Sun Valley Idaho is an all-season family destination where you’ll find plenty of fun things to do during the summer time. With so many outdoor activities to enjoy, it’ll be hard to know what to do if you’re short on time. Here are 4 must-do activities if you only have 24 hours in Sun Valley.
1. Enjoy Everything That The Sun Valley Resort Has To Offer
We stayed at the Sun Valley Lodge but they also have sister properties such as the Sun Valley Inn, The Cottages, Deluxe Condos, Townhomes, and Village Condos.
I love that the Sun Valley Lodge has such a rich history and it’s very evident just by walking through the hallways as there are old photographs of celebrities & important figures during their time in Sun Valley on the walls!
Staying at the Sun Valley Lodge can be a vacation in of itself because of the plethora of on-site activities! Below is a list of all the fun things you can do during your stay-
- Pool
- Fitness Center
- Spa
- Bowling
- Ice Skating
- Boating on Sun Valley Lake
- Movies at the Opera House
- Golfing
2. Enjoy All The Incredible Food In Sun Valley
Whether you decide to dine on-site at the Sun Valley Resort or in the nearby town of Ketchum, your options are endless. Here are our top picks for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Sun Valley.
Breakfast
For breakfast, look no further than the Austrian-inspired Konditorei restaurant, that is walking distance from the Sun Valley Lodge. You’ll find fresh-baked pastries, locally roasted coffees, and a wide breakfast menu. My favorite was the nutella crepes with strawberries & bananas! Starting the morning in this chalet-inspired dining room will definitely lead to a great rest of your day.
Lunch
For lunch, take the short drive or bike ride to the small town of Ketchum and stop at Bigwood Bread. They have been baking locally since 1997 and pride themselves on using fresh and whole ingredients. You’ll find two locations in this area.
We really enjoyed the outdoor seating in the perfect Idaho summer weather and the varied menu that they offered. Our two favorite entrees were the rice bowls and the caprese panini sandwich.
Dinner
Lastly, we stopped by Village Station (also on-site at the Sun Valley Resort) to end the evening. Not only do they have the perfect location, you can simply walk back to your room after a long day of activities, but excellent food!
There’s quite a lot of options to choose from but we really loved their pizzas! Check out their full menu here.
3. Hit The Trails In Sun Valley
Sun Valley is an outdoor lovers dream and with the extensive trail system, it’s no wonder why. But when you’re short of time, you’ll want an easy and short trail but still enjoy the excellent views the area has to offer.
There are two different mountains that offer a ton of incredible hiking; which are the Bald Mountain Trails and the White Cloud Trails. Below are the best trails for each mountain when you’re short on time.
White Clouds Trails
- Valley View Loop
- White Clouds Trail
- Trail Creek Path
Bald Mountain Trails
- Lupine Trail
- Broadway Trail
Here is a map with details about the route, trailhead and additional hiking info.
Go Shopping In Downtown Ketchum
Even if you don’t end up buying anything, you must make it to downtown Ketchum and check out all the local shops! They’ve got everything from apparel & sporting goods to home goods & jewelry.
Here’s a full listing of all the shopping you can do while in the Sun Valley area!
I hope you enjoy your time in Sun Valley, Idaho! It truly is such an incredible area. If you have more than 24 hours to spend here, even better as there is so much to do and see (and eat 🙂 ).
A big thank you to the Sun Valley Resort for hosting us. All opinions remain my own.
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