You’ll find a wide range of interesting places to visit in Southwest Idaho. Here are some suggestions from the Nampa Chamber of Commerce:

• Swiss Village Cheese
  Watch cheese being made right in front of your eyes and then sample the results, including our famous “Squeaky Cheese.”
  
  The factory viewing area, gift shop, café and outlet store are open seven days a week. You can purchase a variety of cheeses and other food items. Bring the kids to see Rosebelle, the talking cow. For more information, call 463-6620.
  
  
• Nampa Recreation Center
  If you are looking for an indoor recreation day, you will find everything you could want at the Nampa Recreation Center.
  Swimming, racquetball, weights, indoor track, basketball, and activities for all ages are available in this 140,000 square foot facility.
  There are five indoor pools and for the real adventurers, one of the largest indoor climbing walls in the state of Idaho. Try your skill at the vertical or overhanging walls, the roofs, slabs, chimneys and boulders. You will get a real workout and have loads of fun.
  
  Day and annual passes are available for the Center. The Center’s hours are 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11-6 Sunday. For more information, call 465-2288.
  
  
• Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge/Lake Lowell
  More than 11,000 acres of scenic recreation and wildlife are available for the nature lover. Visit with some of the year-round residents of the refuge such as waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. The Lake Lowell portion was established as a refuge by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909. Bring your camera, swimming suit or your boat and enjoy a dip or a trip around the lake and a picnic in season.
  
  A visitor’s center on the northern shore has exhibits about the area’s wildlife.
  
  If you are here in late autumn, you may see up to 10,000 geese congregated on the lake. Open seasonally for fishing and hunting.
  
  
• The Berry Ranch
  There is nothing better than fruits or vegetables picked fresh and enjoyed right away, especially if you pick it and combine it with a family hayride. The Berry Ranch is a family-operated working ranch located just north of Nampa on the Oregon Trail. An assortment of small fruits, vegetables and livestock are raised there. Some crops are pick-your-own.
  
  The Ranch is open April through November with a picnic area, antique farm machinery, livestock and the day-to-day variety of life on a working western ranch.
  
  
• Farmers’ Market
  It is the place to buy and sell homemade, handcrafted and locally grown goods. The market is located on Front Street in front of the Old Historic Train Depot, now the Canyon County Historical Museum. Now, more than 12 years old, the market is celebrating with live entertainment and more public participation than ever before. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 466-9337.
  
  
• Wilson Ponds — Fish Hatchery
  Spend a day in this relaxing park-like setting. Five ponds are open to fishing, bird watching or just strolling around the mile long paved bike path. A trophy catch and release fishing pond offers anglers an opportunity to catch large trout. The ponds are stocked with trout every two weeks, so buy a fishing license and try your luck (kids under 14 do not need a license). It is a great place for introducing small kids to fishing. The Nampa Fish Hatchery, operated by the Idaho Fish & Game Department, is located just south of the fishing ponds. Children will love to come and look at the fish and feed them. For more information, call 465-8479.
  
  
• Oregon Trail Centennial Greenway
  Take a leisurely stroll along the Boise River on this pathway dedicated to the enjoyment of the great outdoors. If you feel more energetic, enjoy a jog or a brisk bike ride.
  
  You will see people all along the Greenway enjoying the scenery. If you want to take a break, you can bring your fishing gear or catch up on the history of the area at markers along the way. Located on Centennial Way and Chicago Street in Caldwell.
  
  
• Memorial Park
  How about a family day in the park? Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day enjoying the park’s playground equipment, four tennis courts, three ball fields, swimming pool, Van Slyke Museum, bandshell, sand volleyball court and basketball court.
  
  
• Ward Massacre Site
  History buffs will find this area rich in events. Five miles northeast of Caldwell on Highway 20/26 is the site of a famous Indian massacre located along the Old Oregon Trail.
  
  
• Luby Park Rose Garden
  Spend a summer evening enjoying the wonderful fragrance of thousands of roses in bloom. Stroll through manicured gardens or sit under the flower-laden gazebo. Located in Luby Park, these gardens were established during the Depression era of the 1930’s. Today, over 2,000 roses are in bloom from May through September in the Caldwell park. For more information, call 455-3060.