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When you get ready to ring in the New Year, get ready to do another toast. Boise is turning 150 years old and celebrating a milestone in 2013. Many of us will have to get used to saying sesquicentennial. The Idaho Statesman decided to take a visual approach on this birthday, asking readers to pick their favorite Boise icons.

“Well, it’s the official day in 2013 the City of Boise was platted, which meant it was laid out on a map,” said Anna Webb, Idaho Statesman Reporter. “For a lot of people it is obvious things like the foothills, or even the smell of the foothills after the rain, the greenbelt and the Boise River."

Some people will pick classic icons like the statehouse or the many historic sites on Main Street.

“The capitol, the Boise Depot, the Boise Center on the Grove and the fountains; that's definitely a Boise icon,” said Boise resident Lisa Hawkes.

The Statesman is also looking for the unique, the out of the ordinary and the quirkier places that make up the City of Trees.

“This is a city that likes its big animals, as you've seen the white horse on top of the main and sixth building. So, there are a lot of fun things in the mix like that, that are more off the beaten path, but mean something special to a Boisean,” said Webb.

“Jim's Cafe by the Co-op, that is definitely Boise. I think of diners, and it's been around forever and hopefully will stay around forever,” said Hawkes. “The washer woman up on Vista, the old sign there; people still put new clothes on her from time to time. People still love her."

There are many more. Some are hidden around Boise. Murals in the alleys of old buildings, a cemetery or the old Ada County Courthouse .The Idaho Statesman may also be on that list. The newspaper celebrates its own 150 year birthday in 2014.

Soon, we'll see what other awesome ideas readers have. The Statesman wants to hear about more of your ideas. Email Anna Webb directly at: awebb@idahostatesman.com.