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Wyoming, United States

Jackson

Western town at the south end of the valley; 2–3 nights for elk, skiing and the Town Square. This guide pulls together 2 sights, 3 activities and 1 outdoor spot from our curated routes.

Plan Jackson with friendsBrowse 9 places
Jackson, Wyoming, United States
Places
9

2 See · 3 Do · 1 Outdoors · 1 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone

Best season
Mid-Dec – Mar

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

28°C / 82°F avg high

Coolest month
December

-3°C / 27°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 73 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Jackson

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

2 sights worth building a day around in Downtown.

  • See

    Town Square

    Jackson's central park, entered under four arches made of shed elk antlers that are strung with lights in winter.

    Tip Come after dark during the holidays, when the arches and trees are lit.

    • Downtown
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • After dark
  • National Museum of Wildlife Art in JacksonPhoto: Daniel Mayer · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    National Museum of Wildlife Art

    Museum of wildlife painting and sculpture built into a hillside directly across from the Elk Refuge.

    Tip The terrace looks out over the Elk Refuge; bring binoculars.

    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Afternoon

Do

3 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Teton Village and Downtown.

  • Elk Refuge sleigh ride in JacksonPhoto: USFWS Mountain Prairie · Public domain
    Do

    Elk Refuge sleigh ride

    Horse-drawn sleigh rides out among the wintering elk, leaving from the visitor center on North Cache Street.

    Tip Buy tickets at the visitor center; rides usually run from mid-December into early April.

    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Morning
  • Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in JacksonPhoto: Lawvol · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

    Steep ski area above Teton Village with more than 4,000 feet of vertical and an aerial tram to Rendezvous Mountain.

    Tip Ride the tram even if you don't ski Corbet's Couloir, and get a waffle at Corbet's Cabin at the top.

    • Teton Village
    • $$$$
    • 6 hr
    • Morning
  • Do

    Snow King Mountain

    Jackson's town ski hill since 1939, rising straight from the edge of downtown, with night skiing.

    Tip A good choice for a half day or an evening session when the big resort is busy.

    • Downtown
    • $$$
    • 3 hr
    • Evening

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air.

  • Outdoors

    National Elk Refuge

    Refuge on the edge of Jackson where thousands of elk spend the winter on open, snowy meadows.

    Tip Drive the refuge road north of town for bighorn sheep on the cliffs as well.

    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Morning

Eat

Where we would book a table in Jackson in Teton Village.

  • Eat

    Mangy Moose

    Teton Village saloon and restaurant at the base of the tram, a Jackson Hole après-ski fixture since the 1960s.

    Tip Live bands play in the saloon on many winter nights.

    • Teton Village
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Après-ski

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Jackson in Downtown.

  • Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in JacksonPhoto: Leonard J. DeFrancisci · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Drink

    Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

    Western bar on Town Square with saddles for bar stools, live country music and a dance floor.

    Tip Come on a live-music night, when the dance floor fills up.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Night

Stay

1 place to stay we would book in Downtown.

  • The Wort Hotel in JacksonPhoto: Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Stay

    The Wort Hotel

    Downtown hotel from 1941, home of the Silver Dollar Bar with its bar top inlaid with silver dollars.

    • Downtown
    • $$$$

How to fit Jackson into a trip

Jackson is stop 2 of 3 on our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route. Follow it as-is or lift Jackson into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Jackson month by month

Average daily highs run from -3°C / 27°F in December to 28°C / 82°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 73 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Jackson weather and the best time to visit →

Near Jackson

7 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Jackson questions, answered

How many days do you need in Jackson?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in Jackson. On our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 16 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Jackson best known for?

Western town at the south end of the valley; 2–3 nights for elk, skiing and the Town Square. Standouts on our list: Town Square (Jackson's central park, entered under four arches made of shed elk antlers that are strung with lights in winter); National Museum of Wildlife Art (Museum of wildlife painting and sculpture built into a hillside directly across from the Elk Refuge); National Elk Refuge (Refuge on the edge of Jackson where thousands of elk spend the winter on open, snowy meadows).

When is the best time to visit Jackson?

Our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route is best Mid-Dec – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (28°C / 82°F), the coolest in December (-3°C / 27°F) and the most rain in December (about 73 mm).

What are the best things to do in Jackson?

Start with National Elk Refuge, Elk Refuge sleigh ride, Town Square, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King Mountain. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 3 activities, 1 outdoor spot, 1 place to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.

What is near Jackson?

The closest destinations in our guides are Grand Teton National Park (about 36 km / 22 mi), Yellowstone National Park (about 107 km / 67 mi) and Yellowstone (about 127 km / 79 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Jackson with your crew

Open the Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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