Boise's Basque Block

Few places offer a more colorful slice of Basque life than Boise, home to the largest residential community outside of Western Europe. Small wonder, then, that the city has dedicated an entire section of downtown to the celebration of Basque culture, history and spirituality. Located on Grove Street between Sixth and Capitol Boulevard, the area has a Basque marketplace, where attendees can shop and dine; a traditional restaurant—Leku Ona—with a banquet room accommodating 90; the Basque Center, a community gathering spot holding 300; the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, open for tours; and in July, the San Inazio Festival with music, dance, sports, a Mass and a picnic. It honors Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Basque patron saint. basquemuseum.com