Downtown Boise


Downtown Boise is the central business district of Boise, Idaho, located north of the Boise River. It is the largest city center in the state of Idaho.

Economy

Largest employers

Cecil D. Andrus Park is a two-acre park in the Capitol District, just south of the Idaho State Capitol. The park is home to brick walkways, lawns, shrubs, and trees, planting beds, benches and picnic tables.
The Golden Garden Club began a beautification project in the park in 2007. In 2008, new streetlights were installed in the park. A central plaza in the park honor servicemen and servicewomen with plaques. The park is home to three statues: Lincoln created by, Steunenberg depicting Governor Steunenberg and Hospitality at the Nez Perce, which depicts Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Chief Twisted Hair and his son, Lawyer.
C.W. Moore Park is a small urban park in Old Boise. The land was given to the city in the 1930s by Charles Wilkinson Moore, who once served as president of the First National Bank of Idaho. The land had been used off and on as a park, but it wasn't until 1983 that the park was re-established. The park has segments of old buildings and signs along the walls. The park is also home to a water wheel and an open cut section of the Grove Street Ditch, which was constructed in 1866.
The Grove is a plaza located in the center of downtown, reached via tree-lined pedestrian ways that are segments of Eighth and Grove Streets. In the middle of the plaza is a fountain. There are a number of public art displays in the Grove. The plaza is also home to regular outdoor events throughout the year, including the local farmer's market.
The Idaho Anne Frank Human Right Memorial is an educational park dedicated to Anne Frank along the Boise River. The memorial features guided pathways, waterfalls and a 180-foot-long sandstone wall with quotes from various writers.
Julia Davis Park, at over 90 acres is by far, the largest park in downtown Boise. The park is home to a number of cultural and educational sites, including Zoo Boise, the Boise Art Museum, the Julia Davis Rose Garden, the Gene Harris Bandshell, the Idaho State Historical Museum, Discovery Center of Idaho, and the Idaho Black History Museum. The park also has a statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting on a stone bench. Paddleboats, including some shaped like pelicans and swans, can be rented to explore the lagoon and canal in the park. The park is also home to Coston Cabin and Pearce Cabin. Coston Cabin was located seven miles east of its current site originally and was built in 1863 by Isaac Coston from driftwood from the river. Pearce Cabin was also built in 1863 by Ira B. Pearce from logs from the mountains.
Kristin's Park is the smallest park downtown, at just over 1700 square feet. A short paved trail passes through the mini-park called the Pioneer Path. The trail ends on the sidewalk near the intersection of Myrtle and 11th Streets to the north. To the south, the path connects with the Boise River Greenbelt.
Pioneer Tot Lot is a small playground in the Pioneer District for children from 2 to 12 years of age.
Rhodes Park is a small park located at the southern edge of the Linen District and is named for a former Ada County commissioner. In 1992, Glenn Rhodes raised contributions and helped coordinate and build the park in park. The park, which is home to a skate park, basketball courts and picnic tables. The site is located under Interstate 184, often referred to as the "Connector".
Shoreline Park is a small park located on the Boise River along the Greenbelt. picnic tables, a grass overpass over the beltway, picnic table, and a river overlook. The park also serves as the location for the police volunteer ranger program.

Tallest buildings

RankNameImageHeight
ft
FloorsYearCoordinatesNotes
01.01Zions Bank Building -->01.0323 182014Tallest building in Idaho since 2013
01.02U.S. Bank Plaza01.0267 191978Tallest building in Idaho from 1978 to 2013
01.03One Capital Center01.0206 141975Tallest building in Idaho from 1975 to 1978
01.04Idaho State Capitol01.0206 41920Tallest building in Idaho from 1920 to 1975
01.05Grove Hotel01.0196 162000
01.06The Aspen Lofts01.0194 172009
01.07Wells Fargo Center01.0182 111988
01.08Banner Bank Building01.0181 112006
01.09Key Center01.0174 131963
01.010Hoff Building01.0165 141930

Transportation

connects Interstate 84 with downtown. The interstate also carries US 20 and US 26 into downtown, which joins the freeway in Garden City. The freeway ends downtown at 13th Street, where it continues along two five-lane one-way streets. Myrtle Street carries eastbound traffic, while the three center lanes of the westbound Front Street become I-184 westbound. Broadway carries US 20/US 26 south to I-84, where it runs concurrently with the freeway heading east. Downtown is three miles north of the Boise Airport.

Bus service

has a bus terminal in downtown Boise at Bannock and Thirteenth Streets. Greyhound operates buses to Salt Lake City and points beyond and to Pendleton, where one can continue on to Portland, Seattle or Spokane. ValleyRide offers numerous bus routes downtown that service the rest of the Boise metropolitan area.

River crossings