Editor's note: "As we plan for future weekend getaways, consider Historic Boise, Idaho. Be sure to visit the links in this article to confirm hours and availability."
Sometimes you need just to unplug and indulge in your own company. One great way to find solitude and reconnect with yourself is to sneak away, but let's keep it local.
Start your adventure early on a Friday morning by taking a stroll downtown Boise and enjoy the sights of the quaint State’s capital city, making sure to stop by the Capitol building located at 700 W. Jefferson Street. The beautiful white structure’s most notable feature is a domed roof with a bronze eagle perched on top. The building is enhanced by marble pillars and a replica of the Liberty Bell on the Jefferson side. Head inside to the main floor where visitors may enjoy the stunning architecture. Stand in the middle of the rotunda and look up to the dome; you will notice 13 big stars and 43 little stars. The 13 large stars represent the thirteen original colonies, and among the 43 stars one denotes Idaho as the forty-third state of the Union.
Another notable stop on your walk is the Basque Museum located at 611 W Grove Street. Here, you can learn about the Basque Country, a region between France and Spain, who’s people settled in Boise, and helped shape the culture of Boise. We recommend the self-guided tour where you can view artifacts and images of notable people of the Basque community. Make sure to time your day so you can stop by the Basque Market across the street. At noon sharp, they serve their Paella on the patio, where they give you a generous portion of seafood, chicken, and chorizo served with freshly baked bread.
Once you’ve had your fill of Paella, if you are up for the exercise, walk up to the train depot located at 2603 W Eastover Terrace. Take a stroll through the Boise Depot Gardens that feature a winding walkway, koi pond, a monument of volcanic rock, and seasonal flower beds. Stop at one of the benches and enjoy the fantastic view of the city. Be sure to take notice of the Spanish style depot building that was once used as a rail station for passengers of the Union Pacific Railroad. Closed in 1997, the Depot now serves as home to ‘Big Mike,’ a retired Union Pacific locomotive that was donated to the city of Boise by the railway in 1956 and moved to his final place of honor in 2007.
For a complete getaway, check yourself into one of the six suites at the Boise Guest House, a boutique lodging located in the heart of historic downtown and North End, where you can get away from the distractions of home. You’ll be greeted with a big smile and receive one-on-one service. If autonomy is what you are after, The Grove Hotel, Boise’s only AAA Four Diamond full-service hotel allows you to blend in and be pampered at their spa and health facility, and dine at the quintessential New American cuisine found at Trillium Restaurant.
For another unique dinner experience, head down to a’ Tavola for take-away. Located at 1515 Grove Street, you can grab a house-made sandwich like a Brisket Frenchie, which is a house-roasted brisket with red onion marmalade, greens, French fried onions, and provolone cheese piled on a Zeppole’s rustic bread. Add a side out of the case like curried chicken salad and don’t forget a cookie, then take your feast to Julia Davis Park at 700 S Capitol Blvd, where you can watch the ducks splash in the pond, and you may even enjoy the balmy spring breezes blowing gently over the water.
As your time away ends, remember that in the fast-paced world we live in, nothing is more important to your health and wellness than taking time for yourself.
