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The outdoorsy town of Jackson, Wyoming, is a popular destination for skiing, wildlife viewing, and hunting. It’s also a gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Overview of Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson Hole — the valley in which the town is located — was originally populated by Native American tribes including the Shoshone, Crow, Blackfoot, Bannock, and Gros Ventre. In the early 19th century, it became an important area for fur trappers such as John Colter (c. 1770/1775–1812 or 1813), who visited during the winter of 1807/1808. Fellow frontiersmen Jedediah Smith (1799–1831), William Sublette (1798–1845), and Jim Bridger (1804–1881) also spent a significant amount of time there. The valley — and eventually the town — were named after David Edward Jackson (c. 1788–1837), who wintered on the shores of Jackson Lake in the 1820s.
Jackson was founded in 1894 and incorporated in 1914, and the Snow King Resort opened in 1939. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort followed in 1965, and Grand Targhee Resort in 1969.
Today, Jackson is a special place. The ski resort town — part Wild West, part trendy — doesn’t seem like it belongs in Wyoming. I heard the term “rustic chic” bounced around. It’s full of art galleries, shopping, good restaurants, and fun-loving people, and seems like the perfect complement to its breathtaking surroundings.
When I passed through, I was expecting a small town full of lodging and tourist traps, but there’s much more to it. My three hours in town only gave me a small taste of what it has to offer.
Jackson Town Square
Jackson Town Square, officially George Washington Memorial Park since 1932, is at the heart of town. It’s surrounded by historic buildings filled with shops and restaurants.
Veterans Memorial in Jackson, Wyoming
In the center is a memorial erected by American Legion Post No. 43 in 1976. It honors local residents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War I. It’s topped by a bronze sculpture of the Wyoming bucking bronco and rider while the pedestal contains the names of veterans.
Elk Antler Arches
The most interesting features of the town square are the elk antler arches at each corner. The Jackson Hole Rotary Club built these arches between 1953 and 1969, and they’re refreshed every few decades as they weather and deteriorate.
Each spring, elk bulls shed their antlers and Boy Scouts head to the nearby National Elk Refuge to collect them. In May, they’re sold in the square at public auction. Revenues fund the refuge’s winter feeding program as well as the local Boy Scout program. About 7,500 elk spend the winter on the refuge.
Jackson Hole History Museum
The Jackson Hole History Museum is “dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Jackson Hole”. Founded by Slim Lawrence and Homer Richards in 1958 as the Jackson Hole Museum, it merged with the Teton County Historical Society in 1989 to form the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. The organization rebranded to its current name in 2024. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday. Prices are current as of January 2026:
- Admission to the museum only is $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6.
- Historic downtown walking tours — available May to September — are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6.
- A museum-walking tour combo is $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 6.
The museum formerly had two locations — the original branch at the corner of Deloney Avenue and Glenwood Street, and another on Cache Street — until a new museum campus opened in June 2024. The photo below is from the Deloney branch, which presented an exhibit called Indians of the Greater Yellowstone when I passed by.
The Wort Hotel
The historic Wort Hotel is a block west of the square. It was inspired by homesteader Charles J. Wort (1874–1933), who arrived in Jackson Hole in 1893. In 1917, he purchased the four lots that the hotel now occupies for $25 each. The family operated the Signal Mountain Lodge in Grand Teton National Park from 1932 to 1940, and Charles’ sons John (1900–?) and Jess (1903–?) sold it to finance the hotel and fulfill their father’s dream.
Designed by Lorenzo Grimmett, the Wort Hotel opened in late summer 1941. The Silver Dollar Bar was added in 1950, featuring 2,032 uncirculated silver dollars embedded in the surface of the bar. The property has gone through a handful of different owners since 1960 and was saved from demolition in 1985. It continues to be a favorite for both locals and travelers alike.
Jackson Hole Playhouse
The Jackson Hole Playhouse offers live Western entertainment. It’s housed in the town’s oldest surviving building, constructed in 1915 as a livery stable. It was converted into a 145-seat theatre that opened on June 20, 1959. Shows are available Monday through Saturday while the saloon and speakeasy are open Wednesday through Saturday.
Where to Eat in Jackson, Wyoming
We stopped into one place for lunch during our visit.
Jackson Hole Roasters (Permanently Closed)
I enjoyed 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. (Note: the café portion is now run by Snake River Roasting Company. Jackson Hole Roasters coffee products are available in local grocery stores.)
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a popular steakhouse and bar full of Western memorabilia, offering live entertainment and dancing. It’s on the west side of the square.
