Backyard Destinations

I think it’s safe to say that Boise is nowhere to be found on most people’s bucket lists. It certainly wasn’t on mine, nor was any other city in Idaho.

But when my friend who lives there got married in 2014, I wound up flying up to the Potato State and made it a goal to come back at some undetermined point in the future. During that first visit, I had 7.5 hours to explore, and absolutely loved it.

While Boise is not the most touristy destination – every year, only about 3 million passengers come through the Boise Airport, which is small in comparison to the more than 37 million that arrived at LAX in 2015 – there’s so much to love about it. And I’m happy to write about the city because it fits well with the goal of Backyard Destinations – to inspire you to travel within and appreciate your own backyards, no matter where you live.

(Here’s a quick video of highlights during my trip to Boise.)

Part of the reason I’m a huge fan of destinations that aren’t as heavily marketed as others is because there’s something special about enjoying a place not a lot of people care to visit. In some ways, it kind of feels like a secret, which makes the experience much more vibrant. It’s all just a matter of being open to appreciating the destination for what it is and looking for things to like about it.

I got to spend three weeks in Boise, albeit one entire week was dedicated to recovering from an incessant cough and fever. But I digress. It was an amazing time, and here are 6 reasons I think people should visit Boise:

There are tons of local businesses. From restaurants and teashops to bars and bookstores, Downtown Boise is full of local businesses! #SupportLocal! I don’t recall seeing a chain other than Jamba Juice in the downtown area, although it is very possible that I missed others.

Everything is cheap! From $1 bus rides, entrees that typically cost around $10, and $5.50 Tuesday movies at Edwards Cinema, Boise is an affordable place to travel to. (I say this in comparison to Los Angeles, where things are more expensive.)

If you love the outdoors, you’re set. There are tons of opportunities to spend time outdoors, including hikes and my absolute favorite, biking the Boise Greenbelt.

It’s a 6-hour drive to Salt Lake City. Why not adventure on over to a nearby state? While you’re there, it’s worth visiting the Great Salt Lake!

It’s got an easy-going, laid back feel. Although Boise is the capital of Idaho, it’s not a bustling metropolis. It’s the state’s most populous city, but it has a small town feel. If you’re not a big busy city type of person, this is a great place to go!

Everything is pretty close by. Apparently any drive that’s 20 to 30 minutes long is far. Public transit is a bit limited, though, so I would recommend having access to a car. And if you’re willing to drive longer than half an hour, then you’ll easily be able to venture off and see other cities in Idaho!