Hi:

The past two summers we have visited Aspen during our annual August vacation. We love that and love being within walking distance of everything - rarely did we use our rental car.

We love the varied outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, outdoor concerts, mountain activities, swimming, golf) and we also love the town with its galleries, dining, shopping, etc.

We would love to try a new destination. Where can we find a similar experience? Outdoor beauty and adventure with a town nearby - preferably within walking distance of our accomodations.

I have thought about Sun Valley, McCall, Jackson Hole and Montana. Also, conisdered Tahoe but my husband thought it might be too casino-ish.

I looked at Teton Mountain Lodge, Snake River, Snow King and White Tail - I just don't know which, if any of these, have that adjacent town experience or maybe there is some place I haven't considered??? I read on these boards that Snow King's town is deserted in summer - don't want that.

Would consider east coast too - maybe Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

I would consider a private home if there was a pool and town nearby.

We have three children, 8, 6 and 4 - and typically get a condo at a resort with a kitchen and 2nd bedroom on vacations. We'd be traveling the last two weeks of August.

I love the Fodor's board - people are always so helpful - I recently got some great info for a trip to Italy we wil be taking next year.

Thanks in advance!
Lisa

Jackson Hole

I love Jackson and the Tetons. Another idea would be Sun Valley or Ketchum, ID. Park City, UT would also be fabulous. Missoula, MT is not completely walkable like Aspen and Jackson; but, does offer some wonderful options. Have a great time!

WY: Jackson Hole

ID: Sun Valley and Ketchum

MT: Whitefish

Thank you so much!

Lisa

Lisa....The Sun Valley/Ketchum area is exactly what you are describing. You can stay at a condo in Sun Valley or rent a private home anywhere in the Ketchum area and be connected to everything in town via the great Wood River Bike trails -- paved path that goes all over town and up and down the valley to Hailey. The one advantage to having a car as well is to be able to take advantage of the great hiking just outside of Ketchum in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. My family has been vacationing here for 40 years -- you will have a bast!

come visit Ashland, Oregon
http://www.ashlandchamber.com

Thank you all for your responses.

katysic - do you know of any rental agencies that would offer homes/condos in Ketchum? I have been on the Sun Valley Resort and Premier Resort websites and everything appears to already be booked for last two weeks of August - is that possible?

I plan to call Monday - perhaps some rooms do not appear on-line.

Thanks a bunch!

Lisa

We've vacationed on Nantucket Island for many years. New England is beautiful in the summer time. There is always a breeze. It is also a similar experience: walking distance of everything, various outdoor activities, however it is in the middle of the ocean, far away from everything. Martha's Vineyard is too commercial. Even though Nantucket is changing we still found that there are a few places that are true and original Nantucket.

Dine: American Seasons, http://www.americanseasons.com/Le Languedoc, http://www.lelanguedoc.com/ Topper's at the Wauwinet, Black Eyed Susan's. Also, the sandwiches at Something Natural are the best.

Stay: Century House B & B, http//:www.centuryhouse.com

Activities: Ride a bike to Sconset. Go see the stars at night through the Maria Mitchell telescopes (we do that every year)...breathtaking views of the night sky. Rent a Jeep and drive on the beach then have a picnic. There are beautiful galleries and the best food.

Thank you for the insight on Nantucket - I had abandoned that thought since it seemd so pricey to me.

I checked out the Century House - I don't think we can do the B&B with 3 small children - I fear we'd be evicted but they do have an adjacent cottage that looks appealing - I must call and look into pricing.

I am still leaning toward Ketchum - but want to go to Nantucket some day so I will definitely file all of this info away for the future (unless, of course, the Nantucket trip comes to be much less expensive than Ketchum - that could sway my mind).

Thanks for your fabulous suggestions!

Lisa

I also recommend Ketchum or Jackson.

Snow King is in the town of Jackson. We've stayed in the hotel part (they also have condos). The hotel is pretty dated, but many of the rooms have been updated.

Hi Lisa,

I've skied and summer visited all 3 of your options, as well as Aspen more than once.

Out of the 3, Sun Valley,Ketchum would be the most like Aspen.

Jackson is great, but the town itself is not primarily a ski town. The ski area, Jackson Hole, called Teton Village is about 15 min drive out of town at the base of the mountains.

Snow King Ski area is very small and more in town, but yes, it's dead in the summer.

Jackson as a town is very fun in itself, but LOADED with tourists during the summer. Lots to do with Teton Natl Park and Yellowstone nearby!

Have fun

Ashland gettin' no love as the next
Aspen
Or maybe that's a good thing

OK - I have flights on reserve to Sun valley (AmEx points too!)

I really want a pool for the kids - they love to swim and its their vacation. Most of the homes only had hot tubs - but then I found Les Saisons. It is pricey but I figure we are saving money on the airfare - and it has a heated pool and fitness center and is walkable to town! Does anyone have any comments on this place? I saw one review on TripAdvisor and it was good! Apparently, it is a time share club that offers some rentals.

I am going to call tomorrow - I found a 3 BR for rent during our time period, not sure about the 2 BR. I will keep you posted. If you know of anything about Les Saisons, I'd love to hear!

They mention info about a private driver that comes with the units???

Thanks, Lisa


PS So sorry about the Ashland thing - I checked out the website and it looks wonderful. For this trip, we're going on name recognition - so you are right, perhaps it's a good thing Ashland doesn't have it in my part of the country.

Now - I just checked one more time at the Sun Valley resort (which is not Ketchum and I was thinking Ketchum is what we wanted) but SVR has one 2BR condo and it is 1/2 price of Les Saisons.

Looking at the map, it looks to me as if the distance of these properties from each other is minor and it won't really matter for walking purposes.

The facilities at Sun Valley are great for the kids - bowling, tennis, pools, stables, etc - I think I give the edge to Sun Valley Resort at half price.

If anyone has any thoughts - I'd love to hear them before booking this thing!

Lisa

Lisa, I was kind of kidding. Our movie stars come/live here because they are rich hippies who want to remain anonyomous, drink local wines and beers
and eat organic, as opposed to the Aspen vibe. But we do have a cool film festival coming up
http://www.ashlandfilm.org/

We are booked for Sun Valley Resort and have "purchased" our free tix into Sun Valley airport with AmEx points.

I am so excited for this trip. IT sounds wonderful - and it will be fairly inexpensive. We may now have enough in the budget to do a few days somewhere tropical around Thanksgiving.

Thank you all! After we visit, i will let you know how it goes - after all, there isn't an overabundance of info on Sun valley on these boards.

Lisa

Lisa,

The Sun Valley Resort is very, very nice and you and the kids will love it. I think they even do summer indoors ice skating shows and always lots of special events.

The Sun Valley resort is a ways away out of Ketchum, but I believe there is free shuttle bus service. Lots of nice bike trails to so you could easily ride between the two.

Be sure to have dinner at the Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum!