Boise was voted one of the best places to live in the US by US News & World Report
Idaho's Capital City
Boise (pronounced “Boy-See”) is a city known for its friendly neighborhood charm, stunning mountain views and beautiful, sunny climate. Lovingly called the ‘City of Trees’, Boise is home to a community of outdoor lovers who say ‘yes’ to the opportunities of a big city without having to give up the excitement of the great outdoors. Learn more on this page!
Fun Things to Do in Boise
Boise State Bucket List
Nestled in the heart of Idaho’s vibrant capital city, Boise State’s centrally-located campus makes for the perfect launching point to explore downtown Boise and beyond with convenient access to tons of local outdoor recreation, sightseeing, and entertainment. With incredible connections to our tight-knit community, Bronco’s know how to make the most of the city they call home. Closed captions and a video transcript are available.
Located in the heart of Idaho’s capital, Boise State’s Campus is just a 10-minute walk from a booming arts and music scene. Home to Treefort Music Festival, shopping, museums, entertainment venues, great restaurants and cafes, and nightlife.
The Boise State campus also is home to ExtraMile Arena where, in addition to hosting Bronco Basketball games and gymnastics, students can attend major commercial concerts throughout the year with artists like: Ariana Grande, Elton John, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, and more!
Escape to nature.
According to Wilderness Times, Boise is one of the Top 25 cities to live in for an “Outdoorsy Lifestyle”, and the New York Times ranked Boise the #9 best city in the country for cyclists.
It’s as easy as hopping on the Greenbelt, a 25-mile tree-lined pedestrian pathway that hugs the campus and runs along the Boise river. Perfect for a morning jog or bike ride with the Cycle Learning Center.
There’s no shortage of year-round outdoor fun to be had with sprawling public parks, scenic hiking trails, rock climbing, ski resorts and river sports all nearby. And with the Boise State Outdoor Program, renting recreational equipment couldn’t be any easier!
Professional Opportunities.
Boise is also known for its thriving professional scene. In fact, national publications like U.S. News & World Report and Forbes have named us one of the hottest cities for entrepreneurs and a great place for young professionals to live, work and study.
In fact, Boise State’s vibrant partnerships across Idaho’s Capital City offer all kinds of internships and student work experiences to get you prepared for your next chapter.
Beyond Boise.
With the Boise Airport less than four miles away, a quick flight home (or somewhere new!) is always an easy getaway.
Within the state of Idaho, favorite attractions within driving distance include public hot springs, Payette Lake (McCall), the Bruneau Sand Dunes, Shoshone Falls Park and more. Destination cities like Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Portland are all popular places within the region to visit.
Experience Boise Like a Bronco
Plan Your Visit to Boise State
Whether you’ll be here for a quick look around or for the weekend, we want to help you experience Boise, Idaho like a true Bronco. Check out these itineraries and recommendations to make the most of your visit.
