Idaho is one of those sleeper states. It seems like folks don’t often bring it up in conversation when talking about the best of this, or the coolest of that. But let me tell you, it may just be a best kept secret. It’s known for it’s jagged Sawtooth Mountains, hot springs and a Mormon or two. But it’s much, much more.

When Candice & I were invited to play downtown for Visit Boise, we were pumped! We LOVE eating great food, the outdoors & a walkable downtown. Boise has all three in abundance.

We were lucky to be hosted by the Modern Hotel & Bar where we luxuriated in hot baths, clean sheets & enjoyed remarkably fresh cocktails by a warm fire pit.

Boise’s food & beverage game is off the charts with the Basque block (my favorite was Bar Gernika!), breweries on almost every corner & the most delightful eateries within a short walk of our hotel.

Honorable mentions include: starting the day with coffee at Pine Coffee Supply, large feasts of paella twice a week at The Basque Market, yummy pizza & wyld-er drinks at The Wylder, happy hour at Bardennay Restaurant & Distillery, craft beer at Payette Brewing & Barbarian Brewing.

If you’re an outdoorsy person, boi-se-howdy, do I have a place for you! The city boasts an amazing ridge to rivers trail system with an expansive 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt that links to countless trails in the foothills. Ever eager to tap into the best Idaho puns, the series of parks along the greenbelt are called “Ribbon of Jewels,” referencing Idaho’s Gem State slogan. Along the way, we even played a great round of disc golf at Ann Morrison Park.

Speaking of trails, Boise is a great city to navigate for pedestrians & cyclists alike! From dedicated pedestrian-only streets to armored bike lanes, it was nice to see a place that is spending time & money to make sure folks feel safe. According to Walk Score, Boise ranks as very walkable with a 89% walking score & a whopping 99% for its biking score! We really enjoyed this aspect while exploring the city & walked everywhere, every day.

While I have you, Logan Foll presents!: A fun fact.

Why is Boise called the City of Trees? Because in the early 1800s when the French fur trappers journeyed across the more arid, desert-like parts of the Idaho Territory, they were beyond excited when they saw a river and trees that they exclaimed “Le Bois, Le Bois” meaning the trees, the trees! And the name stuck ever since.

Peer below for photos from our adventure into the heart of the City of Trees!