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Love the liveliness when staying in a city but want to stay in touch with nature as well? Then a trip to Boise, Idaho’s state capital, is a smart choice. There are plenty of options to enjoy wildlife and get active in the outdoors, both inside the city center and just a short drive away. Start your getaway by getting comfortable in your boutique hotel and then find out about the attractions the city can treat you to.
Boise is particularly known for its Greenbelt, a 25-mile long trail for pedestrians, inline skaters, and cyclists along the Boise River. It is popular for bird spotting and also a home to lots of other small wildlife. Since this is nature, you might end up waiting a long time to spot the birds you are interested in. However, you are guaranteed to spot birds at The World Center for Birds of Prey. It has interactive exhibits for kids but also several trails running through the habitats of different raptors. Visitors can enjoy live bird shows or take a tour to learn about the art of falconry.
From wildlife to man-made landscapes, why not visit the Idaho Botanical Garden? It spans over 30 acres and includes a Tea House and many different themed gardens, such as an English Garden and a Rose Garden. Throughout the botanical garden, you can also enjoy sculptures and other art installations. Another example of man transforming nature lies in Idaho’s nickname, the “Gem State”. At the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology you will learn about the state’s mining history and can admire a large collection of locally-sourced minerals, gems, and rocks.
A different kind of locally-sourced products can be found at the weekly Capital City Public Market, where over 150 vendors sell fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and hand-made craft products. This is definitely the place to be for foodies and souvenir hunters. If you are lucky, you might be able to catch live music or stumble upon another market event.
