Travel Guide: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a magical, magical place. We spent one week there prior to attending a wedding in June and we enjoyed every moment. Summer out west is one of my favorite things to experience – the dry heat, the fresh mountain air, the endless skies. One thing I loved most about Jackson is that it really has a Western dude ranch meets posh ski resort feel. It’s small, hard to get to and expensive which makes it exclusive and fabulous. There is nothing commercial feeling about it and everywhere we went had us wanting more. I hope to be able to visit Jackson Hole again, perhaps next time in winter.

What To Do

+ Head to String Lake:  We rented Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) from Rendevous (they were $40/day) and spent the day kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming in the lake, jumping off rocks, etc. The lake is super clear with the Grand Tetons in back- spectacular view.

Traveler Tip: bring towels, chairs & cooler with food (be sure to store in the bear locker!)

+ Granite Hot Springs: We thought this was cool but would be more fun in winter, as the springs were very hot & crowded. We made the best of it and enjoyed the natural (cold) waterfalls and hiked around. If you’re there during cooler weather, I highly recommend it. Located on a back road, about 10 miles off the beaten path, the area provides gorgeous views full of wildlife. We saw deer, cows, horses, etc…

+ White Water Rafting: We had the best time rafting down the Snake River – the rapids were fast, exciting & sometimes even scary! There were people of all ages (I’m talking 10-70) and everyone had a blast. Can’t recommend this enough.

+ Go Horseback Riding: Obviously there are horses everywhere in Jackson! This place is full of barns and farms and dude ranches…however, we could never find the time to commit to a half day excursion. Had we done a bit more research I’m sure we could have made it happen though. Next time!

+ Visit Yellowstone: About a 2 hour drive (each way), Yellowstone is obviously a “must see” if you have time. A big chunk of our group took a day trip to drive out there to explore the park and they absolutely loved it. They said the scenery, the nature, the history- it’s all worth going.

+ Go Hiking: The group we were with organized a hike to Phelps Lake along the Lake Creed Trail. You end up hiking for a couple of hours and can jump off some cliffs into the lake. It’s a very serene and picturesque trail.

+ Mormon Row: Okay, so I kept reading about this but sadly never made it! They say that if you want to see buffalo in person, they hang out here by the old barns. I actually never saw a buffalo during our trip, but I did see a moose which was super cool.

Where To Stay

+ The Four Seasons: This is one of the nicest Four Seasons properties we’ve stayed at (second to my favorite, Santa Barbara). The resort is a ski-in, ski-out on the mountain which makes it highly convenient, especially for winter. Even in summer though, we found the location to be ideal – whether it’s relaxing by the pool, hiking the mountain or dining in the restaurant, I highly recommend staying here.

+ The Amangani: High on my bucket list for places to stay, the Amangani is a five-star resort set on a massive property of land with stunning mountain views. We planned on grabbing a cocktail here for happy hour (rumor has it their sunsets are the best in town) but didn’t end up having enough time. If you are looking to splurge and indulge, this is the hotel for you.

Where To Eat + Drink

+ Hatch: We actually didn’t make it here, but our friends told us that when in Jackson, this is the joint to enjoy Mexican food & margaritas

+ Jackson Hole Grocers– This local, organic grocery is basically a whole foods meets neighborhood market. We came here at the beginning of the week to stock up on healthy snacks & treats

+ Snake River Grill– A good fine dining spot in J. Hole, this restaurant is a bit pricey but worth it. All of you steak lovers, this is your go-to.

+ Persephone Bakery– This is the perfect brunch spot in downtown. This charming spot has awesome organic eggs, granola, bacon & baked goods. Be sure to sit al fresco on the patio!

+ Silver Dollar Bar in Wort Hotel– It’s no wonder this place came so highly recommended. We ended up here at least 2 nights. It’s so much fun and features cheap drinks & live music. My kind of bar!

+ Million Dollar Cowboy Bar– This is the most famous spot in Jackson Hole and for good reason! It’s a cowboy inspired local watering hole with bar seats made of real leather saddles. We witnessed a few real cowboys and some authentic country line dancing. You have to go here when you’re in Jackson Hole!

+ Town Square Tavern– I can’t speak for this place at night, but we spent a couple of hours here one afternoon, enjoying an ice cold beverage on the back deck. The space overlooks the town square and its ideal for people watching!