Nampa has a great history that started in the early 1880s. The Oregon Short Line Railroad that was built from Granger to Huntington and passed through Nampa led to the establishment of the city. Nampa experienced a small surge in population due to the presence of the railroad. Many of the first settlers in the city referred to it as "New Jerusalem" due to the strong religious focus among its residents. A year later after its inception, the homes in Nampa had increased from 15 to 50. As more amenities were introduced into the town, more people relocated here. The population surge eventually led to its incorporation in 1891, making it a major city in Idaho. The city's first elementary school was built in 1895. The school was known as Lakeview School and was situated on 12th Avenue North and 6th Street, with a magnificent view of Lake Ethel. Only a year later after its establishment, the school was closed down and sold to the First Mennonite Church. Today, the building is used by the Idaho Arts Charter School after it was renovated in 2008. The city had held its first annual harvest festival in 1908, an event that marks celebration and community fun. This festival gave birth to the Snake River Stampede Rodeo in 1937, an event that continues to date. In fact, it is one of the most prominent rodeo circuits in the country. In the 1960s, Nampa experienced significant economic development. Its close ties with Boise saw the city benefit immensely as people moved freely between the two cities. Towards the end of the 19th century, mobile homes for sale in Nampa, Idaho, were in high demand as housing became a problem in the city. The city is home to several institutions of higher learning, including Northwest Nazarene University which was opened in 1915.

Strategically located in the heart of the Treasure Valley, a short distance west of Boise, Nampa is a city with great adventure. It mixes the small-town charm with the amenities and attractions of established urban areas. There is a lot to see and do in Nampa, with numerous attractions found nearby.

One of the best places to visit in the city is the Warhawk Air Museum. Situated in a larger hangar at the Nampa Municipal Airport, this great museum touches on both World Wars, Vietnam, Korea, and the aviation technology used in the Cold War. A visit to this facility will give you access to a wide range of military aircraft used in historic wars.

Lakeview Park is another great attraction in the city. Named the oldest park in Nampa, this park covers about 45 acres of land. The land it occupies used to be a homestead back in 1888. This was the origin of its name, which means man-made reservoir. Even though the lake is long gone, the name still remains. There are numerous amenities at this park including beautiful mature trees, lush lawns, a rose garden, and several open spaces for hiking.