Summers in Wyoming: the Ultimate Jackson Hole Guide

 Welcome to Jackson Hole, Wyoming — the epitome of your ultimate summer trip. This wild destination brings people from all over the world to have a look at some incredible wildlife and the towering Teton Mountain Range. There is much to do when it comes to the adventure everyone craves in the mountains of classic America. With hiking, biking, swimming, trekking, paddling and more; there are more ways than one to experience Jackson Hole.

“The constant shadow of the Teton Mountains can only keep you looking up to the snow-capped peaks that will capture your attention for hours on end.”

With an old town square booming with classic saloons to modern restaurants, you get this intersection of amenities just aside rustic nature. In one breath you could be sixty yards from a moose grazing in the swamplands and in another ordering a craft latte from the local bakery. There’s not many places in the US where you get both these days. The great part of Jackson is the opportunities to step back in time with local saloons and homestyle eateries — it’s almost as if nothing ever changed in the wild west.

An abundance of activities, places to eat, and places to stay, I narrowed down the best in each category. I believe if you’re going to go somewhere, why not have the best coffee in town, the best burger, and take in the best views?

Take a look at the Jackson Hole guide for your next summer trip.

How to get there

There are a few options for arriving into Jackson Hole. It is an absolute must to have a car, so keep that in mind — many people will take a road trip. Jackson Hole Airport services daily flights with airlines like American, United, and Delta during the summer and winter. Some people will even fly into Salt Lake City and start their road trip there as an alternative.

Where to stay:

There are many options for your stay in Jackson Hole and it all depends what part you would like to be in. Teton Village is a great spot to call home as it is close to the national park, can be away from the crowds, and has an extensive amount of amenities. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences is an incredible hotel that mixes tailored adventure and wellness for some true vacation downtime. You can read my full review here.

Where to eat

• Persephone Bakery: the perfect intersection of a stunning interior combined with the loveliest baked goods, Intelligentsia coffee, and lunches. So good, we went every day!
• Hatch Taqueria & Tequila: the fit out is great, the food even better. Yummy Mexican food with a modern preparation, and fresh squeezed margaritas.
• Local Restaurant & Bar: you came all the way to Wyoming and didn’t try some local game? Welcome to the spot to do exactly that like buffalo medallions, king salmon, and rack of lambs.
• Cafe Genevieve: think homey-American fare, comfort food and the spot you could eat at for both brunch and dinner. Be sure to grab a reservation, request outdoor patio, and order the fried chicken.
• Trio American Bistro: though many people come for a full dinner, their dessert menu is off the chart. Stop by for an after dinner treat and indulge in pan cooked brownie s’mores.
• The Handle Bar: as a San Franciscan, it’s alway comforting and welcoming to have a Michael Mina restaurant within reach. He does it again and he does it well with his ode to whiskey and modern provisions. The buffalo tartare, bone marrow, and fried mushrooms are a great start to a long dinner.
• Pizzeria Caldera: Italian is a good option after a day of hiking, take a bite on their spinach salad, caprese salad, and Mediterranean pizza.
• Silver Dollar Bar: inside the iconic Wort Hotel, is a gem of an old school saloon beckoning to be taken back in time.
• Jackson Hole Grocers: the equivalent of your local Whole Foods, with crafted local eats — this is the spot to load up for your picnic lunches and mid-day snacks.

(Full Restaurant Guide for Jackson Hole)

What to experience

• Raft the Snake River with Dave Hansen Whitewater Rafting on the 8 mile loop.
• See the best view in town and go to the top of Rendezvous Mt. via the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram.
• Rent a boat and enjoy Jenny Lake.
• Explore Laurance Rockefeller Preserve.
• Hike the extensive trails through Grand Teton National Parks like String Lake, Leigh Lake, and Taggart Lake.
• Have an American Safari and keep your eyes peeled for buffalo, moose, and bear.
• Walk through the town square, take a  picture under the elk arches.
• Drive through the historic Mormon Row and snap some shots of the old barns.
• Go to Jackson Lake Lodge and enjoy a local beer on the deck with the best view of the Teton Range.

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*Bon Traveler was welcomed as a guest of different venues. As always, all opinions are own.