Best Things to do in Bellevue Idaho

Bellevue, Idaho has much to offer visitors. Learn where to stay, eat, shop, and what to do in this quaint Idaho town. Although less well-known than nearby Hailey, Ketchum, or Sun Valley,  the community of Bellevue is well worth a visit. As a native Idahoan with a fondness for small-town charm, I was happy to visit a town I’d never explored before. Read on to find out more about Belleview, Idaho, the gateway to Idaho’s Wood River Valley.

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Places to Stay in Bellevue, Idaho

During our travels, my husband and I are fond of staying at establishments that aren’t part of a national chain. Bellevue has two to choose from. The High Country Motel and the Silver Creek Hotel. The Silver Creek Hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, meeting rooms, and a Tesla charging station. Located on Bellevue’s Main Street, it offers plenty of parking and a stunning view of the nearby mountains.

We spent a peaceful night at the High Country Motel. I’m not sure why we do this, but my husband and I often like to book lodgings at the last minute. We aren’t always exactly sure where we will end up for the night and like to leave room for spontaneity in our travels. When we called the High Country, we actually were thinking a little ahead (by one day) and the friendly front desk manager informed us there was a room available. When we arrived, I was struck by the cheery atmosphere. There were flowers in bloom all around the property, as well as a little park area with play equipment and an outdoor fire pit.

The rooms were clean and comfortable. When we asked for recommendations for a place to dine, the front desk manager was extremely helpful and offered many suggestions.

Places to Eat in Bellevue, Idaho

Among the recommendations of the friendly manager was the South Valley Pizzeria, known for its “howlin’ good” herb crust. Another idea given was Mahoney’s Bar & Grill. The food menu on their website looked delicious, but they were closed. The third recommendation offered was a Mexican restaurant called Mama Inez. Guess what? It was also closed. Even though it was early on a Sunday evening, there were few restaurants open. That was okay. Some restaurants need to be able to give their employees a day off and might have a small staff. We widened our search to include nearby (three miles away) Hailey. Even though there are other eateries in Bellevue, like the Silver Dragon, Oak Street, and even Subway, we realized we were in the mood for Thai food.

We ended up at a lovely location in Hailey called A Taste of Thai. On a quest for dessert, we found a busy burger joint by the name of Snowbunny Drive-In. I highly recommend their milkshakes.

Recreation in Bellevue, Idaho

Bellevue offers many opportunities for getting outside and enjoying nature. The 13-acre Howard Preserve is a place to go fishing as well as walking on developed trails. If you visit Bellevue in October, you might want to pay a visit to the Haunted Forest at Howard Preserve for some creepy fun.

Bellevue also has two city parks. Bellevue Memorial Park, site of annual Labor Day festivities, features a tennis court, basketball court, and playground equipment for youngsters. The city’s O’Donnell Park is the site of a baseball field,  soccer field, and recently installed playground equipment.

For those who wish to go camping in Bellevue, the Riverside RV Park and Campground may be just what you are looking for. The park offers sites with full hook-ups as well as tent sites. Showers, laundry facilities, and wi-fi are also offered.

If you wish to explore back-country trails, check out the UTV rentals at Ryan’s Mountain Rentals. Their motto is “We Rent Fun!” They have a selection of 2-seater and 4-seater Polaris Razor vehicles for exploring the surrounding area during a day trip or an overnight adventure.

Silver Mining  and a Semi-Ghost Town Near Bellevue, Idaho

If you travel west about a mile from Bellevue, down Broadford Road, and across a bridge over the Big Wood River, you will come to the site of the town of Broadford. Although the old buildings that formed this mining town are no longer in existence, there is a sand and gravel company called River Valley Rock N Dirt. If you are an Idaho history buff or a fan of old silver mines with names like Minnie Moore and Queen of the Hills, you can call the folks at the company to see about getting some information about the old township and mine sites.

Places to Shop in Bellevue, Idaho

Bellevue has two grocery stores. One is an Atkinson’s Market and the other is a member of Associated Food Stores. Both are located on Main Street. There is also a convenience store called Valley Wide Country Store, a Family Dollar store, and Napa Auto Parts. For those of you who like to go thrifting or antiquing, there is the Trader consignment shop, a Building Material Thrift Store, the Treasure Chest Community Thrift Store, and Kearsarge Lodge Antiques.

Real Estate in Bellevue, Idaho

Just as when we traveled to Wallowa Lake, Oregon, Redlands, California, or the northern Oregon Coast, we like to look at local real estate. Although most real estate offices in the Wood River Valley are located in Hailey or Ketchum, there was one real estate office with a branch in Bellevue. Since retirement for me is only a few years away, we are always on the lookout for possible retirement locations in communities we enjoy. The Bellevue/Hailey area has a lot to offer, including an ice skating rink, which is on my wish list for retirement community amenities. Of course, if you do a search on Zillow or Realtor.com, you will see that the real estate market in the Wood River Valley is hot. Properties are in high demand, and with good reason.

How to Get to Bellevue, Idaho

If you would like to get to Bellevue by air, you may fly into nearby Friedman Memorial Airport, located in Hailey. Flights originate from Seattle, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Denver, and San Francisco daily. If you are looking for airfare deals, the three-letter code for the airport is SUN.

Traveling to Bellevue by car? Come up highway 75 from Twin Falls, which is 61 miles away. Boise is 136 miles from Bellevue. If you are coming from the east, you can take a shortcut called the Gannett Picabo Road. Here’s a handy vintage Idaho state map to help you get around.

Is there public transportation in Bellevue? Bellevue is on the Valley Route of the Mountain Rides transportation system. Good news! As of the writing of this post, ALL routes are fare-free, including the route to Twin Falls. That’s a great deal!

What Are Your Favorite Travel Destinations?

I’d love to know about your favorite places to visit. What should I see if I ever travel to your area? Please let me know! If you like what you’ve read today, you might also like reading about scenic Newport on the Oregon coast or my visit to the historic and iconic Timberline Lodge. For some simple travel wardrobe ideas, you can check out my post listing Wardrobe Essentials for the Savvy Traveler. Here are some other posts you might enjoy:

• 10 Must-Do Activities at Silverwood Theme Park
• The Oregon Garden Resort: A Relaxing Destination
• Glacier National Park: 10 Essential Tips for First-Timers

The Essential Handbag

When traveling in cities, train stations, bus stations, airports, or wherever there are crowds, a secure handbag that will confound would-be thieves is a must. My favorite travel handbag has been with me inside Buckingham Palace, the Vatican, the Louvre, and Bellevue, Idaho. It’s the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bucket Bag, and I have witnessed firsthand its effectiveness.

When traveling to Bellevue, I wasn’t as worried about theft. I did appreciate the roomy side pockets for water bottles. This amazing handbag has traveled to more places than I have, as it has been borrowed. My mom has the same handbag in brown, and her bag was put to the test while traveling on the Paris Metro, where she thwarted some would-be thieves.

Did the pickpockets give up because of the security features such as the locking zippers or the slash-resistant cable inside the shoulder strap? Theft happens, and the Travelon bag is the best way I know to be prepared. The main compartment is roomy (I fit an iPad in it) and the side mesh pockets are perfect for an umbrella or, as previously noted, a water bottle or two. A small compartment has RFID-blocking organization spots for credit cards and a passport. I could go on and on. It’s a phenomenal bag, and I hope to take many more trips with it.

Other Travel Essentials

Keep track of all of your belongings (even your kids) with Apple air tags. These handy devices come with a battery and are even water-resistant. Just use a simple one-step process to connect the tag to your iPhone or iPad, then use the Find My app to locate your item. Get a 4-pack and use for tracking luggage, pets, and more.

Whether you are camping or staying in a hotel, be safe with a portable carbon monoxide detector. This one has an AC-adaptor with battery backup. It’s only 2.75 by 1.5 by 4.5 inches, and could save your life.

Streamline Your Packing Strategy

Do you want to avoid overpacking on your next trip? Never check a bag again when you use this Capsule Wardrobe Packing List.

It’s digital, customizable, printable, and FREE to subscribers of the Fluxing Well site.

Bellevue and the Unforgettable Wood River Valley

This Idaho travel experience is one I will never forget. If you ever find yourself in the Wood River Valley or in beautiful Bellevue, you now have some ideas about sights to see. Wherever your adventures take you, I hope you make wonderful memories. Thanks for joining me on a virtual visit and exploring fun things to do on a visit to Bellevue, Idaho and the surrounding area. May you have many happy travel experiences!

Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers on her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the Welcome page.

 

 

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