Jackson Hole is an amazing place for anyone to visit — the area has so much to offer. Do you want to enjoy a meal and some fun drinks at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar? What about hiking around the Tetons or visiting Yellowstone National Park? One thing is for sure, when you visit Jackson Hole, WY, you’ll never be bored.
I visited Jackson Hole in the summer, which was a pleasant break from the hot Florida heat. When planning the trip, I had decided to stay in Teton Village. I thought the hiking trails right outside the hotel doors were ideal. So, we rented a two bedroom condo at Teton Mountain Lodge, and it was perfect. We had a full kitchen, a cozy living room, spacious bedrooms, beautiful bathrooms, and a large deck. It truly was home away from home.
Plus, Teton Mountain Lodge is home to the fun and delicious restaurant Spur. Our first night in Jackson Hole, we went to Spur for drinks and dinner and we were NOT disappointed. All of the drinks, appetizers, and main courses we ordered were super yummy. Oh, and vegetarians, fear not! They offer plenty of veg-friendly choices. I also recommend their paloma cocktails.
While we spent our nights indulging in really amazing food and the occasional cocktail, we spent our days visiting Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. On our first day in Jackson Hole, we drove around the area, and it wasn’t long before we came across a moose eating some aquatic vegetation near a hiking trail.
This was my first experience with Wyoming wildlife, and let me tell you, it was a magical moment. Not only was there a moose cow, there was also a baby!
I couldn’t believe that right off the road on a popular hiking trail such incredible animals could be so easily observed. Our wildlife sightings didn’t stop there though. By the end of our outdoor adventures, we had spotted chipmunks, elk, mule deer, bison, a black bear, and even a grizzly bear!
After a long day of exploring some of the popular sights around Yellowstone, we were driving down a road exiting the park when I saw a shadow moving in the nearby trees. The silhouette of the animal slowly maneuvering around in the woods looked like a bear, so I excitedly yelled to the others in the car that I think I see a bear. Sure enough, the grizzly walked out of the trees to leisurely cross the street we were driving on. We remained at a distance in the safety of our car while we looked in disbelief. I lowered my window a tiny bit and took a couple of awful photos. (I didn’t have my Canon yet).
Of course, the wildlife is only one of the reasons why the outdoors around Jackson Hole are so incredible. The mountains, hot springs, and other beautiful sights are all reasons to get out and explore this part of Wyoming.
Jackson Hole is such a perfect vacation destination because it’s the best of both worlds. You can adventure all day and cozy up to some good food and libations at night. Plus, the area is super easy to get around – it’s not intimidating at all. Simply fly into Jackson Hole airport, pick up a rental car, and take off on your adventure.
Want to learn more about vacationing in the Jackson area? Check out my blog post: Yellowstone National Park in Summer. Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out. You can comment below or email me at emilykeen@emilykeenphotography.com.
Emily Keen Photography 