Whether it’s a ten-day holiday or a quick weekend away, taking time to go on an adventure is always worthwhile. Vacations, even short ones, help you disconnect from society and improve your mental health.

Jerry

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, knows that a weekend away is good for the soul—that’s why we’ve created this list of weekend getaways in Idaho. From rustic backcountry adventures and historical pilgrimages to romantic outings and fine dining, these are the best weekend getaways in the Gem State.

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The best weekend getaways for couples in Idaho

Shore Lodge

Stay at:

The Lodge

(rooms from $195/night)

Or:

The Lake House

(prices upon request)

Located in the famed resort town

McCall

, Idaho,

Shore Lodge

puts visitors smack dab in the middle of acres of untouched wilderness and incredible views. In contrast, the Lodge itself is anything but rustic: suites come standard with a flat-screen HD satellite TV, sitting area, fireplace, soaking tub, and outdoor terrace. You also get a kitchen and a private dock if you opt for a cottage.

If you decide to venture outside, you’ll find a heated pool, hot tub, movie theater, fire pit, and more. The onsite

spa

offers massages, facials, full-body wraps, scrubs, and a private hot spring. Plus, with

two restaurants

, a bar, a coffee shop, and a pool bar & grill, there are plenty of options for a romantic meal when you get hungry.

Sandpoint

Stay at:

Cedar Street Hotel & Suites

(rooms from $94/night)

Or:

Talus Rock Retreat

(rooms from $245/night)

A little outdoorsy and a little artsy,

Sandpoint

is the perfect eclectic town for your romantic weekend away. Start your trip with some apple walnut buttermilk pancakes at the Tango Café, then head to

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

for an afternoon on the slopes. If you’d rather stay indoors, hit up

Schweitzer Massage

for a hot stone massage or a 30-minute foot treatment. Before you leave, grab dinner at one of the resort’s

16 restaurants

The following day, head downtown to browse some art galleries or stop by the

Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

for a photography workshop or horseback riding. If you have time, go to Sandpoint City Beach Park for some magnificent scenery along Lake Pend Oreille.

Pro tip If you’re a music fan, head to Sandpoint in August for the annual Festival at Sandpoint. The eight-day fest only seats 4,000 fans, providing a much more intimate experience than most other concerts.

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The best weekend getaways for families in Idaho

Twin Falls

Stay at:

Sure Stay Hotel by Best Western

(rooms from $100/night)

Or:

Hilton Garden Inn

(rooms from $167/night)

Twin Falls

is the perfect base camp for your weekend away if your family is into outdoor adventure. Situated on the Snake River in the Snake River Canyon, Twin Falls has everything from giant canyons to hidden coves to (of course) waterfalls.

Your family will want to explore all the area's famous falls, including

Shoshone Falls

, Perrine Coulee Falls, and the namesake

Twin Falls

. Hike up some incredible trails for a view from the top, or kayak to the base of the falls for an up-close experience. Then, for a change of pace, take the kids to the

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

, where you can see ancient fossils excavated from the area.

Idaho Falls

Stay at:

Motel West

(rooms from $72/night)

Or:

Candlewood Suites

(rooms from $169/night)

Idaho Falls

is home to several prominent attractions and the Greenbelt—a system of parks, trails—and the waterfall for which the town is named. Stop by the

Museum of Idaho

for an afternoon of science and history, or head to the

Art Museum of Eastern Idaho

for various exhibits and classes.

Of course, a trip to Idaho Falls wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the nearby

Idaho Potato Museum

. It’s a little cheesy, but where else can you learn about Idaho’s first potato and the world’s largest Pringles Chip? Before you leave, stop by the café, where everything is made out of potatoes (even cupcakes).

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The best weekend getaways for skiers in Idaho

Sun Valley

Stay at:

The Elkhorn Resort

(rooms from $129/night)

Or:

Sun Valley Lodge

(rooms from $273/night)

If you don't mind higher prices on lodging and meals, Sun Valley is the ideal skiers' retreat (and trust us, the cost is worth it). If you stay at the legendary Sun Valley Lodge, you'll find everything from spa services to world-class dining under the same roof. And, of course, there's the skiing.

Sun Valley is home to one of Idaho's best ski areas—Bald Mountain. In addition to traditional downhill skiing, you'll find terrain parks, adventure trails, and public NASTAR racing. Try snowshoeing, ice skating, or even a

helicopter ride

if you don't feel like hitting the slopes.

Tamarack Resort

Stay at:

The Village

(condos from $154/day)

Or:

The Lodge at Osprey Meadows

(rooms from $119/day)

Tamarack Resort is Idaho’s newest ski resort and is on its way to being the most sought-after destination in the state. The first thing you’ll notice is how fast the lifts are—you’ll reach the 7,700-foot summit in just under 12 minutes, and you’ll enjoy a stunning panorama of Lake Cascade.

At the top, you’ll find uncrowded slopes and long, wide trails where the powder often remains untracked for days. There is truly something for everyone with 50 runs, a 2,800-foot vertical drop, 1,100 lift-accessible areas, and plenty of different levels of terrain. When you get hungry, choose from

11 different restaurants

, including a diner, a taquería, and a pizza shop.

The best weekend getaways for foodies in Idaho

Boise

Stay at:

Inn America Boise

(rooms from $100/night)

Or:

Hotel 43

(rooms from $210/night)

If you want the ultimate foodie weekend in Idaho, head to the state’s capital.

Boise

is chock-full of breweries, wineries, cocktail bars, and restaurants. Start with local favorite

Wild Root Café

for a healthy breakfast (including many plant-based meals) or hit up

Bacon

for their all-day brunch. Later, stop by the

Bittercreek Ale House

, which has one of the biggest beer lists in town and a menu of beer-friendly foods.

For dinner, check out

Kin

for seasonal and locally-sourced food or

Trillium

for buffalo meatloaf and smoked trout poutine. Ready for dessert? Try the warm butter cake at

Fork

, located in the old Boise City National Bank building.

Nampa

Stay at:

Super 8 by Wyndham

(rooms from $94/night)

Or:

Holiday Inn

(rooms from $142/night)

Sitting in the heart of Idaho wine country,

Nampa

offers plenty of opportunities to sample your favorite beverage (and some fantastic food, too). Popular destinations include

Sawtooth Winery

Indian Creek Winery

, and Skyline Vineyards.

While you’re in town, stop by

Babycakes Cupcakery

for a sweet treat or

Flying M Coffee

for delicious baked goods and live entertainment. In the mood for something a little more savory? Little Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant has drool-worthy Pho, while

Brick 29

specializes in “comfort food reinvented.”

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The best outdoor weekend getaways in Idaho

Log Spirit Bed & Breakfast

Stay at:

Autumn Room

(from $150/night)

Or:

Midnight Dream Room

(from $225/night)

Located in the remote town of Athol, Idaho,

Log Spirit

is an outdoor lover’s dream. The Northern Idaho Inn is surrounded by mountain views that you can take in from the eight-foot-wide covered wrap-around porch or by strolling the 20-acres of wooded land. While walking, you might happen across the bridge, pond, gardens, waterfall, orchard, or even chickens.

Heading out for an adventure? Take a quick drive to nearby

Silver Streak Zipline

Farragut State Park

, or Falls Park. Then, when you’re ready to sit and rest, head back to the lodge to hang out in the Great Room, where you can sit around the massive stone fireplace or head upstairs to the library for reading, board games, or a movie.

Yellowstone National Park

Stay at:

Wander Camp Yellowstone

(tents from $144/night)

Or:

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins

(from $240/night)

If you’re an outdoor lover,

Yellowstone National Park

is a must-see. While most of the park is in

Wyoming

, a small section is in Southeast Idaho, and there is plenty to do without driving far. From the park’s West Entrance (which is closest to Idaho), you’ll encounter Madison Junction and

Firehole Canyon

, where you’ll find a fantastic swimming hole.

You’ll find

Old Faithful

, Grand Prismatic, and the

Upper Geyser Basin

if you drive a bit further south. To the north, look for Steamboat Geyser and

Artists’ Paintpots

, a group of over 50 springs, geysers, vents, and mud pots. Not sure what to do on your own? Try

Yellowstone Adventure Tours

for a guided sightseeing trip.

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The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Idaho

Wallace

Stay at:

The Stardust Motel

(rooms from $85/night)

Or:

The Wallace Inn

(rooms from $155/night)

As the only city downtown in the United States to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wallace is a must-see for history buffs. Founded in 1884, the town was the regional center for the silver mining industry until the mid-20th century. Today, visitors `can go to dozens of museums and historical sights that tell the stories of miners, railroad workers, “working girls,” and others that helped create the town.

Start your trip by stopping at the

Historic Wallace Preservation Society

to view some historical photos of the area, then head to the

Oasis Bordello Museum

, a former operating bordello. Later, check out the

Wallace District Mining Museum

or the

Northern Pacific Depot Museum

. And make sure to stop by the historic

Brooks Hotel

restaurant for a quick meal!

Coeur d’Alene

Stay at:

Fair Bridge Inn

(rooms from $114/night)

Or:

The Roosevelt Inn

(rooms from $215/night)

Beautiful

Coeur d’Alene

is known for its lakeside beach and abundance of water sports, but it also has a lot of history. Start by visiting

Old Mission State Park

, home to the oldest building in Idaho, then head to historic

Treaty Rock

, where a 19th-century contract with Indigenous Americans is etched right into the stone.

Other must-see attractions include the

Crystal Goldmine

, established in the late 1800s, the

Bing Crosby House

in nearby

Spokane

, and

Rider Ranch

, a real, working 1,300-acre ranch.

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The best cheap weekend getaways in Idaho

Stanley

Stay at:

Stanley High Country Inn

(rooms from $85/night)

Or:

Triangle C Cabins

(rooms from $99/night)

Stanley, Idaho, is the perfect place for your budget-friendly getaway. While it is a well-known mountain town, Stanley is far less developed than other big-name locations, like Sun Valley’s

Hailey

. Still, it offers unparalleled access to some of the most pristine wilderness in the nation and all the activities that go along with it.

Sitting at the conjunction of four national forests, the

Frank Church Wilderness Area

, and the Sawtooth Mountain Range, Stanley offers hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and even hot springs. And if you’re into photography, the area offers tons of opportunities for capturing gorgeous snaps, no matter the season.

Lewiston

Stay at:

FairBridge Inn & Suites

(rooms from $89/night)

Or:

Quality Inn

(rooms from $114/night)

Lewiston offers another popular yet affordable destination. Located at the merging point of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Lewiston radiates an Old West feel and provides lots of opportunities for adventure.

Of course, being so close to two major rivers, the town has plenty of options for water sports, including kayaking, rafting, tubing, and swimming. Other inexpensive options include the

Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum

, Lewis and Clark Discovery Center, and the

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Pro Tip Lewis and Clark Valley, home to Lewiston, has festivals all year long, from music to demolition derby. Check out their
calendar
before planning your trip!

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Why you need good car insurance (and how you can save on the best!)

Whether you’re heading to a national forest or a bustling downtown, make sure you’re covered with a car insurance policy from

Jerry

for your

Idaho

getaway.

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