Jackson Hole City Guide: The Coolest Places to Visit in Wyoming
Understatement alert: There are so many reasons to love Jackson Hole. The rough-and-tumble town has quietly become one of America’s most stylish retreats over the last few years. Not only are 97 percent of the almost 4 million acres in Teton County federally owned or state managed, but among the lucky locals who call the scant 3 percent of privately owned land home, there’s a focus on preservation and a reverence for “the way things were.” As a result, Jackson Hole has retained a genuine charm and sense of place that can often get lost as ski towns explode in popularity.
The Tetons are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States. Between Yellowstone National Park and the romantic views of Teton Valley, the Wyoming town boats a plethora of new and old restaurants, très chic boutiques, charming excursions, and gorgeous national parks on all sides that beg you to slow down and relax. Continue reading to plan for your next getaway, and head here to discover more city guides.
WHERE TO STAY
AMANGANI
If you’re looking to get away from it all, the Amangani Resort seems to be in a world all of its own—quiet, remote, and utterly private—but is just a short ride from the mountain or town. It also happens to be only a ten-minute drive from Jackson Town Square. Aman’s trademark Zen touches inform the design here, all with a rustic, Wild West bent. Suites are outfitted with deep soaking tubs, floor-to-ceiling windows (those views, after all), plus each one has its own fireplace. The infinity swimming pool is probably one of the most iconic things about the property, and for good reason: There’s no better view of the Tetons, and it’s always warmed to eighty degrees. Over at Jackson Hole Mountain, Aman guests have access to their own ski lodge at the base of Rendezvous Mountain, where they can stash gear and refuel with snacks and warm drinks midday.
hotel jackson
Hotel Jackson offers more modern accommodations in the heart of town. It’s well-positioned off the town square, a stone’s throw from the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and favorite restaurants, like Snake River Grill and Local. Some rooms have soaking tubs, while the Miller Suite, on the top floor, has a wraparound deck with killer views of Snow King and Jackson mountains. In the lobby, the hotel’s FIGS restaurant attracts both visitors and locals for its shareable Lebanese and Mediterranean small plates. And the house-made pita is so light and fluffy, you’ll certainly ask for seconds.
anvil hotel
There are only a few affordable hotel options in town, but the best of the lot is the Anvil, located in a former hundred-year-old blacksmith’s shop. The 49-room Anvil Hotel is a hip and affordable newcomer to the town of Jackson built over a one-time blacksmith shop, easy walking distance from everything. Overhauled by Brooklyn-based design firm Studio Tack, the lobby/reception area has an upscale rustic feel, with a wood-burning stove, nooks for reading or huddling during weekly music performances, and an excellent mercantile stashed with covetable sweaters, hats, and sunglasses curated by New York-based Westerlind boutique. The rooms, with Western-vibed cast-iron beds, brass fixtures, and custom Woolrich blankets, are small but comfortable. Notably, the hotel runs the Anvil Explorers program, with winter activities like dog-sledding and snowshoeing, to help guests get the most out of their wild surroundings.
WHERE TO EAT
THE KITCHEN
Gavin Fine, a Chicago-born chef who moved to Jackson Hole from Chicago in 1996 after stints traveling and cooking in France and Italy, had something to do with sparking the local good-food movement when he opened the Rendezvous Bistro in 2001. Since then, his Fine Dining Restaurant Group has opened six venues—including The Kitchen and, most recently, Enoteca, an après-ski spot with a top-notch wine list—as well as an artisanal ice cream brand and the craft meats company Bovine & Swine.The Kitchen does inventive American with light Asian accents, including a super-fresh crudo bar menu and a not-to-be missed braised bone-in short rib with lemongrass-ginger gremolata. The tempura shrimp with sweet and spicy aioli is a serious crowd-pleaser.
Glorietta
Glorietta is a stylishly relaxed Italian with a sceney bar, whose kitchen turns out Asian-inflected traditional dishes run by a chef from Momofuku Las Vegas. Start with the Mussels Glorietta and mozzarella sticks, and if you feel like going for it, throw in the meatballs, too. (No one will be disappointed, and everyone will eat them.) The salads and grilled veggies are a nice respite from the fried small plates, and ordering at least one of the homemade pastas (campanelle, pappardelle, or classic spaghetti) is a must. The wine list is exhaustive, but the staff is quick to point you in the right direction. The restaurant has a strong cocktail program, which includes Cold Smoke (mezcal, clove-infused tequila, Amaro, bitters), designed by New York mixologists Death & Co. Wines are sold at retail on your way out if you find something you really like.
Persephone Bakery
The cozy, whitewashed Persephone Bakery, with its Instagram-ready quinoa-and-roasted-veggie bowls topped with handmade bison sausage—a Western take on clean eating- is a dog whistle to a very different kind of visitor. If steak and eggs aren’t your thing for breakfast, Persephone Bakery turns out lovely fare from honest ingredients, like a winter grain bowl and squash and ricotta toast using their own fresh-baked breads, in a charming, wood-floored space with cafe tables and mismatched china.
Healthy Being Juicery
Healthy Being Juicery is ideal for a quick juice and a light snack, and be sure to try one of the açaí bowls while you’re there. They were my favorite spot for breakfast in town as they had plenty of vegan and plant-based options. The store also carried my favorite vegan snacks from back home that I stocked up on while I was in town.
Pearl Street Bagels
Pearl Street Bagels, a popular bagel shop in town, boasts the best bagels in the west. Pearl Street Bagels delivers a fresh and tasty bagel and has cream cheeses full of flavor that melt perfectly onto the surprisingly warm untested treats. The local joint has become my own personal bagel staple while in town, as it provides a cozy atmosphere and excellent coffee to accompany your bagel.
WHAT TO DO
Jackson Hole WILDLIFE SAFARIS
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris leads tours to spot elk, foxes, buffalo, wolves and cats in Grand Teton and nearby Yellowstone National Parks. You’ll see elk, bison, and bighorn sheep roam the mountain expanses.
DIAMOND CROSS RANCH
The Diamond Cross Ranch is a historical working ranch. The ranch is owned by Grant and Jane Golliher, third generation ranchers. The ranch came to fame when it hosted Kanye West’s iconic listening party for his album release, Ye. The scenery at Diamond Cross Ranch is hard to beat. Horses and cattle graze on lush pastures, framed by the snow-capped Grand Teton Mountains jutting in the distance.
Grand Teton National Park
It's time to meet one of Wyoming's most stunning destinations—Grand Teton National Park. You can see dazzling wildlife along the Snake River, which meanders from its headwaters in nearby Yellowstone National Park through fields of grazing bison and elk. Featuring some of the country's most dramatic scenery, Grand Teton National Park includes spectacular snowcapped peaks.
Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tour
The original sled dog company operating in Jackson Hole is hosted by Jackson Hole’s eight time Iditarod veteran, Frank Teasley. Want a winter adventure? Lead your own team of dogs on a great dog sledding adventure trip and explore the scenic wintery wonderland.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone spans almost 3,500 miles, and extends into parts of Montana and Idaho, making it one of the largest national parks in the US. Only a 2 hour drive from Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park sits on top of a dormant volcano and is home to more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth. Aside from its rugged mountains and spectacular deep glacier-carved valleys, the park has unusual geologic features, including fossil forests, eroded basaltic lava flows, a black obsidian (volcanic glass) mountain, and odd erosional forms. Scenic Safaris offers full-day snowmobile tours of Yellowstone, where the excitement of seeing Old Faithful erupt might take a backseat to navigating past herds of bison or pulling over to track coyotes and bald eagles.
The Body Sage Spa
After a few days of skiing or a morning of snowshoeing, head to The Body Sage Spa—the first spa in Jackson Hole and a lovely oasis—for a bit of pampering. While they offer all manner of massages and hydrating facials (particularly important in Jackson Hole’s dry air), for the ultimate escape, ask for Taylor—an incredibly thoughtful and intuitive masseuse—and book the three-hour bathhouse ritual: a soak, scrub, and a two-hour massage that will have you practically floating back to your hotel.
Alpyn Beauty Bar
New York transplant and beauty industry vet Kendra Kolb Butler left her high-profile job working for Dr. Dennis Gross to move her family to Jackson Hole in 2015. Almost immediately, the beauty junkie missed having a place to get her product fix, so she opened Alpyn Beauty Bar, where she stocks the shelves with Tata Harper, Jao, Uma, and her own sustainable line, Alpyn Beauty. The Town Square location was so popular, she quickly opened a second location off Moose Wilson Road on the way to Teton Village. Book an in-shop facial with Jenny Gersack, whose magic hands will repair even the most wind-whipped skin.
WHERE TO DRINK
MILLION DOLLAR COWBOY BAR
You can’t stay in Jackson Hole without dropping by the iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, which has stood on the town square since 1937 and is a real piece of the Wild West, with a long wooden bar, pool tables, taxidermied animals, and saddles for bar stools. Live bands play most nights and every weekend. You can’t miss the signature neon sign, and the interiors are exactly what you’d expect: saddles turned bar stools, animal busts, pool tables, and cowboy gear galore. Stop in for a drink, and stay for the dancing and frequent live bands.
LOCAL RESTAURANT & BAR
If you didn’t overdo your après drinks, hit the bar at Local Restaurant & Bar, a newish watering hole in town that draws a millennial crowd and whose skilled mixologist fuses concoctions like Orion’s Belt, with locally produced Great Grey Gin, genepy des Alpes, absinthe, and lemon.
BIN-22
Bin-22 is a convivial wine bar from the Fine Dining Restaurant Group with high-top tables and counter (and a grocery) where you can taste from among a 500-plus bottle wine list or buy one to go (they also serve tasty tapas). Bin 22 has a little bit of everything: There’s a wine shop slash high-end grocery shop and a tapas bar that serves up house-pulled mozzarella, confit piquillo peppers, and patatas bravas at high communal tables. A tip: Pick up a bottle of wine at the shop, and the bar will waive a corkage fee and open it up for you during your visit.
The Rose
The Rose is where you can catch visiting DJs in town like Pretty Lights and Diplo and the first cocktail bar in town. The bartenders are incredibly talented, and the menu is always super inventive and on point. On weekends with some incredible live acts and DJs that come through, it tends to get pretty raucous.