Boise, Idaho, is paving the way for its emergence as a cool and hip metropolitan hub, despite the state’s most famous export. Frequently compared to the Denver of a decade ago in size and emerging cultural attractions, Boise was named the fourth best city in the U.S. to live and work by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine in July. The city gets its vibrant culture from a unique mix of urban amenities and western atmosphere.

Boise’s downtown area contains several distinct areas and districts all within walking distance of each other. The Cultural District, located roughly between Front Street and the Boise River, boasts the Boise Contemporary Theater, which offers cutting edge drama and comedy, including a world-premier in November 2008 by former Daily Show comedienne Lauren Weedman.

The district is also home to the Boise Philharmonic, with acclaimed new conductor Robert Franz, the Boise Art Museum, the Idaho Historical and Black History Museums and the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. One of Boise’s best gay bars, The Emerald Club, is the Cultural District’s hotspot for nightlife. Located at 415 South Ninth Street and named one of the top fifty gay bars by Out Magazine, it houses a large dance floor, nightly DJ’s and regular drag contests to keep you entertained.

Boise’s town plaza, the Grove, is the gathering place for most of the city’s celebrations. In the warmer months you can see “8 Pieces of Public Art,” enjoy the public fountain, move with the groove of the “Alive After Five” summer concert series (Wednesdays, June through September), or experience the soul of Boise with “Jazz on the Grove”. During the winter months, Quest Arena hosts both the Idaho Stampede basketball and Idaho Steelheads hockey games. The plaza is also home to the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. Numerous specialty shops and restaurants line the perimeter of the plaza. A favorite town eatery, The Brick Oven Bistro, offers comfort food soups, stews, and open-faced sandwiches for lunch or dinner.

Across Front Street from the Grove Plaza lies the South Eighth Street Historic District, including the BODO district which opened in 2005. These newly remodeled warehouses have been converted into urban restaurants, shops, performance spaces and offices. When the sun goes down, enjoy Boise’s posh new club, Liquid, or catch a concert at The Knitting Factory right across the street. If you use up all your energy partying like a rock star, Happy Fish Sushi Bar is right next door and is open late.

The Old Boise Historic District, located between Capital Boulevard and Fourth Street, provides a scene for everyone with its numerous restaurants, bars, clubs and lounges. One of the city’s favorite breakfast spots, Goldy’s, is known for melt-in-your mouth eggs benedict and biscuits and gravy. This district contains the city’s tribute to local Basque heritage with The Basque Block located on South Sixth Street. Make sure you take a stroll up and down the block to see the Basque Center and the Basque Museum, or perhaps have a cocktail at Bar Gernica.

Directly north from the Old Historic District, is the Idaho State Capitol, which is currently closed for renovations. However, history buffs can still visit the Steunenberg Memorial, built to honor Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg whose assassination in 1907 resulted in the “Trial of the Century.” Eat your lunch or read a newspaper at a picnic table in the peace and serenity of Capitol Park directly in front of the Capitol building.

 Downtown’s largest district, Central Downtown, spans a full six blocks and is full of examples of Boise’s architectural history and displays of public art. Located on the corner of Capitol and Main Street is The Egyptian Theater, built in 1927 as a tribute to the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. The Egyptian offers a way to enjoy the past and present with regular showings of box office hits and movie classics.

Saturday mornings come alive mid-April through mid-October with the Eighth Street Farmers Market, featuring local produce and goods. The first Thursday of every month provides visitors the chance to stroll through shops and art galleries after hours, while enjoying in-store entertainment and free downtown trolley service. Some Boise’s best nightlife can be found in here as well. Lush, located at 760 West Main Street, is a lounge with a more risqué side, hosting burlesque shows, tantric techno, and mixing some fabulous cocktails. The Balcony, located upstairs on the corner of Main and Eighth Street, attracts both a gay and straight crowd with its large dance floor and strobe lights. For any after effects the next morning, Red Feather Lounge serves bottomless mimosas and has the best breakfast pizza in town. 

Downtown’s newest district, the Linen District, conveniently located at Fifteenth Street and Grove, blends the fabric of old industrial textile warehouses with a subtle extension of  the culturally vibrant North End Neighborhood. This district, named after its central historic American Linen Building, offers creative office designs all while incorporating “green” practices in its developing.

This district is home to one- of-a-kind retailers, like Foxtrot Style for Living which offers designer clothing from Los Angeles, and Eyes of the World, offering authentic world wide clothing and home furnishings. For breakfast or lunch in the area, Big City Coffee offers healthy salads, sandwiches, and quiches as well as a variety of baked goods.  

Boise’s four seasons accommodate almost any kind of activity. Just a few steps from the downtown area, you will find the Boise Greenbelt, which links over 850 acres of parks and natural areas along the Boise River, including a twenty-five-mile-long bicycle and pedestrian path.  If skiing is your thing, Bogus Basin Resort is just a short drive through the foothills that border the downtown area.

Boise provides a relaxing, fun visit whatever the season. Its recreational opportunities, night life, and arts and culture scene have a vibrant energy that should be experienced by all: young, old, gay or straight.

Just steps away from the cultural district, Hotel 43 on Grove Street is an excellent and gay-friendly choice. Named after its location on the 43^rd parallel in the 43^rd state, the premier boutique hotel offers guests a one-of-a-kind experience of the city, featuring local hand-made chocolates for guests, original artwork by Idaho artists, and personalized service.

Chandler’s steakhouse and martini bar, located inside the Hotel 43 lobby, is a treat in itself, with its 33 Plymouth Ten Minute Martini, first class prime steaks, and nightly live music.

Pictures for this article courtesy of the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, used with permission.