If you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably noticed my stories and posts about my trips back to Sun Vally Idaho or other places in Idaho. After leaving my home state to live in San Francisco and then leaving to travel the world, it has only made me realize how special the state of Idaho is. I especially love showing it off to my girlfriends from San Francisco! Since my parents have moved to Sun Valley Idaho, I’ve fallen completely in love with it.
The best part about Sun Valley is that it is a resort town with people flying in from all over the world to visit. Yes, you might find the occasional celebrity (or 5) like I do every winter, but you won’t find crowds unless you go to the bars. Sun Valley’s got tons of outdoor activities in the summer and possibly even more in the winter. This makes Idaho the perfect place to get away from it all and have a relaxing, but fun girl’s weekend! While I was living in San Francisco I craved to be in the stillness of the mountains and Sun Valley Idaho was one of the main places calling my name.
Here’s the Ultimate Girls Weekend Guide to Sun Valley Idaho!
**This guide is focused on a summer girl’s weekend in Sun Valley Idaho and can also be used if you’re planning a Bachelorette party in Sun Valley. If you’d like winter tips, check out my post on 10 Best Winter Activities in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Where to Stay
Check out my blog for the best places to stay in Ketchum, Idaho, and the surrounding areas here!
Sun Valley Lodge
The best place to stay is, hands down, the Sun Valley Lodge. After all, this lodge is the reason Sun Valley is Sun Valley. The lodge is in the heart of the town and has incredible activities all within the lodge property. You can do things like go bowling in the basement, go ice skating at the covered skate rink, go horseback riding and even ride on a sleigh ride in the winter. If the budget allows, it’s the perfect location for a girl’s weekend!
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Airbnb
Another option is to rent out a cabin or condo. Airbnb is popular in the area, and if you’re a big group of girls, it’s always fun to rent a cabin for the weekend!
Relax at The SPA in the Sun Valley Lodge
If you’re staying at the Sun Valley Lodge, you won’t even have to leave your hotel to have a magical spa day in Sun Valley. I went to the newly renovated spa and was blown away! First of all, the views as you enter the spa are of the gorgeous Bald Mountain and the facilities are spectacular. You’ll immediately find that you’ve relaxed upon entering.
Not only do they have a full-service salon to get your hair and nails done, but they have a fitness gym and yoga studio. On top of that, there are 15 treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, swimming pool, whirlpool and Poolside Cafe. Oh, and my favorite part, the luxury 8 head shower that I LOVED! You could spend a full day here ordering drinks poolside heading up to shower, hanging out in the steam room, sauna and drinking tea in the relaxation rooms.
Where to Eat
The food in Sun Valley is pretty great for a small mountain town and you’ll be able to try some traditional Idaho grub! A lot of my favorite restaurants are located in Ketchum which is the town right next to Sun Valley. Many times they are considered the same area. You can grab a local bus for a few mins to get downtown or you can drive or bike down! Here are some of my local favorites.
Breakfast/Brunch
If you want to check out my favorite brunch spot in Sun Valley, then check out the Konditorei. It’s right inside the Sun Valley village and has an awesome German flair, not unlike the entire Sun Valley Lodge. The trout benedict is a MUST TRY, especially because Idaho is known for their fresh trout. It’s also great for a group brunch after a night out! If you are heading into to Ketchum and want a few great brunch spots, then check out The Kneadery or Christina’s. These are both popular with the locals!
Cheap Eats/Lunch
If you’re coming down from the mountain from a long hike, I recommend getting a burger at Grumpy’s or Lefty’s. You can sit outside and grab a burger, beer, some Idaho famous fries and the Idaho fry sauce. Both spots are grungy but awesome. If you’re more into a burrito, try KB Burritos. If you want something more healthy try, Wrap City and if you’re in the mood for pizza try, Wise Guy Pizza Pie.
Dinner
For dinner, one of my favorite spots is The Pioneer Saloon (local’s call it the Pio) for a great steak, prime rib, and sides. Gretchen’s in the Sun Valley Lodge serves dinner and you can eat out on the patio. If you’re more in the mood for luxury dining, check out Michel’s Christiania Restaurant. A few other favorites are The Ram, The Grill at Kob Hill and Enoteca.
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GNO (Girl’s Night Out)
The weekends in Sun Valley are a blast if you go out in downtown Ketchum. Whether you’re in town in the summer or winter there’s bound to be a lot of people to hang out with!
To start your night, I recommend going to the Duchin Lounge at the lodge to get drinks before heading out on the town. While you’re downtown, try and hit up Whiskey Jacques, The Cellar Pub and late night you’ll want to go to The Casino for a truly grungy late night party crew. Remember that bars close at 2 am in Idaho so people typically start their nights a bit earlier than you’ll find on the East Coast.
Get Outdoorsy
The best part about Sun Valley is the availability of outdoor activities like hiking, biking, running trails, kayaking etc. Try renting some bikes at Pete Lanes Mountain Sports rental in the Sun Valley village and start by following the White Clouds loop right outside of the lodge. Proctor loop is also a great option just down the road from the Sun Valley Village. As for hiking, try Adam’s Gulch or for a harder and longer full day hike, try Pioneer Cabin for incredible views. If you’d just like to walk, you can also take a loop on the bike trails and walk from the Sun Valley Lodge into Ketchum.
Have Fun During the Day
Ice Skating
Located right outside of the main lobby in the Lodge you’ll find a large covered ice skating rink. It’s open all year round and even hosts many famous ice skaters and ice skating shows throughout the year. Lessons are offered or you can just go for fun!
Shopping
While Idaho probably wouldn’t be my top favorite shopping location in the world, there are a lot of cool boutique shops and 2nd hand stores that are pretty unique in the Sun Valley Village and downtown Ketchum. Ketchum is a great spot to score on outdoor gear as well because most go on discount in the summertime! Also, if you’re feeling thrifty, you can go to the coffee shop and awesome 2nd hand shop, Maude’s or hit up the Gold Mine which is a popular thrift shop where wealthy people with nice clothes and sometimes celebrities drop their stuff.
Tour de Suds Brewery Bike Hop
This is a perfect tour for a girl’s weekend adventure in Sun Valley! You get to bike around the valley and also taste wine while getting a tour of the area.
Yoga on the Mountain
If you want to recover from a long night out or just want to get some exercise with the girlfriends, try yoga on the mountain! It’s free every Saturday in the summer.
Catch a Show or Festival
There are constantly different shows and activities going on in Sun Valley. Some of the most popular events are concerts in the Sun Valley Pavilion, the Sun Valley Wine Festival, Ketch’em Alive summer concert series, and the Sun Valley Wellness Festival. Visit Sun Valley also has a list of events for each month of the year listed here!
There are so many amazing activities in Sun Valley Idaho to keep you occupied for a girls weekend! Feel free to also use these ideas to plan your bachelorette party in Sun Valley! Lastly, if you’d like to check out more fun activities, check out the Visit Sun Valley calendar. For more of my Idaho recommended activities, read here:
The 10 Best Winter Activities in Sun Valley
16 Epic Things to Do in Stanley, Idaho
9 Things to Do in Twin Falls Idaho
12 Best Places to Visit in Idaho
8 Things to Do in Moscow Idaho
Girls Weekend in McCall Idaho
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A thank you to Visit Sun Valley for hosting me for the day. As always, all opinions are my own.
Some of the above links are affiliate links and I will earn a tiny percentage of the sale if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.
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