Boise Neighborhoods, Locations and Districts

(Boise, Idaho - ID, USA)

Located in southwest Idaho, the state capital Boise has a Basque connection and is nestled amid breathtaking mountain scenery. The city has many distinctive neighborhoods and districts that stretch out into the foothills, while the neighboring towns have grown up to merge with Boise, forming one large urban center.

Of the city's seven neighborhoods, both downtown and North End have much to keep the average tourist happy, each coming with a good assortment of sightseeing opportunities.

The suburb known simply as the Garden City may also appeal, along with the Old Boise Historic District and its concentration of characterful red-brick buildings from yesteryear.

Downtown Boise

Downtown Boise is definitely where it's at with regards to dining and having a good time, with a plethora of dining options, ranging from traditional American steakhouses to the finest of eating establishments and ethnic eateries. The downtown district also harbors a plentiful supply of coffee houses and popular brewpubs.

East End District

The East End of Boise is a fine mixture of old and new, with historic Warm Springs Avenue showing off some classy Victorian homes and modern houses that boast irresistible views encroaching onto the foothills. This area also boasts some lush parks and gardens, including the Julia Davis Park, while the excellent Warm Springs Golf Club also resides here.

Boise Bench District

The Bench straddles Highway 184 to the west of the downtown district and is a mixture of business and pleasure, with quiet, leafy neighborhoods set amid offices of some of the country's most well-known company names, including Hewlett Packard. The Boise Towne Square Mall dominates the area and there are several large parks, such as the Kathryn Albertson Park. Other top attractions in the Bench area include the Train Depot and the much vaunted Stage Coach Theater.

Old Boise Historic District

This is a particularly elegant part of the city, with many restored brick-built houses, shops and restaurants. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Boise Historic District is full of character and contains many significant buildings, including a number of notable commercial structures dating back to the early 1900s.

Garden City

A city within a city, the Garden City has a Chinese connection and has shrugged off its once tarnished past of gambling and adult-related goings-on. Now boasting some quality attractions, including the Western Idaho Fairgrounds and Les Bois Park, the latter of which boasts horse racing, the area is popular among tourists. The Garden City is also significant to the baseball scene, with the Hawks Memorial Stadium located here, while the Centennial Park honors the city's Chinese residents.

North End District

North End is one of the original neighborhoods and is located to the north of downtown Boise. This charming part of town comes with attractive mansions on tree-lined boulevards, much shopping and entertainment, and a warm atmosphere. Hyde Park is the focus of the area, with the majority of shops and restaurants situated here, while the popular Hyde Park Street Fair is hosted at North End every year.