Garden City: A guide to one of Boise’s most up-and-coming areas

If you like art, food, wine, craft beer, nature and shopping, come get lost in Garden City, a 4.2-square-mile urban enclave right next to Boise. The Boise River intersects the middle of Garden City, which is nestled to the north toward the Boise foothills.

In 1890, a businessman named Thomas J. Davis purchased over 600 acres in what is now Garden City and leased much of the land to Chinese immigrants. Garden City got its name from the gardens tended by these immigrants. Chinden Boulevard (pronounced chin-den), the city’s main thoroughfare, got its name from combining the words “China” and “garden.”

Have an urban adventure
Part of the Greenbelt, a 25-mile bicycle and pedestrian path along the Boise River, runs through Garden City. You’ll find amazing parks in this area, including:

• Esther Simplot Park: A 55-acre site with 23 acres of ponds perfect for fishing and swimming. The park has open play areas, a playground and wetlands

• Boise Whitewater Park: Located between 34th and 35th Streets, the whitewater park has a man-made, adjustable wave popular with kayakers and surfers

• Nature Path: An 8,000-foot pathway and haven for wildlife that runs along the north bank of the Boise River, from Strawberry Glen Road to the West Bridge at the top of Eagle Island

• Mystic Cove: Adjacent to 48th Street, this park has playground equipment and benches perfect for taking a break from walking or biking

If you’re feeling sporty, stop by the Willow Lane Athletic Complex, a 57-acre special-use park with softball, baseball and soccer fields, pickleball courts, a playground and dirt jump park. 

Coffee and pastries, anyone?

Start your morning with a cup of joe at a local coffee shop like Push and Pour or Moxie Java. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, swing by Flourish Bakery for macarons, tarts or their popular cake in a jar, or try some delicious, fresh-baked bread at Acme Bakeshop. 

Eat your heart out
While exploring Garden City, be sure to take your taste buds on a global trek with authentic Puerto Rican cuisine at Wepa Cafe, Italian food on the river at Caffe Luciano’s, or Mexican food at Tacos El Rey, Taqueria sol de Jalisco or Taqueria Las Brazas, all on Chinden Boulevard.

Soon, a new community development project called The Boardwalk on 41st Street will open six river-facing restaurants including Chicken in a Barrel, Bao Bo, Tim’s Burgers, Negranti Creamery, Laissez Faire Wine Co. and more. The Boardwalk will almost double the amount of restaurants in Garden City that are accessible from the Greenbelt.

Drink in the moment
Did you know Garden City has more wineries, cideries and breweries per square mile than anywhere else in Idaho? Many of our vineyards sit on the 43rd parallel, similar to Southern France, and at high elevations, which gives our wines fruity and fresh flavors with distinct aromas. For some heavenly, home-grown Idaho wine, try Telaya, Cinder Wines or Split Rail. If you’d like to continue your wine crawl and experience sips from nearby states, head to Proletariat Wine Company or Parcero Wine Bar.

If hard cider is your thing, head to Meriwether Cider Company. If you’d rather fill your glass with a beer, try the brews at Bert’s Brewing, Barbarian Brewing or Western Collective.

Immerse yourself on the arts
Garden City is also known for the creative folks who call the area home. Its artists, musicians, potters, artisans, blacksmiths, performers, and glass and furniture makers have long lived by a DIY mantra. In fact, Garden City has a specific artist-friendly area called the Live-Work-Create District. Located here is Surel’s Place, a non-profit artist-in-residence program open to local, national and international artists, that also features events and exhibitions for the public.

The Live-Work-Create District features an event on the first Friday of the month called First Friday Art & Studio Stroll, where artist studios, restaurants and various businesses participate in exhibitions, readings and other performances.

Another place the arts in Garden City thrive is the Visual Arts Collective. This contemporary fine art gallery doubles as a cultural performance center with exhibits and events for artists specializing in film, music, visual and performance art, theater and dance.

The best of the rest
What else does Garden City have to offer? You could catch a show at Revolution Concert House or let nostalgia take over at the Idaho Pinball Museum. Many visitors also love catching a game at Boise Hawks Baseball Stadium. The Hawks are an independent baseball team in the Pioneer League. Near the stadium are fairgrounds that hold the Western Idaho Fair each August. You could also visit The Farm, Idaho’s largest country dance venue, or catch a show at the family-friendly Sapphire Room inside The Riverside Hotel. 

Garden City is not to be missed
What else does Garden City have to offer? You could catch a show at Revolution Concert House or let nostalgia take over at the Idaho Pinball Museum. Many visitors also love catching a game at Boise Hawks Baseball Stadium. The Hawks are an independent baseball team in the Pioneer League. Near the stadium are fairgrounds that hold the Western Idaho Fair each August. You could also visit The Farm, Idaho’s largest country dance venue, or catch a show at the family-friendly Sapphire Room inside The Riverside Hotel.