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Jackson is a special place. With its proximity to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, skiing, and wildlife, it gets a lot of visitors. When I stopped by, I was expecting a small town full of lodging and tourist traps, but there was much more to it. My three hours in the town only gave me a small taste of what it has to offer.
This outdoorsy town doesn’t seem like it belongs in Wyoming. It’s part Wild West, part trendy. I heard the term “rustic chic” bounced around. It’s full of art galleries, shopping, good restaurants, and fun-loving people, and seemed like the perfect complement to its breathtaking surroundings.
Jackson Hole Roasters
I started my tour of town with a delicious soup, sandwich, and coffee at Jackson Hole Roasters. The free wifi was a nice bonus to get some work done while I enjoyed my lunch.
Town Square
Next, I ventured out onto the town square, which has a monument in the center and is surrounded by historic buildings. One of those buildings is the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a popular steakhouse and bar full of Western memorabilia and offering live entertainment and dancing.
Elk Antler Arches
The most interesting part of the town square are the elk antler arches at each corner. These arches were built by the Jackson Hole Rotary Club and have been on the square since 1960. Each spring, elk bulls shed their antlers. Local Boy Scouts head to the nearby National Elk Refuge to pick up the antlers and sell them at public auction in the square every May.
Jackson Hole Museum
I passed by the Jackson Hole Museum. There are two locations, one on Deloney Ave. and another on Cache St. The Deloney branch had an exhibit called “Indians of the Greater Yellowstone”. Both branches seemed interesting but we were short on time and didn’t visit.
Jackson Hole Playhouse
The Jackson Hole Playhouse offers live Western entertainment. It’s housed in the town’s oldest building, built in 1915.
Next Time?
On a return trip, I plan to spend more time there in order to try some of the restaurants, visit the attractions, and just enjoy my time. Three hours isn’t enough there.
