The Texan’s Guide to Vacationing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Image: Courtesy Josh Metton
Swap Houston's humidity for mountain air with a flight to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the wildlife outnumbers people. From sunrise to sunset, trees line the horizon, and mountainous peaks frame the skyline. Even the air feels different the second you step outside.
When to book a trip depends on what kind of adventurer you are. Summer is the best time to get outdoors and explore the nearby national parks, while winter delivers snow-covered slopes for the ski season.
Regardless of timing, Jackson delivers a getaway that feels far from the daily grind. It’s no wonder more than 200,000 Texans trade their brisket for bison at least once per year. If you choose to do the same, this is your guide to making it happen.
Where is Jackson Hole?
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Jackson Hole is a valley comprised of several small towns. The area is named after fur trapper Davey Jackson, who explored the region in the late 1800s. Jackson, situated between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges, is the largest town in the valley.
While fewer than 11,000 people call it home year-round, the small town sees nearly 3 million visitors each year. It’s a basecamp for many visiting Yellowstone National Park, less than two hours away, and Grand Teton National Park, less than a 15-minute drive from the center of town, which is an adventure in itself.
Many hotels, galleries, and restaurants are clustered around Town Square, unmistakable thanks to the elk antler arches located at its corners. The arches began as a public art project in 1953 on a single corner of the park but grew in popularity. Now, they’re made from roughly 10,000–12,000 pounds of elk antlers and frame every entrance, making it one of the most famous backdrops in the city.
Where to stay
The smell of freshly baked cookies greets guests each afternoon at the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, a family-run boutique hotel just minutes from Town Square. Founded in 1990, the lodge was rebuilt after a devastating 2019 fire and is widely recognized as a pioneer in Jackson’s luxury hotel market, earning AAA Four Diamond ratings for 19 consecutive years.
Here, luxury doesn’t equal formal. The hotel serves as a home base after a day outdoors, with handcrafted furniture, locally sourced art, and comfortable public spaces. To enhance the cozy atmosphere, guests can enjoy complimentary cookies every day at 3pm, along with in-room amenities such as local snacks, bottled water, and plush robes. Shared spaces range from a library with comfortable seating and a fireplace to a wildlife-viewing deck. For extra warmth, take a dip in the 12-person hot tub.
Visitors in search of relaxation can explore the Body Sage Spa, which offers a full-service menu of treatments, including massages, facials, and peaceful rituals inspired by the surrounding alpine environment.
For those who want to explore beyond the hotel, ask staff for help with arranging transportation, wildlife safaris, and recommendations for outdoor activities.
Where to Eat
Wild Sage Restaurant
With chef Hugo Goodwin at the helm, Rusty Parrot’s restaurant Wild Sage has become one of Jackson's most in-demand reservations. Centered around an open-style kitchen, diners can watch each dish being created. Goodwin also takes the term “seasonal” literally, sourcing 98 percent of the restaurant’s ingredients in-season from June through September.
Hatch Taqueria and Tacos
This Town Square–adjacent restaurant is the go-to for margaritas and tacos. An excellent option pre- or post-hike, the portions are large, and the lunch and dinner menus feature sweet and savory options, including a filling bison breakfast skillet, stacks of banana-huckleberry pancakes, cheesy elk quesadillas, and mesquite-grilled salmon.
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
A fixture of Town Square since 1937, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is one of Jackson's most recognizable nightlife spots. The honky tonk draws crowds with live music, dancing, and complimentary swing-dancing lessons on Thursday nights. The saddle seats lining the bar are the main attraction, but the pool tables and wide selection of drinks help make for a fun, memorable night.
The Bistro
Nestled in Downtown’s luxury hotel the Cloudveil, the Bistro offers European-inspired dishes alongside a robust wine and cocktail selection, making it a go-to for date nights. The menu boasts a wide variety, from carrot risotto and croque madame to classic staples like burgers and pork chops.
Image: Courtesy Jeff Colhoun
What to Do
Grand Teton National Park
This national park is among the best places in the lower 48 to view native wildlife, including wolves, bears, and moose. Visitors can increase their odds of a sighting (safely) by booking a guided excursion with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris. Guide or not, the Schwabacher Landing Trail, the iconic Snake River Overlook, Mormon Row, and Jenny Lake are just a few of the many picturesque locations to experience the best of what the park has to offer.
Image: Courtesy Kira Turnball
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
A total of 2,500 acres and two mountains make this resort a magnet for skiing in the winter and hiking or biking in the summer. Although it’s known for having one of the steepest vertical drops in the country (around 4,000 feet), about half of the ski slopes are devoted to beginner and intermediate runs. Adventurous visitors must try the Via Ferrata, a network of fixed cables, bridges, and ladders attached to the mountain. Foodies can also board a tram to visit Corbet's Cabin for its "Top of the World" made-to-order gourmet waffles, named for the cabin’s elevation at 10,450 feet above sea level.
National Museum of Wildlife Art
Since 1987, this institution has been the country's only museum dedicated exclusively to wildlife art, with more than 5,000 works from around the world. Its collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints from artists such as Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Thomas Moran. Perched above the National Elk Refuge, just two miles from the entrance to Grand Teton National Park, the museum also offers sweeping views that rival the art inside.
