4 Observations from Visiting Sun Valley for the First Time

There are tons of beautiful places in Idaho, and places you must see when you move here. The Shoshone Falls, the hot springs, and the mountains are some of the many places people recommend. One town that was brought to my attention early on was Sun Valley, located about 70 miles north of Twin Falls. It is a straight shot north and you can't get lost. Recently my family and I made a day trip up there to finally check it out and it turned into an experience and we learned a few things.

Sun Valley is a Celebrity Hot Spot

One of the first things people tell you about Sun Valley is it is where you go to see famous people. It is no secret that celebrities like to escape their busy lives and Sun Valley is often where they have been spotted. It is not uncommon to see someone walking around town or on the slopes. While I was somewhat hoping to see somebody, that did not happen. Contrary to belief, they are not there all the time or standing on the corner waiting for people to recognize them. You may see someone of fame, but it won't be as easy as people make it sound.

It is Fancy and High Class

For the first time in my life, I walked into a grocery store and felt like I couldn't afford a can of soup. It was a very high-end feeling there, but it is understandable when it is known to host people with a good amount of money and fame. Some of the people you can tell carry themselves very highly, but rightfully so. Nobody was mean or made me feel out of place, but it is on the higher end for sure. If you are afraid of feeling like you don't belong, don't worry. There were people from all walks of life, but you will feel like it is out of your price range as well.

Wild Animals Are Easy to Spot

Driving through Idaho, at any time you can see a wild animal. Elk, hawks, and deer are common to find but you don't always expect to see them. Driving in Sun Valley, we saw a field full of an entire herd of elk and then later saw one on someone's front porch. Who knows what you might see, but odds are high that at least one elk will be seen. 

Sun Valley is Perfect for Sledding

The best part of our trip up there was the sledding. I thought I had sled as a kid, but I think I was wrong. I had never gotten that much speed or hit a jump like that before. We found a spot on the side of the road to park and a nice big hill to go down. My son and I had a blast and crashed a few times. I am pretty sure I flew over him on one and rarely did I make it fully to the bottom. It was an extremely fun afternoon. While there are places to sled closer to Twin, it was worth it to go up there. 

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The next time you are looking to get away for a few hours, head up to Sun Valley. Make sure to put on some decent-looking clothes, as well as warm ones. Don't forget your sleds or something to ride on or make sure you grab your snowboard or skis. Make sure the camera on your phone is working just in case you see elk or a famous person. The trip is worth taking and who knows what you may discover that my family and I didn't. Have a fun time.