What do a 5-story spiral slide, 3-story climbing structure, live concerts, salsa dancing, and community meetups all have in common? They can all be discovered at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place, more commonly known as JUMP, a non-profit community center in the heart of downtown Boise.
The most noticeable thing about JUMP is the massive and unique building which is visible as you are entering or leaving downtown from the freeway. The building is a mixture of stone, wood, and glass, and a combination of hard and soft lines. It is so distinctive that if you’re visiting Boise, you can’t miss it.
But this creative space is so much more than just its physical design, it is a place for the community to gather, learn, play, and innovate. JUMP is comprised of many different indoor and outdoor spaces. The outside includes a large grassy area, amphitheater, kid-friendly play areas, and stairs that lead to various decks and seating areas. Inside, there are many studios, classrooms, and meeting spaces serving many different uses.
Jack’s Urban Meeting Place was created as a place to discover new possibilities and try new things – and we did just that when we recently visited. You can enjoy the outside space any time of the year as it’s open to the public. It’s fun to just walk around the grounds and view the displays. They also have many different activities that span a wide range of ages and interests which can be found on their website. Some activities require registration and a fee, and many are free to the public. We can’t wait to keep coming back to experience new things in this exciting space.
During our recent visit we were able to test our adventurous sides on their intimidating slides and climbing structure, and then relaxed and enjoyed some yard games and fantastic live music. And this was just one day!
Jack’s Urban Meeting Place Slide Zone
Carter was finally tall enough to enjoy this area of JUMP! Riders must be at least 44” tall and 3 years old. He was equally excited and nervous when we saw the slides up close! They are so impressive up close especially when looking up at the Team Slide and looking down at the ground below the Spiral Slide.
The first slide we checked out was the Team Slide, which is almost vertical when you start and then curves toward the end. When standing at the top, and looking down, you see how steep the drop is! This slide was intimidating for all of us! I had to put on a brave face so that little man would try it, but I was so nervous to lean back, cross my arms, and let myself drop. And I was incredibly proud of Carter for deciding to do it, and he ended up riding it twice! This slide also can accommodate eight people at the same time. So, it’s perfect for a family or team of co-workers to race against each other.
Next, we tested out the Five-Story Spiral Slide. Yes, that’s correct, a twisting tube slide that is five stories tall! This is one of the most visible and distinct attention-grabbers at JUMP. Even just standing on the rooftop patio at this level is exciting – as it gives you such an incredible view of the JUMP outdoor space and amphitheater, along with downtown Boise. On this slide, you sit on a piece of fabric, tuck in your feet, lean back, and watch the view through the clear top as you slide down! The slide creates a vibration, so you’ll hear many riders yelling while going down and their voices mirroring the vibration. Hearing Carter’s yells of thrill and excitement were so cute!
The slides operate from May through October, and weather permitting they are open to the public Tuesday through Friday (Noon–1 pm), and Saturday (10am-Noon). There is no cost to experience these slides – so get out there and check them out!
Summer Outdoor Events
School is out and so is the sun! It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in downtown Boise. Public events at JUMP include concerts, live performances, yoga, and so much more! We recently attended a concert that was part of the JUMP, Jam & Jive Concert Series, which also featured a large inflatable beet with the theme of “Turn up the Beets” – which just added to the unique feeling of this space! Along with the beet, they had large inflatable hearts located on the lawn. This fun concert series goes through the summer, with a new concert every other week.
There is seriously always something new to see here! Previously, they had a large inflatable cat and dog and had an event to support local animals. So, whether you’re a maker, dancer, songwriter, baker, or just someone wanting to learn new crafts – there is something for everyone here.
We started the event by playing some oversized Connect-Four, corn hole, and Slam Ball – which we attempted but wouldn’t say that anyone would want to recruit us to their teams. Our family had so much fun just being outside and enjoying our time together. All around us were people hanging out and taking in all the sunshine… and food and drinks, which were available for purchase inside. I enjoyed a chilled local wine and we shared French fries, which is a must-do when in Idaho.
Kids were playing on the impressive three-story climbing structure. When the weather warms up, and the splash pads are on, you’ll see so many kids running around and laughing while cooling off and playing in the water.
Outside you’ll also find a beautiful amphitheater. The seats are separated by sections of green grass, which are perfect if you want to lounge and picnic while taking in a show. There’s also a dance floor in front of the stage, which we took advantage of when we were there! Make sure to check out their calendar of events to see when the next concert or performance is.
What Else Can You Find at JUMP?
There are too many things to do at JUMP to list in just one post. There are many opportunities to take a class, learn a craft, cook, meet up with others, create, build, and innovate. Each day there is something new allowing you to step out of your comfort zone in one of their many studio spaces.
The lobby has some fun things to experience, including a camera that records you jumping, and then plays it back on a large screen. It’s always a must-do for us when we stop by.
Even if there isn’t something on the calendar that interests you. Just walking around JUMP is entertaining. Kids love the vintage steam engines and tractors. There are over 50 of them throughout, and some date back to 1885 and are all part of the Simplot collection. There is plenty to do even on a quiet(er) day at JUMP you will still be entertained walking around and taking in everything.
The History of JUMP
The story of this incredible space is so interesting. It’s named after J.R. (Jack) Simplot, an Idaho entrepreneur famous for his agricultural products – especially potatoes. After a long, and successful career he passed away in 2008, and JUMP was created to honor him and his innovative, outside-the-box nature. Visitors will get to see his collection of vintage tractors on display throughout, along with many other interesting displays to keep you engaged and continuously surprised. JUMP is such a unique and inspiring way to pay tribute to his legacy by giving the community a place to learn, grow, and play.
So, if you live in Boise or are visiting, make sure to add JUMP to your agenda. It is such a unique thing to do in this city. Plus, it’s close to so many great restaurants, wineries, breweries, and shops – so you can make a whole day of downtown Boise.
For other ideas on things to do with kids here, read this post.
