America’s new mountain boomtown is now among the top travel destinations in the world

The state capital of Idaho is increasingly considered a booming trendy hotspot in the US, but is not typically among the top travel destinations in the world.

Now National Geographic has selected Boise as one of the planets 25 must-see bucket list locations before 2025.

The mountain, home to 236,000 people, is located next to many more exotic locations – from South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal safari region to the 200 cenobitic monasteries across Italy.

Nathan Lump, editor-in-chief of the magazine, said the selection reflects travelers’ desire to get off the beaten track and visit more quirky and unusual destinations.

“There’s still so much to be excited about,” Lump says.

Idaho’s capital, Boise, may look majestic with its mountainous backdrop, but it rarely makes it onto travel bucket lists

Boise has one of the world’s largest populations of Basques outside of Spain, adding character to the downtown Basque block

He urged travelers to “get out there and discover for yourself the incredible diversity of places and experiences around the world.”

Boise can look majestic, set against the backdrop of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

But it rarely even makes it to itineraries for those touring the Pacific Northwest alone.

National Geographic says this could change next year as visitors ‘party with the Basques’.

Boise is home to one of the largest populations of members of the Basque ethnic group outside of Spain, with as many as 15,000 residents.

A Basque block in downtown Boise features ethnic taverns, restaurants, bars and a heritage museum.

It comes alive during the Jaialdi Festival in July 2025, with street parties, dancing, wood chopping and chariot lifting.

Boise is one of only three U.S. destinations on the list.

The others are the Ocala National Forest in north-central Florida and a much better-known American hub: Los Angeles, California.

The Mail presents some highlights from the selection here:

Ocala National Forest, Florida

Researchers described Ocala as a “green oasis” with manatees, black bears, rare plants and natural springs.

The National Forest Foundation is working hard to improve the 673 square miles of pine forests, lakes and canoe trails.

That includes preserving the crystal-clear, 72-degree alkaline natural springs, says Clayton Coates, an aquatic ecologist.

“From native plants to catadromous fish species, our freshwater resources are part of the foundation for life itself here in Florida,” Coates says.

Conservationists have worked hard to protect the 673 square kilometers of pine forest, lakes and canoe trails.

Los Angeles, California

Destination Crenshaw has revitalized a well-trodden 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard in LA with more than 100 works of art by Black artists.

Although Los Angeles already has a global reputation, it made the list thanks to a “jolt of new energy” in the form of new cultural projects, researchers said.

This includes Destination Crenshaw, a landscaped 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard featuring more than 100 works of art by Black artists.

Other boxes to check on an LA culture tour include the renovated LA County Museum of Art and an upcoming exhibition of works collected by Star Wars creator George Lucas in Exposition Park.

Adam Burke, president of LA Tourism, recently spoke of the city’s “vibrant, ever-evolving nature and its endless array of activities.”

Senegal

Visitors to Senegal should try ceebu jën, the national dish of fish, rice and vegetables.

Researchers recommend a culinary tour of the French and local Wolof influences in this West African country.

They suggest tasting ceebu jën, the national dish of fish, rice and vegetables, and soupe kanja, a Senegalese gumbo.

Senegalese-American actress and producer Issa Rae will spotlight cuisine in the upcoming National Geographic series No Taste Like Home.

To make the show, she visited the country of about 17 million people together with culinary star Antoni Porowski.

“This is such a beautiful welcoming country, you know I’m so proud of my family line,” Rae says.

Greenland

Overlooked Greenland will open to tourists next year with its first direct flight to New York City.

From June 2025, New Yorkers will be able to fly directly to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, for the first time.

Once there, they have access to the world’s largest island, with its colossal castles, unique indigenous Inuit culture and beautiful ice fjords

The biweekly flights will be operated by United Airlines and will last just over four hours.

By one count, the new route could double the number of visitors to Greenland from the US.

Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, says he doesn’t want numbers to rise so much that the island becomes overwhelmed by tourists.

“Just like in Barcelona, ​​you get tired of the tourists because it’s too much, and it crowds out the locals,” says Lauridsen.

“It’s about finding the balance between showing the love for Greenland and showing its amazing possibilities, but not becoming too much too quickly.”

Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada

The ‘Galápagos of the North’ is an ideal place to wander through remote rainforests and spot humpback whales and dolphins.

This archipelago of about 150 misty islands off the northern Pacific coast of British Columbia is also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The ancestral home of the Haida people is developing its infrastructure for tourism, following a 2023 agreement with the government on local indigenous autonomy.

It will be an ideal place to wander through remote rainforests and spot humpback whales and dolphins on whale watching excursions.

The abundance of green beauty has led to comparisons with another island chain as the ‘Galápagos of the North’.

National Geographic also recommends meeting Haida artists making traditional totem poles in the village of Old Massett.

Northland, New Zealand

Wildlife watchers can enjoy warm water diving and spotting unusual species in the Poor Knights Marine Reserve.

International travelers to New Zealand typically land in Auckland and head south for their adventures.

National Geographic suggests switching routes and taking a trip north to the little-visited region of Northland.

Wildlife watchers will enjoy diving in warm waters and spotting mosaic walls and other unusual species at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, they add.

On dry land there have been numerous sightings of the national bird, thanks to the Kiwi Coast conservation project for the flightless animal.

Ngaire Sullivan, coordinator of the project, promises visitors a “splendid and beautiful” experience.

“The fact that you can come here and hear the kiwi screeching all night long… it’s just incredible,” she said.

For more information about National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World 2025’ list, visit Natgeo.com/BestoftheWorld