Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Garden City, Idaho

Young and vibrant, Garden City serves as an enclave within Idaho’s state capital, offering a dynamic environment for emerging businesses and creative individuals. This situation is significantly influenced by the favorable rental prices in this area, which has fostered a supportive creative community.

The local Visitors Bureau has facilitated the establishment of a Craft Beverage Corridor, featuring an array of wineries and breweries. Additionally, the Garden City Artisans Pathway guides visitors to numerous artists’ studios.

Located alongside the Boise River and connected by the notable Greenbelt trail system, Garden City places you within minutes of Boise’s cultural attractions, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly venues.

1. Boise River Greenbelt

The Greenbelt, an invaluable resource for Boise and its neighboring areas, consists of a 20-mile system of waterfront trails extending from Eagle in the west to Lucky Peak Dam in the east. These multi-use pathways are free from motorized vehicles, traversing 850 acres of serene parks and untouched green spaces populated by diverse wildlife.

During winter, visitors may spot bald eagles along the trail, while warmer months bring sightings of various waterfowl, songbirds, Canada geese, and the occasional great blue heron. Bike rentals are available nearby, as well as rentals for paddleboards and kayaks for an enjoyable excursion on the river.

2. Garden City Artisans Pathway

Due to the proliferation of artists, wineries, and craft breweries in Garden City, the local visitors bureau has devised a trail that connects many of these establishments. Maps can be obtained near the historical marker by Joe’s Crab Shack.

This charmingly illustrated map conveniently indicates a variety of local businesses, including jewelry makers, glass artists, ceramicists, photographers, and more. You will always be within a short distance of the nearest winery, cidery, or craft brewery, presenting a multitude of delightful options to explore. In the absence of a map, the “Taste,” “Create,” and “Play” signs will serve as helpful navigational aids throughout the city.

3. Boise Hawks Baseball

Although Idaho lacks many professional sports teams, it is home to the Boise Hawks, who have been playing since 1987. They host their home games at Memorial Stadium, situated adjacent to the Boise River and the Western Idaho Fairgrounds.

With a capacity of nearly 3,500 spectators, Memorial Stadium boasts a natural grass playing field and has undergone significant refurbishment since it opened in 1989. The Hawks compete in the MLB partner Pioneer League and, at the time of this writing, were independent of any Major League Baseball organization. The stadium offers a variety of food options, featuring both classic choices like hotdogs and peanuts, which are both enjoyable and affordably priced.

Fireworks display occurs before and after the games on the Fourth of July, while Memorial Stadium also serves as a venue for numerous outdoor events, including concerts and stunt shows.

4. Ann Morrison Park

A pleasant riverside park encompassing 150 acres, Ann Morrison Park is accessible by strolling along the Greenbelt between downtown Boise and Garden City. Established in the 1950s, this scenic area is filled with picturesque water features and various amenities.

While birdwatching is a popular activity in this urban setting, conservation stations around the park offer habitats for wildlife including insects, bats, and birds. Dog owners will appreciate the designated off-leash area, which includes a specific space for timid dogs. Additionally, visitors will find a children’s playground, bocce courts, an outdoor gym, horseshoes, an 18-hole disc golf course, and even a cricket field that hosts the Boise Cricket Club.

5. Water Activities

A leisurely stroll along the Greenbelt often reveals the inviting sight of the Boise River, particularly on warm summer days. The river’s meandering channels provide ample opportunities for exploration and serene green spots for relaxation or picnicking.

For those interested in paddling, several local companies offer equipment rentals directly along the Greenbelt in Garden City. Idaho River Sports provides hourly and daily rates for canoes, inflatable kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, while Cascade River Gear offers rental packages for kayaking and boating excursions.

6. Telaya Wine Co.

Located directly along the Greenbelt in Garden City, Telaya Wine Co. specializes in crafting small-batch wines from grapes sourced from vineyards across Washington and Idaho. For those passing by on bicycles, a bike rack is conveniently provided on the premises.

Among their offerings at the time of this writing were a selection of Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbecs, Tempranillos, Cab Francs, Pinot Grises, Petit Verdots, and various red blends. Visitors are invited to bring their own food or snacks, and numerous nearby eateries provide excellent takeout options.

To gain insight into Telaya’s winemaking process, guests can enjoy a private guided tasting, featuring six wines, paired with an informative tour of the production area.

7. Meriwether Cider Company

Initially popular in the United States before experiencing a decline following prohibition, hard cider is enjoying a resurgence today. One of its notable brands in the Boise region is Meriwether Cider Company, which utilizes apples sourced exclusively from the Northwest.

Meriwether operates a taproom situated on the Craft Beverage Corridor in Garden City and also features a cider house in downtown Boise. Customers can expect a diverse selection, including semi-dry and semi-sweet ciders that may include unique ingredients like blackberry, ginger, hops, wine grapes, or cherry and thyme.

Moreover, a seasonal cider rotation is always available, along with hard seltzers, all crafted on a cider base.

8. Barbarian Brewing

Founded in 2015 in Garden City, Barbarian Brewing is an innovative small-batch brewery that also operates a second taproom in downtown Boise. The brewery is known for aging its beers in oak barrels (a total of 90) and combining traditional brewing techniques with contemporary practices.

Barbarian Brewing offers a range of styles, including classic IPAs, sours, stouts, porters, and Belgian ales, as well as unique creations such as cocktail-inspired beers and ice cream ales. At the Garden City taproom, 20 different beers are available on draft at any given time, in addition to local ciders and wines, along with limited-edition bottled beers.

During summer, patrons can enjoy their drinks on the outdoor patio, where food trucks and live music are typically featured on Friday and Saturday evenings.

9. Western Collective Beer

Located in a prominent warehouse in the southern part of Garden City, Western Collective Beer boasts a distinctive mountain design on its exterior. This aesthetically pleasing craft brewery features a selection of IPAs, alongside a rotating variety of lagers, stouts, shandies, Hefeweizens, and Pilsners, among others.

At the taproom, visitors can indulge in alcoholic and non-alcoholic slushies, while the brewery also produces its own coffee, hard seltzer, and wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blend. Events are routinely held from Thursday to Sunday, providing live music and a food truck service offering diverse culinary options, ranging from Japanese to Caribbean dishes.

10. Western Idaho Fair

Garden City is home to one of Idaho’s three annual state fairs, held at Expo Idaho. This long-established agricultural event spans ten enjoyable days, commencing on the third Friday of August, with a history that dates back to 1897.

Originally known as the Intermountain Fair, its purpose was to connect Idaho’s rural communities. Over the years, the fair has evolved, hosting prominent artists and entertainers, complemented by a carnival area that now covers seven acres. However, the agricultural showcases remain a central aspect, featuring numerous exhibits and competitions related to crops, livestock, and machinery.

Throughout the year, Expo Idaho continues to host a variety of events, including Christmas light displays, trade shows, vehicle exhibitions, and dog shows.

11. Asana Climbing Gym

For over 20 years, Asana Climbing Gym has been a staple in Garden City, located within the Glenwood Shopping Center. With its exceptional number of world-class climbing locations in Idaho, this gym is an ideal place to enhance your climbing skills.

Visitors may purchase a day pass for an invigorating workout experience. The gym offers both multi-punch passes and yearly memberships. Every surface is covered with climbing grips, and a skilled and welcoming staff is available to provide assistance. Additional offerings include climbing classes for all skill levels, yoga sessions, aerial arts classes, ecstatic dance, and youth programming, from after-school climbing activities to summer camp experiences.

12. Westy’s Garden Lanes

Westy’s Garden Lanes is one of the largest bowling alleys in Idaho, featuring 40 lanes and a storied history dating back to its establishment in 1959. For generations, it has provided entertainment for residents of Boise and Garden City.

Visitors can choose to bowl by game or by time slot, and families may select the “MAD Games,” which transforms the bowling experience into an interactive video game. Weekend evenings feature blacklight “Cosmic Bowling,” while leagues and tournaments are available on weeknights for more competitive players. In addition, the alley includes a restaurant offering a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, serving breakfast all day long.

13. Old Idaho Penitentiary

Boise’s top attractions are conveniently located just minutes from Garden City, with the Old Idaho Penitentiary being a key historical site worth visiting. This penitentiary operated from 1872 to 1973, being established two decades before Idaho achieved statehood and composed of Romanesque Revival sandstone buildings enclosed by a 17-foot stone wall.

The materials for these structures were sourced from the Boise Range by inmates. Over the years, approximately 13,000 individuals have passed through its gates, including notable figures such as Harry Orchard, who infamously assassinated Idaho Governor Frank Steunenburg in 1905. At the facility, visitors can explore preserved cell blocks, solitary cells, and the gallows to learn about Orchard’s story and more.

The site features over 30 historical buildings, along with numerous exhibits, including the permanent J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit that displays historic weapons and military memorabilia.

14. Idaho Botanical Garden

Adjacent to the Old Penitentiary lies Idaho’s state botanical garden, featuring over 800 species of plants spread across 14 specialty gardens. Spanning 15 acres, this location was once part of the prison’s farmland and has been meticulously developed over the past 40 years.

Notably, the Meditation Garden boasts mature trees planted by minimum-security inmates during the 1930s and 1940s. The garden also includes a rose garden featuring heirloom varieties, a water garden that hosts koi, frogs, and stunning lilies, and an Idaho Native Plant Garden showcasing flora from various ecosystems across the state.

The garden also hosts various events throughout the year, including summer concerts, a fall harvest festival, and the enchanting Winter Garden during the holiday season.

15. Freak Alley

Located at the intersection of 8th and 9th Streets with Bannock and Idaho Streets in downtown Boise, Freak Alley has been transformed into the largest outdoor mural gallery in the Northwest. The project began in the early 2000s when the artist decorated a doorway, and by 2002, the alley had earned its distinctive name.

Every available surface is adorned with eclectic and imaginative murals by more than 200 artists from Boise and beyond. The artworks are regularly updated, with new creations being added every two years, ensuring that Freak Alley remains a dynamic and vibrant space.