Sometimes when you research a place, especially a smaller town such as Sun Valley, everything you read will contain information about the same three things, and you may feel that there really isn’t anything new under the sun. We at Abode Sun Valley know there are secrets waiting to be revealed, hidden gems that deserve to be uncovered, and under the radar Sun Valley attractions that will make you feel as if you have had an entire vacation mapped out for you by your own personal concierge. This guide to the top “under the radar” destinations in Sun Valley and the surrounding cities will give you a vacation experience like no one else, and when you come home each night to our comfortable escapes, those experiences will shine even brighter.
Visit the Grave of a World-Famous Author
Hollywood has the Hollywood Forever cemetery where superstars such as Judy Garland, Douglas Fairbanks, and cartoon voice impresario Mel Blanc are buried, and Paris has the Pere Lachaise cemetery in which Frederic Chopin, Jim Morrisson, and Oscar Wilde are buried, both of which are fascinating places to visit, but did you know that we here in the Sun Valley area have our own celebrity final resting place, a superstar in the writing world that you may have heard about over the years: author Ernest Hemingway! Buried in nearby Ketchum in the Ketchum Cemetery, located at 1026 N Main Street, his headstone isn’t a fancy one but rather a simple flat stone inscribed with his name, birthdate, and death date. Its only adornment is the alcohol, pennies, and flowers that fans leave for him. His last wife, Mary Welsh Hemingway, is buried next to him, her gravestone matching his in its simplicity, and they both spend eternity lying in the shade of giant spruce trees that stand guard over their graves.
His Memorial Is Here Too!
You may be wondering why Hemingway is buried and honored here in the area, knowing of his preference for his home in Key West and his lifestyle in Cuba, and the answer is a simple one. Hemingway spent the last years of his life in Ketchum, having been in love with the Wood River Valley and visiting quite often over the last 22 years of his life. The Ernest Hemingway Memorial is actually located in Sun Valley, overlooking the waters of Trail Creek. It was dedicated to him on his birthday in 1966, five years after he died. The Ernest Hemingway that we knew in our mountain town was a different one from the one the world knew, and his angst, his despair, and his depression was kept hidden, only revealed by his shocking death by suicide. The memorial is a simple bronze column that features a bust of the man on its top and an inscription that was actually a eulogy Hemingway had written for a friend carved into its base. Interestingly, that friend, Gene Van Guilder, local guide and publicist, is buried not far from the author’s grave.
The Town of Sun Valley
Sun Valley is the first ski destination vacation spot in the nation and in spite of that, the town is not really all that well known, surprising visitors who come for the slopes and stay for the natural beauty of its surroundings. Often considered a hidden gem, the town hasn’t changed much since the ski resort first opened in December of 1936, still offering many of the same buildings, some of which are listed below.
Sun Valley Lodge
The Sun Valley Lodge, renovated and updated for modern conveniences, is a local tradition, keeping much of its early charms while also maintaining a presence that is much loved. Home to Gretchen’s restaurant, a business that has been open since 1985, it was named after Gretchen Fraser—the first American to win a gold medal in the 1948 Olympics—and offers a hearty breakfast menu.
The Ram
The restaurants here tend to stay in business for decades rather than years, and if you don’t visit The Ram, built in 1937 and serving an elegant menu of European and all-American favorites, can you really consider yourself as having visited the area? Its Heritage Menu is a fascinating one, offering dishes that have been served here since the early days, including pork tenderloin schnitzel and Hungarian goulash.
But What About Ketchum?
The town of Ketchum is so close to Sun Valley it is often used interchangeably, with some sources saying that Ketchum is actually another name for Sun Valley. This is untrue, of course, and the town of Ketchum offers charms of its own. It is considered the gateway to Sun Valley Ski Resort, and of course, as mentioned above, is the final home and resting place of the nation’s greatest author, Ernest Hemingway.
The Pioneer Saloon
Located at 320 N Main Street in Ketchum, the Pioneer Saloon, originally known as the Commercial Club, opened its doors for business in the 1940s, capitalizing on the success of the Sun Valley Ski Resort. Once a casino as well, the building in which the Pioneer Saloon is housed has been an American Legion, a meeting hall, and even a dry goods store for a brief period in time. In the 1950s it reopened as a casino—a very successful one, even though gambling was not legal in our state during that period—but the casino was short lived as well, closing in 1953 and living out its remaining days as the Pioneer Saloon (oh, and also an antique store). Another transformation in the mid-60s turned it into a restaurant, and its final version presented itself in 1972. Today, it is known for its prime rib, cocktails, and its collection of taxidermy animal heads that adorn the walls, making it an iconic spot to visit and enjoy during your under the radar visit to the area.
Wagon Days Festival, Labor Day Weekend
Founded in the 1880s, the town of Ketchum holds tight to its history, and not just in the Pioneer Saloon. Since 1958, its Wagon Days festival has reminded the area of its history, offering a celebration of the town’s Western heritage, and it did so with a parade of nonmotorized vehicles. Today, the Wagon Days Big Hitch Parade is the largest one of its kind, attracting over 15,000 people to the sidewalks of Ketchum to view its unique collection of vehicles. After the parade ends, the street party begins, offering live music, food and beverage vendors, and a small-town charm that really should be experienced if you are in the area over that weekend. The original flyer from that first parade appears on the Wagon Days website, offering a fascinating glimpse into that time period in American history, featuring an Arabian Horse Show, a barbershop quartet, a chuckwagon supper, and a wagon train dance.
Venturing a Little Further Out
While we are telling the story of under the radar activities in the Sun Valley/Ketchum area, we also want to venture a little further out to the town of Shoshone. Located about 56 miles south of Sun Valley, this small western town is known as the gateway to a large collection of natural wonders, making a road trip to the town a highly recommended activity.
Shoshone Ice Caves, 1561 ID-75
Don’t worry about missing this underground landmark; the large green dinosaur being ridden by a caveman will let you know you have reached your destination. Also offering a 30-foot-tall statue of Chief Wasakie, an Indian chief known for his friendliness to the white man, the tongue-in-cheek nature of both statues will put you in a relaxed mood while ensuring that your kids enjoy the experience as well. The ice cave itself, however, is serious business, being one of the largest ice caves in Idaho, existing 100 feet below ground and staying quite chilly year round. As a matter of fact, the tours only take place in the warmer months, and jackets are suggested for visitors who take part in the tour!
Idaho’s Mammoth Cave & Natural History Museum
About 8 miles before you reach the town of Shoshone, you will come across the site of Idaho’s Mammoth Cave & Natural History Museum. Offering an opportunity to take a self-guided tour through a cave forged from the fires of lava, lanterns are provided and the trail is well marked. Just as in the ice caves, it stays pretty cool down here, about 41 degrees and also like the ice caves, it is only open in the warmer months. The Natural History Museum is actually two museums, the Shoshone Bird Museum and the Richard Arthur Olsen Museum of Natural History, with both providing an in-depth examination of the natural history of the region.
Shoshone Falls
Last but not least, it is time to explore the Niagara of the West, Shoshone Falls, which stands 212 feet tall and expands outward 900 feet. It is one of the largest natural waterfalls in the country, standing taller than its namesake. Located on the Snake River, the best time to see these beautiful falls is in the spring when snowmelt increases the flow of water over the rocks. History buffs will appreciate that travelers along the Oregon Trail used to detour from the trail just to see the falls, so when you are watching them from the lookout point, you are more than likely standing in the footsteps of those heroic early travelers!
Sun Valley, Idaho Attractions That Are Firmly on the Radar of Travelers from All Over the World
Now that we have shown you some of the more unique Sun Valley attractions, it is time to come home to our Abode Sun Valley Idaho retreats. Your adventures are more than likely going to be a blend of rugged outdoorsy activities and delicious dining occasions but when you step inside our escapes for the first time, there is nowhere else you would rather be. Offering their own blend of comfort, modern conveniences, and luxurious amenities, you will soon discover that you feel at home when residing within.
Our properties may resemble log cabins, but underneath all their rustic charms, travelers will discover a very modern appeal. State of the art televisions mounted above the mantels of wood burning fireplaces may be smart ones, and in some escapes those fireplaces will be gas ones, making it easy to “build” the fire that will bring you joy. High-speed internet will enable you to work from our homes, and quality appliances will entice you to stay in a night or two, if only to get your hands on the range you have always dreamed of owning. Steam showers, whirlpool baths, game rooms, wine refrigerators, and wet bars: all the modern amenities we offer will make you feel pampered and spoiled.
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