Must See Sights and Landmarks in Nampa Area

"Back downtown, stop into the beautiful Idaho State Capitol Building to gaze up from the marble-ensconced rotunda into the 208-foot tall dome. Stroll surrounding streets past historic Western-style buildings, the exotic 1927 Egyptian Theatre and new glass towers. Smoke & Thyme mobile kitchen’s ever-changing, Idaho-inspired menu and artisan ice creamery STIL are required stops, as are shops Idaho Made and Mixed Greens for local artists’ jewelry, ceramics and clothing."

"Construction on the capitol began in 1905, with completion of both wings occurring in 1920. The building boasts Renaissance Revival architecture with Greek features. Make sure to look up and catch a glimpse of the dome topped by a 5 foot 7 inch bronze eagle."

"Once home to a number of notorious Idaho criminals, the Old Idaho Penitentiary dates back to the 1870s. For those who enjoy learning more about criminal history and the history of the prison system, this is a must see attraction as it provides a wealth of information as well as a fascinating experience. You can take a tour of the penitentiary and take a look at the cells and the solitary confinement area amongst other things."

"You can’t come to Boise without visiting the infamous Old Idaho Penitentiary!. I went to this penitentiary long ago when I was in grade school, and it was as spooky then as it was this time around. You can take one of the daily guided tours or do the self-guided tour to explore the grounds that once held some of the West’s most desperate criminals from 1872 to 1973."

"The Old Idaho Penitentiary opened in 1872 and held some of the West’s worst criminals. It was a functioning prison for 101 years and received over 13,000 inmates. The Penitentiary was closed in December of 1973."

"When visiting downtown Boise, make plans to stroll through Freak Alley. It’s the Northwest’s largest open-air, multi-artist mural gallery, and was started by one man simply painting an alleyway door in 2002. The murals change twice yearly and are all done by local artists spanning from 7 to 35 years of age!"

"Why not discover the works of modern art together with your bae?. Freak Alley Gallery is free, outdoors, and open to the public all day long. Even if the gallery is not on top of the most romantic places in Boise for some, it is definitely worth visiting for couples hooked on art and local artists."

"Located between 8th and 9th Streets, this huge outdoor gallery first started in 2002 and is one of the most colorful things to see in Boise."

"What most people don’t know about the Boise Train Depot is that there isn’t any restricted access during operating business hours. Built in 1925, the Boise Union Pacific Depot was originally a train station centered in the city. What seems almost strategically planned, the Boise Depot allows you to have views of all the best parts of Downtown Boise."

"Central to the city, the historic train depot provides timeless architecture, views of the Boise Capital building and beautifully landscaped grounds including roses bushes and a pond with a waterfall. Boise Train Depot - Family Photo Session. Boise Train Depot - Family Photoshoot"

"There is no better place to glimpse the beauty of Boise than at the Boise Depot. After you have surveyed the view, make sure to appreciate the depot itself. The breathtaking Spanish-style building was built in 1925 to be used as a Union Pacific railroad depot."

"Home to the first non-green football field in the world is Boise State’s football stadium. Commonly referred to as the “smurf turf” since 1986, it’s one of Boise’s most iconic attributes."

"Boise State University is home to the Albertsons Stadium, a unique outdoor athletic stadium widely known for its blue playing surface."

"The Boise Aquarium has had some ups and downs since opening, but has turned into a great place to spend the day, whether you have kids or not. Although the aquarium doesn’t have the same animals as many big city aquariums, they do offer a day of fun and learning through their many sea animals. Some of the exhibits at the Boise Aquarium include a shark and puffer exhibit, a ray pool, an Amazon exhibit, and a tortoise habitat."

"It was less than 10 years ago that they received their first sea turtle, and now their exhibits include shark, pufferfish, rays, a Russian tortoise, plenty of reptiles, turtles, and more. The Boise Aquarium won’t take you the entire day to go through, but it’s a fun adventure for kids for a few hours."

"When you go in there, it’s all college students and it’s a great vibe,” Komori says. Under Boise State University ephemera, diners tuck into bowls of spicy pork bulgogi, hot stone bowl bibimbap, fried rice, and teriyaki."

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