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.
Visitors listen to the whispers of the pioneers as they tell Idaho's story through displays of historical artifacts at this museum. The Idaho State Historical Museum includes stories of prehistoric, Native American, Basque and Chinese cultures. Visitors also learn about the old frontier days and pioneer settlements. The museum offers many hours of exploration. Visitors can combine a trip here with a visit to the Pioneer Village, the Julia Davis Park or Zoo Boise, which are all located nearby. Opening times vary based on season. Check the website for varying dates.
The "Old Pen" is a stirring glimpse into prison life in the West from the 19th Century onward. Built in 1870, the castle-like fortress underwent renovation over the years, often using prison labor. Over 13,000 prisoners served time in the Old Penitentiary over a period of 101 years. Complete with solitary confinement cells and gallows, this eerie, yet intriguing penitentiary was also where the notorious Lady Bluebeard was imprisoned. The mighty prison is upheld by the Idaho State Historical Society, its complex a home to several notable sites like the Territorial Prison, the Dining Hall and a tracery of cell houses. What was once a formidable force, is now a stimulating museum open for in-depth perusal, and harbors myriad exhibits that date as far back as the Bronze Age.
Established in 1984 on the vacant land of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary, Idaho Botanical Garden is set on the Boise Foothills' base. It was founded initially as a tree nursery but soon became a non-profit botanical paradise. Spread across 50 acres (20.23 hectares), it includes 14 themed gardens and features more than 800 species of indigenous and non-native plants. It is the oldest of its kind in the state and a must visit if you love gardens. Stroll through their various sections like the Water Conservation Landscape, Children’s Adventure Garden, Summer Succulent Garden, Outlaw Field and Labyrinth, Jane Falk Oppenheimer Heirloom Rose Garden and Muriel and Diana Kirk English Garden. Enchanting and informative, the Idaho Botanical Garden is a great spot for a family outing or even with your special someone for a romantic date.
Located in historic St. Paul Baptist Church, the Idaho Black History Museum celebrates Idaho's black culture. Open since 1995, the museum offers visitors many interesting historical tidbits, such as a look at Idaho's black cowboys and miners, and Idaho's contribution to the Civil Rights Movement. The building itself also has an interesting historical legacy as one of the first African-American churches in the Boise area, founded in 1909. Activities include storytelling, workshops, lectures and musical performances.
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.
