Walking Boise is the best way to see this urban chic city. The historic Idaho capital is a great place to discover funky art and enjoy great food.

Boise is surprising. Walking Boise is the best way to see this urban chic city. The Idaho capital—and home to the Boise State Broncos—is also a great place to delve into Wild West history, discover funky art, and enjoy farm-to-table experiences. I arrived at the Boise Airport on a crisp fall day and felt welcome.

I was greeted at the airport by local winery representatives who were offering wine tastings. Welcome to Idaho! Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Love sports? Downtown Boise is home to Century Link Arena. Boise is fun for a weekend or a week, and you can walk to almost all of the downtown attractions from a centrally located hotel. And, I found that Boise is welcoming, very clean, and makes walking fun and safe.

Walking Boise—Where to Stay

You’ll soon find out there’s plenty to see up and down Boise’s Capitol Boulevard, with the state capitol building to the north and the renovated Boise Depot to the south.

I stayed at the very classy but comfortable The Grove Hotel, the only AAA Four-Diamond hotel in Boise. While The Grove Hotel has fine dining, a piano bar, and a fitness club and spa, I was determined to be out walking. The Grove Hotel, at 245 S Capitol Boulevard, was just perfect for my explorations of downtown Boise and beyond.

As I unpacked in my 13th-floor room, I watched a storm come in. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

What I loved about The Grove Hotel were the comfortable, quiet rooms. I was on the 13th Floor (apparently, they weren’t superstitious), and I could relax and post photos of my walks on Instagram. I rested with an expansive view of Boise from floor-to-ceiling windows.

The color palette at The Grove Hotel added to the relaxing atmosphere. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

And at night, the Boise I viewed out those windows was magical. Tall buildings flooded with colorful lights and the taillights of the traffic below always was worth a look before closing the drapes. And in the morning, I watched the sunrise, and the snow-capped mountains turn pink.

Boise sunrise from my hotel window. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

While the hotel is adjacent to Century Link Arena, and many teams and fans were staying there, my room was a retreat.

After talking with others who enjoyed Boise, I discovered that The Modern Hotel and Bar would have been a fun stay. Once a Travelodge, The Modern is a high-tech, comfy hotel with a retro look. You can enjoy cocktails in the bar and relax while dining on their simple, elegant cuisine. The James Beard Award-nominated chef prepares handcrafted plates showcasing locally sourced produce and meats. It’s located at 1314 W Grove Street, a several-block walk to downtown. On my next trip to Boise, I’m going to check them out.

The Boise Capitol Building—Walking and Waffling

Morning is a great time to walk to the capitol. It’s an imposing building and grows larger as you walk toward it on South Capitol. It’s a true building of the people and is open Monday to Friday, from 7 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The light-filled capitol building is fun to explore. It was a short walk from my hotel down streets with restaurants and historic buildings. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

On January 9, 2010, the Idaho Statehouse, “A Capitol of Light,” was rededicated after three years of restorations and renovations. When architect John Tourtellotte designed the Beau Arts style building, he used light shafts, skylights, and reflective marble surfaces to capture natural sunlight and direct it to the interior space. For Tourtellotte, the capitol website explains, “Light was a metaphor for an enlightened and moral state government.”

I went on a Sunday morning and had the whole building to myself. I stared in awe at the light-filled rotunda. The rotunda rises to an opening at the top of the inner dome called the oculus or eye of the dome. You’ll see thirteen large stars representing the thirteen original colonies and forty-three smaller stars representing Idaho’s admission as the forty-third state in the Union. It’s stunning. And, looking down on the floor is a marble compass rose design. You can take an online tour of the building and learn about the architectural elements.

I was awed by the beauty of the rotunda… the stars, and the play of natural light. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

I was surprised to discover that many Boise buildings are heated by hot springs. Idaho’s Capitol Building is the only one in the United States heated by geothermal water. The hot water is tapped and pumped from a source 3,000 feet underground.

After exploring the capitol building, I started walking back to the hotel and enjoyed breakfast at the nearby Waffle Me Up, which I had discovered on my Indulge Boise Food Tour. Waffle Me Up is a true local success story. They started at the Nampa Farmer’s Market. Josie Garcia, co-founder, says, “We started with one cheap waffle iron and a heavy metal table that we had to haul out of our apartment every Saturday morning. We looked so suspicious sneaking out at 5 a.m. that our neighbors thought we were skipping out on our lease!”

This sample waffle from my foodie walking tour was enough to entice me back for breakfast. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Their Belgian waffles are superb. And the toppings? You’ll find seasonally fresh toppings, including the Waffle Me Strawberry, made with Nutella, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, and a puff of fresh whipped cream. They still serve up waffles at the Boise Farmer’s Market.

Walking Boise History

Two historical areas are must-walks. The first is the Basque Block, not far from The Grove Hotel, and the second is Old Boise, starting around 6th and Main streets.

At the Basque Block, you’ll want to start by visiting The Basque Museum. You’ll probably be wondering why there are highly rated Basque restaurants, a Basque Festival, and an indoor frontón (Basque ball court) in a potato-growing state, right? In fact, Idaho is home to one of the largest populations of Basques outside of Spain.

The fall leaves were swirling around the Basque Block as I visited the museum. It’s a must-visit to learn about the Basque people in Idaho. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

The Basque Block is a preserved living ethnic neighborhood. Many descendants of early Basque people left the areas where they had settled for political and economic reasons. The first Basques came as miners in the 1880s and 1890s, but they turned to sheep herding when that didn’t work out.

Located downtown between Capitol Boulevard and 6th Street on Grove, the Basque Block is comprised of two boarding houses (one with the unique indoor frontón court), the Basque Center, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Bar Gernika, Leka Ona restaurant, and the Basque Market, which is also a restaurant.

I learned from the restaurant’s Basque people that lamb is not a traditional Basque dish. Seafood is more typical. Lamb is now associated with the Basque because of their sheepherding work in the United States, which is why we now enjoy lamb dishes in Basque restaurants in the U.S. today.

The Basque boarding house next to the museum is pretty much how it was when the sheepherders came to Boise for a stay. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

The Basque people in Idaho work hard to retain their unique language and culture, and the Basque Block is a must-visit for enjoying that culture and food. You can read about my food discoveries in the Idaho Basque community here.

A multi-course Basque dinner is an experience you must have when you visit Boise. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

While you’ll encounter historic buildings as you walk downtown Boise, many building types are concentrated in Old Boise, including homes, fraternal halls, and commercial structures. Old Boise includes The Basque Block.

The majority are two-story brick buildings with stone trim. The more distinctive historic buildings in the area include the 1879 Perrault Building, the 1892 Masonic Temple, the 1892 Spiegel Building – Night Grocery (Pengilly’s Saloon), the 1904 Belgravia Apartments, and the 1906 Boise City Turnverein Building. Click here to see a map and directory.

The Pioneer Tent and Awning building houses modern eateries and a surprising historic collection. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

When you see the 1910 Pioneer Tent and Awning building (with the horse sign on top) be sure and go inside. You’ll find Boise memorabilia, from a massive cigarette collection to old “Wanted” posters and historic telephone booths. And there are restrooms, which walkers always need.

The collections in this Old Boise building are worth exploring. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Walking Boise Through the Farm Fresh Markets

It was Saturday morning, and when I awoke at dawn, I looked down from my luxurious room at The Grove Hotel and saw people setting up booths. I anticipated the opening of the markets.

I delayed breakfast, knowing I would find something at the Capital City Public Market, which started at the Grove Plaza below and extended down 8th Street.

The Capital City Farmers Market is great for gifts, local meats, and breakfast! Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

The market was full of local vendors ranging from arts and crafts to meat purveyors. And, I found breakfast…a luscious warm cinnamon roll. But after enjoying the market, I wondered where the veggies were, and when I inquired, I found that the Boise Farmer’s Market was a few blocks away at 10th and Grove streets.

Warm cinnamon rolls from Little Kitchen Pastries from Meridian made for a perfect breakfast while walking through the market. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

It was a nice walk to that market, and I instantly found herbs, veggies, cheeses, honey, and more. Both the Boise Farmer’s Market and the Capital City Market are seasonal, but the Boise market has an indoor location in winter. Be sure to check their websites for opening times and dates.

Of course, there were Idaho potatoes at the Boise Farmer’s Market. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

At the Boise Farmer’s Market, I finally found the Idaho potatoes, surviving heirloom tomatoes (it was fall), locally made jams, and, my favorite, the folks from Purple Sage Farms, Tim and Tamara. I was intrigued by the fresh smells and impressed by the quality of the herbs. They grow fresh herbs, greens, and specialty produce in greenhouses and raise grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free sheep, goats, and cattle. But they are herb experts and are quick to offer advice and guidance. If I lived in Boise, I’d definitely be a regular customer!

I enjoyed chatting with Tim and Tamara from Purple Sage Farms about herbs. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Since I flew Alaska Air from Portland to Boise, I had a limit on what I could bring back with me, so I had to enjoy the tastings and discussions with the farmers and only dream of cooking with my farmers’ market finds.

Walking Boise—The Funky Side

You’ll discover much more as you walk downtown, but I have to suggest that you also see the funky side of Boise.

The funkiest is Freak Alley Gallery. I love murals and street art in any city; these Boise alleys have topped them all. Just off 8th – 9th & Bannock streets, I found the alley. I first looked hesitantly. There were full dumpsters behind businesses. It didn’t smell very good that day, but I was curious. The art was a visible, frantic conglomeration of small pieces flowing into each other. The walls were covered in art. Doorways were decorated and became pieces of street art, as were the pipes, utility boxes, and anything permanent.

Don’t be dissuaded by the dumpsters. Freak Alley is an extensive collection of great street art to see. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

I wandered through the alleys, stopping to photograph the amazing detail. Some pieces were humorous, others political, and all deserved admiration. I visited Freak Alley each day I was in Boise and saw something different each time. Hundreds of artists had participated.

Each time I visited Freak Alley, I saw something different. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

So, how did this get started? Founder Colby Akers made the first painting on December 15, 2002. It was on and around just one alley access door. His art was appreciated, and he was invited to return and continue painting in the alley. Ever since that day, Colby has received permission from every business owner, building owner, and public official needed on top of working tirelessly to turn Freak Alley Gallery into what it is today.

To make things even more difficult, the city is going to commission new art in the location in 2018. I’ll have to return to admire those new pieces of street art. Freak Alley is a must-do and a perfect place for a selfie or family portrait. It’s an exciting place.

Adjacent to Freak Alley, on West Bannock, you’ll find Even Steven’s Sandwiches, a sandwich shop with a cause. They have built partnerships with non-profits that combat hunger and homelessness. The delicious sandwich you purchase helps local causes. I tasted their Reuben on delightfully fresh bread and said their sauce was the best I’ve had.

Even Steven’s means excellent sandwiches and giving back to the community. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Shopping in downtown Boise is fun. There are outdoor clothing stores, hip t-shirt shops, and one place you must see—The Boise Record Exchange. The Record Exchange is Idaho’s largest independent music store. They’ve been there for more than 40 years.

It’s a great place for boomers (especially those who shopped in San Francisco’s Tower Records, like me) to thumb through the old vinyls enjoying the jacket art. They even have a modest wall of used cassettes.

You can go back in time at the Boise Record Exchange. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

They also have a funky gift shop and coffee bar. It’s a place to stop and look for that elusive collectible or just reminisce.

Look for more art as you walk and shop, even on utility boxes. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Lastly, Boise has a doughnut shop that will rival Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts in funkiness. While they don’t have lines outside the door, they do have a unique setting. Just inside the door of the historic hotel Idanha on West Main Street, you’ll find Guru Donuts. It’s a few blocks from downtown and The Record Exchange, but you’ll have your walking shoes on!

Guru Donuts… just as funky as Portland’s Voodoo Doughnuts. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Guru Donuts is a part of the Boise community. They source locally, from local fresh eggs, family-farmed Shepherd’s Grain regional flour, organically grown fruit, and locally roasted coffee. And the donuts are made fresh each morning. You can watch it. It’s fun to visit the turreted old Idanha Hotel to enjoy coffee and get a sugar high.

I was fascinated with the castle-like Idanha Hotel. The Idanha was originally the tallest building in the state of Idaho. It also held the state’s very first elevator. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

More Ideas for Walking Boise

While you can keep busy walking Boise’s urban hip downtown, there are more opportunities, including a walk past the Boise State campus to the beautifully restored Boise Depot and Platt Gardens.

You can walk to the Boise Depot, a beautiful historic Spanish-style structure operated by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department as a public ceremonial or meeting space and historic site.

Boise is also known for its 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt. The tree-lined pathway follows the river through the heart of the city and provides scenic views, wildlife habitat, and pedestrian access to many of the city’s popular riverside parks.

Walking Boise is a marvelous way to see the city, and if you get tired, just call Uber, as I did a few times. They were there in just minutes to deliver me to a restaurant or my hotel. We hope you explore more ideas on touring Idaho on Wander With Wonder.