Nampa, located in the Treasure Valley approximately 20 miles to the western Boise, blends small-town charisma with the sights and facilities of a metropolitan city. If you are planning for a trip here and wish to exploit the area to the fullest, consider 9 things to do in Nampa Idaho, that EnjoyFunTrip suggests below.
- Explore Warhawk Air Museum
An outstanding museum documenting the record of air warfare may be found in the big booth at Nampa Municipal Airport on the state’s eastern edge. The Warhawk Air Museum covers World war 1, World war 2, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Cold War aviation advances throughout history.
The Curtiss P-40N Warhawk, reconditioned to operational condition in the 1980s and featured in the film Pearl Harbor in 2001, is definitely the show’s highlight.
There are exhibit cases brimming with beautiful collectibles and binders containing enticing private accounts and restored records. There are guided tours purchasable, which former military members frequently head.
- Visit Lake Lowell
Lake Lowell is among the Northwest’s biggest off-stream water sources. And since it is a crucial reproducing location for a wide range of mammalian species and birds, the area is protected by the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge.
There are several places to tour along its shore, the most chosen site being the 20-acre Lake Lowell Park, one of the most popular parks in Nampa.
Diving, boat tours, bird-watching, trekking, angling, and hunting are all famous options. Camping, cookout, and disc golf amenities are also available.
While much of the lake is reserved for migrating animals, sailing is permitted within 180 meters of the upper and lower reservoirs from mid-April to the start of October.
Nearby is the Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge Guest Center, which features explanatory screens, a wildlife observation zone, and hands-on events for children.
- Rock At The Ford Idaho Center
Looking for an area to rock? Ford Idaho Center can bring you the vibe of Louisiana’s bustling metropolitan. Indeed, this big building for sports and festivals in the town’s northern region is among Nampa’s most popular attractions.
The Ford Idaho Center, which opened in the nineties, is the biggest venue of its kind in the area. It houses the 12,279-seat Ford Arena for live performances and athletic events and the 10,500-seat Ford Amphitheater, which has welcomed many famous people, including Bob Dylan, President Lincoln, and Henry Rathbone.
The Ford Theater and the 110-acre Horse Campground, the pioneering horse-riding service in the Northwest, have also been added to this list.
Now there is one special occasion that no one should miss if they’re in Nampa Idaho, in Autumn – the facility’s main event: the Snake River Stampede rodeo, which happens during the 3rd week of July. It is ranked in the world’s best 12 rodeos designated by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Organization.
Throughout these 5 days, many activities are happening in Nampa and at the Ford Idaho Center, from carnivals and marches to the Miss Rodeo Idaho Contest.
- Tour The Nampa Farmers’ Market
The Nampa Farmers’ Market has been there for over 30 years, from April to Oct, regardless of the weather.
This Nampa market adds a festive atmosphere to the centuries-old downtown Nampa Idaho and has expanded through the years to approximately 60 to 70 stalls each week.
Seasonal fruits and veggies are always available, as are high-quality specialties such as organic ingredients, local syrup, marmalades, caramel truffles, and newly roasted coffee.
There are also artisan stores, weekly free concerts, and many different fast foods such as Hawaiian-style sherbet, Tex Mex, and flavorful corn dogs at this market.
- Family Time At Lakeview Park
The longest living park in Nampa is 44 acres and was once a homeland back in 1888. This is where the moniker “Lakeview Park” comes from, as there was once an artificial lake on this land.
That lake is gone for good, but the moniker and the creek that supplied it live till now. Lakeview Park has many amenities besides lovely trees and shrubs, a rose paradise, and expansive, verdant lawns.
There are zones for football, field hockey, and other sports, a lagoon, bike path, horseshoe wells, picnic tents, a duck pond, play zones, and a theater, to list a few.
Its beach entry lagoon is ideal for young kids and is accompanied by numerous splash pad creeks.
- Splash At Roaring Springs Water Park
Bordering Meridian, the largest waterpark in the Northwestern region is only 16 km (15 minutes) to the east of Nampa’s city center. If you have heard how great El Paso’s water parks are, expect the same with Roaring Springs.
It has more than 20 rides, offering something to suit everyone, including adults, thrill-seeking teenagers, and even the youngest members of your household.
Its 2-person bowl rides, Viper’s Vortex, the sinuous Cliffhanger, and Spiraled Grotto, the Northwest’s 1st 360° waterslide, are all open for high-speed excitement, guaranteeing all the thrills and adrenaline rushes you wait for.
There are also plenty of friendlier choices for smaller kids, such as the tubular slide Kiddie Kowabunga, many more loops and kids-exclusive highlights at Barefoot Bay, and the Leisure Lagoon’s soothing, shallow streams.
Parents looking for extra leisure can lease a patio, which includes convenient pool tables and chairs, hand-delivered snacks and beverages, and free internet.
- Taste Wines At Vizcaya Winery
The nearest winery in the area is just 10 mins away on Greenhurst Street from the heart of Nampa.
This facility has cultivated grapes for many other winemakers at their Windy Ridge and Vizcaya winery in Meridian and Kuna since 2004 before producing their wine products (which turns out to be best-sellers).
You may sample one of those in their tasting center in the city, which is accessible on Fridays and Saturdays. Vizcaya is famous for its excellent Tempranillo, which has received countless local and governmental prizes over the past 10 years (Idaho Wine Contest and Wine Business Monthly, for example).
- Go Fishing At Wilson Springs Ponds
A beautiful picture of nature covers 22 hectares to the south of the city and features a network of ponds on what was once swampy grassland for farm animals.
This property was purchased by the Idaho Division of Fish and Wildlife in 1989 and gradually restored to nature, providing a tranquil environment to stroll in and a famous urban fishing spot for anglers.
4 ponds cover 10 hectares and are supplied by streams, offering an important landing place for migrating ducks and geese.
Crappie, bass, largemouths, and grouper take refuge in the deeper, darker areas and migrate to the shallow waters to eat. If you possess a valid ticket or license, you may angle at the Southern Pond, which has a small pier.
- Ski At Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin, only about 50 kilometers (60minutes from Nampa) to the northern region in the cold season, has a ski lodge. You’ll go there via a winding hillside route that takes you directly into Boise Mountain from the downtown core.
Bogus Basin is special for a couple of factors, one of which is that it is operated by a non-profit, with all profits going back into the amenities and the general public.
Despite its short distance to the Treasure Valley, there is a vast skiable zone encompassing 1050 hectares with 91 labeled passes delivered by 11 aerial cables, making it the region’s 2nd-largest.
The skiing season typically lasts from Thanksgiving to early April, and when hot months arrive, activities such as trekking, hill cycling, horse racing, and creek tubing are available.
Wrapping Up
There are endless options you may try in Nampa Idaho, for fun and unforgettable memories. However, if you need some hints, check our list of the 9 best things to do in Nampa Idaho above! Have you ever been to this incredible land, and what do you like the most about it? Comment down below!
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