BY MARY ANN REUTER
If blue skies and river greenery are not enough to put you in a mellow mood when strolling on the Boise River Greenbelt, step off the trail to sip on something red, white or amber. Running along the Boise River and surrounded by the cities of Boise and Eagle, Garden City is its own municipality, so it maintains about a four-mile stretch of the Boise River Greenbelt that runs through it. West of downtown Boise, Garden City is coming into its own as a trendy urban hot spot.
Between the Riverside Hotel and Greenbelt Market lies a short river walk part of the Garden City Craft Beverage Corridor, a collection of family wineries and custom breweries, many with tasting rooms or patio service. True to the Garden City motto of “an oasis from ordinary,” this sip and stroll destination is a stressfree paradise in the heart of the Treasure Valley.
From the Telaya Wine Co. and Bavarian Brewing located off the Greenbelt, to Split Rail Winery and Coiled Wines on Chinden Boulevard, several options are within easy walking distance of the Riverside’s outdoor patio with live music. Strolling (or rolling on rented e-bikes or e-scooters) between the Sandbar Patio & Grill and a footbridge near the Greenbelt Market and Caffé Luciano’s will take you past the Greenbelt side of Quinn’s Pond and the Boise Whitewater Park, popular with surfers.