Jackson Hole Travel Guide
Hi guys! Today I’m trading in my designer tips for a cowboy hat and finally sharing a travel guide to one of my favorite places, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
I’ve been coming here with my family for the past 20 years, and it holds such a special place in my heart. My in-laws have a cabin outside of Jackson, and every summer my husband, kids, and I escape the Arizona heat for a few weeks of fresh air and adventure. Jackson Hole is magical with its stunning views and endless outdoor activities. Its the perfect spot whether you’re planning a family vacation, a couples getaway, or even a girls trip (my girlfriends and I were just here a couple of weeks ago, and it was the best).
In this post, I’ll be rounding up all my favorite things to do, places to shop, where to eat, and of course…a full list of hikes I love.
Where to Stay
As I said, I stay with my in-laws when I am up here but that is a bit of a drive from Jackson. Here some places in Jackson that I would recommend staying at!
The Cloudveil
Right in the Town Square, The Cloudveil is stylish but cozy.
Diamond Cross Ranch
If you want the true Jackson Hole experience, stay at one of the cabins or lodges at Diamond Cross Ranch.
Hotel Terra
Modern, polished, and the best stay if you’re looking for easy access to the slopes.
Four Seasons
The ultimate luxury stay in Teton Village.
Things to Do
Outdoor Activities
Rent e-bikes
There are two options I recommend.
The first option is renting the bikes down in Teton Village. The ride winds through Moose, which is amazing for wildlife spotting. I did this with my friends and it was so much fun. The trade-off is that you’re sharing the road with cars and it’s 25 miles round trip, so I wouldn’t recommend this one if you’re with kids. This is a long trip, but worth it!
The easier route is to rent at Dornan’s. Dornan’s doesn’t have as many e-bikes as Teton Village so if have a large group or don’t rent them beforehand this can be tricky. It’s right before you enter the park, so you can hop straight onto the bike trail that takes you into the park with incredible views the whole way. I love this option because you can ride as far as you want and it’s safe. You’re always on a designated bike path.
The best view of the whole ride comes just past the Bradley/Taggart trailhead. There is this big, open field with the Tetons rising up behind it. You’ll know you’re there when you see the fence and cabin. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
White Water Rafting
All of my friends said that this was by far the most fun activity we did together. And I mean, look at this photo. We were having the time of our lives! This is also a family-friendly activity. I brought my kids this summer and they had a blast! I recommend using Mad River Boat Trips. Note that if you’re in a smaller group, you will be on the raft with other people.
Astoria Hot Springs
My friends and I did this after we did that long bike ride from Teton Village to Jenny Lake and back. It felt amazing.
Cowboy Coaster + Alpine Slide
My kids love this, but honestly I love it too. Cowboy coaster is probably my favorite out of the two. You can’t go wrong with these.
Tree Top Adventure
My husband and I came here on a date night once and we were equally enthralled and terrified. They have an adult and children’s rope course but I only ever did the adult one, but super fun activity.
Fly Fishing
I would say this is my husband’s favorite thing to do when visiting. He and my kids love to go fly-fishing and the rivers are so beautiful.
Rent a side-by-side
I normally do this with my family just driving around my in-laws property. If you’re not super into riding bikes or hiking, this would be such a fun way explore!
Hikes
If you love to hike, you will love it here. There are tons of trails and some with bodies of water for a fun dip in the water. If harder hikes are not your thing, don’t worry, these are all fairly easy as I always go with my kids.
I love Jenny Lake because it gives you so many options depending on how much hiking you want to do. You can hike all the way around the lake, or take the boat across and skip straight to the fun part. From there, you can do a short walk to Hidden Falls (a gorgeous waterfall), go a little farther to Inspiration Point (with amazing views over the lake), or keep hiking into the canyon for a quieter and more adventurous experience.
It’s definitely the busiest hike in the park, so instead of going early in the morning like most people, I prefer to head there later in the day, usually around 3 p.m. That way we miss the worst of the crowds, and then we’ll head into Jackson for dinner afterward.
Another tip is to stop at Creekside Market on your way. It’s in Jackson so about 20 minutes before you get to Jenny Lake. It looks like a random gas station/convenience store, but they make incredible sandwiches (it’s a local favorite).
Phelps Lake
This one is so much fun because you can swim and even cliff jump (if that’s your thing…I stick to floating in the water). Definitely bring a swimsuit. I have a fun video of my son cliff jumping on my Instagram. See that here.
Bradley Lake + Taggart Lake
Both are family-friendly hikes that end with beautiful lakes. I love anything with water at the end, and we almost always spot a moose or bear on the way, especially near the trailheads.
Other
Ride the Tram in Teton Village
My family I like to take the tram up and stop to get some food at the top. There are two places to eat: a nicer restaurant and then a more casual one where we sit on the patio eating appetizers soaking in the good views. So you have great options whether it’s date night or if you’re with your family!
Spa at the Four Seasons
If you want a little luxury, book a massage here. They have all the spa services, but the massage is my favorite.
The Rose
My friends and I came here to do karaoke and it was so fun! The Virginian Saloon does karaoke on Wednesdays and The Rose does is on Thursdays. However, all the bars have fun live music all the time.
Shopping
Whether you’re shopping for yourself, with friends, or with your kids, there are plenty of fun shops.
Lee’s Tee’s
A touristy shop perfect for souvenirs, sweatshirts, and T-shirts.
Teton Toys
A fun toy shop to bring your kiddos to.
Yippie I-O Candy
My kids never let us skip this spot. It’s a colorful, old-fashioned candy shop filled with endless amounts of sweets and treats. I love the homemade toffee and fudge.
Diamond Cross Ranch
The cutest store full of cowboy themed shirts, jackets, and hats!
Altitude
I lovingly call this the Anthropologie of Jackson Hole. So cute and they have a little bit of everything.
Belle Shops
There are multiple of these but I suggest the one next to Häagen-Dazs. They have lots of great brands of clohes.
Perennial West
Best described as a western consignment shop. It’s so fun to look around!
Midnight Lunch
The cutest boutique to custom make trucker hats, totebags, and do some shopping. Approved by my teenage daughter and cousin.
Kemo Sabe
Here you can buy a hat custom-sized to your head and then decorate it. This was a favorite during our girls trip. Some of the girls got hats and it was so fun to watch them design and see what they chose. The best kind of souvenir.
Where to Eat
The best part about visiting a new place is trying all the best places to eat. Here’s my list!
Persephone’s
The cutest little bakery and café. Warning…it will be busy, but worth the wait.
Cafe Genevieve
Super yummy. Perfect for breakfast or brunch!
Bistro
Bistro is beautiful and has delicious food for brunch and dinner!
Merry Piglets
A downtown Tex-Mex spot. I always get the carne asada plate. So yum!
Glorietta
Very yummy Italian food. One of my favorites for date night.
Snake River Brewing
This place is on the nicer side but still has that classic Jackson vibe.
Liberty Burger
This is a go-to for me and my family. Casual, fast, and delicious. And the shakes are so good!
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
You can’t come to Jackson without stopping here. They always have live music, and it’s just such a fun Western experience. The food was delicious when I just went with friends. I of course got the steak but we had some yummy appetizers too. Shoutout to the brussel sprouts!
Local
Steakhouse vibes with lots of locally sourced meat and game. If you want to try elk or bison, this is the place.
Villagio Orsetta
Cozy Italian right in Teton Village. Everything is delicious. One of my favorite restaurants in Jackson.
Hand Fire Pizza
This is one of our favorites. Yummy pizza and kid-approved! Perfect for after a long hike.
Jackson Hole truly has a piece of my heart. It’s where my family makes memories every summer, where I’ve shared so many laughs with friends, and where I always feel a little more grounded and inspired. Whether you’re coming for the hikes, the food, the shopping, or simply to soak in the views, I hope this guide helps you fall in love with it too.
If you make the trip, let me know what you loved most—I’m always adding to my list of favorites. Until then, I’ll be counting down the days until our next visit.
I hope you enjoyed this break from design content. I’m looking forward to sharing more travel guides as I explore new places and uncover the things that make them special.
