In September, we went on a family vacation to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I visited Jackson for a day trip years ago when my family visited Yellowstone and we were driving through, but it was Tim’s first time visiting Jackson Hole. We had such a great trip and I highly recommend if you’re wanting a getaway filled with gorgeous views, hikes, and good food. Here is a summary of our trip, along with my recommendations if you plan to visit Jackson Hole soon.

Jackson Hole Travel Guide For The Family

Where to Stay in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is the area that includes the towns of Jackson, Kelly, Moose, Moran, Wilson, and Teton Village. For this trip we stayed in Teton Village, which is a more popular area during the winter skiing season. I do want to give you a heads up if you stay in Teton Village, you have to drive South through the city of Jackson to head up North to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. It sounds strange if you look at the two areas on the map, but that’s just the way the route works.

I prefer to book a home when traveling with Josie because you get so much more space and amenities for the price. We booked this gorgeous rental through Outpost. They have the best selection of rentals in the area and I was so impressed with their communication and suggestions on what to do. This house was within walking distance to the ski lifts if you plan to visit during the winter. It was quiet and peaceful, but also within walking distance to Teton Village if the weather is nice.

Best Hotels in Jackson Hole

If you prefer to book a hotel, here are the ones I was recommended:

Four Seasons in Teton Village

For a luxury couples getaway: Amangani

The Cloudveil in Jackson

What to Do In Jackson Hole

• Drive around and look for animals. The best time to spot them is early morning! We saw elk, moose, deer, and a fox while driving. Moose are known to roam around Rendezvous Park between Teton Village and Jackson if you want to try and see them.
• Take a hike: There are so many hiking trails in the area depending on what you’re looking for. One of the most popular hikes is around Jenny Lake and I can see why, it’s absolutely stunning! I recommend downloading the app Alltrails if you want to check out hikes in the area.
• Ride the tram or gondola to the top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and take in the views + eat a waffle while you’re there. I ordered the Nutella waffle and although it wasn’t the best waffle of my life, it definitely sweetened the experience.
• Take a trip to Yellowstone: We took a day trip to Yellowstone and while I definitely recommend spending more than a day trip there, I’m glad we went! We went to see Old Faithful which was a cool area to walk around. I highly recommend getting a map when you enter the park because phone service is very spotty. I would also recommend packing a lunch to save time, there are very few restaurants in the area and the menus aren’t great.
• Walk around and shop in the city of Jackson. There are a lot of local shops and restaurants in the square, along with parks and playgrounds if you’re traveling with kids.
• Depending on the season you plan to visit, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do in the area of Jackson Hole

Best Restaurants to Eat At in Jackson Hole

Persephone Bakery:

A MUST visit for coffee, breakfast, and light bites. They also have some great little gifts to pick up as souvenirs, too.

Calico:

A quick, family-friendly Italian restaurant with a great patio and lawn space.

Il Villaggio Osteria:

We didn’t eat here this trip but it was highly recommended for authentic Italian.

Local Restaurant and Bar:

Like the menu suggests, they serve fresh, local meats. I recommend making a reservation here, even for a weeknight.

Glorietta Trattoria:

Very good Italian spot for dinner. We loved the burrata caprese and they have a sommelier to help you with the perfect wine choice for your meal.

Snake River Roasting Company:

A new coffee spot in the city of Jackson that also has quick grab-and-go options and delicious baked goods.

Bin 22:

We didn’t eat here on this trip but it came highly recommended!

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What to Pack for Jackson Hole in the Fall

The weather can definitely vary quite a bit so I would pack a lot of layers. We visited mid-September and experienced weather in the 30’s to 70’s during our stay. With the time change we were up very early, so our walks in the morning were in the 30’s-40’s and then it would heat up to sunny and 70’s in the afternoon. If you’re visiting in October, you can also potentially see an early snowfall. When possible, I like to schedule photos with a local photographer to remember our trip, so I packed along out family photo outfits too!

Packing must-haves:

• hiking shoes or sneakers
• long sleeve layer
• coat
• sweater
• scarf
• leggings

Here is what I packed for our trip:

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