If you are looking for a perfect night-out gateway, the Venue is the place to be. It is one of the best places to enjoy some really good music in and around Boise. Local and national touring bands have all performed at this venue. Mad Caddies and Rocky Votolato are a couple of the bands that have performed here. A non-profit organization, the Venue promotes its events in an alcohol-free environment and is open to all ages. Check the website for upcoming shows.

Pamphlets, maps, booklets and friendly faces stuff this small visitor's center, located in the Boise Centre on the Grove Plaza. Helpful employees at the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau quickly answer questions and recommend local restaurants, accommodation and entertainment. Visitors wanting to venture outside of Boise's boundaries will find useful information here about attractions within a three-hour drive from the city limits.

The buildings of the Eighth Street Marketplace in downtown Boise are known for preserving a bit of Boise's 19th century past. The area makes for a perfect place to meander through Boise's history. At 516 South Eighth Street, visitors will find the Idaho Laundry building, which has been in operation since 1897. The nearby Boise Junk House at 521 South Eighth Street is where boys traded iron and other "junk" for cash. Other nearby landmarks include the Idaho Candy Company, in business since 1909, the Oregon Trail Memorial Bridge and the Log Cabin Literary Center.

Boasting the honor of being Boise's first apartment building, this historical edifice has the charm of an old castle. Built in the early 1900s, the Belgravia Building has stone walls up to two feet thick. Bay windows add a whimsical charm, and balconies overlook the street. Check out the nearby C.W. Moore Park and U.S. Assay Office for more historical wanderings.

Located in downtown Boise, this church, rebuilt in the 1920s and 1950s, retains some of the original building's charm. Faded furnishings dating back to 1878 and are on display. The antiques were used when the First United Presbyterian Church occupied occupied it's original space, what is now Idanha Hotel. The middle portion of the church, which is used as the education building, was built in 1929.

Sitting on Capitol Boulevard, across from Julia Davis Park and next to the The Cabin, this former warehouse has turned itself into a busy urban library that brims with activity. Special events take place in the auditorium, and the children and reference areas are always busy. The library has an excellent local history collection and an extremely helpful staff, always willing to offer advice to visitors. The original Carnegie Boise Library, now housing offices, can be found on the corner of Eighth and Idaho.

Arching dramatically over the Boise River, this picturesque bridge displays colorful ceramic panels. The concrete arch is a sturdy memorial to the Oregon Trail pioneers that crossed the Boise River close to where the bridge stands. Built by the Boise construction company Morrison Knudsen, the bridge offers views of the Boise Train Depot on one side and the Idaho State Capitol Building on the other. Couple with the nearby Julia Davis Park, and The Cabin for an interesting tour.

This fine example of modern Gothic architecture lives up to its "Cathedral of the Rockies" name. Stained glass windows from a Philadelphia studio add a delicate grace and each window tells a different story, including many from Boise's history. Made from flagstone and sandstone, the cathedral boasts a towering spire and equally imposing cross. With a 1,000-person seating capacity and numerous public rooms, the cathedral is a popular place of worship.

Completed in 1970, the Idaho Supreme Court Building does not have the historic look of the much older Idaho State Capitol Building. Nevertheless, history is made here every day. Built of travertine limestone from Idaho Falls, the building boasts floors made from granite chip. Four times each year, the Supreme Court of Idaho can be heard in Boise, while it carries out the other eight sessions at different venues around Idaho. The library and court sessions are open to the public, and tours can be arranged through the clerk's office.

This massive building, built in 1929, is 11 stories tall. Noted for its solid structure of reinforced concrete, the Hoff Building was remodeled with the intention of including it in the Statehouse Square. The circular glass top was added in 1979 and offers a spectacular panoramic view of Boise and the nearby mountains. It is also home to the Crystal Ballroom, which is available for hosting events.