NAMPA/CALDWELL
Classic country cities with many nearby attractions
Nampa and Caldwell are adjacent Canyon County cities located around 20 miles west of Boise on I-84. Nampa is the larger of the two cities and the third-largest city in Idaho. With a little over 100,000 residents, Nampa is big enough to offer diverse attractions and amenities without sacrificing a friendly small-town atmosphere. Nampa’s real estate mix includes new subdivisions with spacious contemporary single-family homes, elegant historic properties close to downtown amenities, and sprawling acreage properties on the outskirts with sweeping views of the Owyhee Mountains.
Caldwell combines the vibe of a classic country town with sophisticated contemporary appeal. This city of around 60,000 people attracts big crowds for traditional annual events such as the Caldwell Night Rodeo and Canyon County Fair. Caldwell also features a revitalized downtown area with trendy restaurants and weekly outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Housing options in Caldwell include new construction single-family homes and spectacular acreage estates.
These welcoming Treasure Valley communities have a lot to offer. Nampa’s vibrant downtown area and two magnet retail centers provide lots of shopping and dining options, while new businesses are being added to Caldwell’s well-designed downtown area every year. Nampa also features fascinating museums and abundant recreational facilities. Both cities offer a variety of great golf courses. Residents pride themselves on the friendliness and community spirit of their cities. This attitude is reflected in the dedication and care shown by teachers at the high-performing local schools. There are several colleges spread across Nampa and Caldwell, including the highly regarded Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa and the historic liberal arts College of Idaho in Caldwell.
The historic district of Downtown Nampa features the attractive new development of Library Square surrounding the Nampa Public Library. The blocks around Library Square offer a growing choice of restaurants, retailers, art galleries, and cultural attractions. Boise Fry Company prides itself on fries that are so tasty that its grass-fed burgers can be considered the side. Holy Cow! is another great choice for gourmet burgers enjoyed alongside local craft brews. You can also sample expertly crafted local beers at the 2C Family Brewing Company taproom. Brick 29 is a stylish industrial-chic bistro serving elevated comfort cuisine prepared with farm-fresh seasonal ingredients. Brick 29’s delicious entrees, small plates, and charcuterie platters are paired with an excellent selection of craft cocktails. Flying M Coffee offers artisanal house-roasted coffee alongside scrumptious baked goods and live music. There’s also fine Mexican fare and cocktails at MESA Tacos + Tequila, great scoops and take-home pints at Stella’s Ice Cream, and tasty slices, pies, and craft beer at Messenger Pizza. Nampa’s Treasure Valley Marketplace and Treasure Valley Crossing feature more restaurants and retailers, including brands such as Bath & Body Works, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s, Old Navy, and Target. Caldwell’s growing downtown area is anchored by Indian Creek Plaza, which features a wintertime ice-skating ribbon. Indian Creek Steakhouse is a fine choice for steaks and seafood dining with live country music on the weekends. Other businesses close to Indian Creek Plaza include Grit 2C for contemporary American cuisine and cocktails, Ragazza di Bufalo for chef-driven Italian dining, and Janitizio for flavorful Mexican cuisine.
Nampa’s 1880s train depot is one of the landmark structures of the city’s historic downtown area. The Nampa Train Depot Museum offers fascinating exhibits exploring the city’s rich heritage. The Warhawk Air Museum is another popular Nampa attraction featuring planes and other military artifacts from both World Wars and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center hosts events, including concerts from top touring musicians, trade shows, and professional rodeos. Spanning 110 acres, the connected Ford Idaho Horse Park is one of the top equestrian facilities in the Northwest. Other events, including conferences and weddings, are held at the Nampa Civic Center. Nampa Civic Center’s John Brandt Performing Arts Theater offers an eclectic lineup of concerts, film screenings, and other special events. Nampa’s recreational amenities include five swimming pools and state-of-the-art sports and fitness facilities at Nampa Rec Center, plus golfing at Centennial Golf Course, Ridgecrest Golf Club, and RedHawk Public Golf Course. Caldwell is also a great golfing destination, with 18 holes at Purple Sage Golf Course and nine holes at Fairview Golf Course. The 18-hole championship course at RedHawk overlooks beautiful Lake Lowell. This scenic 14.5-square-mile lake is a great destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and water-skiing. Lake Lowell is surrounded by the unspoiled natural scenery of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. One of the nation’s oldest wildlife refuges, Deer Flat extends over more than 10,500 acres. Caldwell offers its residents a diverse array of popular annual events. Highlights include the weekly Farm to Fork Farmers’ Market and Summer Concert Series, both held at Indian Creek Plaza on Tuesdays between May and September. Canyon County Fair takes place over four days in Caldwell every summer with fun rides, farm animals, and live country music performances. The Caldwell Night Rodeo attracts around 45,000 spectators over five nights for Idaho’s largest outdoor rodeo.
School districts serving Nampa and Caldwell include the Nampa School District and the Vallivue School District.