across several niches, especially on education, technology, and business topics. Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Anatomy from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and has worked as a researcher and writer for organizations across Nigeria, the US, the UK, and Germany. Joan enjoys meditation, watching movies, and learning new languages in her free time.
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