If you paid attention during high school English class, you’ve likely heard of Ernest Hemingway and have read some of his works. This American novelist is well-known for his novels like “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “The Old Man and the Sea.” He even won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in 1954. However, what many Idahoans don’t know is that this famous writer made a small town in Idaho his home.

Ernest Hemingway had quite a writing background. His resume includes time as a journalist, a foreign correspondent, a short-story writer, and a popular novelist.
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Hemingway was also a big outdoorsman and loved to spend time in nature. Some of his favorite pastimes were fishing and hunting and these are a few of the things that led him to Sun Valley, a small town in Idaho.
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Hemingway had a home in Sun Valley, Idaho. However, it wasn’t a traditional home. Rather, he lived in the Sun Valley Lodge.
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Hemingway lived in Room 206 and it is where he wrote some of his most popular works including the well-known "For Whom the Bell Tolls." This room had an outdoor terrace where Hemingway enjoyed spending his time. It wasn’t until 1959 when Hemingway moved out of the lodge and into a private home in Ketchum, a small town just a short distance from the lodge.

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You can visit the Sun Valley Lodge today and find pictures of Hemingway and other celebrities displayed on the walls. You can also stay in Hemingway's old room. This room is dedicated to Hemingway and features unique photographs of his life and even his old typewriter.
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One of Hemingway’s favorite places to visit in Ketchum was the Pioneer Saloon. This restaurant has a western theme and some of the best steak and prime rib in the area.
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When visiting the Pioneer Saloon today, pay attention to the items hanging on the wall. You may just see some of Hemingway’s personal belongings. Visiting this restaurant is one of the best things to do in the Sun Valley area. You can learn more about the Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum in our feature article.
Hemingway fans will certainly want to visit Silver Creek near Sun Valley. This was a popular place for Hemingway to get out and enjoy nature. After Hemingway passed away, his son Jack established the Silver Creek Preserve, which is now a popular fishing destination in central Idaho.
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When in Sun Valley and the Ketchum areas, you will not only get to visit some of the places where Hemingway spent his time, but you can also visit his final resting place. In the Ketchum Cemetery is Hemingway’s grave, which is quite often covered in pens and alcohol bottles.
Frank Schulenburg/Wikimedia Commons

Ernest Hemingway left quite the history in a small town in Idaho. Do you know of any other famous individuals who made Idaho their home? What are some of your favorite things to do in Sun Valley, ID? Did you know that Ernest Hemingway lived in Sun Valley? Let us know in the comments!

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Things to do in Sun Valley, Idaho

Courtnie Erickson | March 22, 2023

What are some things to do in Sun Valley, Idaho?

Sun Valley, Idaho is the ultimate getaway destination in Idaho. While the ski resort is one of the big draws to this area, it isn’t the only thing you will want to add to your itinerary. A few additional things to do in Sun Valley, Idaho include:

  • Plan a visit to the small town of Ketchum. This town lies just outside of Sun Valley and is a foodie’s paradise.
  • Spend the day fly fishing.
  • Go hiking. Especially during the summer months, there are incredible hikes to help you explore this area.
  • Go ice skating. The outdoor ice skating rink at Sun Valley Resort is magnificent any time of the year.

 

What are some other small towns in Idaho to visit?

Sun Valley certainly deserves a spot on every bucket list but there are many other small towns in Idaho that deserve your attention. A few of our favorite small towns in Idaho include:

 

Where are some other destinations in Idaho that I don’t want to miss?

Yes, there are small towns in Idaho that are bucket list worthy and Sun Valley is one area that every Idahoan should visit at least once, but there is so much more to the Gem State that is worth exploring. A few additional bucket-list-worthy destinations in Idaho include:

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