The Wooded City: Boise is a Welcoming Retreat for Student Travel

Nestled between the banks of the Boise River and the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Boise offers student travel groups an exciting outdoor experience. The aptly named City of Trees is a recreational paradise, complete with miles of hiking trails and outdoor adventures any school trip can enjoy. Boise also boasts cultural and historical offerings spread throughout the city.

Boise Goes Up in the Sky with its Popular Student Travel Attractions

While it may be nicknamed the City of Trees, Boise could take on another name: City of Birds. It is home to two bird conservation groups, World Center for Birds of Prey and Idaho Bird Observatory (IBO). The World Center for Birds of Prey houses the Peregrine Fund, a non-profit founded on the concern that the peregrine falcon could go extinct. Your student tour can partake in their education programs and see falcons, eagles and condors firsthand. The Idaho Bird Observatory invites school field trips to lectures, training courses and IBO locations where they can watch the migratory habits of birds.

A little known fact that your student trip may not know about Boise is that it is home to the largest concentration of Basque people in the United States. Originally from the Spanish Basque region, this group of immigrants settled in Boise, setting up a haven where their culture could thrive. Today the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, the only such center in the United States, offers student tours a glimpse at Basque heritage.

For a sample of local history, you can bring your school trip to the Old Idaho Territorial Penitentiary, or the Old Pen. It is one of only four territorial penitentiaries still standing today, giving student tours a rare opportunity to see what prison life was like in the old days. “A visit to the Old Pen can begin with a video presentation recalling prison history, notorious inmates and daily prison life,” says Laurie McConnell, communications manager for the Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Once inside the Yard, visitors can imagine life in the foreboding sandstone cellhouses, see the contrasting beauty of the historic rose gardens and view the effects of the 1973 riot. [You can] visit Solitary Confinement, known as ‘Siberia,’ as well as Death Row and the Gallows.”

If your school trip prefers mining tools to prison cells, the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology is right next door. This museum is dedicated to Boise’s mining history, taking visitors back to the Gold Rush days. A fresh mix of history and nature can be found at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, located on the Boise River. A facility built to embrace the Boise environment, the memorial features two reflective ponds, three waterfalls, a reading circle, an amphitheater and a life-size, bronze sculpture of Anne Frank. Just a step outside of the memorial is the Boise Greenbelt, a 16-mile stretch of green that runs along the river, connecting most of Boise’s public parks. Your student tour will enjoy walking along the paths, and many of the parks offer ideal spots for lunch.

Trolley or Train:Boise Sightseeing for Student Travel Groups

You can take your student tour on a city trolley with Boise Trolley Tours, which offers a 60-minute historic expedition through Boise’s downtown district. The company’s season runs from May to September, so if your school trip is visiting in the off-season, you’ll need to make a special reservation.

Boise’s Gold Rush and mining history can best be seen from the train tracks. Just north of Boise, the Thunder Mountain Line takes student tours through the mountains and along the Payette River. Riders can enjoy the wilderness from an open-air car as they roll on the same tracks that served early settlers.

Student Travel Groups Can Put on a Show in Boise

Boise offers locations where performing student travel programs can showcase their talents. Apart from the many public parks that offer facilities, Boise is home to the largest university in Idaho: Boise State University. The massive campus has venues at the Student Union, the University Square and the Amphitheatre. You will have to contact someone from the Communications and Marketing department.

Serving Up the Best Student Dining in Boise

With Boise’s diverse culture, there are plenty of dining options for your student travel group. The Basque community has a market downtown where student tours can venture for a quick bite. The market sells freshly made sandwiches and soups as well as Spanish-style tapas.

Boise offers a range of cuisines, so every palate—no matter how picky—can be satisfied. Take your school trip over to Brick Oven Bistro for classic American fare at a decent price, or head to Casanova Pizzeria, where your crew can dive into a wood-fired pie. But for a taste of original Boise, you need to get your students a plate of finger steaks. Two restaurants claiming to have the best finger steaks are O’Michaels and Sockeye Brewpub. Whichever one you choose, these greasy delicacies are sure to add a memorable dining experience to a school trip.

Student Accommodations in Boise

With almost 70 hotels in Boise, there are plenty of good options for student accommodations within the city. Your best bet is to start with Best Western Northwest Lodge. While it is a chain hotel, this location incorporates a feel of Idaho with its lodge décor, and your student travel group will be pleased with the complimentary breakfast. Safari Inn has a prime location near the Basque Cultural Center and the Capital Building, along with decent rates and free breakfast.  Another option that may be well suited for student tours is Candlewood Suites. The hotel is close to Boise Town Square Mall, where students can enjoy a casual shopping experience, and room prices are economical for a school trip. You can also look in the neighboring towns of Meridian and Nampa for more hotel options.

With its mixture of culture and recreation, Boise is the perfect city for your next student trip. Your student travel group will thrive in the picturesque setting.

Student Travelers Should See the New Face of Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo is located in the northeast portion of Iowa on the Cedar River and is one of the state’s most historic towns.  The city is introducing a number of redevelopment projects; major among them is the River Renaissance development that will add a river walk, amphitheater, and art mall to its cultural attractions.

Another new feature is Tech Works, which will host an agricultural tourism exhibition center, manufacturing mall, technology center, and a bio-product merchandise mart. The city of Waterloo is reinventing itself while keeping its historic roots and charm, making it a great place for your next student group trip. The metro areas population is approximately 110,000 people.

Places for Students to Stay

There are over 1,100 rooms in Waterloo. Room prices in the area range from $49.00 up to $99.00 and several are three diamond properties. The area CVB will help coordinate lodging for your student group. The only full service hotel in the area is the Ramada Hotel & Convention Center.

Places to Play

Lost Island Adventure Park

Iowa’s largest outdoor water park with 8 major water slides, lazy river, wave pool, restaurants, gift shop, adventure golf and go-carts

The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute & Museum

This museum preserves the history of mankind’s oldest sport and presents it in a manner that is educational, entertaining and serves as an inspiration for young people to dream big and work hard!

Places to Perform

The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center seats 1,680 for performances. They offer Broadway productions, musicals and special guest entertainers.

The Hope Martin Theater at The Waterloo Center for the Arts is adding a 30,000 sq. ft. Youth Pavilion this year.

Crossroads Center Mall is the largest regional mall in Northeast Iowa with anchor stores of Richman Gordman, Dillard’s, Younkers, JC Penney and Sears.

Places to Have Fun

The Waterloo area has five city golf courses, three bowling facilities, Iowa’s largest outdoor water park (Lost Island Water Park), miniature golf, youth arts pavilion, hands on science center, indoor tennis club, and indoor ice skating and roller skating.

Places to Parade

My Waterloo Days Festival

A community-wide, annual festival organized by volunteers to showcase and celebrate Waterloo’s cultural and recreational opportunities

Sturgis Falls Celebration

Series of events including parade, carnival, race, concerts, concessions, and talent competition

A City Alive with Activity: New Orleans is a Student Travel Must See

Locals and visitors alike came together this New Years Eve to watch the unique Gumbo Pot drop in the heart of the French Quarter. As residential areas are still recovering, New Orleanians left behind 2005 and moved forward to celebrate the rebirth of the city.  Residents worked hard to get neighborhoods repaired and all of residents back.  Over 800,000 people in the metro area are working together to make New Orleans better than ever, and student travelers have much to enjoy in this eclectic city.

Families from around the country are reuniting for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras parades. Festivals are such a deep cultural tradition in New Orleans and residents will not skip a beat as they prepare for events starting with French Quarter Festival, Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Satchmo Summer Fest.

Places for Student Groups to Stay in New Orleans

Over 22,000 hotel rooms are operational, with more opening weekly; and more than 800 restaurants are ready to serve your student tours visiting New Orleans.

Places in New Orleans for Student Groups to Play & Perform

Please contact the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau for an updated list of places to play and perform –800-748-8695

Read the entire article on New Orleans Metro CVB