The Highlands are a mostly residential area, but with a couple of classic eateries and access to the gorgeous foothills and mountains, it’s a tucked-away but exciting neighborhood.
The Highlands contains a mix of old homes and new suburbs climbing into the hills. (Screenshot via Google Maps)
Places to Eat
Any mention of the Highlands neighborhood has to include Highlands Hollow, our city’s oldest microbrewery and one of its finest pubs. It has served as a landing place for thousands of Bogus Basin visitors on their way down from the mountain.
Another old classic is Hawkins Pac-Out, a burger and breakfast drive-thru that has some of our favorite breakfast burritos and fresh fruit milkshake options in the summer.
The fare at Highlands Hollow (also, their homemade buffalo sauce is incredible). (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Access to Outdoor Recreation
Highlands is the city’s gateway to Bogus, so on winter weekend mornings the intersection of Hill Road and Bogus Basin Road bustles with the several ski and snowboard shops. With Bogus’ winter season behind us, those shops have really good sales right now!
The neighborhood is also a fun way to connect with the Foothills trail system. Bob’s Trail in particular is the easiest connection point to the Hull’s Gulch system, and the rest of the system from there.
Other Green Spaces & Areas to Explore
The iconic Simplot Hill stands over the Highlands with its flag as one of the highest and most visible points in the city. The landmark has a history with the Simplot family, but big things are coming its way as the hill is meant to be transformed into a park over the next decade.
If you find yourself in the Highlands area especially, say, on a springtime evening, go for a walk through the neighborhoods. You might get lost for a while in the winding streets, but you’ll see some of the most quaint and lush houses and gardens in town.
The area probably has the highest proportion of mid-century modern homes in Boise, with tons of character that feels totally in its place. But as one reader wrote in, there are some less gorgeous McMansions being built in the neighborhood as well.
The Highlands are also home to the Crane Creek Country Club and golf course, a private club nestled in the center of the neighborhood.
Thanks to Bogus Basin for an amazing season, and congrats to all the pond skimmers from this weekend! (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
