Whether you're looking for one of the best places in America to retire, raise a family, or stay active, Boise, Idaho should be firmly on your radar. The beautiful "City of Trees" has a population of 235,000 as of 2025, a thriving local economy, and a wide range of outdoor activities to keep you busy year-round. Within Boise itself, each of the city's distinct neighborhoods offers unique insight into the growth of Idaho's capital as it moves toward the national stage as a tech hub.
While the historic
Warm Springs neighborhood and tree-lined North End, one of Boise's best neighborhoods, are frequently mentioned as being safe and having the Boise foothills in their backyards, Boise's under-the-radar Collister neighborhood is very much the goldilocks neighborhood of the city. You're minutes away from shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and some of the city's best trails, yet this neighborhood still holds on to its local, small-town vibes. Moreover, it's still relatively affordable for families and is a place where you can get to know your neighbors, your kids' teachers, and be part of a 20,000-strong community that stretches from Pierce Park Lane to 36th St. in the heart of Boise.
The Collister neighborhood is named for Dr. George Collister, an entrepreneur and doctor who moved to Boise early in its history to practice medicine. Throughout his life in Idaho, he generously supported the community by donating land and funds for Collister Elementary School and for providing a place for Boise's impoverished communities to work and find a hot meal. In addition to being the namesake for the neighborhood's main street, Collister Drive, much of his spirit lives on in the genuinely friendly and safe community.
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Outdoor Activities Near Collister
Whether you're an avid cyclist, mountain biker, or walker, you'll have miles of trails and streets to explore in the Collister neighborhood. Collister Drive sits in the heart of Boise's trail networks. To the north, the pavement gives way to mountain bike tracks and well-maintained dirt trails in Boise's Ridge to Rivers trail network. At the end of Collister Drive, you'll find the trailhead for Boise's Polecat Gulch Trail, as well as a vault toilet and parking lot for 15 vehicles. Polecat Gulch opens up to an 835-acre nature reserve less than a mile from the city. It's a great place to take the dog for a walk or go mountain biking or trail running. Considering the trail is around 7 miles long, it's just right — not too long, not too steep, and loops back to town. And, you'll have gorgeous views at every turn, whether climbing or descending. Be sure to ride or jog in the correct direction (counter-clockwise for 2025) on the main part of the trail to minimize the risk of an accident, especially if it's crowded.
Although Collister isn't on the Boise River, it is just a few blocks away from the riverside Boise Greenbelt, providing car-free access to downtown or Eagle, a growing city nestled between the foothills and the Boise River. The city's neighborhood bicycle shop, George's Cycles, has been a staple in Boise since 1971, supplying local racers with high-end equipment as well as families looking to cruise together on two wheels. The weather in Boise is hot, dry, and sunny much of the year, though be careful of trail ruts in the foothills after a rainstorm. You can check the updated trail conditions on the Ridge to Rivers website.
Things To Do Near Collister
While much of Collister is residential or outdoor-oriented, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained around the Collister Center on a rainy day or during the chilly winters. Learn how to soar on a trapeze at Fly! Boise, or lace up your skates and groove the day or night away at Treasure Valley Skate. If the music is getting too loud for your tastes, the Collister Branch of the Library! is right next door.
Along State Street, the southern boundary of Collister, you'll find plenty of options for a bite to eat. Boise is considered the upcoming foodie haven of the Northwest, after all. Family-friendly Burger N Brew has been a long-time neighborhood (and Boise) staple for juicy burgers and cold beer. If you've never tried an Idaho original, finger steaks (battered and deep-fried strips of steak), this is the place to take the plunge. It's their most raved about topic on Google Maps. For a unique evening out, Boise Brew Putt ties together Boise attractions, putt-putt, and beer for a one-of-a-kind night out where you can play like a kid without the kids. Right on the edge of the neighborhood at State and 36th Street, the city of Boise opened a new food truck lot that has plans to expand in the future.
Keep in mind that traffic is bumper-to-bumper around Collister during rush hour as State Street has been unable to keep up with the rapid population growth. Local businesses have been forced to close, and the city is searching for answers. Take Hill Road as an alternative to the outskirts of booming downtown, or to zip through the city's new and unique dog bone roundabout, which gained hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok.
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Read the original article on Islands.
