The Ultimate Jackson Hole Travel Guide

*This post was updated January 2022.

Waving “Hellooooo,” from the top of a mountain to the beautiful state of Wyoming. Wyoming is a breathtaking Western destination that just makes its way to the top of every traveler, adventure seeker, nature lover, foodie, and fan of western culture’s bucket list. Did I leave anybody out? Because basically, everyone should plan a visit to Wyoming and stat. I made my way to Jackson over Memorial Day Weekend and fell absolutely head over heels in love.

See why in today’s Jackson Hole travel guide post! I’m rounding up a long weekend guide to the city & surrounding area that was curated with the help of the team at Travel Wyoming and the Jackson Chamber. In a nutshell, the best of the best of what to see, do and where to stay and eat in Jackson Hole can be found right here.

Ride the Tram to the Top at Jackson Hole

As soon as you get off the plane from Jackson Hole Airport (the only airport that sits inside a National Park, I might add) do yourself a favor and head straight to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. “Big Red,” Jackson Hole’s Aerial Tram, will take you through the skies over 4,000 ft. in just about nine minutes. Sure beats hiking after a long day of travel, doesn’t it?!

PS: If you buy your tram tickets online here, you can save $8!

What awaits you at the top of this majestic mountain isn’t only a drop dead gorgeous view of Jackson Hole below … but also a dish of tasty sugar-coated waffles. Yep, you read that right. The rustic Corbet’s Cabin sits at the top of the 10,450 ft. of Rendezvous Peak and has been serving visitors a variety of waffles, hot & cold drinks and a selection of beer too for years.

I opted for the lemon custard filled waffle topped with whipped cream. Paired with a coffee and a view of the Tetons, it couldn’t have made for a sweeter start to my stay in Jackson.

Dress Your Western-style Best

Living in Texas, I’m all about donning my favorite pair of cowboy boots with some Western-style flair. This vibe was perfect for Jackson and fit just right in! A few of my favorite Western-inspired dresses, tops, boots & more are rounded up below:

SHOP THIS JACKSON HOLE LOOK:

Eat Dinner at Glorietta

For what’s considered a small town and a destination that is off the beaten path, Jackson serves up some cuisine that is just as fine as what you would find in big cities like Houston or New York. We were treated to dinner at Glorietta Trattoria which is a laid-back Italian restaurant with a modern yet rustic feel. From curated craft cocktails to delicious pasta dishes and more, the hearty meals will bring you back to life after a day spent in the mountains or out exploring town.

Grab a Drink and Dance at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

After dinner, be sure to grab a drink at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Not going to lie, I was giddy with excitement to be paying a visit to this gem of an establishment. The kitschy Western decor was right up my alley and with country music and western dancing all night, there’s no better way to pass the evening hours in Jackson that at this cowboy-themed bar.

No better way to feel like you’re deep in the Old West than sitting side saddle at a cowboy bar, right?! Live bands play nightly and you can even catch shows with notable country artists too. We saw Jo Dee Messina live up on stage and danced the night away to her hit songs such as “I’m Alright.” “I’m alll, I’m allll I’m alllllright. It’s a beautiful day, not a cloud in sight. So I guess I’m doing alright!” Kinda glad that’s going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day, actually!

Tuck Yourself in at The Historic Wort Hotel

The historic Wort Hotel has been in operation since the early 1940s and many notable guests have called it home since. This Western-themed hotel will make you feel like you’ve walked straight into a John Wayne movie and it’s a pretty amazing feeling, y’all.

The lobby boasts a grand staircase and more historic Western charm than you’ve probably ever seen at once. The guest rooms are decorated in a similar style and make for the perfect accommodations to a weekend spent “out west.” Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Silver Dollar Bar & Grill during our stay. They have a spicy jalapeno margarita on the menu that is oh-so-delicious!

SHOP THIS JACKSON HOLE LOOK:

Smiling big in the middle of Jackson’s main square! PS: My dress is by the brand ByTimo. Many of their pieces have a bit of boho Western flair to them that make them perfect for a trip out here. My boots here and the lower cut booties pictured above and below are both by Tecovas. I can’t say enough great things about the fit and quality of these boots!

Break for Coffee & Pastries at Persephone Bakery

This cutest little coffee shop and bakery sits only steps from the town square. Persephone Bakery is where to go for your morning cup of joe and a few pastries for now and to pack away as a snack for wherever you’re exploring later.

Spend the Day in the Shadows of the Grand Tetons

And now for the show-stopping attraction just outside of Jackson: Grand Teton National Park. I have so much to say on this topic that I wrote an eentire blog post on it. But for now, I’ll say that this was one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited in my entire life. I had never seen snow covered mountain tops before especially not so up close and personal as the magnificent Tetons.

We only had one day to spend in the park and we sure filled it! We spent what felt like several hours driving along the various roads through a 310,000-acre natural wonderland. Often times we would get out of our minivan to stop and snap a photo or two. From the many rushing rivers and streams to buffalo and moose spotting to wide-open fields with the Tetons in the distance, we ended up stopping quite a bit!

My favorite place where we parked the car was at the edge of a row of Mormon Homestead buildings settled over a hundred years ago. Visitors were able to walk right up to the historic homes and barns for a glimpse of what it looked like to live under the Tetons all those years ago.

Another activity that I can’t recommend enough is to go for a boat tour on Jackson Lake. The views from our vessel were seriously out of this world and I think my jaw was probably dropped the entire time. Look for more details on this excursion in my follow up Grand Teton post.

SHOP THIS JACKSON HOLE LOOK:

More western-inspired fashion for ya! Paired a fun take on a denim jacket over a light linen dress with booties for an early summer stylish look.

Picnic at Healthy Being Juicery

Talking about food again! Our travel group was treated to the healthiest of breakfasts (probably the most nutritious of which I’ve ever had) at Healthy Being Juicery & Cafe. With an assortment of colorful fresh pressed juices, acai bowls, avocado toast, fresh fruit & more – we kicked off our day with oodles of energy and were ready to explore more of Jackson.

Have to talk about my travel companions for a bit! As a travel blogger, I get invited on occasional press trips where I will go solo and experience a new destination with new people. It makes for the most amazing opportunities to connect with new friends from all over! Cecilie (in the center) was our lovely host from the Jackson Chamber and to the right of me was Robin, a travel writer based out of Florida. And across from me are Jake & Kelsey Bang, a husband and wife blogger duo based out of Utah. This group made my time in Jackson all the more fun!

MMM matcha!!

Shop along the Square

What’s a getaway without a little shopping, right?! Jackson is chockfull of jewelry, clothes, western-apparel, boho beads, embroidered hats and home goods that you most certainly will convince yourself you need. Our group itself left town with at least three new Pendleton blankets in tow, believe it or not!

A few stores we visited and fell in love with are Jackson Mercantile, Pendleton, MADE, Jackson Hole Toy Store, & Mountain Dandy. Snaps of the shops are below.

Stomp Your Foot & Stuff Your Face to Songs at Bar J Chuckwagon Dinner

If you’re visiting Jackson between Memorial Day and the last weekend of September, you absolutely positively have to have dinner one night at the Bar J Chuckwagon. It’s the closest thing you’ll ever come to literally being transported into an episode of West World. Don’t worry, no scary robots here!

While you’re dining on your traditional cowboy style dinner (red beans and a baked potato paired with the juiciest steak imaginable) you’ll be serenaded by the Bar J Wranglers. This dinner and a show experience is like time traveling to the bygone days of the cowboy culture we see on the silver screen. It was a magical (and delicious) evening that I can’t recommend enough.

Yell “Yeehaw” at the Jackson Rodeo!

Last but not least, don’t leave Jackson without spending an evening at the rodeo. The Texas girl in me felt riiiiight at home during our evening at the Jackson Rodeo. We snacked on BBQ burgers with frito pie under the arena’s twinkling lights. The Jackson Rodeo hosts bull riding, cattle wrangling, barrel racing and more throughout the summer season. You can find the schedule here

SHOP THIS JACKSON HOLE LOOK:

There truly is so much to see and do in Jackson Hole and its surrounding areas. To make things easier for y’all, I’m rounding up all of my recommendations in one place, below:

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Happy trails to you if you’re off to Jackson Hole sometime soon. If there is room in your suitcase, please feel free to pack my along! Ha, only joking. But …. seriously. And big big thank you to Wyoming Tourism and the Jackson Chamber for bringing me out to experience this gem of the West this past summer. It was everything I imagined and more!

PS: Loving this Jackson Hole travel guide? Click here now for the top 3 things to do in Grand Teton National Park!

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The Ultimate Jackson Hole Travel Guide: What to See, Do, Where to Eat & Stay