Jackson Hole, Local Style

Jackson Hole is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. In the summer, Jackson is probably the best known as a major stop before Yellowstone National Park. But Jackson Hole is also a wonderful place to be during the summer months. Go hiking in Grand Teton National Park, or ride the lift to the top of Jackson Hole Ski Area and bike down. Go to a concert at the Mangy Moose at the base of the ski area. On Thursday nights, wear your tourist cap and take line dancing lessons to the sounds of a live band at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

In winter, Jackson has one of the most challenging and exciting ski areas in North America. It is a great place for solid skiers and snowboarders, though not as good for beginners. Not to worry, though. The less extreme skiers can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. Jackson is the perfect place for lovers of nature, and although the summer months can be crowded, it is entirely possible to avoid the crowds and sink into the mellow mix of cowboy and outdoorsy life of Jackson Hole.

Quick Tips:

My quickest tip is to avoid Jackson during the height of the summer. It is crowded because of the sheer number of tourists who pass through Jackson on their way to Yellowstone. Come in late May or early October, the beginning and the end of Yellowstone's season, and take advantage of off-season discounts and wildly reduced crowds. It may be chilly, but it is a better time for costs, crowds, and especially for wildlife-spotting. There are off-season specials everywhere during this time, and in the spring even some of the rafting companies offer discounts. It is more pleasant all around, particularly for those travelers who like to be locals, not tourists.

Look in the local papers for coupons. Many restaurants and recreational companies advertise discounts in the paper, especially during early, late, and off season.

Best Way To Get Around:

Jackson is pretty spread out. Within town, the best way to get around is to either walk (within the town square area) or to take a START bus. The buses serve town and the ski area, and are either free or pretty cheap depending on where you are going. If you want to see Teton National Park or Yellowstone, a rental car will be the best option. They are an hour plus away from town by car, and there is no public transportation to either park. Tour buses are an ok choice, but I personally do not recommend seeing either park from a bus or with a large group. Within Jackson it is possible to rent bikes, snowmobiles, and boats, and I recommend all three for recreational travel.

Bon Appe Thai is fairly new to Jackson. Formerly Two 45, this is one of the better ethnic-style restaurants in Jackson. The restaurant is tiny and looks more like a coffee shop (which it is) than a Thai place. In this, the atmosphere is markedly un-Thai. But the restaurant's small size allows for great service and a very intimate feel.

The menu is extensive. Bon Appe Thai offers several curries, noodle dishes, soups, stir-fry dishes, and salads. My favorite is the green curry, though everything on the menu looks delicious. Bon Appe Thai also offers several teas and a good beer list.

Don't let the coffee shop feel dissuade you; Bon Appe Thai offers delicious food at an excellent price. Another bonus is that this restaurant tends to attract more of a local crowd. Tourists don't tend to be attracted to this location because of the size and non-main street location.

Sweetwater is one of my very favorite restaurants in Jackson. It is located just 1 block away from the main square in a 100-year-old homestead cabin. In the summer, Sweetwater offers mostly outdoor seating (on a large patio with a view of Snow King. In the winter (my personal favorite time to visit Sweetwater), the cabin is heated by a wood-burning stove.

Sweetwater has lots of yummy salads and sandwiches on the menu. You won't find boring sandwiches here; Sweetwater offers gourmet and unique sandwiches that include lots of grilled veggies, cheeses, spreads, cranberries, and breads. The salad dressings are to die for, and there is always a delicious soup of the day. In the summer, one might find a chilled strawberry soup, and in the winter, one might find a thick stew. Sweetwater also offers several daily specials and desserts. These always seem to be the most fun; the specials sometimes include meatloaf, spanakopita, and other yummy dishes. Sweetwater also serves a wide selection of wines and other drinks. Hot teas are served in large ceramic jars.

The atmosphere at Sweetwater is extremely unique and fun. It does tend to attract both locals and tourists alike, and the wait at lunchtime is often 20 minutes or greater. But it is well worth the wait!

Ssshhh. I am going to give away a local's secret, so read carefully. The Blue Lion is a favorite for both locals and visitors because of its cozy atmosphere and wide variety of choices. The menu includes selections of fish and venison, including local trout, buffalo, and elk. Dishes range from Wyoming-style fare (grilled steaks and burgers with simple vegetable sides) to seafood dishes with an Asian flare (Thai Green-Curry Shrimp or Asian-Grilled Salmon, for instance). The rack of lamb is said to be the best around. All entrees come with soup or salad (with a wide range of salad dressings to choose from, including maple-balsamic vinaigrette, sesame vinaigrette, raspberry chipotle, and all of the usual suspects), and a basket of the daily bread, which can feature anything from cinnamon butter to a cracked pepper crust. The Blue Lion also features several daily desserts, which are usually worth the extra calories. Also available is an extensive wine list as well as a wide choice of local and domestic bottled beers.

In the winter, The Blue Lion is a very cozy place to dine. The restaurant is located in what used to be a fairly small house, so even though there are two floors, the dining area only has about ten tables. In the summer, the very large patio is open and offers outdoor dining in what are typically mild Wyoming evenings.

Now here is the trick. In winter, arrange to be seated before 6:30pm. In the summer, before 6:00pm. Tell your server that you would like to be included in the Early Bird Special, and enjoy a 20% discount off of your bill. Most of the servers won't include the discount unless you specify that you are there for the special, so don't forget! Yes, it may require an early dinner, but the early evening in Jackson is a wonderful time to dine, particularly during the summer when you can dine on the patio.

The Blue Lion is definitely worth a visit. It is very centrally located—just 2 blocks off of town square. It is open 7 days a week starting at 6:00pm in winter and 5:30pm in summer. The Blue Lion attracts both tourists and locals, so it is completely possible to blend right in no matter who you are. It is a very mellow and relaxing place to spend an evening, so don't miss it!
http://www.bluelionrestaurant.com

The Snake River Brewery is good mostly for one key thing: beer. The food is affordable, but, okay, it's nothing special. The menu offers pizzas, pastas, and a bit of seafood. There is a marked absence of burgers on the menu, an odd choice for a brewpub.

But the atmosphere is wonderful (the brewery is located in a spacious old warehouse) and the beer is very tasty. The Snake River Brewery has several award-winning brews. A local favorite is the Snake River Lager. Zonker Stout also is greatly favored by the locals.

Snake River is open for lunch and dinner and offers outdoor seating in the summer. One can choose to belly up to the bar or get a table. A word to parents traveling with those under 21--there are only about four indoor tables that can seat those who are underage. The rest of the brewery is strictly 21 and over.

One plus for the Snake River Brewery: it is off of the main tourist streets, and, though it still draws a crowd, it tends to attract a more outdoorsy, local crowd. It's definitely a fun place to go, especially if it is a good brew you are seeking, rather than a five-star meal.

Mooooooose! Go Mooooooooose! Jackson's winter season is marked by more than great skiing, lots of snow, and thousands of elk in the reserve. It is also marked by a special season--moose season. These are not your average moose, however. These are moose of the padded, skating, stick-wielding variety.

The Jackson Hole Moose are a minor league hockey team with major league style. From mid-October until mid-March, the moose play about once a week at Snow King Arena. The fans are wild about the team, and the Moose respond accordingly. It is always very exciting hockey and always a great chance to hang out with the locals.

The arena is located at the base of Snow King Resort. The arena serves plenty of snacks and beer. All games start at 7:30pm. For a schedule of the home games, check out http://www.jacksonholemoose.com/index.htm.

The Moose come highly recommended to any visitor to Jackson. Yes, the crowd typically consists of local, dedicated Moose fans. But the atmosphere is lots of fun for any hockey fan. It's a great experience. Bring a jacket, though. This is one of the colder arenas I have experienced. But, hey, it's Wyoming. What do you expect? Have fun!