As a Southern California native, I used to think of Wyoming as the wild wild west. Cowboys, mountain views, guns, cattle – basically the show Yellowstone. And while I don’t think my perception was necessarily far off, Jackson Hole completely took me by surprise!
From the natural beauty to the impressive restaurant scene and all the outdoor activities, Jackson Hole has something for everyone!
Where We Stayed
Snow King Hotel and Resort
We stayed at the base of the beautiful Snow King Mountain at Snow King Resort. This hotel is a perfect blend of cabin-cozy with gorgeous views of the mountain. The hotel’s location offers guests the convenience of ski-in ski-out, and is only a 10-15 minute walk or a quick 3-5 minute drive from downtown!
Where We Ate
RESTAURANTS:
The Restaurant at White Buffalo Club
The White Buffalo Club was our first dining experience in Jackson! It’s the perfect setting if you’re looking for a low-key (not super-upscale), quality steak dinner.
We sampled a lot on their menu but the bone marrow and ribeye were our favorites, paired perfectly with a bottle of red of course😉 One thing I will say is we made the mistake of getting two Affogatos for dessert, when we in reality we could have shared it with 4-6 people… it was huge! It also came with chocolate chip ice cream so if you want a traditional Affogato, definitely clarify that with your waiter.
The Handle Bar, Four Seasons
This is the Four Seasons’s restaurant right off the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort slopes. The Handle Bar offers skiers and travelers an upscale spin on an American pub with indoor and outdoor seating, both overlooking the mountain. We sampled the elk chili and burger, and I enjoyed my favorite moscow mule of the trip here! It was so good that I had to get 2😏
It’s a popular lunch spot, so expect a wait if you’re there on the weekend.
Coelette
Coelette was recommended to us by a friend, and it did not disappoint! The dark, cozy ambiance pairs well with the small, eclectic menu. We enjoyed the beef short rib, duck leg and pistou pasta – all very tasty😋 Our biggest surprise of the night were their bathrooms… maybe it was the wine, but we thought they were interesting! Definitely worth a visit if you’re in town.
Hand Fire Pizza
Hand Fire is a must-try when you’re in Jackson Hole! The restaurant is located in the historic Teton Theater, which gives neon lighting and high ceilings – super fun vibe💫
They don’t take reservations (only call-ahead seating), but if you plan it right you can enjoy a drink at the bar first before indulging their delicious wood-fired pizza. Their pizzas are pretty big so come hungry!
Haydens Post Kitchen and Bar
This is Snow King Hotel’s restaurant, located on the second floor with beautiful views of Snow King Mountain. We spent a few meals and happy hours at Haydens Post since this is the hotel we stayed in. Their chili, tomato bisque, burger and grilled cheese were some of our favorites!
Hatch Taqueria and Tequilas
Hatch was another restaurant recommended to us and I’m glad we made time for it! This was one of the only places we didn’t have a reservation for, but they were able to squeeze us in during the lunch hour 😊
We enjoyed their taco sampler, enchiladas and skinny margaritas (my favorite one of the trip!). The interior modern aesthetic pairs well with their upscale Mexican dishes and friendly service!
Orsetto Italian Bar and Eatery
Orsetto’s homemade pasta and extensive wine list was just what we were looking for in our upscale Italian date night spot! We enjoyed their caesar salad, wild boar ragu and spaghetti, paired with a delicious bottle of red. The restaurant is located right around the corner from the town square in downtown and has a beautiful modern, dark lit ambiance.
King Sushi
If you’re a seafood fan, you definitely need to check out King Sushi. It was recommended to us by locals as the best sushi in town, and we now understand why! The restaurant is unassuming from the outside as it’s located in a small cabin, but they make great use out of the space and even have a full sushi bar.
We sampled their miso soup, edamame, Hoff roll (my favorite!), ikura nigiri and a couple oysters 🦪
Local Restaurant & Bar
Local is another town favorite that was recommended to us, so I’m happy we were able to squeeze it in on our last day! We sat at their bar and enjoyed a light lunch – we shared the beef chili, buffalo tartare and burger. The restaurant is your typical lively, modern restaurant and bar and is located right in the middle of the town square.
Snake River Grill
This was our last restaurant stop in Jackson, and was one of our favorites of the trip! Snake River is one of the town’s staples, and is probably the preferred steakhouse in the area. It’s located in the heart of the town square, and gives visitors a classic steakhouse ambiance.
COFFEE SHOPS:
Persephone Bakery
Persephone is a chic and modern coffee shop, best known for their fresh pastries! It’s a great working coffee shop, with indoor and outdoor patio seating. We got there right when it opened and it didn’t take long for the crowd to come, so I suggest getting there early – it’s a popular spot!
Inversion Cafe
This coffee shop is attached to the Inversion Yoga Studio, right down the street from the town square. Unfortunately there’s no seating at Inversion, so expect to grab-and-go. They also have cold pressed organic juice, and I can vouch for their Grounded Greens juice – super good!
Cowboy Coffee Co.
Cowboy Coffee is probably the most (Instagram) popular coffee shop in town 😊 This western-themed coffee shop has a lot of seating so it’s another good working spot, and it’s conveniently located in the heart of the town square. It’s another popular spot, so expect a little wait!
BARS:
The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Million Dollar Cowboy is definitely the most popular nightlife spot in town! The western-themed bar has everything you could want – pool tables, plenty of seating, live music, dance floor and more. They don’t take reservations, so I definitely recommend getting there early or you’ll most likely be waiting in a line out the door.
The Silver Dollar Bar & Grill
The Silver Dollar Bar is the ideal spot in town if you love good, live music! It’s located within the Wort Hotel, and they feature local and regional bands throughout the week. Be sure to check their live music schedule before you go!
Roadhouse Pub & Eatery
This was an impromptu stop during our trip, but I’m glad we squeezed it in! Roadhouse has a fun atmosphere and they have a good variety of bar food and drink selection. They also have upstairs deck that overlooks the town square, which is a beautiful view at night!
What We Toured
Jackson Town Square
The Jackson Town Square is the historical heart of the town and is best known for its large arches made from elk antler sheds, located at the corners of each entrance. They are lit up at night and make for a great (tourist-y) photo! There’s also a small ice skating rink during the winter.
The Brookover Gallery
The Brookover Gallery is located in the town square and has a gorgeous collection of photographs. Jackson Hole has a lot of galleries and we didn’t know if we’d have time to check any of them out, but I’m so glad we squeezed this one in. If you have 15-20 minutes, make time for this gallery!
Jackson Hole Mountain
We skied the infamous Jackson Hole Mountain and it was everything we thought it would be. There’s over a 100 runs, so there’s something for every level of skier. Even if you don’t ski (or if you’re like me and don’t ski black diamond runs😉), I would highly recommend still riding the Aerial Tram up to the very top! The views are absolutely breathtaking.
Snow King Mountain
We skied Snow King Mountain the most during this trip since we stayed at the resort. The mountain is not nearly as big as Jackson Hole and it’s not as crowded, which I personally prefer 😊 They also have night skiing and a slew of other family-friendly activities.
National Elk Refuge
This was definitely a highlight of the trip! We toured the Elk Refuge by a horse-drawn sleigh ride and got to see thousands of elk within the herd. Our driver shared with us how the refuge came to be, how the elk live on this land and so much more. This is a definitely a must-do when you’re in Jackson Hole!