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Step 1
Relish the city’s deep Basque roots by stopping by the Basque Museum and Cultural Center on Grove Street. Another compelling way to explore the region’s history is the Idaho Historical Museum in Julia Davis Park.
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Step 2
Families with kids will especially enjoy attractions like Zoo Boise and the Boise Discovery Museum. Both are also located in Julia Davis Park. You can also find culture there, at the Boise Art Museum. It has an unforgettable collection of ceramic works.
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Step 3
Shop ‘til you drop at the Boise Towne Square Mall, a great place to take shelter from summer swelter or go during winter snow. The largest shopping center in Idaho boasts countless shops, a handful of good restaurants, a large multiplex and even some kiddie rides for the little ones.
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Step 4
Head to the foothills above the city for a Trail System that boasts some serene hiking opportunities in a pristine outdoor environment. Known as Ridge to Rivers, the system of trails is popular with intermediate hikers and mountains bikers in particular.
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Step 5
Savor some of the mouth-watering regional cuisine at one of the many excellent restaurants in the city. Two great picks are Lock, Stock and Barrel (a steak house on 10th Street) and Mortimer’s (on 5th). For some French flavor included, try the Cottonwood Grille on West River Street.
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Step 6
Enjoy the outdoors by skiing in the winter at nearby Bogus Basin Mountain Resort. For a summer sojourn that's both relaxing and invigorating, float down the river on a raft or inner-tube, which can both be rented at Barber Park.
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Step 7
Check out some off-beat sporting options by watching the Class A Boise Hawks (baseball), Idaho Steelheads (minor-league hockey), or Idaho Stampede (of the NBA’s Developmental League). Football fans can check out the Boise State Broncos, who have risen to national prominence in recent years, or root for the Boise Burn, an Arena Football team slated to begin play in 2007.
