Boise

Take one look at the 22.5-mile Boise River Greenbelt trail, watching locals float rafts downstream or cast flies in the shallows, and you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard more about this small-town city, which seems to have more green space than people. Boise might just win the award for most within-city recreation. And just out of town is pretty great too. We love Bogus Basin (bogusbasin.org) for nordic skiing in winter and biking during the rest of the year. Walk or pedal the Greenbelt trail in town, or hike up Table Rock, just 1.5 miles from downtown. Poke around the historic Hyde Park neighborhood, ending up at the trailheads in Camel’s Back Park.

Where the athletes eat: You gotta try the pumpkin-chai Kristin Armstrong Gold Medal Muffin at Big City Coffee ($; 208/345-3145). For dinner, head to restaurant-distillery Bardenay ($$; 208/426-0538) or Tony’s Pizzeria Teatro ($; 208/343-1052), where Tony, from Naples, serves nothing but Napoli-style pizza.