📍 Idaho Day 1｜Unlocking a Hidden Gem: Boise

Before the trip, all I knew was that Idaho’s top local specialty was potatoes 🥔. But after a few days here, I’ve fallen completely under the spell of Huckleberry! 🛬 DAY 0｜Arrival in Boise Landed late at night and stayed at the Residence Inn near Boise State University. Boise is pretty small—everything’s close if you stay near downtown. 🌿 DAY 1｜Exploring Boise Did a bit of remote work in the morning and headed out around noon. ChatGPT recommended trying Spanish paella, and just as we passed through downtown, we stumbled upon a street performance where a guy was cooking a giant pan of paella! 📍 The Basque Market Real-deal giant paella pan! Pro tip: Come before noon on Wednesdays or Fridays (sometimes Saturdays). Don’t just stand outside watching the show—go inside first to pay and get a bowl, then enjoy the spectacle! The paella may look endless, but it’s not. We were so mesmerized by the cooking performance that we forgot to pay first and ended up on the waitlist, anxiously hoping for leftovers 😅. Luckily, there was just enough left for us! The first few bites were delicious, but it got saltier as we went along 🧂. 📍 Old Idaho Penitentiary This prison is usually the first thing that comes up in Boise travel guides. I didn’t even know the word “penitentiary” until I looked it up 🏛️. Yeah, a prison is the top attraction here. Entry is $8. You’ll learn some random historical facts. We went in late May—the roses were in full bloom 🌹, absolutely gorgeous! One room exhibited profiles of past inmates. We spent a long time there, partly because my friend suddenly had to work on her phone 📵, and partly because I kept looking up all these old-timey criminal charges I didn’t recognize. Society back then was so strict—things that wouldn’t even be a big deal today could get you locked up! There were cells in different colors, including a pink one 🎀. Apparently, studies back then suggested pink could reduce heart rate and aggression, so it was used for violent prisoners. When we saw a four-person cell, my card-game-obsessed friend said, “You could play cards here!” Then right around the corner, we found a cell decorated with poker suits ♠️♥️♦️♣️. Was it for gambling addicts? High-stakes players? I couldn’t find a reliable answer—does anyone know? Super curious! 📍 Camel’s Back Park Great views of Boise! The trail is steep and slippery but super short—you can reach the top in just a few minutes. High reward for little effort! ⛰️👟 📍 Idaho State Capitol All white marble everywhere—felt like stumbling into the backrooms. Super empty inside. We saw one couple getting married 💒 and two others taking wedding photos. Probably a photogenic spot! 📸 That’s all for Day 1! Dinner deserves its own post 😉. Coming up: Twin Falls and Idaho City! #Idaho #Boise #HiddenGems #TravelIdaho #USA #OffTheBeatenPath 🌄✈️