Summary
One of the fastest-growing cities in America is situated in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, nestled between the state capital, Boise, and the city of Nampa.
Meridian’s population has experienced significant growth over the last 30 years, increasing from 9,500 in 1990 to 114,000 in 2019.
The city is located directly on the Boise Meridian, one of the 35 principal meridians of the Public Land Survey System of the United States, explaining the origin of its name.
Meridian offers a variety of attractions for families, featuring the largest water park in the region as well as activity centers, shopping malls, seasonal attractions, and beautiful local parks.
Adjacent to Meridian, Boise is rich in historical significance, while Bogus Basin serves as a popular winter sports destination in the Boise Range to the northeast.
1. Roaring Springs
As the largest water park in the Northwest, Roaring Springs provides over 20 water attractions catering to family members of all ages.
The park opens from May through September, operating on a daily schedule throughout the summer season.
Some of the thrilling rides include the Snake River Run, which features a double explosion loop, and Corkscrew Cavern, the first 360-degree looping waterslide in the Northwest, alongside the exhilarating six-storey drop known as the Cliffhanger.
Younger visitors can enjoy Bearfoot Bay, which includes a wading pool, slides, and animal play features, as well as the Kiddie Kowabunga tube slide.
Four dining options are available throughout the park, and parents seeking a more exclusive experience can reserve a cabana with attentive wait service.
2. Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park
Over 58 acres on the eastern side of Meridian is a delightful municipal park that was inaugurated to great acclaim in 2012.
This park is named in honor of Julius M. Kleiner (1892-1972), a significant contributor to the local dairy and creamery industries who later focused on philanthropic endeavors.
Kleiner Park primarily encourages passive recreation, offering trails for walking and cycling along the Kleiner Park Loop and the Grand Promenade.
The park features two large ponds at its heart, with the North Pond bordered by an amphitheater and bandshell that hosts the Kleiner Park Live series of outdoor concerts during the summer.
Additonally, on the west side, a recreational complex provides amenities such as a picnic area, children’s playground, splash pad, as well as facilities for basketball, volleyball, and bocce ball. A life-sized statue of Julius M. Kleiner resides at the Grand Plaza by the North Pond.
3. The Village at Meridian
As far as outdoor shopping centers are concerned, The Village at Meridian, located along the south and west periphery of Kleiner Park, is particularly attractive and picturesque.
Most of the shops and dining establishments are positioned along a gently curving street adorned with trees and flowerbeds framed by small hedges.
Hanging flower baskets enhance the aesthetics of the street, and, as the name implies, the entire atmosphere resembles that of a quaint village or small town.
The Village at Meridian is especially charming during the holiday season when the streets are illuminated with festive lights, and a skating rink is set up, with an impressive fountain serving as a central feature year-round.
Shoppers can find outlet stores for brands like GAP and Nike, including well-known retailers such as H&M, LOFT, Sephora, LUSH, Marshalls, and Urban Outfitters among others.
Dining options abound, featuring a diverse selection from Yard House to Blaze Pizza to Chipotle, with many establishments offering delightful outdoor seating.
4. Downtown Meridian
A few blocks along North Main Street lead to Downtown Meridian, which embodies a lively and charming segment of the city, filled with an array of restaurants, local shops, and tree-lined sidewalks.
At the beautifully landscaped Generations Plaza, visitors can take a moment to relax in the shade near the fountain.
Within this compact area lies a diverse selection of dining and drinking venues, offering choices ranging from gastropub dishes at Eight Thirty Common, classic diner meals at Original Sunrise Cafe, Mexican cuisine at El Tenampa, pizza at Slycebox, to Basque specialties at Epi’s, which will be discussed in detail later.
5. Meridian Speedway
This welcoming short-track oval has been hosting high-speed racing since 1951. Meridian Speedway is part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series and holds weekly races from spring through summer.
Throughout the season, various special events take place, such as a fireworks display during the Fourth of July races and the exciting Eve of Destruction event at the beginning of August.
Indulgent cuisine and beverages are essential components of the experience, featuring generous portions of beer alongside a variety of offerings including elotes, chili, tacos, hot dogs, pizza, burgers, Philly wraps, fruit cups, and cotton candy.
6. Wahooz Family Fun Zone
Connected to Roaring Springs by a walkway, Wahooz Family Fun Zone offers another family-friendly experience filled with numerous entertaining activities, both indoors and outdoors.
The facility features an 84-machine arcade, laser tag, 24 bowling lanes, amusement rides, a ropes course, a climbing wall, and a play area designed for younger children, all located indoors.
Externally, visitors can enjoy an 18-hole miniature golf course, go-karts suitable for all ages, batting cages, and bumper boats.
Some outdoor activities, such as go-karts, may be weather-dependent during winter, while the mini golf course operates year-round.
7. Settlers Park
Covering 57 acres at the intersection of North Meridian and West Ustick Roads, this expansive park offers abundant amenities for visitors of all ages.
Children can delight in the Adventure Island Playground Area, which includes Idaho’s first universally accessible playground, alongside a splash pad operational from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Settlers Park encompasses three shelters of varying sizes available for rental, in addition to a wealth of recreational facilities, such as baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a winter disc golf course operating from November to February.
During summer months, outdoor movie screenings are conducted on Friday evenings.
8. Epi’s
During the Gold Rush, approximately 50,000 individuals immigrated from Spain’s Basque Country to Treasure Valley, establishing the largest Basque community outside Spain.
To explore this distinctive aspect of Meridian’s heritage, visit Epi’s, a cherished Basque restaurant.
This establishment opened in 1999, founded by the grandchildren of Epi Inchausti, who was born in Bizkaia (Biscay) in 1903 and immigrated in 1929.
Epi, renowned for her culinary expertise, inspired many dishes featured on the restaurant’s menu.
Epi’s is now operated by her great-grandson, offering a rustic menu of grilled, roasted, and stewed meats, complemented by Spanish sides such as croquetas, calamari, chorizo, and garlic mushrooms. Pairing these delightful dishes with a glass of robust Rioja wine results in a noteworthy dining experience.
9. Boise River Greenbelt
The Boise River flows to the north and east of Meridian, transforming into a notable attraction in the city.
Its banks are adorned with 25 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths, meandering through 850 acres of parks.
This picturesque route takes you through the heart of Boise, consistently surrounded by lush green landscapes.
Visitors can observe a variety of wildlife, with excellent opportunities for birdwatching. Great blue herons, various wildfowl, and numerous passerine birds grace the summer skies, while winter offers the chance to spot a bald eagle.
The river flows gently, and during summer, options for renting rafts and stand-up paddleboards can be found throughout Boise, along with bicycles for a leisurely ride along the water.
10. Idaho State Capitol Building
In approximately fifteen minutes, one can reach the most cherished architectural landmark in the state.
Idaho had been a state for 15 years by the time construction commenced in 1905 on this sandstone Classical Revival building, showcasing an impressive neo-Baroque dome inspired by architectural marvels such as St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The materials used were sourced from nearby Table Rock in the Boise foothills, while the interior boasts exquisite marble, fine scagliola decorations, and numerous notable works of art and artifacts.
During a tour, visitors will marvel at the splendid dome interior, featuring a gilded equestrian statue of George Washington and a replica of the Winged Nike of Samothrace.
It is also worthwhile to explore the grounds, where statues of Lewis and Clark and others can be discovered.
11. Old Idaho State Penitentiary
Located around twenty minutes from downtown Meridian in the Boise foothills, this intriguing site represents a significant chapter in Idaho’s history.
Managed by the Idaho State Historical Society, this former prison operated from 1872 to 1973, housing some of the most desperate and infamous inmates in the West.
The entire complex displays a haunting Romanesque Revival style, meticulously preserved, allowing visitors to explore the cell blocks, solitary confinement cells, and even the gallows.
In total, there are thirty historic buildings that house notable collections, such as the J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit, displaying an array of historic weaponry spanning several millennia.
A variety of temporary exhibits focus on individual inmates, the daily life within the prison, and some of the riots and unrest that occurred during its operation.
12. Idaho Botanical Garden
Adjacent to the penitentiary is a major botanical garden, established on land that formerly served as the prison’s farm and nursery.
After a decade of inactivity following the closure of the penitentiary, the gardens were developed in the early 1980s and now feature 13 distinct sub-gardens for visitors to explore.
Noteworthy among them is the English Garden, which boasts 1,300 perennials centered around the stunning Summer House.
The Rose Garden is particularly vibrant in summer, but offers year-round charm with its sandstone terraces reminiscent of the Boise foothills and perennials that bloom throughout the year.
Children will enjoy an engaging experience in the Children’s Adventure Garden, while the Herb Garden and Idaho Native Plant Garden display species that flourish in the state’s challenging environment, along with plants historically cultivated for culinary, cosmetic, medicinal, and other purposes.
The Idaho Botanical Garden also serves as a venue for seasonal events during Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the grounds are adorned with lights, complemented by hot cocoa and cider, with opportunities for children to meet Santa.
13. Warhawk Air Museum
Located just a short drive west on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, the Warhawk Air Museum is situated at Nampa Municipal Airport, featuring a prominent aviation exhibition.
The museum delves into the history of air combat during WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the subsequent Cold War.
Among its collection of preserved aircraft are a P-51C Mustang, a P-40E Kittyhawk, a Fokker DR-1, an F84G Thunderjet, and an F-104 Starfighter.
Highlighting the collection is one of the last Curtiss P-40 Warhawks still in flying condition, which featured in the 2001 film, Pearl Harbor.
These historical machines are displayed alongside a rich array of artifacts, memorabilia, and captivating stories from volunteer guides, many of whom have backgrounds in aviation.
14. Bogus Basin
Located within an hour’s drive from Meridian, Bogus Basin is the second-largest ski area in Idaho, offering 2,600 skiable acres.
Prominently recognized by the radio towers atop Deer Point, Bogus Basin operates as a non-profit organization.
This means that all proceeds generated each season are reinvested into the maintenance, equipment, and facilities, as well as supporting community outreach efforts.
The winter sports season typically lasts from Thanksgiving to mid-April, providing an excellent place for children to experience skiing for the first time.
Private ski and snowboard lessons are offered daily throughout the season, while seasoned skiers and snowboarders can enjoy 80 runs, serviced by 10 lifts.
During the summer, Bogus Basin provides opportunities for scenic hiking, horseback riding, tubing, and mountain biking.
The origin of the name “Bogus Basin” dates back to the Gold Rush days, when con artists would create false gold dust on these slopes to deceive individuals in Boise City.
15. Linder Farms
This seasonal venue in Meridian comes alive during September and October, offering two months filled with family-friendly activities and delicious autumn treats.
Linder Farms has been welcoming the public during this time for over 30 years, presenting attractions like a petting zoo, corn maze, inflatable slides, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, and much more.
An array of delightful sweet and savory treats constitutes a significant aspect of Linder Farms’ allure, with options such as caramel apples, freshly fried mini donuts, apple cider, corn dogs, hot chocolate, kettle corn, and cotton candy.
