Ready to optimize your Boise experience? There’s an app for that.

Whether you’re heading downtown and want to find a parking spot, searching for the best on-tap beer in town, or simply checking the news, we’ve rounded up a comprehensive list of the best apps for Boise. Some are Boise-specific to give you the locals-only inside scoop on the City of Trees, while others are nation-wide apps that will make your Boise life easier.

Best Apps to Wine and Dine

GrubHub
Available on: Apple App Store, Google Play
Price: Free

GrubHub satisfies your hunger for fast, simple food ordering. This food delivery app will bring Boise eats right to your doorstep (or late-night office work party) while allowing you to track your food’s progress, save past orders

You have heard it before, "buying a home is a great investment." But just how good has owning real estate in the Boise market actually been?

As it turns out, probably better than you think.

The median home value in Boise has risen for eight years in a row. If you bought a house in that timeframe, you have most likely done very well.

While some fortunate buyers may have purchased at the market bottom, about half have purchased in the last five years, making that a better frame of reference.

Between the first half of 2014 and the first half of 2019, median home values in Boise jumped a staggering 68.4%.

So what happened if you bought a house in Boise five years ago?

If you bought in 2014, you paid the then median price of $193,000 and like the

Two geological mesas tower over downtown Boise, both recognizable local landmarks.

One is Table Rock, a popular hiking destination. The other is Warm Springs Mesa, also known by locals as simply the “Mesa,” one of Boise’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Warm Springs Mesa is a well-established East Boise Foothills neighborhood that sits above Warm Springs Avenue on a natural plateau. Many homes in the area enjoy striking panoramic views of the Owyhee Mountains, Barber Valley, the Boise Front Range, and downtown Boise.

Right outside Mesa residents’ doors sit attractions like the historic Tram Trail and Table Rock. Families put down roots in this neighborhood with bike-friendly streets and backyard access to outdoor recreation.

When it comes to

The temperature is likely about to hit its peak for the year this month in Boise, and with it comes a whole host of events, activities, shows, and performances for you to savor. Whether you’re itching to head outside and go full-tilt into the wonder of a Treasure Valley summer, or you’re more the “indoorsy” type and looking for something featuring air conditioning, there’s something for everyone on the calendar this July.

McCall Independence Day: 10 Days of Fourth of July Fun | McCall

June 28-July 7

If you want to get out of town for Independence Day and celebrate in a BIG way, McCall is the place to be! You’ll find events for the whole family over 10 days of fun in McCall this year, including live music, activities, good food, and of course,

Just eight minutes outside of Boise sits a local gem: Lucky Peak State Park.

With sandy beaches for swimming, picnic pavilions, a marina, boat ramps, fishing, and outdoor fun, the Lucky Peak recreation area is a favorite weekend spot for Boise residents for good reason. It’s an oasis, a welcoming escape from city life, just minutes from the doorstep of most local’s homes. The Boise River Greenbelt ends at Lucky Peak, making it a favorite destination for cyclists and runners.

Lucky Peak is made up of three distinct day-use areas, and this chain of outstanding parks is an icon of the Boise area. Bring the whole family to Sandy Point for a day at Boise’s beloved beach and enjoy the swimming and shaded picnic areas.

Experience a day on the water

Over the last twelve months, the cost of the typical home in Boise rose by nearly $1,000 a week.

Boise’s median single-family home price increased to $335,000, up 17.54 percent from $285,000 last May.

Ada County home prices also reached a new record of $342,765, an increase of all most $38,000 or 12.42 percent.

In contrast, Canyon County prices are up only $34,200 to $243,200. That’s below the record high set last month but still the second highest on record.

In Boise, homes are selling in a median of six days on market. Even that number understates demand as many savvy sellers won’t review any offers for 48 to 72 hours. The delay gives more time to buyers to see the property, therefore, increasing the opportunity for multiple offers.

It’s not unusual to find families who’ve lived in the West Bench neighborhood for decades.

Generations of Boisians watching this community grow and change as the neighborhood they call home continues to thrive.

Anchored by Capital High School, the Boise West Bench is also home to three beautiful city parks, a popular public pool, and a fantastic central location. There’s something for everyone on the West Bench.

Spacious and affordable homes on large lots, excellent parks, schools within walking distance, and a mature canopy of trees: these are the markers you’ll recognize in the West Bench area of Boise. This cozy suburban neighborhood has a sense of community and is known as a quiet, safe, friendly home for families and young professionals

School’s out, the weather is warming up, and summer has officially arrived in the Treasure Valley. With it comes a whole host of events to pack your calendar, including outdoor concerts, family-friendly fun, entertainment, food festivals, and more! Boise comes alive during the summer with ample opportunities to relax, hit the water, dine on a patio, or hike the foothills. Add these events to your calendar to kickstart your summer with a bang.

Idaho Shakespeare Festival

June All Month

June is a busy month for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, one of Boise’s most unique and popular outdoor entertainment options. This June, the renowned troupe will be featuring The Taming of the Shrew, Witness for the Prosecution, and The Music Man in the famous

Summer is definitely here, with all the warm weather ahead of us it's an excellent opportunity to soak up some fun at one of Boise's community pools. Just in Boise alone, there are seven locations each filled with neighborhood personality and different amenities. Each year all pools open on the very last day of school for the Boise School District calendar, which is May 24th (1:30 pm). With more than just splash pads and water slides, during the summer season, Boise Parks and Recreation also holds swim classes and other aerobic sessions for all ages.

Where to swim in Boise

Lowell Pool - Boise North End

1601 N 28th St | (208) 608-7675 | Map & Directions »

A vintage destination here in Boise's North End, it’s practically a landmark. With its

On the far end of Southeast Boise sits a charming neighborhood with tree-lined streets, sprawling family homes, and a serene vibe.

One of the first master-planned developments in Boise, Columbia Village is a well-established and highly desirable neighborhood. This gem of a community is bordered by Amity Road to the north, Federal Way to the west and Highway 21 to the south, with next-door access to major local employer Micron and only minutes away from downtown and the freeway.

With homes built in the 1990s, Columbia Village real estate is highly sought after. Home-hunting hopefuls are drawn to this idyllic area built around top-performing schools and the expansive 161-acre Simplot Sports Complex.

Known as a particularly family-friendly