The capital and most populous city in Idaho, Boise's beautiful landscape, great recreation and diverse population has made it a popular destination for hikers, outdoorsmen and families alike.

At the heart of Boise is the Boise River, and with it the popular Boise River Greenbelt, a twenty-mile stretch of paved pathways that interconnects myriad parks and attractions along the north and south banks of the river. Visitors and locals alike can be found rollerblading and biking along the Greenbelt, or picnicking in Julia Davis Park and Ann Morrison Park.

Boise's beautiful mix of plains and mountains is on display at Camel's Back Park, a popular -- and relatively easy -- hiking destination offering sweeping views of downtown Boise and the other Boise foothills. Hull's Gulch, the nearby 289 acre reserve, offers even more hiking and mountain biking throughout the Boise foothills.

At 15,000 people, Boise's Basque population is the second highest in the United States, and is a point of pride with the city. The Basque Block, in downtown Boise, boasts a bunch of Basque stores and restaurants, while the unique cultural history of the Boise Basques is housed in the Basque Museum and Cultural Center. The center is also home to a variety of activities and seminars, in which visitors can learn traditional Basque dancing, cooking and handicrafts.

Boise also boasts a fair number of historic sites, the century-old Boise State Capitol Building among many people's favorites. The Old Idaho Penitentiary is another interesting site -- a walled complex of sandstone buildings, the building blocks of which were quarried by the prisoners themselves from the nearby ridges.

So once you've booked your flight and found the right hotel, peruse our pages to create an itinerary inspired by fellow travelers to Boise.