So I'm heading to Boise this summer to work. I dont really know much about it except there should be lots of potatoes. Anyone ever been that way and can comment on the night life or the weather or anything?

2/8/2007 4:22:00 PM

lots of Mormons

it's pretty nice in the summer ... relatively mild compared to here, and when I was there no bugs - no mosquitoes, no fleas/ticks

2/8/2007 4:26:15 PM

i hear that the grass is blue there.

2/8/2007 4:27:12 PM

i hoping its like crazy rebellious Mormons that like to go out and drink.

2/8/2007 4:31:43 PM

good skiing out there

2/8/2007 4:38:55 PM

Micron?

2/8/2007 4:40:21 PM

yea, they have a hell of an internship program

2/8/2007 4:48:30 PM

Working with dram or in their sensor group?

2/8/2007 4:50:39 PM

dram, did you go though the program?

2/8/2007 4:54:04 PM

Nay. I may or may not be employed by a Micron competitor.

2/8/2007 5:06:46 PM

I have been there

it's sort of collegy

very dull physically but the bars are good

2/8/2007 5:06:52 PM

alright, i was hoping you could give me the inside scoop before I'm stuck in Boise.

Thanks, I'm glad there are good bars and I like collegy. I'm actually pretty excited about the change of scenery.

2/8/2007 5:09:42 PM

I have a shitload of friends that went to Boise State so that might have played some weight in my experience there

I had a good time though

2/8/2007 5:34:41 PM

Idaho has the sluttiest girls in the United States...I saw this on tv a few years ago, they are the easiest statistically i think is what some study showed

2/8/2007 11:04:33 PM

i dont know if that is true or not but i need to believe it. thank you for making my night/summer

2/8/2007 11:14:56 PM

ive head its a shithole.

but that's from seattle snobs, so don't take it too seriously.

2/9/2007 12:48:29 AM

So my little brother got accepted into BSU as a transfer student and he's considering going. My Dad and I are flying out with him to Boise the first weekend in December. Anyone spent any time in Boise? I've heard it's nice, but nobody can explain why. Any places to check out besides Downtown and BSU?

11/14/2015 1:03:52 PM

Sounds like he'll be a typical BSU students. No issues there.

Just a matter of coming and checking things out. I'd explore BSU and downtown, the North End (for housing), the greenbelt, drive up to Bogus, drive to McCall, drive to Lucky Peak, hike up to Table Rock. That's about the extent of it, really.

11/14/2015 2:27:28 PM

and by the way, this:

Quote :

"good skiing out there"

is not true. Bogus Basin is really the only ski hill within a 2 hr drive of Boise and it's a city-owned municipal "resort" with low snowfall and wet snow. Kind of like shitty VA or NC skiing.

11/14/2015 2:39:59 PM

I've heard that Sun Valley is good, but I don't know how that compares to CO or Sierra skiing. Pretty sure it's like 3 hours away though.

11/14/2015 3:03:18 PM

Ketchum has a good downtown, but the skiing at Sun Valley is B-. It's mainly just known for it's fancy Lodge and the celebrities who live out there

it's about a 2.5 hr drive from campus

[Edited on November 14, 2015 at 3:26 PM. Reason : ,]

11/14/2015 3:25:15 PM

Quote :

"ive head its a shithole. but that's from seattle snobs, so don't take it too seriously. "

11/15/2015 1:15:58 AM

I go to Twin Falls a lot, which is about 1 hr 45.

11/15/2015 11:52:03 AM

Twin Falls could be such a cool city if they'd invest a little in the downtown area. They've got all that new development along the canyon rim, but the area around the college is stuck in a time warp

11/15/2015 2:27:09 PM

I was in Twin Falls Idaho Falls this summer on my way to Yellowstone. I drove through Twin Falls too and saw the Snake river, but that was the extent of it. I liked Idaho Falls. It was pretty cool, actually. I ate at this nice restaurant downtown/by the waterfront and falls (totally forget the name) which was super cheap and had awesome beer. Not sure if I could live there, but I guess if you're Mormon it's nice.



[Edited on November 15, 2015 at 8:56 PM. Reason : whoops]

11/15/2015 8:52:18 PM

^ Snow Eagle? Republic? Copper Rill? those are probably the most popular near the falls

11/15/2015 9:05:49 PM

Just looked it up. It was called "Bee's Knees" of all places. It was right next to Jaker's. I think I spent maybe $20 for dinner and two beers.

11/15/2015 9:17:04 PM

yep surprisingly good food for a hotel bar

11/15/2015 9:32:29 PM

Quote :

"is not true. Bogus Basin is really the only ski hill within a 2 hr drive of Boise and it's a city-owned municipal "resort" with low snowfall and wet snow. Kind of like shitty VA or NC skiing."

I've lived in Boise 6 years now... the first year, Bogus had awesome snow, and it's just gotten progressively worse which sucks. When it's good it's a really fun mountain - especially for being 40mins from Boise with night skiing available. Brundage mountain is next to McCall, and has had great snow the last couple years - it's an easy 2.5hr drive from Boise. McCall is a pretty cool town.

Quote :

"Just a matter of coming and checking things out. I'd explore BSU and downtown, the North End (for housing), the greenbelt, drive up to Bogus, drive to McCall, drive to Lucky Peak, hike up to Table Rock. That's about the extent of it, really"

I'd agree with all of this except Lucky Peak. It's ugly right now since the water level is low. If you have time to hit up some hot springs, though, that's always fun - it'd be easiest to just do Gold Fork hot springs which is on the way to McCall.

[Edited on November 15, 2015 at 10:07 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2015 9:39:53 PM

Any specific bars to check out downtown? I mean, I'll be with my dad and younger brother, but good beer and college vibes for him would be cool. I'm just happy he wants to get the fuck out of VA and that he's actually going to finish his degree somewhere.

[Edited on November 15, 2015 at 9:45 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2015 9:44:47 PM

crpelliz can tell you a lot more than I can about nightlife downtown. I've had good times at Spacebar, Fatty's, and Humpin Hannah's though

11/15/2015 9:59:43 PM

Bars... depends on what you're going for...

-The "typical" college bars would be Cactus, Fatty's, Mulligan's, Pengilly's - all have cheap drinks (though likely not good beer..) Pengilly's sometimes has good music
-For good beer: Pre-Funk Beer Bar would be a GREAT place to go. Others: Boise Brewing, Bitter Creek, 10 Barrel
-Places with good drinks AND good food: Juniper, Fork, Red Feather, Bardenay, Dish, Taphouse
-Misc: Spacebar Arcade (it's a barcade) & The Balcony (gay bar... really fun for dancing )
-Highlands Hollow & Sockeye Brewery both have good beer & food but aren't downtown

If you have any time to visit the breweries around town, I'd recommend Barbarian Brewing & Crooked Fence

I'm missing a whole bunch of places but these are the ones I've been to more frequently.

I'd be happy to answer any questions y'all have about the area otherwise

[Edited on November 15, 2015 at 10:05 PM. Reason : Humpin Hannah's is real fun at the end of the night... ]

[Edited on November 15, 2015 at 10:06 PM. Reason : i keep thinking of places]

11/15/2015 10:03:50 PM

man, I love Crooked Fence. my Albertson's thinks they'll finally have Augustus Winter stout sometime next week

11/15/2015 10:13:14 PM

yum!! they are one of my favorites.. i love their vanilla bean porter right now

11/15/2015 10:36:06 PM

hey thanks! I doubt we will have time to check out even half those places, but local advice is always appreciated. Any specific BSU knowledge/tips/advice? My brother is...well. He's not the most book savvy person, and he'd be like 2500 miles away from my parents and an 11 hour drive from me. He's not dumb (per se), but he lacks a lot of real world/independent experience. From what I gather, Boise is more of a big town than a small city, but we're talking about an overgrown 24 year old that has never been on his own. So yeah... haha

[Edited on November 15, 2015 at 10:45 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2015 10:44:14 PM

Haha.. he really should be fine - you're right that Boise isn't a big city. My guess is he'll stick around BSU/downtown area which is easy to navigate. The surrounding area is, too, but it's kind of sprawling suburbia. There's a couple big grocery stores right next to campus, plus lots of places to eat. BSU's campus isn't that big IMO (I went to NCSU) and it's not hard to find your way around. Downtown doesn't have many sketchy areas at all. Crime in Boise is pretty low to begin with. One of our bigger issues right now is homelessness, and much of the crime that happens is among this population.

Does he have a bike? There is a greenbelt that goes conveniently all the way through town, along the river, through campus and stuff.

11/16/2015 8:32:59 AM

We were in Twin last New Years around the time the bars were closing. Some wasted dude fell down on ice, then when getting up dropped a pistol and kept falling trying to pick it up. I wish I'd had video.

My wife and I go for the amazing culture and Cafe Rio.

11/16/2015 11:52:05 AM

When I drove through my waitress at Breakfast said Boise is the "Portland of Idaho" lol.

Although I knew a guy working with the DEA there and he said it was pretty country. Somewhat urban but people drive drucks, like country music, and enjoy Bud Light. From his description imagine spending a lot of time in a culture like Goldsboro or High Point.

11/16/2015 2:32:17 PM

^^^ pretty sure he has a bike, and we will be sure to check out that area. Thanks again for the advice.

[Edited on November 16, 2015 at 5:13 PM. Reason : .]

11/16/2015 5:13:17 PM

if he's into sports, Boise has minor league teams and their games are pretty fun

Idaho Stampede - NBDL affiliate of the Utah Jazz (currently featuring NBA Champion Jeff Ayres, Atlantic-10 MVP Treveon Graham, and former Notre Dame superstar Jack Cooley)
Idaho Steelheads - ECHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars
Boise Hawks - short-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies

11/19/2015 1:29:19 PM

He's actually a pretty big Caps fan and loves hockey, so we might check out a Steelheads game Saturday night. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'll report back after the trip.

11/23/2015 10:02:33 PM

So a quick update. Boise is pretty awesome and BSU has a real nice campus. I hope my brother ends up going there so I have an excuse to visit

Tbh Boise reminds me of a mixture of the best parts of Portland, Sacramento, and Reno (topography wise). People are super nice and friendly and laid back. Boise definitely has that PacNW vibe that you'll find in Seattle and Portland, but it's a big town and not an urban city.

I really enjoyed myself overall.

12/6/2015 10:41:48 PM

Glad you enjoyed it hope he comes to Boise!

12/8/2015 7:44:35 PM

Bttt

Where should I eat and hike?

3/19/2017 6:01:51 PM

Hulls Gulch or Stack Rock are pretty enjoyable hikes

3/19/2017 6:22:01 PM

When will you be in Boise? If it's right now, hiking in the foothills is out with all this rain :-/

3/19/2017 7:47:30 PM

I think like 6 weeks

3/19/2017 9:25:28 PM

Bttt

4/15/2017 8:42:01 PM

I'll actually be this weekend too.

4/17/2017 12:47:19 PM