A Fall Trip to Sun Valley, Idaho with Babies and Toddlers
WHAT TO DO IN KETCHUM AND SUN VALLEY WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS
Sun Valley, Idaho is known as an epic ski destination in winter, and an outdoor adventure hot spot in summer. You might not think it’s the best place to visit with young children, but you’d be surprised by how much there is to do with babies and toddlers in Sun Valley.
From easy hikes to cute restaurants and shops, your whole family will find something to love in Sun Valley and the adjacent city of Ketchum.
We found a cheap flight to Boise and decided to do some mountain exploring in the fall - shoulder season between the summer crowds and the ski enthusiasts.
We were so impressed by everything in Sun Valley. The scenery was epic, the shops were adorable, the hotels were spacious and safe, and the weather was perfect for hiking and admiring leaves.
I highly recommend a trip to Sun Valley in the fall with kids. Here are my top tips for what to do, where to stay, and what to bring!
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TRIP DETAILS
We stayed at Wood River Inn & Suites in Hailey, Idaho. Hailey is a 17-minute drive from Ketchum, but we were looking for an affordable suite since we had a baby with us as well as my parents.
Our suite cost $342.20 for 2 nights.
The suite came with a fully stocked kitchen with a stove, fridge, plates, cups, coffee maker, utensils, and more. There was a large table for dining as well. Our only complaint was that there was no door between the bedroom and the dining room. We put the baby’s pack & play in the dining room so she could sleep, but with no door, we still had to be super quiet.
You will definitely want to rent a car upon arrival. We used the airport car rental service at the Boise airport.
We arrived in Ketchum on Tuesday afternoon and left late on Thursday afternoon for Boise, so we had about 48 hours to explore. I would have added one more day so we could add in a day trip to Stanley.
As for food, we stocked up on groceries at Albertson’s which was right next to our hotel. We went out to eat a few times and were able to find very affordable restaurants.
WHY SUN VALLEY IN THE FALL
This year I was searching for a fall travel destination with lots of outdoor activities, beautiful fall colors, and geography that was different from my home in the Midwest.
Sun Valley, Idaho checked off each of those boxes. They have an active outdoor culture with tons of options for hiking, biking, fishing, and more.
Set in the mountains, the vistas were nothing short of incredible. And the leaves on the aspens turned a shimmering gold that contrasts with the brown landscape.
Plus, you’ll be visiting during the shoulder season, which means you won’t have to fight crowds of people for hotel rooms, parking, or space on the trails. People often visit during summer to take advantage of the warm weather when they can swim, kayak, boat, and more. People also visit during winter because Sun Valley is a popular ski destination.
But fall is peaceful. Quiet. Slow. There are wide open spaces to explore and discover with kids.
WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS AROUND SUN VALLEY
EXPLORE KETCHUM
On our first evening in the area, we dropped off our bags at the hotel, freshened up, then decided to head into town to explore.
We started with the town of Ketchum. Many refer to the entire Wood River Valley area as Sun Valley, but Ketchum is technically the city adjacent to the resort town of Sun Valley.
Ketchum is an old mining town with a rich history involving hot springs, silver, sheep, and Ernest Hemingway. (Read more about it here and here).
There are myriad shops, boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, so you could easily spend hours wandering around ducking in and out of local businesses. We loved:
Bigwood Bread Café - we stopped here for some soup, a latte, and a sandwich one chilly day. The sun was out, so we chose to eat outside on the patio and enjoyed every second of the mountain views. Very charming, Price: $$
Country Cousin - the perfect stop for souvenirs. They have Sun Valley and Ketchum shirts, mugs, shot glasses, posters, and more.
The Toy Store - the cutest little toy shop. My 3-year-old could have stayed in there for hours playing with the toy train set.
Burger Grill - yes, they have great burgers. They also have tacos, lobster bisque, and chowders! Great stop for lunch, and locally owned!
Be sure to check out the Starbucks in Ketchum, too! It’s one of the most unique Starbucks locations I’ve ever seen.
WALK THE WOOD RIVER BIKE PATH
The Wood River Trail connects Ketchum and Sun Valley to the towns of Hailey (where we stayed) and Bellevue. We found a parking spot just north of Hailey and walked about a mile toward Ketchum.
While on the trail we crossed the Bigwood River which provided some incredible scenery set against the vibrant yellow and orange autumn leaves. We watched an elk just off the trail and enjoyed various birds flitting across our path.
The path is paved, so we decided to bring the stroller. The baby took a nice long nap while we enjoyed a leisurely stroll. Since it was a flat trail, our 3-year-old was easily able to keep up.
This is the perfect spot for families with young children to “hike.” It’s wide and flat, you can go as far or short as you want, and you’re among nature without going too remote. You’ll find picnic tables along the way if you want to stop for a snack or lunch.
FIND A PLAYGROUND
Sometimes kids just need to climb and slide and swing. If that’s the case for your toddler, take the short drive down to Hailey where you’ll find a small playground called Lion Park right outside Draper Preserve. It’s just a small wooden structure with a slide, but it was perfect for our little guy to expend his energy while I nursed the baby in the car.
Nearby there’s a park called Hailey Tourist Park. We didn’t have a chance to stop there, but as we drove past I made sure to write down the name because I knew other moms would love it! Try as I might, though, I couldn’t find a single mention of this park online. I’ll keep searching and update if I find something!
HIKE ADAM’S GULCH
One of our favorite hikes was Adam’s Gulch in the late afternoon. There are quite a few trails and loops to choose from, but the path we chose was wide with a low-grade elevation. There were a few parts that were more challenging for a 3-year-old, but he ended up doing just fine and loving it! I believe we hiked about 2 miles.
You’ll see mountain bikers and trail runners along the way, families hiking, and people hiking with their dogs. The scenery is incredible. Most of the mountains we saw around Sun Valley were dull and brown, but this hike came with views of evergreen trees covering the mountainside.
GO ON A SCENIC DRIVE TO GALENA SUMMIT
I was craving some mountain views in Idaho since the terrain in the Midwest is mostly flat. At the recommendation of the Visit Sun Valley Tourism Board, we decided to drive to Galena Summit where we could enjoy views of the Sawtooth Mountains.
We took Highway 75 northwest which led us straight to Galena Summit. You can’t miss the Scenic Overlook stop just past the summit.
The views of the snow-capped Sawtooth Mountains were awe-inspiring. While the fall colors in Sun Valley gave everything a warm feel with yellows, golds, and the occasional red, the colors from Galena Summit were cool blues and whites.
It was an easy half-hour drive from town, then we spent 20 minutes or so admiring the view from the top, taking photos, and chatting with other travelers.
EXPLORE SUN VALLEY VILLAGE
As I mentioned before, we chose to stay in the town of Hailey just south of Sun Valley. However, if you want the full resort town experience, be sure to visit Sun Valley Village, and even duck into Sun Valley Lodge for a look around.
Sun Valley Village sits right next to the main resort and offers restaurants, cafes, toy stores, and boutiques. I enjoyed doing a bit of research on the history of Sun Valley, which gave context to the whole experience.
In the 1930s, the Chief Executive of the Union Pacific Railroad was looking for a way to entice more people to take the train out west. He decided an alpine ski resort would be the perfect draw, so he hired his Austrian friend, Count Felix Schaffgotsch, to choose a destination that would be close to the railroad lines.
Schaffgotsch found the Ketchum area to be absolutely delightful, and within months Sun Valley Resort was born. They enlisted a publicist to invite the rich and famous to experience their resort and get the word out (the influencers of yesteryear!). I even read somewhere that they designed circular swimming pools so that influential visitors would take pictures of them and show their friends! The likes of Hemingway, Clark Gable, and Marilyn Monroe, to name a few, graced the slopes of Sun Valley.
The new resort attracted ski instructors fleeing Austria after it was annexed by Germany as WWII approached. It also boasted the world’s first chairlift!
There’s so much history to learn and experience around Sun Valley. Be sure to stop at the lodge and ask some of the workers any questions about the history of the area! They’ll invite you to wander the halls and check out the photos of all the famous people who have stayed at Sun Valley Lodge.
And, hey! If you’re not interested in history, you can still enjoy the great shopping, food, and beautiful chalet-like buildings around Sun Valley Village.
VISIT DRAPER WOOD RIVER PRESERVE
On our last day in Sun Valley, we wanted to do a little more exploring before we drove back to Boise, and my dad stumbled upon Draper Preserve in his research. We were staying in Hailey, which was perfect because Draper Preserve was right down the road.
We weren’t sure what to expect and thought this would just be a bit of a time-filler. Instead, this piece of conserved land along the Big Wood River ended up being one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip.
You start by approaching the Bow Bridge (modeled after a bow and arrow). The bridge itself is a spectacular sight to behold, but the view of the mountain looming over the river from the middle of the bridge almost brought me to tears.
I kid you not, as we stood quietly drinking in the spectacle of nature, a bald eagle swooped overhead. If that wasn’t the perfect scene to sum up the beauty of the American West, I don’t know what is.
Stroll through the quiet autumn woods, skip rocks in the river, and keep an eye out for wildlife. You might also find schoolchildren on a field trip as part of their science curriculum (we did!)
Finish your excursion by walking back across the bridge and taking the boardwalk through the Croy Creek Wetlands while “Fields of Gold” gets stuck in your head. This should take you back to the parking lot.
WARM YOURSELF UP WITH HOT CHOCOLATE AT BIGWOOD BREAD CAFE
Hit up the downtown location of Bigwood Bread Cafe in Ketchum and enjoy a hot beverage on the patio. Even if the weather is chilly, the hot chocolate or espresso drinks will warm you right up, along with a bowl of soup or a hot sandwich.
They have an excellent breakfast and lunch menu, along with plenty of options for kids. It’s quaint, and the views of the bustling downtown area with Bald Mountain as the backdrop is quintessential Ketchum.
This is the perfect spot to kick off a morning in Ketchum or a way to warm yourselves up after doing some shopping!
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO STANLEY
If you’re up for a full day trip, you can drive just over an hour away to the town of Stanley where you can stop by Redfish Lake for more stunning views. Stanley also has an abundance of natural hot springs where you can relax after a long hike. Honestly, I’m still bummed we weren’t able to squeeze in a day trip to Stanley to experience the hot springs and find more outdoor adventure.
I’ve heard Redfish Lake Lodge is the place to stay if you plan on taking an overnight trip there. It looks as rustic and relaxing as you would expect a mountain cabin to be! Check out current prices here.
WHERE TO STAY AROUND SUN VALLEY WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS
As I mentioned above, we stayed at the Wood River Inn & Suites in Hailey, but where you stay really depends on the experience you want to have and your priority when you travel. If great accommodations are a priority for you, I have a few suggestions.
If the budget is higher on your list, I’ve got a recommendation for that, too.
LUXURY OPTIONS
Sun Valley Resort
This is the quintessential Sun Valley experience. There are all kinds of lodging options here, from the famous and historical Sun Valley Lodge to cottages, condos, and the Sun Valley Inn, you can really pick whatever accommodation suits your family.
The draw of Sun Valley Resort is that everything is right there on-property, from restaurants and shops to history and passes for skiing and snowboarding, it’s incredibly convenient for families with young kids.
Limelight Ketchum
I was very close to booking a room at Limelight Ketchum, but alas, my budget won out in the end.
The location is very convenient in downtown Ketchum, so you would be able to walk anywhere for food or shopping. The luxury amenities and Kids Room on-property are added perks!
If you prefer comfort and convenience over cheap prices, the Limelight Ketchum would be another wonderful choice.
MODERATE OPTION
Wood River Inn
I already outlined a few of the perks of staying at the Wood River Inn & Suites. To sum it up, we saved money by staying in Hailey! We didn’t mind the short drive into Ketchum and Sun Valley at all, as we were soaking in the scenery.
It was nice and quiet, and the room was very spacious. There was free breakfast, a pool, and toys, books, and games for all to use in the lobby.
I loved the atmosphere at this hotel, and would absolutely stay here again.
WHAT TO PACK TO SUN VALLEY IN THE FALL WITH KIDS
THINSULATE JACKETS - These types of jackets were perfect for fall. They weren’t too bulky on the plane but still kept us warm for chilly mornings and evenings. baby / toddler / kid / mom
HATS, GLOVES, AND MITTENS - We did quite a bit of hiking and walking, and there was definitely some chilly fall weather to contend with. Which is why I have a beanie on in almost every picture. On the plus side, it hid my unwashed hair.
COMFORTABLE SHOES FOR HIKING - I only packed one pair of shoes for this trip - my MUK LUK Sigrid Boots. They are lightweight yet sturdy. Comfortable yet cute. Perfect for walking around town, hiking, and just putting together a fall-chic outfit. Be forewarned - I prefer shoes that are completely flat. The Sigrid Boots are pretty flat, but they do have a comfy memory foam insole. So if you need arch support or are doing more strenuous hiking that requires real hiking boots, make sure you bring the appropriate footwear. My 3-year-old was fine wearing regular tennis shoes!
SWIMSUITS - we brought swimsuits just in case we ended up visiting a hot spring. Alas! We ran out of time. But if you want to add hot springs to your itinerary, or you just want to swim in the hotel pool, make sure to bring swimwear! I brought this for me and these rashguards for my kids because I figured it would be cold out!
LAYERED OUTFITS - As I mentioned, the weather could be quite chilly, especially in the mornings and evenings. As the day went on, the sun would warm everything up, so it was easy to shed layers as we got warmer. Plain long-sleeve tees, leggings, and split-hem sweatshirts were perfect for this trip!
QUILTED SNOWSUIT FOR BABY - Since I wore the baby in the Lillebaby baby carrier (full blog post review here), I wanted to make sure she was warm on hikes, but that her bunting wasn’t too bulky making it impossible for me to wear her. I loved this cotton one (similar - the one we used was from when our oldest was a baby). It kept her warm but still free to move.
BABY CARRIER - we did A LOT of walking and hiking. The stroller was great for bike paths and in town, but several of the hikes required the Lillebaby. So comfortable, and no back pain!
STROLLER & CAR SEATS - I prefer having my stroller in the airport, as it’s much easier to throw everything in the basket at the bottom and to use it as a “home base” for my toddler. We gate check it before boarding the plane! It came in handy when we wanted the baby to nap while we were on long walks.
Of course, we packed so much more than what we listed above, but those were a few of the necessary things that I wanted to make sure you remembered!
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Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
