Visitors to Nampa enjoy a wealth of activities and recreational opportunities. Museums that celebrate Nampa's heritage, year-round outdoor activities, and a variety of shopping and dining experiences help make Nampa a great place to work and live.
Nampa museums celebrate the history of Nampa, Canyon County, and the United States. One of Nampa's newest museums is the Warhawk Air Museum, a 20,000 square foot facility dedicated to preserving the country's World War II history from the home front to the war front, as well as to trace the history of flight from the advent of aviation through the space age. Its collection includes two of the few remaining Curtiss P-40 World War II fighter airplanes and a rare World War II P-510 razorback Mustang fighter plane. The museum also hosts traveling NASA space exhibits, and often hosts special events and ceremonies to honor veterans and commemorate World War II events.
The Canyon County Historical Museum, located in Canyon County's original train depot, displays both Canyon County and Union Pacific Railroad memorabilia. An authentic 1940s era caboose and model railroad are among the exhibits in the building that has been called "Idaho's finest example of Baroque architecture." A farmer's market is held outside the museum on Saturdays during the months of May through October.
At the Swiss Village Cheese Factory, visitors can watch cheese being made. The Van Slyke Agricultural Museum, located in Caldwell Memorial Park, is an open-air museum that features log cabin replicas and antique farm equipment. Visitors to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge at Lake Lowell enjoy swimming, fishing, hunting, boating, and bird watching on more than 11,000 acres of land.
With several state of the art exhibit and performance facilities, Nampa is becoming known for its arts scene. The Brandt Center at Northwest Nazarene University is a performing arts center that attracts musical and dramatic performances attended by both students and the community at large. Its Samuel Swayne theatre can accommodate up to 1,500 people, and two guest suites accommodate up to 15 guests each for private viewings and receptions. The Brandt Center's Friesen Art Galleries provide gallery space for Northwest Nazarene University's art students to exhibit their work.
The Caldwell-Nampa Alliance of Community Theatre (CAN-ACT) was established in 1981 and is the Nampa area's only community theatre group outside of Boise. The not-for-profit troupe performs comedies, dramas, and musicals in the CAN-ACT Theater located in the Karcher Mall. Auditions for CAN-ACT's four yearly plays are open to community members.
In 2003 the Majestic Entertainment Foundation, Inc. was formed to refurbish downtown Nampa's historic Pix Theatre, which was closed in 2002. Upon completion the theatre will be used for the viewing of films and lectures, religious services, educational programs, and community events.
Parade America, Idaho's largest patriotic parade, is held in May. Each July, the Snake River Dayz Festival is held in conjunction with the Snake River Stampede rodeo. The week-long festival features concerts, a fun run, a golf tournament, the Taste of Canyon County, a fun zone for children, and the Chamber of Commerce Griddles and Fiddles pancake breakfast. At the same time, Downtown Nampa Stampede Dayz features live music, pony rides, and craft and food booths. Nampa Community Fun Night is held in late August or early September and includes games for children, music, and food. America's Most Apeelin' Spud Fest is held in October. The event includes music, food, games, and fun runs.
Although Nampa has no professional sports teams, Boise State University's indoor track team competes at Nampa's Idaho Center. The state-of-the-art track facility has also been used for other prestigious events such as the USA Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships and the Western Athletic Conference Indoor Championships. Sports fans can also take in collegiate-level sports played by Northwest Nazarene University's teams, including baseball and softball, basketball, cross county, track and field, men's golf, and women's volleyball.
The Snake River Stampede, held annually in July, is ranked among the country's top 10 professional rodeos. The arena at the Idaho Center seats up to 10,000 people who take in bull riding, barrel racing, mutton busting (for children), bareback riding, steer wrestling, and roping events.
Nampa residents enjoy a wealth of outdoor activities year-round. Seven city parks cover more than 127 acres. Available facilities include play areas, covered picnic shelters, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, archery ranges, Little League fields, swimming pools, basketball courts, and a BMX track. A 140,000 square foot recreation center provides residents with a climbing wall, basketball courts, an indoor track, five swimming pools, activity rooms, and a senior center.
Nampa has two public golf courses and one private golf course. Ridgecrest Golf Course, Nampa's newest public course, has received a four-star rating from Golf Digest magazine. Runners can participate in 5K and 10K fun runs during July's Snake River Dayz festivities.
Nampa retailers range from national chains to locally owned specialty stores, ensuring something for everyone. Karcher Mall's tenants include Bon-Macy's, Radio Shack, Sam Goody, and Big 5 Sporting Goods. Mass retailers such as ShopKo, Old Navy, and Wal-Mart can be found in the Meridian Crossroads development. Downtown Nampa is home to many unique retailers, including antique, book, jewelry, and flower stores. The Boise Factory Outlet is just a short drive away, and includes outlet stores for companies such as Reebok and Eddie Bauer.
Nampa diners enjoy a variety of restaurants, from national chains to local establishments. The family-owned Generations restaurant offers steak and seafood, with their French dip sandwich among the more popular menu items. Copper Canyon is an upscale eatery known for its elegant presentation and extensive wine list. Asian restaurant House of Kim, located in downtown Nampa, serves Chinese, Thai, and Malaysian cuisine. The Dutch Inn, known for its salad bar, also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees. The Mona Lisa is a fondue restaurant that has found its niche as a special occasion restaurant. Cheese fondue appetizers and chocolate dessert fondues are part of a meal package that allows diners to cook their own main courses at pots on their table. Other area eateries include chains such as Applebee's, Denny's, Sizzler, and various fast food establishments.
Visitor Information: Nampa Chamber of Commerce, 1305 Third Street South, Nampa, ID 83651; telephone (208)466-4641.