 Idaho mural Hampton Inn & Suites Boise-Downtown Aug 2022 our other travel plans fell through, but my travel buddy already had the days off from work and wanted to revisit Boise, so with only a week's notice and without reservations we reserved our accommodations. Boise feels open, we never experienced bad traffic, and there seemed to be plenty of parking. He set the agenda. For more about Boise and surrounding areas, see On the road again . . . a few highlights traveling east on I-84 from Portland.  Coming into Boise on Hwy 184 (off I-84), affords a lovely view of the mountains. Boise Towne Square mall is off to the left. Three nights and four days only gave us two days actually in the Boise area, with a day to travel there and a day of travel home. Here's what we did in the Boise area this trip: Day 1 --2 car washes in Meridian: bright, clean, clean car guarantees, plenty of free vacuums for $18-20 top service --drove Chinden Blvd aka Hwy 20/26 to downtown Boise from Meridian ID --walked up to the Idaho State Capitol via 9th St. --walked down Capitol Blvd & around the Basque Block --visited Boise Art Museum --then Idaho State Museum & environs --next we went to revisit Zoo Boise, hoping to see the animals we missed before --walked around downtown Boise --ate late at Chandlers restaurant --Stayed at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Boise Airport --(some other options for accommodations near the airport & downtown) Day 2 --Ann Morrison Park --The Village at Meridian for shopping and a movie  Overland Lumber, 4100 W Overland Rd, Boise, ID 83705 Rocket Express Car Wash, Chinden Blvd & Linder Rd, Meridian ID Epic Shine Car Wash, 6524 N Linder Rd, Meridian, ID 83646 Chinden Blvd, aka Hwy 20/26 between Meridian/Eagle and Boise
Walking up 9th St toward the Capitol from Grove Street Parking Garage--230 S 10th St, Boise, ID 83702 The first level of the garage is for Hotel 43 patrons. In anticipation of roaming about downtown Boise and ending with supper at Chandler's, we parked for the day. I was glad to be parked in a garage, as the temp that day got up to 103 (I brought ice bottles and a shiny bag to put them in to cool my legs, but then forgot them in the hotel room that morn!). We exited the garage on 9th St and walked to the Idaho State Capitol (on Jefferson). Idaho State Capitol--700 W Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83702 This is a great place to learn some history of the west, and about how our representative form of government works. Pertinent history links under Idaho State Museum below. For more photos and info of the Capitol, see Capitol Blvd The Basque Block, Capitol Blvd & Grove St
Boise Art Museum (BAM)--670 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702 (Julia Davis Park campus) I was disappointed that photos were not allowed in the galleries, because whether you agree with the politics of the artists, I really enjoyed the art and the historical black experiences it depicted. That day happened to be free for seniors, and my travel buddy had his student ID, so his ticket was very inexpensive. Idaho State Museum & environs--610 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702 (Julia Davis Park campus) While my buddy toured the museum again, I got better photos of the environs. Unfortunately, the path through the historic "village" next to the museum was only open limited hours on the weekend. The Black History Museum still wasn't open (even though during posted hours/days). Continue through the park to Myrtle St, or take Myrtle St southeast off Capitol Blvd to get to Discovery Center of Idaho (kid activities, camps, events). For more photos & info about the museum, see Sacajawea Trail through ID and beyond, including more exhibits from Idaho State Museum, etc. OR Trail history in ID and beyond, including exhibits from the Boise area & southern ID More Museums around Boise Zoo Boise--355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID, 83702 We had visited this zoo in April of 2021, when it was early in the year for many animals to be outdoors. We hoped this time to see what we had missed the last time. But this was an August day of 103 degrees, too hot even for my phone/camera! I got many photos, but not all I wanted. Thankfully I did find an outlet to recharge my battery, and if I had remembered my ice bottles, I could have cooled my phone/camera more effectively than just seeking relief from the heat inside indoor exhibits. It's dry, not humid heat, so that helps.
After the Zoo we had some time to wander about before eating late again at Chandler's We stopped for a refreshing drink & eats at Tropical Smoothie on 8th just south of Main. Eventually we walked along Front St to an impressive Whole Foods. Discovery Center of Idaho (kid activities, camps, and programs) is only 2 or 3 blocks from there on Myrtle St, the other side of Julia Davis Park from the zoo. See link at "More Museums Around Boise". Returning downtown for a late supper, I noted banners for a summer concert series at the JUMP Amphitheater. Tropical Smoothie Café—8th St just south of Main, Boise ID Whole Foods—Broadway & Front, Boise ID JUMP park/plaza Fine Dining Chandler's restaurant is associated with Hotel 43. We were somewhat early, so I rested awhile in the lobby of the hotel. Chandler's is my travel buddy's favorite restaurant in Boise. It's not for the slim of wallet, but the food is so delicious, and the staff is so very thoughtful and attentive! Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood--981 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702 Hotel 43--981 W Grove St., Boise, ID 83702 Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Boise Airport--3050 S Shoshone, Boise, ID 83705 We were on such short notice to make our hotel reservations this time, it was difficult to find a suitable ADA room. We would have liked to be downtown, but found this hotel near the airport, and it was not unreasonably far away, though not within walking distance. However, Boise has reasonable parking options downtown. We were happy with this hotel. Near Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Boise Airport (off Vista Ave) are: Applebee's Grill + Bar--2810 W Elder St, Boise, ID 83705 Simple Suites--2909 W Elder St, Boise, ID, 83705 Comfort Inn & Suites Boise Airport--3625 W Elder St, Boise, ID 83705 (a little west of Holiday Inn) Fairfield Inn Boise (by Marriott)--3300 S Shoshone St, Boise, ID 83705 (turn south on Shoshone off Elder) Hampton Inn Boise - Airport--3270 S Shoshone St, Boise, ID 83705 Super 8 by Wyndham Boise--2773 W Elder St, Boise, ID 83705 Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Boise (Red Lion)--2525 Sunrise Rim Rd, Boise, ID 83705 Ramada by Wyndham Boise--3300 S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705 Saffron Indian Bar and Grill--3300 S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705 Boise Hindu Temple--3300 S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705 Lotus By Hotel Inn--3302 S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705 (behind Saffron Indian Bar & Grill) Take Vista Ave across I-84 to Airport Way: Denny's--2580 W Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 Rodeway Inn Airport--2799 W Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 Best Western Vista Inn at the Airport--2645 W Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 Airport Inn--2660 W Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 Motel 6 Boise ID-Airport--2323 W Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 Inn America-Boise--2275 W Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705 A few downtown hotels The Grove Hotel, 245 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702 Residence Inn by Marriott, Capitol & Broad St Inn at 500 Capitol, 500 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702 Home2Suites, 202 S 6th St, Boise, ID 83702 Ann Morrison Park--1000 S. Americana Blvd., Boise (a couple entrances off Capitol Blvd as well) We were sufficiently impressed by the amenities at this park. See the link (which includes a less than 1 min video of the accessible playground). It's over the river and across Capitol Blvd from Julia Davis Park (Idaho State Museum, Boise Art Museum, Zoo Boise, etc), and across from Boise State U. A couple landmarks on Capitol Blvd near Ann Morrison Park: Boise State U and Boise Depot park. Boise State University--1910 W University Dr, Boise, ID 83725Boise Depot--2603 W Eastover Terrace (off Capitol Blvd), Boise, ID 83706 The Village at Meridian--3597 E. Monarch Sky Lane #225, Meridian ID 83646 What a fun place to wander, shop, dine, take in a movie! Kids play included.
Just across the way from The Village at Meridian is a 58-acre park with an amphitheater, playground, bandshell, senior center, gardens, fishing & basketball.
1 Comment
Susan Ternyey
3/24/2023 09:50:58 pm
Here's a link for parking Leave a Reply. |
Wheelchair WomanI've been in a wheelchair for 30+ years. It poses some challenges for traveling. Maybe others can benefit from my experiences. Archives
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