9 Best Idaho Towns For A Weekend Trip

Everyone is looking for somewhere accessible and enjoyable for hard-earned weekend trips, and Idaho delivers spots where just about anyone can unwind, live boldly, or just have a blast. From the epic ski hills at Ketchum to luxury lakeside retreats in Sandpoint, the state offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. Step back in time wandering silver-mining towns, paddle and swim in northern lakes, or pitch a tent in Priest River or Stanley under towering peaks. With a landscape that shifts from mountains to rivers, forests to alpine valleys, Idaho packs natural beauty and endless ways to get outside.

Sandpoint

A weekend in Sandpoint can start with luxury and comfort woven into its lakeside setting on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake, with 111 miles of shoreline and depths over 1,000 feet. Sandpoint’s Talus Rock Retreat sits less than two miles from downtown on 18 private acres with hot tubs and an outdoor pool. Downtown tasting rooms like Pend d’Oreille Winery’s tasting room pour award-winning wines from locally produced Northwest varietals right in the center of town, and places such as The Bank: Barroom and Eatery bring elevated meals into restored historic buildings within walking distance of lodging and the water.

Once you are ready to widen the weekend beyond spa-like comforts, Sandpoint City Beach Park places sandy shorelines, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and public docks directly on the lake, where Lake Pend Oreille Cruises depart from the City Beach dock on a 40-foot vessel for history, sunset, or themed tours that loop across the water. For a more alpine sense of place, Schweitzer Mountain Resort lies about 11 miles northwest of town in the Selkirk Mountains, where lifts and trails serve skiing in winter and hiking or mountain biking in summer.

Wallace

Wallace makes a weekend feel like stepping back into a time when silver drove the economy and hillside streets ruled the skyline. The Wallace Inn, perched just outside central town, lets visitors wake to views of the Bitterroot Mountains and Silver Valley, with the historic downtown only a short stroll away. Brick buildings climb the steep streets, leading to the Center of the Universe manhole at Bank and Sixth, a quirky nod to the 2004 mayoral declaration that has become a townwide inside joke. Mining history threads through Wallace like veins of silver.

The Sierra Silver Mine Tour starts from town limits and winds underground through authentic 19th-century tunnels, while the Wallace District Mining Museum collects artifacts that trace the town’s rise as the Silver Capital of the World. A few blocks from there, the Oasis Bordello Museum preserves the last operating brothel in Idaho, offering a direct, unapologetic glimpse of frontier life. Cyclists and hikers connect to the Route of the Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from nearby parking points outside of town, as well as the Pulaski Tunnel Trail, which threads 3.7 miles through forested paths.

Ketchum

Ketchum and neighboring Sun Valley are best known as Idaho’s most established ski base, which immediately shapes the kind of weekend this town excels at. Bald Mountain rises directly over Ketchum, with the River Run base area inside town limits, making it realistic to land, check into a hotel, and ski full days without touching a car. Baldy’s long, consistent fall line attracts advanced skiers and snowboarders, while Dollar Mountain, located in Sun Valley, just east of town, covers beginners and families with shorter pitches and wide-open terrain. That ski-first identity carries straight into downtown, where seasonal events turn a winter or shoulder-season weekend into something denser than a simple slopes trip.

Wagon Days runs through Main Street every Labor Day weekend, bringing historic wagons, street vendors, and live music into the town core. In October, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival sends thousands of sheep directly down Main Street, alongside food events, performances, and talks, all within walking distance of central hotels like the Limelight Ketchum hotel. Between ski laps or festival crowds, Ketchum always stays active. The Sun Valley Museum of Art sits downtown with rotating exhibitions and lectures. Grumpy’s draws après-ski traffic for burgers and pitchers, while The Kneadery handles breakfast crowds early enough to catch first chair.

Idaho City

For a weekend escape in Idaho City, start by checking into The Springs, a hot springs retreat tucked into the surrounding pines with private pools and soaking tubs that let visitors unwind without leaving the forested landscape. There is also the Smoke Jumper Tiny Home Resort, with individual units steps from historic Main Street. Once settled, the town’s gold rush history becomes immediate.

Original brick storefronts and false-front buildings set the backdrop for the Simply Fun Historic Walking Tour, which guides visitors to the County Courthouse, an old bank vault, and a preserved courtroom filled with 19th-century furniture. Diamond Lil’s Museum, Steakhouse & Saloon continues that thread, displaying decades of currency and memorabilia while serving food in a functioning saloon.

Priest River

Priest River is for those who want a weekend that’s unpretentious, outdoorsy, and down-to-earth. Nestled in the Selkirk Mountains where the Priest River meets the Pend Oreille River, the town balances rugged scenery with approachable accommodations. The Eagle’s Nest Motel offers a rustic stay just outside town, complete with mountain views, putting visitors within easy reach of the river and surrounding trails. Launch a boat from Bonner Park West or the Priest River Recreation Area, swim in the river’s calmer stretches, or try sailing along the Pend Oreille.

Round Lake State Park, 20 minutes east, spans 58 acres of lake and offers hiking trails and campsites for those who want to stay closer to the water. Ice skating in winter, fishing in spring and summer, and casual picnics along the riverbanks keep the outdoors front and center. Downtown, The Settlement Kitchen + Craft Tavern serves bison burgers, and The 57 Store stocks local goods. For golf, The Ranch Club on the outskirts of town offers a nine-hole course with family-friendly rates and a restaurant overlooking the surrounding forest.

Bonner's Ferry

The first reason to plan a weekend in Bonners Ferry is the easy access to the water. The Kootenai River cuts through town, perfect for kayaking or a half-day drift-fishing trip. Launch points line the river within city limits, and you don’t need to drive to reach them from the Kootenai River Inn and Casino, which places rooms directly on the riverbank. For hiking without heading too far from town, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge stretches over 2,700 acres just west of downtown. Trails like the Ole Humpback Trail cross wetlands and forest, giving views of beavers, bald eagles, deer, and moose while remaining entirely on the refuge property.

The Boundary County Museum, one block from City Hall, displays artifacts from the Kootenai Tribe, early settlers, and the river trade that established the town in 1864. The Pearl Theater hosts live performances in a building that was once a church, connecting visitors to over a century of local entertainment. Seasonal energy lands on the streets during the Boundary County Fair or the Borders 3 Jamboree Car Show, which rolls classic cars along its historic downtown streets.

Kellogg

Silver Mountain Resort rises at the base of Kellogg, giving visitors a comfortable place to stay and immediate access to the town and the summit beyond. From there, the world’s longest single-stage gondola climbs 3.1 miles from downtown to the mountain, linking winter ski runs, summer mountain bike trails, and Silver Rapids, the ginormous indoor water park. The resort’s slopes and trails thread directly into the surrounding Bitterroot Mountains. Kellogg keeps its mining past visible alongside these modern escapes.

Crystal Gold Mine takes visitors underground through preserved 1880s tunnels where real gold and colorful crystals are preserved, while the Mining and Smelting Museum features an extensive collection of rock and mineral displays. Uptown Main Street, find Radio Brewing Company in a historic brick storefront, serving craft beer and burgers.

Orofino

For a weekend in Orofino, start at the Helgeson Place Hotel, a modern stay perched near the eastern edge of town with easy access to the Clearwater River. From here, the river itself is a draw for many: steelhead fishing attracts anglers throughout the spring and summer, while calm stretches make boating a straightforward option for beginners or families. Downtown, the Clearwater Historical Museum immerses visitors in the region’s layered history, from Indigenous cultures to logging and pioneer settlements, without feeling like a dusty archive.

For one of the better times of year to visit, September’s annual Lumberjack Days turns the town into a party. Among the many events across the weekend are demonstrations of traditional timber skills, with axe-throwing, log sawing, and kid-friendly log-rolling competitions. Outside town, Dworshak Reservoir stretches across the landscape, offering camping, boating, and water-based recreation just a short drive from the hotel.

Stanley

The abundance of hot springs in Stanley is one of the bigger draws for a weekend trip. The Salmon River has a surprising amount of naturally heated pools to enjoy, including Boat Box and the Mountain Village hot spring, which is just a few minutes from Mountain Village Resort. After dark, Stanley’s place within the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve proves itself to be magical. Stargazing doesn’t require a drive or planning window, as minimal street lighting regularly exposes the Milky Way.

Once daylight takes over, the Sawtooth Valley pushes everything outward. Redfish Lake lies several miles south of town and draws kayakers and paddleboarders during the warmer months, while the Salmon River cuts directly through Stanley and supports rafting and fly fishing without a long drive. In the winter months, the Sawtooth region is one of the better places in the state for cross-country skiing. While there are a couple of restaurants in town, such as Papa Brunee's Pizza and Subs, Stanley is a weekend retreat destination for those who love the outdoors.

Idaho’s weekends stretch from lakeside luxury in Sandpoint to unpretentious outdoor escapes in Priest River, with Wallace offering a dive into silver-mining history and Ketchum delivering world-class slopes. Whether you are paddling Lake Pend Oreille, hiking the Selkirk Mountains, exploring historic streets, or skiing alpine trails, each town is a great spot to spend a couple of days. From rustic motels to boutique retreats, Idaho’s mix of natural landscapes, adventure, and approachable towns ensures weekends are never short on energy or discovery.