Prisoners and prey in Boise!
This city of nearly 206,000 is the capital of Idaho, the country’s leading producer of Winter peas, trout and, of course, potatoes. The state dance is the square dance to be sure to bring your best shoes when you drive a Boise rental car to these exciting locations:
Albertsons Stadium
Home of the Boise State Broncos, this newly renovated facility has 36,387 seats. It is the only stadium in the world with a completely colored artificial turf field. It's easy to follow the players from one end zone to another over this blue and orange field! This school has sent 15 players on to play in National Football League teams, including the Denver Broncos. Join the crowd and cheer on players that might be the next NFL-bound Boise State Bronco.
World Center for Birds of Prey
The Peregrine Fund, a non-profit, started in 1970 as a group of individuals dedicated to saving birds of prey from becoming extinct. Their headquarters, the World Center for Birds of Prey, includes falconry archives, breeding facilities and an interpretive center. Visitors can see some of the birds raised here take flight during afternoon live bird demonstrations in the fall. The center has many species of raptors from the American kestrel, gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, aplomado falcon, swainson's hawk, turkey vulture and teita falcon. Catch a live presentation with some of these majestic birds or visit the Archives of Falconry to see equipment, artwork and field notes about the ancient sport. Drive your Boise rental car to this 580-acre site on Flying Hawk Lane and you'll be amazed at the beauty and power of these endangered birds.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
Fans of ghosts and ghouls will love a trip to this 142-year-old prison. Here you'll find 30 buildings and exhibits about the penitentiary's criminal history. Visit the gallows, cell blocks and solitary confinement area to get a sense of what went on here when the prison was operational. Programs and events for individuals, families and school groups allow visitors a glimpse into the scandalous past of day-to-day prison life, escape attempts and even executions. Come around the end of October for Halloween tours that are especially spooky. For a preview of this haunted location check out the Travel Channel episode of "Ghost Adventures," where hosts Zak, Nick and Aaron explore the prison and find evidence of paranormal activity. Bring a voice recorder and maybe you, too, will capture voices of prisoners past!