Since 1988, Seth Blaustein, owner of Apex Window Fashions “A Peak Above All Others” when it comes to blinds and window fixtures. His install experts have been bringing fashion to windows from Tacoma to anyone out of state that needs his services. This would include anyone looking for blinds or fashions for their home, apartment, or commercial properties too.
Decades of Experience, Apex Window Fashions
“What makes us different is that I have everything you need to be successful when it comes to window fashions. With Decades of Experience, I know how to get the job done right and pass along the savings to the customer.”
Seth and his wife, Shubha are the owners of Apex Window Fashions, an Ohio native, Seth has been living and operating his business for 33 years. Seth does the install and hands on operations. Shubha is the genesis behind the accounting books and scheduling. They enjoy watching Seahawks. They were even there downtown Seattle for the street after celebration when they won the Super Bowl.
Local Biz Hero
Seth is what we like to call a Local Biz Hero, a self-made entrepreneur who brings true value to his community. High stands of professionalism and strong work ethics of small business owners like Seth are the infrastructure of local economy. His understanding of business and marketing gave him the upper hand when building his business.
Every dollar that Seth makes goes back to supporting the local business ecosystem and the community as Apex Window Fashions supports the local community because he has 5 installers with over 40 years’ experience that are on his team.
Grandfather Sam
We sat down with Seth for a quick interview –
Why do you do what you do?
“This is a family business. My grandfather Sam started his business in the 1940s. He taught me everything I needed to know over the phone and fax. I used to go door-to-door, but we are too busy for that now.”
How did you get into this profession?
“I always had in my mind I would own a business. I had business owners all in my family and I wanted to follow suit. 1988 came around and with my grandfather’s help and influence, I started Apex Window Fashions.”
Being a people person, Seth works directly with many locals, we asked him what is the most unusual situation that ever happened to you on the job? “One of my first jobs came across when I did not hesitate to ask someone if they needed new window treatments for their new office building. They needed them. this was a 5-story commercial building with over 400 window installs. “
If you could share one tip with the readers for choosing a window expert, what would it be?
“Ask questions. Do not settle for anything you do not like. Use the power of words to speak into existence what you desire in life, regardless of if it’s just window fashions or a new home. “
Seriously Fashionable Windows
For those of you who are looking for a professional that is A Peak Above All Others, Seth and the Apex Window Fashions team should be your first choice. Apex Window Fashions supports our local nonprofits with donations to bookbag drives. Call Seth at 360.701.5259 or visit www.apexwindowfashion.com – Seriously Fashionable Windows.”
For the past 22 years Leann and Mike Krainick along with their team of 28+ have been providing high quality, reasonably priced local food and dairy for over 22 years. Krainick Dairy farm was established in 1912, Mike is the 3rd generation farm owner. Get this, Krainick Dairy combined economic impact within 20 miles is about 4MILLION a year!
What Makes Krainick Dairy Different?
“Krainick Dairy is local and the reputation for quality and food safety is paramount. We operate in an ethical and ecologically sound manner, our customers really appreciate this about us.”
Local Hero’s
Leann and Mike are what we like to call a Local Biz Hero’s, entrepreneurs who bring true value to their community. High stands of professionalism and strong work ethics of local farm owners like Leann and Mike are the infrastructure of local farm economy.
Giving Back Is Fun
Krainick Dairy provides compost to pumpkin growers for “The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival” in Seattle. This highlight of this is the tapping of a 1700lbs pumpkin filled with 4 kegs of beer! They have been doing it 8 years now, grown the event to over 7k people! Cool part is this event raises 150k a year for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, hosted by Elysian Brewing, Always the first Friday and Saturday in October. They also co sponsor the “weigh-off” the week prior. For their generous donations, Elysian gives them a booth at their festival, full circle they support each other! Tip: Look for the dairy farmers in orange tutus! Leann is passionate about this event as she survived Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in 2011.
Getting To Know Leann and Mike
We sat down with Leann for a quick interview –
Why do you do what you do?
“Mike is third generation farmer, its a passion and calling. Its not a get rich quick business, Its an inner connection with the animals and a want to provide food for the community and a strive to see how many people and families we can feed and support. We have 28 employees supported by this farm. Combined economic impact within 20 miles is about 4MILLION a year!!!”
How did you get into this profession?
“Mike is A third generation farmer, Being a farmer you are highly involved with community. We love to be involved in community outreach, in 2017 we received a community service award from Mariners baseball team! We also have a partnership with the Seahawks program “fuel up to play 60″ with national dairy council.” Leann does a lot of work with schools with blitz and the Seagals where they do education on food groups. Checkout the video here and Krainick Dairy Here”
For those of you who are looking for high quality dairy products, Lean and Mike with their team at Kranick Dairy should be your first choice. visit their facebook here and to learn more check out this clip WA Grown!
With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, it’s time to set your plans and decide on the best firework shows and activities for the long weekend. Whether you are traveling or are a local, this guide will show you the best Fourth of July fun in Skagit County in 2021. With only a few weeks left before this exciting holiday, this guide has all of the biggest firework shows, weekend activities, and firework regulations if you are going to set off your own fireworks at home.
Fourth of July fun: Logger rodeo July 1-4
Ready to entertain the entire weekend, the Loggerodeo in Sedro Woolley is the longest-running 4th of July Celebrations in Washington State.
The Loggerodeo is a rodeo for loggers to demonstrate tasks that they perform in their work each day. This includes a pole climbing and chainsaw carving contest. There is also a regular rodeo where you can watch barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding.
The Loggerodeo is a four-day event with chainsaw carving every day, the Pro-West Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday, a Beard Contest at 9 am on July 4th, and a wood carving Auction 3 pm on July 4th, and a Firework show beginning at 10 pm. Suppose you are looking for a weekend full of fun and excitement, head to Sedro-Woolley for a full-filled Fourth of July in Skagit County. There would also be a parade and fun run during a normal year, but due to COVID, those activities have been canceled for 2021.
Big Lake Fireworks July 3rd
Put a chair anywhere around Big Lake on July 3rd to see the firework show. An Estimated 40,000 people view this huge display every year. The Big Lake fire Department puts on the show every year and launches the fireworks from a barge in the middle of the lake. July 3rd in Skagit Valley is arguably as popular as the 4th of July due to this huge show. There is often a party happening at every house and on every boat on the lake during the day leading up to the firework show starting at 10pm. Big lake is also an excellent place to go swimming, boating, or kayaking during the summer, making it one of the most fun locations to spend part of your 4th of July weekend.
Anacortes Fireworks July 4th
Almost all of the major cities in Skagit County put on a firework show for the 4th of July. In Anacortes, you can enjoy both a firework show as well as a parade. The Patriotic Parade will begin at 11 am at 3rd street and Commercial Avenue. If you are a local and would like to be a part of the parade, you can either drive a float or walk with a marching group. Use this link to sign up for a slot. The fireworks will start at dusk over Fidalgo bay.
Mt. Vernon Fireworks July 4th
Mt. Vernon Washington also holds a firework show on the 4th of July. This show is located at Edgewater Park at 600 Behrens-Millet Road, just over the West Side Bridge in Mt. Vernon across the Skagit River from downtown. To enjoy this firework show, make sure to bring a lawn chair and a flashlight!
La Conner Fireworks July 4th
The tiny town of La Conner will also be celebrating big this July 4th. The Community parade will start in La Conner at 12 noon, followed by a concert in Gilkey Square. The concert will feature the C.C.
Adams Band at 2:30 pm. Fireworks will be launched over the Swinomish Channel starting at dark and can be viewed best from the La Conner Walkway that goes along the water on the west side of the businesses on Main Street.
Skagit Speedway fireworks July 10th
If you are still looking for fireworks in the week after the 4th of July, check out the Skagit Speedway’s Mid-Season Firework show. This mid-season championship is presented by Les Schwab tires and features 360 sprint cars, Sportsman Sprint Cars, Modifieds, and Outlaw Tuners. The fireworks show will happen after the speedway races are over. The Skagit Speedway is located in Alger, Wa, and tickets are $7 for ages seven and up. Ages 6 and under are free to enter the speedway.
Fireworks are banned within the city Municipal Boundaries except for properly licensed public displays. Please attend one of the other firework shows in Skagit County or go to an unincorporated area.
In unincorporated Skagit county, only fireworks allowed by state law are allowed, and fireworks are illegal on state forestlands and in most parks. Sky Lanterns are prohibited in all of Skagit county. You are able to let off fireworks from 9 am -midnight on July 4th.
If you are in an area that allows consumer fireworks, please be safe and be mindful of the people, animals, and houses around you. Fireworks can be dangerous, and young children should never be unsupervised around fireworks. Firework sales in Washington are mostly limited to what is legal in the state, but it is still possible to buy illegal consumer fireworks, so buy from reputable sellers and know the rules and regulations before you buy. Be mindful of the fire dangers in Skagit County before lighting off fireworks.
With so many different shows and activities to choose from, you are sure to have excellent July 4th fun in Skagit County. Make sure to get places early and allow for time for parking and find a spot to sit. All of the above firework shows and events are highly popular, and crowds can be considerable. Have an excellent 4th of July, and enjoy your Skagit County Summer!
Skagit County is an outdoor lover’s dream, with tons of activities available; it can be hard to narrow it down and decide where to go. This detailed guide will give you a rundown of all the best areas to bike in Skagit County. With endless stretches of farmland, beautiful views of the ocean and the local mountain ranges, birding, and more, biking is an excellent summer pastime here in the Skagit Valley. Check out this map for more information on biking in Skagit County and to find the trails referenced below.
Tour De Fur
As the locals call it, Tour De Fur is a bike trip that circumnavigates part of Fir Island. This area of Skagit County is known for its birding, constantly changing farm fields, and views. There is plenty of routes that you can take to experience Fir Island by bike, but many people go to the west side of the Conway bridge, across the Skagit River, and park in the parking lot on the right-hand side of the road.
From here, you will cross the main road and hope on the dike, riding southeast. Stay on the dike until you hit the Skagit Wildlife Area-Wiley Slough. This is an excellent spot to take a pit stop and enjoy the birding if you would like. There are often Bald Eagles flying overhead here. Follow Wylie Rd out to Fir Island Road. Take a left on Dry Slough Road and keep riding. Enjoy the Stunning views on a clear day and take in the farmland, slough and flat ground! You can either turn at Moore Rd and then at Skagit City Fir Rd or stay on Dry Slough Road all the way until it turns into Skagit City Fir Road. Both routes will lead you back to the parking lot.
This trail is mostly backroads in the farmland, and traffic should be light. Be careful, though, for your short stint on Fir Island Road, as this is a 50mph zone with heavy traffic.
Coast to Cascades
The Coast to Cascades route begins in Anacortes, Washington. You follow mostly roads from Anacortes all the way to Sedro-Woolley Washington. In Sedro-Wooley, you can join the Cascade Trail. The Cascade trail runs 22.5 miles in length and connects Sedro-Wooley to Concrete. The trail runs parallel to State Route 20. This trail is a gravel trail, and there are several benches and port-a-potties along the trail. This is a great way to go all the way from the ocean to the foothills of the Mountains. Many people continue on HWY 20 and bike up the pass.
While the Cascade trail is a gravel trail with no car access, the route from Anacortes to the trailhead is only roads. Pay attention to your surroundings while on the roads, and always remember to follow the bike laws. This trail is relatively flat and can be done by a wide variety of biking abilities.
Coast Millennium Route
If you are looking to stay near the water for your entire bike ride, consider taking the Coast Millennium Route. The Coast Millennium route Begins in Stanwood, Washington, and heads north to Conway before heading West through Fir Island and La Conner. From La Conner, this route takes you straight north along the waterline through Bayview, Edison, and to Bellingham.
This route is currently around 50 miles long but sits entirely on roadways. There are currently plans to add bike lanes to the trail’s entirety and expand the path to the Canadian Border and south to California. This route is semi-flat but gets more hilly in the Bayview area and extremely hilly if you choose to take the trail out of Skagit County and North to Bellingham. This is an excellent route for those who want views of the Puget Sound and Padilla bay on their route, as well as the occasional view of Mt. Baker and the cascades and frequent views of the Olympics.
Centennial route
The Centennial Route is 30 miles of completed trail stretching from Skagit to Snohomish County. This path is a ten-foot-wide multi-purpose paved trail that goes through a conservation corridor that protects sensitive and important natural and cultural resources. This trail connects Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Arlington, and many points in between. The trail is designed for biking, skating, skateboarding and longboarding, and equestrian use. This trail is exceptionally popular because it is flat, inaccessible to cars, and good for people of all ages and physical ability. Views on this trail include waterways, Mountains, wooded areas, old railroads, and more.
Guemes Island
Guemes Island is the only island in Skagit County that is accessible by ferry. The ferry, leaving from Anacortes, is a quick 5-10 minute journey and can be completed by walking on or driving a car onto the ferry. Once off the ferry, you can take the main roads all the way around the island. Most people ride counterclockwise and take the main road along the beach on the island’s south side before cutting north.
The Guemes Mountain Conservation area lies to the east, and you will ride past the Guemes Mountain trail on your ride. If you want to get in a hike as well, chain your bike to the stand at the trailhead and complete the 2.2-mile trail before continuing on your ride. While Guemes Island is only 8 square miles, there is a significant amount of hills. The first mile and a half of your ride will be flat, and the rest will be a rollercoaster of giant climbs followed by steep downhill sections.
There is no bike path on Guemes Island, so you will just be following the exterior roads for your ride. While traffic is normally light in the off-season, summertime can bring a lot of seasonal traffic, so beware of that and possible long ferry lines when you plan your trip.
Tommy Thompson- 3.3 mile paved Anacortes
The Tommy Thompson trail is a 6.6 mile round trip trail that starts at the Port of Anacortes. The trail has excellent views of Mt. Baker, Fidalgo Bay and also features lots of blue Heron is the tide is low. This is a paved trail and is very flat, making it manageable for many bikers. You will have waterfront views for much of this trail, making it a great addition to this guide.
More Biking the Skagit Valley
There are plenty of other areas to bike in Skagit County. The flats that run from Fir Island to Edison offer miles of excellent road biking. This area is exceptionally flat and gives riders lots to look at. With several Mountain ranges, farm animals, changing crops, birding, and waterfront views, you can always expect to see at least a few fellow riders.
While this guide only included road and flat biking, there are several mountain biking areas in the county range from the easy levels to more challenging. Be sure to follow signage and pay attention to the vehicle and possible horse traffic wherever you go.
Thank you for visiting Skagit Clever Neighbor. We are pleased to continue to bring you exciting activities for your trip to Skagit County.
For the past 40 years Vaughn Wray and his “upside down” ways, have been contracting in Tacoma, WA and beyond. With over 100 new homes completed in his experience, W. H. Construction will promise you it will make a difference.
“What makes us different is that having 40 years’ experience makes a difference in contracting.”
Vaughn is the owner of W. H. Construction Co., a PNW native, born and raised, and of course loving the Tacoma weather. I love being by the water too.
Local Biz Hero – Contracting in Tacoma, WA
Vaughn is what we like to call a Local Biz Hero, a self-made entrepreneur who brings true value to his community. Through decades of experience, contracting in Tacoma, WA could not be easier.
Every dollar that Vaughn makes goes back to supporting the local business ecosystem and the community as W. H. Construction supports the community through giving everyone a fair price that can still result in a professional and prideful finished job.
We sat down with Vaughn for a quick interview –
Why do you do what you do?
“I loved the design work in construction. It challenged me to be better.”
How did you get into this profession?
“When I decided to build my first home. My home is famous for the upside down characteristics. The garage is on the top floor. During that phase of my life, I had a local architect ask me to bid in his project he wanted done. After knowing what I could do, he hired me on the spot and completed beyond his expectations. I knew then I would be able to do this as a business.”
Choosing a Contractor
Being a contractor Vaughn works directly with many people, we asked him what’s the hobby he loves most? “I love cruising on the Sound in my boat. It’s so relaxing. I truly look forward to the days being on the water. “
If you could share one tip with the readers for choosing a contractor, what would it be?
“To me, experience matters. Ask many questions before hiring anyone. If you want my opinion on the job, call me I would love to serve you. “
For those of you who are looking for a professional contractor for any type of home remodel or new build work, Vaughn and the W. H. Construction team should be your first choice. Call Vaughn at 253-381-7622 or visit www.whconstructionco.com – Seriously Experienced!
For the past handful of years, Thomas Fuller and his Olmec Agro-Tech team have been Teaching Us to Make Food Sexy with Olmec Agro-Tech.
“What makes us different is that of we teach for Entrepreneurs and Producers to live a life of independence.”
Thomas and his two children, both grown, love living in the Tacoma area. The small town atmosphere with a cosmopolitan feel through the districts are enjoyable all around. Thomas is the Founder of Omlc Agro-Tech, a military family, born and raised, he loved the travel side when they would move. He always came back to Tacoma where he calls home.
Local Biz Hero
Thomas is what we like to call a Local Biz Hero, a self-made entrepreneur and philanthropist who brings true value to his community. Teaching our next generation life values and habits to live a life of independence and true sustainability.
Every dollar that Thomas makes goes back to supporting the local business ecosystem and the community as Olmec Agro-Tech supports the Pierce Harvest and the Wilco Farm Supply for their continued help and support to their ongoing mission.
You are What You Eat Tacoma, WA
We sat down with Thomas for a quick interview –
Why do you do what you do?
“I am able to serve my community and live a fulfilled life. Teaching others how to live a life of independence is a blessing.”
How did you get into this profession?
“I wanted to teach my son the values I thought were needed to be successful in life. Together we created entrepreneurship and producer to build his future. To live a life of independence. You are who you eat. Evoke joy from all sensory projections. Teaching Us to Make Food Sexy with Olmec Agro-Tech.”
Being an agriculture philanthropist and entrepreneur, Thomas works directly with many people. We asked him what’s the most unusual situation that ever happened to you on the job?
“Experiencing different thinking and outlooks that were not customizing to Tacoma, WA. Learning outside your box. We need to stop this thinking that a person is not respected for having their own opinion.”
What did you learn from it?
“This changed my life to be kinder and wiser simultaneously through each action I take.“
If you could share one tip with the readers for choosing a non profit to support, what would it be?
“Understand we are family owned. We instill values to our community to thrive on independence while using our resource right under our feet. Learn from us and go teach others how to use our resources for their families.“
Life of Independence with Olmec Agro-Tech
For those of you who are looking for the knowledge for sustainable living for a life of independence, Thomas and the Olmec Agro-Tech team should be your first choice. Olmec Agro-Tech supports our community through partnerships with the country on food production and emergency services disaster relief program. Call Thomas at 253-620-0196, or visit www.olmecagro-tech.org – “Keep It Constructive!”
If you’re in Spokane and looking for a fun event for the whole family, the Spokane Indians are a great option during the summer and fall months. The Spokane Indian’s are a minor league team that offers major league fun with talented players, unique mascots, and gameday promotions that give the fans a memorable experience.
Spokane Indians Background
The Indians are a Minor League Baseball team as a member of the High-A West league and are an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Formerly a triple-A team, they are now in the lower minor division, but still have plenty of talent come through the system, with recent notable players such as Chris Davis, Zack Greinke, Ian Kinsler, and Carlos Beltran.
Many Unique Mascots
The Spokane Indians are just as focussed on giving their fans an amazing experience as they are with winning baseball games. One of the ways they do this is by having one of the deepest rosters of mascots in all of sports.
The Indians currently have 4, yes 4, mascots at their games. Otto The Mascot, who is famed to be the first Spokanasaurus, Doris The Spokanasaurus, Ribby The Redband Trout, who appears in the 7th inning to rally the team and crowd, and Recycleman, who helps recycle over 17,000 pounds of paper, plastic, and aluminum each season.
Family Fun Event’s
The Spokane Indians hospitality towards their fans doesn’t just stop with silly mascots. Avista Field offers a host of promotional nights where fans can win prizes, receive free gear and memorabilia, and even win cold hard cash. They bring the show no matter what the score of the game, with special nights such as firework night, carnival night, and baseball bingo. Whether you are looking to host a business event, birthday party, or just get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine with your family, the Spokane Indians are a must see attraction in Spokane.
Looking for other activities in Spokane? Check out our other articles here.
Like many local libraries, the Boise Public Library is a centerpiece in the community, offering resources and assistance for community members well beyond just renting books.
Basic information
The Boise Public Library is located close to downtown at 715 South Capitol Boulevard, with 4 satellite branches throughout the Boise area. All of their locations offer amenities such as computers, scanners, printers, 3-D printing, virtual reality, curbside pickup, and meeting rooms for public use.
If you’re a Boise resident, obtaining a library card is free and gives you access to a wide array of resources. With your library card you can borrow or download from their collection of over 600,000 titles as well as have access to things such as laptops or educational resources for children. The only payments you are responsible for is if you receive a fine for a late return or a lost or damaged item.
Check your library first
Libraries have become way more than just renting and returning books, if there is something you are in need of or need help with, your local library is a great place to start. We’re going to go through some of the lesser known resources that the Boise Public Library offers.
Learning new things
Lynda.com is a website that offers thousands of online courses. No matter what you are interested in they are likely to have a plethora of information on it, including topics such as photography, software development, design, business, and web development. Access to these classes is usually $29.99/mo but is absolutely free through the Boise Public Library.
Another website offering classes geared towards design and art is CreativeBug. There’s thousands of courses taught by well-known industry experts to help inspire your creative self and learn how to make beautiful art projects.
For teenagers in middle school or high school Learning Express offers access to tutorials, study guides, test prep, and ACT/SAT help. It also has resources for college students and beyond for people looking to further their career education.
Along with the online resources, they offer weekly classes and workshops on a variety of topics. Some recent ones have been:
Kenyan Beaders: How to make earrings like the women entrepreneurs of Kenya
Bee Hotels
Moon Prints
DIY Mini Terrariums
Vegetable Seed Starting 101
Resources for kids
For younger kids they offer resources such as NoveList K-8 Plus which helps kids find interesting books, they also have full access to National Geographic Kids. Every week they have a YouTube Live family storytime Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and Music & Movement Fridays at 10:30 AM. They even have a story reading service, all you need to do is call 208-972-8208 and you’ll be able to hear a full story over the phone, with new stories every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Fun resources
Everyone knows you can rent books from the library, but few people know that they offer many other rentals such as video games, CD’s, and DVD’s. The Boise Public Library is keeping up with the digital age by offering a digital collection of movies and TV shows with Access Video On Demand. If you’re interested in 3D printing they have printers at most of their locations where you can learn about them and have them make you an actual 3D print.
If you’re looking for other interesting things in the Boise area, check out our other articles here.
Like most industries in Boise, the hotel industry has been growing rapidly over the past decade due to a skyrocketing population and an increase in tourism to the area. The hotels that have been around for a while are upgrading, and new hotels are popping up all over the downtown area.
Downtown Hotels
There are two distinct areas that contain about 80% of Boise’s hotels, the downtown area and next to the airport. We will first cover the downtown area as these are more popular and typically of higher quality.
The Grove Hotel
The Grove Hotel has been a mainstay in the heart of Boise’s downtown since it was built in 1997. Boasting 14,000 square feet of meeting space, 6,800 feet of Grand Ballroom, and a terrace for receptions or gatherings, if you’re looking to host an event The Grove is a great place to have it. Along with all this, Idaho Central Arena is attached to the hotel, which regularly hosts concerts, events, and is home to the Idaho Steelheads semi-pro hockey team.
If you aren’t coming for an event, The Grove still has numerous amenities to make your stay special. A full service spa, 12,000 square foot workout space, The Trillium Restaurant, and a 5th floor indoor pool that looks out over downtown Boise are sure to keep you entertained and comfortable during your stay. The hotel is just part of the experience, once you step outside the hotel is when the fun really starts. Located on Front St and Capitol Blvd, you are within walking distance of the Basque Block, numerous restaurants, and the State Capitol building.
Inn at 500 Capitol
Just a couple blocks south of The Grove is the Inn at 500 Capitol. The Inn boasts that it’s “A Very Special Boutique Hotel”. They back up this claim with accommodations such as themed rooms, a James Beard nominated chef, and a stylish atmosphere that is pleasing to anyone. Situated right next to the Boise Art Museum, the Boise Zoo, and the Idaho Black History Museum, you are able to soak in plenty of history and fun without traveling more than a block away from your hotel.
Hyatt Place – Boise Downtown
The Hyatt Place in their downtown location is a great option for business travelers and families alike. A modern hotel with a clean, comfortable feel is great for anyone that is looking for an affordable option in a great location. With a fitness center, pool, and a free breakfast it has all the typical amenities you need at a hotel, while also offering perks such as being a pet friendly hotel, a coffee bar, and laundry service.
Residence Inn – Boise Downtown City Center
If you are looking for modern luxury, The Residence Inn in downtown Boise is the place for you. Built in 2017, this hotel offers 10 stories of all-suite rooms with no shortage of modern amenities when you come to stay. An on-site bar paired with a 2,000 sq ft outdoor gathering space offers a relaxed environment for guests to kick back and take in the city. One of the newer hotels in the downtown area, the Residence Inn is giving the other hotels a run for the money, winning the Traveler’s Choice Award in 2021.
Airport Hotels
If you are just stopping in Boise on a layover or have an early flight to catch in the morning, these hotels offer easy access to the Boise Airport while still only being about a 10 minute drive to downtown and other popular locations.
Hampton Inn Boise – Airport
A 4.5 star rated hotel at just $125 a night, the Hampton Inn offers a quality hotel at an affordable rate. They offer a free airport shuttle to make getting to the airport that much easier, as well as a free hot breakfast to have one less thing to worry about before hopping on your next flight. If you are traveling with your furry friend they also have numerous pet-friendly rooms.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Airport
Another Traveler’s Choice Award winner in 2021, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites gives you everything you need in a hotel near the airport. A business center, airport shuttle, and black out shades to help you rest up before your 5 AM flight.
If you are looking for things to do in Boise during your stay, check out our recommendations here.
Boise’s climate is relatively mild, with hot, dry summers, paired with cold but not very snowy winters, it provides all four seasons without getting too extreme in any of them.
Overall Climate
Boise’s climate has been classified as “semi-arid continental” or “a local steppe” climate. What that means is it’s at a relatively high elevation, it has 4 distinct seasons, and there is less than average rainfall.
Boise averages around 12-13 inches of rainfall each year, which is about ⅓ of the national average at 38 inches. Boise is also slightly warmer than the national average, with a July average high of 91.6℉ compared to 85.8℉.
According to Best Places Comfort Index, Boise comes in at a 7.3 out of 10, compared to the national average at 7 out of 10.
Spring Weather
Spring is a great time to be in Boise. There is ample precipitation and the vegetation bursts into color all around the city. Temperatures are usually relatively mild, varying between 40℉ and 60℉. There are definitely days that can appear to be winter or summer, sometimes within the same week. There’s been snow as late as April, but there’s also been 70+ days in February and March.
Summer Weather
June and September are some of the best months when it comes to comfort and consistency in Boise. With highs in the low 80’s it’s warm but comfortable for outdoor activities. There’s much less of a chance for a chilly day or any precipitation during these months as well.
July and August are usually toasty straight through with no breaks. For these 2 months it’s almost a guarantee to have a high over 80, with most days getting into the 90’s and a handful creeping into triple digits. There’s basically no rainfall so the foothills dry up and become less green and more brown. One saving grace for these hot months is that there is really low humidity, which helps it feel not quite as hot as an equal temperature day in a tropical location or the east coast of the U.S.
Fall Weather
In the Fall Boise will stay relatively warm deep into October, but will show a distinct drop in temperature when you hit November. Fall is somewhat strange in Boise, you might get a snowfall in October, but could also experience sunny, relatively warm days into November. There’s slightly more precipitation during these months, mostly in the form of rain. Similar to spring you just never know what you’re going to get, you can get all 4 seasons within a span of a week or so.
Winter Weather
Winter in Boise is typically cold and dry. There’s been years with massive amounts of snowfall, the latest being in 2016-2017 where the valley saw 39.1 inches of snow through the winter, locals dubbed this Snowmageddon. The average yearly snowfall is around 17 inches, which usually doesn’t stick around for long, most days in December and January get below freezing at night, but get up in the mid 30’s to low 40’s during the day which helps melt the snow.
Miscellaneous Weather Information
When it comes to natural disasters and extreme weather, Boise sees almost none of it. Ada county has reported 12 tornadoes since 1956, none of them injuring or killing a single person. There’s very little data about how many thunderstorms affect the area, but as a resident I would put it at about 6-10 per year, none of them being very severe. Wind can be an issue in the city, with 1-2 severe wind storms a year which can knock down trees and cause power outages.
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