Not further than 57 miles from Yellowstone National Park, Jakson Hole has found a way to become a successful resort town while managing to keep part of its past image away from being too touristy. You can still see glimpses of the genuine town.
In the beginning it was a settlement for fur traders, and then ranchers came to explore the riches of the vast space. It soon became a famous cowboy town that attracted people with various tastes, but most of them came for the outdoors. They still do as there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like skiing, golf and hiking. These entire plus the incredible scenery attracted the rich and the famous that only added to the fame of the town and to its look. There are numerous posh residences to be seen around.
Skiing opportunities also attracts families with children that want to learn or practice skiing on the Snow King Mountain as there are ski schools for kids with day-care options at all the ski resorts and it also boasts an ice-skating rink where you can also play hockey.
Summer is no less attractive as it features other kinds of activities on the Snow King's Alpine Miniature Golf Course and Alpine Slide that offers a thrilling ride down a 2,500-foot highway.
If you would rather go up take the Arial Tram rides that can take you up to an elevation of 10,000 feet to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. You can’t expect anything else but a magnificent view of the Tetons. This route is taken both in summer and winter so there is plenty of action going on during both seasons. Weather is expected to be cold in winter but up there summer temperatures are not high either.
After you explored the outdoors you can spend some time in town as there is plenty to do and visit in the city too. A couple of museums will surely attract your attention. Jakson Hole Museum hosts a beautiful collection of old pistols, photographs, trade beads, antique pole furniture and Indian artifacts. You will be offered a guided tour by volunteers who also see to the museum.
An even more interesting museum is the u with 14 exhibit galleries boasting some of the best wildlife art in the country. You can learn about wildlife in a pleasant way by viewing the wildlife through spotting scopes on the balcony or by sitting at the 200-seat auditorium and watching various slide shows and wildlife films. There is a lot of activity going on at the museum and as if to maintain its active role in the community, this is where you have to come if you want to go on a sled tour of the elk refuge.
There are not many places to combine beautiful scenery with music, art, and good restaurants, but Jakson Hole has them all. When hunger strikes after all that action, head towards the restaurants. You’ll have few problems finding somewhere to eat good food in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices. Fine cuisine is to be found at a range of restaurants where you can taste Thai chicken wraps, Mexican food and vegetarian meals. Western cuisine can be tasted at the guest ranches where you can get a big meal of barbecue beef, beans and other tasty dish. The diversity of menus available is second only to the diversity of the town itself.
Nightlife is equally enjoyable and various venues await you to listen to some quality classical and contemporary music. Maybe the most popular on is the Teton Village that hosts the Grand Teton Music Festival. There are also some good bars where you can stretch out your legs with some dancing next to avid local dancers. Those into theatre can check the performances of the Pink Garter Mainstage Theatre.
Emerge yourself in the culture and traditions, get to know the people, taste the cuisine, and enjoy the splendors of Jakson Hole.
