The Town of Jackson
Things to do in Jackson/Jackson Hole, Wyoming (including Grand Teton)
Jackson is a cute, quaint town with a cowboy/western feel. There are many local restaurants, boutiques, western apparel and gift shops, art galleries, and major retailers all within walking distance of each other. (In the photo above, the backdrop is the Snow King Mountain Resort.)
Lodging in Jackson (near Jackson Hole)
I found a cute, reasonably-priced, centrally-located room at Miller Park Lodge from Hotels.com. It included a refrigerator and microwave and small den area. Easily walkable to most of the restaurants and stores in downtown and only a 15 minute drive from the airport. If you reserve ahead of time and it’s not a holiday or school break, then you can find a well-situated room for a good price.
Restaurants in Jackson
Many of the restaurants in Jackson were a little more spendy than I had anticipated. It was a bit difficult to find a casual, hangout place. (*The brewery was closed.) However, The Merry Piglets proved to be a tasty Mexican restaurant with good prices and a friendly wait staff. The Bunnery Bakery seemed to always be busy for breakfast, so get in line before you’re hungry. I also ordered in pizza from Cutty’s Bar & Grill which made a decent pie. Bubba’s Bar-B-Que has a mean brisket and loads of bar-b-que delights.
Downhill Skiing in Jackson, Wyoming
If you are traveling to Jackson in the winter you can ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ($$$$) or Snow King Resort ($).
I opted for Snow King as there were plenty of blue and green trails for a fun day with little to no lines. The food and drink prices at King’s Grill (at the base of the mountain) were good, and they weren’t shy with their liquor. Plus there were also a lot of activities for good rates right at the mountain including the Cowboy Coaster (super fun – like a single person roller coaster/alpine slide combo) and Snow Tubing.
Renting skis was quick and easy at Hoback Sports – they have it down to a science. Rent online for a discount.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a 24 minute drive or 37 minute START Teton Village Express bus ride. The resort boasts 50% beginner/intermediate and 50% expert trails with gondolas, trams and speed chairs. However, it comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s definitely a check on the bucket list.
Snowshoeing near Jackson (at Grand Teton)
So many options for snowshoeing in this area!
I opted for the Grand Teton National Park – just 25 easy driving minutes to the north. Park at the first lot and do the Taggart Lake Trail. Many pretty tree trails and slopes make for a beautiful, peaceful ~3 hours of traversing through the park. (Safety note: get the AllTrails app and make sure you stay on the trail. The first half is well-marked but can get confusing after the lake. Also, wear snowshoes – don’t be fooled by the beginning of the trail that may be packed snow. If you get off the trail, you will NEED snowshoes to move.)
Skinny Skis shop and Hoback Sports both have reasonable rates to rent snowshoes.
Cross Country Skiing near Jackson (at Grand Teton National Park)
I am a novice cross-country skier. This was my 3rd time on those skinny skis, and I need tracks (“classic”) to enjoy this adventure.
A great location with awesome views for beginners and intermediate-ers is just a short, 25-minute drive from downtown. The drive is flat and safe, leading you to the majestic Grand Teton National Park. (There is an entrance fee to Grand Teton National Park for a weekly pass per car-load.) After you enter the park, drive to the 2nd parking area where the Teton Park Road ends to start your cross country adventure.
If you are a more experienced XC skier, the Taggart Lake Trailhead is perfect for you. It is suited for no-track skiing as a “skate” skier. It also offers up and downhills. The trailhead is at the first parking lot on Teton Park Road.
Another challenging cross country trail is the no-cost Hagen Trail which is barely 5 miles from downtown. Skinny Skis has got you covered for various types of cross country/Nordic skiing rental equipment. It’s a sporty shop in downtown with good rates and good service.
Itinerary for a quick trip adventure in Jackson, WY:
