Eagle

---

With a population of about 33k, Eagle sits about 10 miles north of Boise in the rolling foothills.  The city got its name from - an eagle! - which was seen soaring overhead by visitors to the prairie.  Later a couple, the Thomases, built a house in 1836 and later that year the first mill was erected in town.  Originally, know as Eagleville, the city became known as just Eagle.  In 2022, Eagle celebrated its 50th anniversary. Visit the Eagle Museum of History and Preservation, once a Catholic chapel built in 1938, which was relocated in the city's civic center. Currently, you can learn about local happenings by enjoying "Coffee With the Mayor" on Wednesdays. 

Downtown Eagle is a vibrant community of independent restaurants/breweries and eclectic shops.  One of my favorite places, is a coffee house/eatery called Rembrandt's, which was once the site of the First Baptist Church of Eagle.  That building harkens back to 1895.   Another restaurant in town, DaVinci's, was the site of Eagle's first bank, Eagle Bank.  That bank was originally run out of the nearby drugstore, Orville Jackson's Drugstore. Today, the drugstore is the Gathering Place Saloon although the signage still reads Orville Jackson's.  You'll find live music often being played there.  There is an interesting boutique, Maison Blue, which offers many items from France along with local merchandise. And, next door, a teeny florist which creates lovely arrangements of both greenery and florals. 

Eagle has many events sure to delight adults and children alike. During spring, summer and fall, a weekly Farmer's Market is held on Saturday's at Heritage Park in the heart of downtown.  This is also the site of the Fall Harvest Festival, where I enjoyed yummy foods and shopping at interesting craft booths. Eagle Country Christmas is held there along with the annual lighting of the city's Christmas Tree.  Your canine companion will enjoy the monthly Yappy Hour and a new dog park has just been completed.  Several restaurants offer live music on Friday nights.  The chamber sponsors a Wine and Tasting Event yearly. Eagle Fun Days is held every year the weekend after the Fourth of July.  It includes various activities such as  a fun run, a parade complete with a water fight, a car show, a Rocky Mountain Oyster Feed, and fireworks. (NOTE: Due to Covid-19, many events have been curtailed or cancelled so please research before you head out to an event. 

From a restored church, now known as Rembrandt's (their avocado toast is superb), to a fairly new, contemporary style eatery  called Crave (try the halibut), there is something to suit everyone's taste in Eagle.  You'll also find breakfast places like the Griddle and Squeeze In, a grill and brewery, Bardenay's (their patio is on the Boise River),  and Caci's with delicious Sicilian style dishes. Don't forget to have coffee and at Eagle River Coffee, your canine companion can enjoy their patio with you. At Coffee and Supply, be sure to browse their second story gift shop. And, at Jovino's you can enjoy coffee in the morning and wine tasting in the evening. Mmmm. 

I personally like the Hilton Garden Inn in Eagle because of its location and proximity to downtown Eagle, restaurants and shopping.  It's located just south of the corner of Eagle Rd and State Hwy. 44. It has an indoor pool, small gym, meeting rooms, a business center and a lobby with a roaring fire (in winter!) and pre-covid had a very nice table with complimentary coffee/tea and water/juices.  Hopefully, that will return soon. All of the rooms and suites feature a mini fridge and a microwave. Next door is Bardenay's, a restaurant and brewery. Across the street, also on Eagle Road is a shop called Olive and Vyne which features olive oils, balsamic vinegars and gift items. That shopping center also has an excellent sandwich shop with a custom meat counter, Porterhouse Market, plus other businesses, shops and a spa.  On the other corner there are fast food outlets, two banks, several restaurants and as you continue walking, you will reach the shopping center with a grocery/drug store, a UPS store, a wine store and other various businesses.  There  are also several AirBnBs in Eagle along with houses rented through VRBO.   Homewood Suites by Hilton is the newest hotel in town and also has a pool and a gym. 

Eagle Island State Park offers a water park,  miles of trails for hiking/walking/horseback riding plus picnic tables when you're ready to relax.  In the wintertime, go tubing at Gateway Park.

 If golf is your sport,  there are two private courses in town, Eagle Hills Golf Course  (Par 72) which is close to downtown and Banbury Golf Course (Par 71) which is about a 10 minute minute drive to downtown Eagle.  Another 20+ courses, both municipal and private. are within 20 miles of Eagle. 

Tennis  your racket - Eagle Tennis Club has your courts - 10 indoor so you can play year round.  They also offer a myriad of classes and pickleball. There are two public tennis courts in Eagle. 

 You'll also find voice, music and dancing lessons in town.  Hiking and biking the Greenbelt is a fun activity and you can rent bikes at Reed Cycle in downtown Eagle.