Your vacations to Idaho await! Although many Americans don't know much about Idaho except "famous potatoes", the state is renowned for its scenic beauty, western history and diverse culture. Rivers, mountains and farmland dominate the state's landscape. The panhandle is emerald green hillsides, timbered mountains and sprinkled with lakes of all sizes. Central Idaho is covered with jagged peaks.
The Snake River Plain, irrigated farm lands and vibrant cities forms the character of Southern Idaho. Whichever part of this magnificent state you choose to discover, you'll find spectacular scenery, fun things to do and friendly, helpful people. Find attractions, make a lodging or campground reservation, and locate affordable vacation packages in the entire state, including Boise, Coeur d'Alene and Sun Valley. Vacation destinations abound here.
Boise, the capital and largest city in the state of Idaho, developed near Fort Boise along the Oregon Trail and has grown to a population of 190,000. Boise is the county seat of Ada County and the principal city of the Boise metropolitan area. The city is the third largest metropolitan area in the American Pacific Northwest.
A number of recreational opportunities are available in Boise, including extensive hiking and biking in the foothills to the immediate north of downtown and an extensive urban trail system called the Boise River Greenbelt that runs along the river. The Boise River itself is a common destination for fishing, swimming and rafting. Bogus Basin Mountain Resort hosts several winter activities, including cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.
The Boise State University campus is home to Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, home to local and national fine arts performances, Bronco Stadium and Taco Bell Arena, a basketball and entertainment venue. The World Center for Birds of Prey is located just outside city limits, and is a key part of the re-establishment of the Peregrine falcon.
Boise is also a regional hub for jazz and theater. The Gene Harris Jazz Festival is hosted here each spring. The city is home to a number of museums, including the Boise Art Museum, Idaho Historical Museum, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the Discovery Center of Idaho. Several theater groups operate in the city, including the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. On the first Thursday of each month, a gallery stroll is hosted in the city's core business district by the Downtown Boise Association.
Minor professional sports teams in Boise include the short-season Class-A Boise Hawks, the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, and the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Association. The MPC Computers Bowl football game is held annually in December and pairs a team from the Western Athletic Conference with an at-large team.
Overall, one of Idaho's major industries is tourism. Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and scenic vistas around every turn attract over 20 million tourists annually. You'll find this place unhurried, unspoiled and unassuming. So linger awhile and discover Idaho.