The Old Wild West

The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (Only 200m from your hotel)

Established since 1937, this landmark in Jackson Town is considered Wyoming’s watering hole. It is a unique Western drinking and entertainment venue, carved into Wyoming’s history in which Presidents, Royalty, celebrities as well as people from all walks of life come to enjoy great western fun within the walls of this icon bar. Its knobbled pine architecture, cowboy murals, animal mounts and genuine saddles for bar stools is one of the most captivating décor’s you will ever see. The bar is internationally renowned for western dancing and boasts to often invite onto its stage some of the finest entertainers in the country’s western scene including Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., Asleep at the Wheel, Hoyt Axton, Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Commander Cody, and the James Cotton Blues Band. The Cowboy bar provides six days a week, from a 11am to 2am of live music and continues to feature local and nationally recognised bands. 

Jackson Hole Rodeo

Rodeo cowboy culture has been part of Jackson Hole since the first settlers arrives over 100-years ago. In 1890 Sylvester Wilson and his family lead the first settlers to the abundantly fertile green growing valley and over 130-years on, his descendants continue the western heritage. Rodeo runs three generations deep in the family, and was moved to the area called Wilson (named in honour of Sylvester). The Wilson’s have competed in the superbowl of rodeo, the NFR, as well as riding broncs and dangerous route bullriding. The family still competes in the team roping events at Jackson Hole Rodeo. The legendary rodeo starts at 8pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day (May 27th) weekend through Labour Day (September 2nd) excluding June 29th, with additional rodeos July 4th and every Friday in July and August excluding fair week (July 21-27). Admission is around US$30 per adult and US$28 for the kids.

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Dining Out in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole has a thriving farm-to-table scene and a progressive chef community driven by passion to deliver visitors a first-class culinary experience, they love to serve unexpected dishes. In 2014, Jackson Hole was named one of America's 5 New Foodie Cities by Wine Enthusiast. There is a wide variety of dining options such as après-ski nachos, a locally sourced bison tenderloin. Regional specialties comprise of trout, elk and bison, but also expect progressive vegetarian dishes, sushi, Thai, Indian and more. Jackson Town offers a broad selection of restaurants such as the White Buffalo Club, Jackson’s only certified USDA Prime Steak House serves only the quality top 2% of the nation’s beef. Café Genevieve offers a dining experience with a range of dishes in a historic log cabin setting a popular gathering place for brunch, happy hour and dinner. Rendezvous Bistro is a favourite dining spot for both locals and visitors, offering a sophisticated yet casual extensive wine list and raw bar alongside a menu that evokes the excitement of a top European restaurant. Pinsetter Restaurant offers classic American fare, boasting dozens of delicious options from small bites, salads, flatbreads, sandwiches and entree plates with a specialty-crafted cocktail or local brew. Bin 22 is an elevated wine shopping experience, offering perfect homemade meal with excellent value artisan wines from all over the world, local craft beers and homemade pastas, charcuteries and cheeses to-go. The Kitchen offers seasonal, modern American cuisine with Asian notes, offering some of the freshest fish in town served from an extensive crudo selection, small plates perfect for sharing, inspired entrees and seasonal vegetables. Wild Sage is Jackson's only AAA-rated, Four-Diamond restaurant, offering exceptional regional cuisine and the freshest seafood. The contemporary and classically prepared meals are in full view of the exhibition-style kitchen while enjoying the river rock fireplace.

Nightlife in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole has something for everyone, from dancing to live music seven nights a week. Dornan's Spur Bar hosts the Hootenanny, an acoustic open-mic-style gathering of local and visiting musicians who sign up for a two-song slot. Wort Hotel's Silver Dollar Bar. Jackson's own One Ton Pig often plays to a packed house from 7:30 p.m., with no cover charge. Jackson has three breweries Snake River Brewing Co. with its craft world-class beers such as Snake River Lager, Snake River Pale Ale and organic Snake River OB-1. They also serve up pizza, salads, pastas and burgers.

The nanobrewery at Thai Me Up crafts creative concoctions like its Melvin IPA, Mayhem Honey Beer category, and Brother Ted. Stagecoach Bar in Wilson, a weekly dance, they recently added a brewery to complement its creative barbecue. They recruited a pair of devoted homebrewers to helm the in-house operation and make beers otherwise unavailable in Wyoming, such as "The Veil of Composure," a strong pale ale. Weekends are a big hit at the Pink Garter Theatre and its craft cocktail lounge, Patrons can find some indie group on stage, from blockbusters like Band of Horses to He's My Brother, She's My Sister.

Wagon Train Adventure for 4-days

There is no need to worry about packing your cases as your stay at the hotel is booked for a continuous 14-nights and this adventure requires nothing more than a rucksack with enough clothes for the day trip.​

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a member of an Old West Wagon Train travelling through trails in the very footsteps of the founding settlers did over 130-years ago, accompanied and escorted by real cowboys and cowgirls?  This morning, you will be picked up from Jackson Town to begin your epic Old West adventure on a 4-day journey through the majestic valleys, meadows and mountains of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. As you await your coach in Jackson Town sipping your morning americano, you are overwhelmed with anticipation of what awaits in the mountains yonder. Prepare to leave the 21st century as you know it, this adventure is almost like a time travel back to the days of the settlers in search of greener pastures. The coach arrives, ready to transport you and your loved ones as well as your other Wagon Train companions that no doubt will become your good friends high up into the mountains of Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The Wagon Train comprises of modern-day replicas of the 18th century Conestoga Wagons used by the settlers, retrofitted with rubber tires and padded seats to ensure your journey is comfortable. Not an experienced horse rider? Don’t worry, this adventure does not require you to have any former riding encounters with horses as the highly-skilled cowboys and cowgirls are on-hand to teach you how to ride in no time at all, that is if you choose to ride. If you prefer not to saddle up, you can enjoy the journey from the comfort of a seat on one of the wagons.

​Your coach arrives at the forest clearing and immediately your ears pick up the distinct sounds of squeaking wagon brakes, horses neighing, harnesses jingling and cowboy whistles, set in the backdrop of a beautiful coloured meadow. The smell of fresh pines, horses sweating, leather and the fantastic landscape creates the perfect natural aphrodisiac for your mind as it begins to slowly wander, leaving your everyday thoughts far behind. The horses are unhitched and led to water, after which a sumptuous western buffet lunch is served is served from the chuck (food) wagon. The food served throughout this momentous Wagon Trail journey comprises of an excellent selection of cowboy outdoor food that includes roast beef, ham, cowboy potatoes, barbequed chicken vegetables, salads and fruits prepared in Dutch ovens (cast iron pots with lids) over an open fire, and there’s plenty of it. As the Cowboys say, “the best food in the world”. This type of cooking dates back hundreds of years. In 1704, an Englishman, Andrew Darby after observing the Dutch making these cooking pots, patented a process and produced cast-metal cooking vessels for Britain and the new American colonies, hence the name, Dutch Oven.

Your place of rest for the next 4-days will be in the comfort of your own tent or you can choose to sleep under the stars next to the camp fire. After horse-riding lessons are completed, its time to mount up or jump aboard your wagon, as the train sets off into the Targhee Forest, captivated by the crystal-clear streams, mountains and wildlife on your adventure into the west country, it’s an incredibly relaxing environment. As you arrive at the next camp, the wagon drivers form a circle nearby to Loon Lake, with the shores adorned with beautiful yellow lilies and wild purple flowers. The clouds of butterflies feeding on the flowers coupled with the lakes mirror image of the snowcapped mountains in the distance is a heavenly sight, the perfect setting dust off that trek dust accumulated on your journey. The cowgirls lead you to canoes which they leave by the lake, now you can paddle out to the middle and immerse yourself in the unbelievable awe-inspiring beauty and tranquility of this mountain oasis.

Whilst in camp, there are plenty of fun-filled activities, including how to handle a rope, horseback trail rides, tomahawk and knife throwing, swimming or you can choose to sit soaking in the natural beauty of your surroundings. While you and your loved ones are enjoying the lake or other activities, the horses pull dead trees into the wagon circle in preparation for the nights campfire.

As the sun sets and the sky begins to darken, the aromatic smells of wood smoke and food cooking infusing the pristine mountain air, draws everyone to the campfire. Superb quality steaks cooked over an open fire, corn, beans and bread baked in the Dutch ovens on the fire's coals set the tone for a fantastic meal and a wonderful evening. As you eat a hearty meal, the snap and crackle of the campfire is almost mesmerizing as the sky transforms to darkness. However, you look up and see an unbelievable sight, billions of stars illuminate the cloudless sky, and if you are lucky, you may even catch the astounding beauty of the Northern Lights. Stomachs full, the cowboys begin their yarns of the Old West stories, captivating everyone attention circling the campfire. Stories of the Indians and Wild West gunslingers with only the sound of the fire and nature in the background is one of the most thrilling experiences you will have. When the yarns are over, everyone joins in singing songs and becoming great friends with everyone on the trek. The cowboys and cowgirls have been planning something, enough to get your blood pumping into the evening, let’s not speak of what happens, it’s for you to discover when you go. As the night ends, time to snuggle up in your warm and cozy sleeping bags to be awakened the next morning from the smell of fresh brewing coffee and sizzling bacon, a great enticement to get up and start another remarkable day.

​Over the forthcoming days, the Wagon Train moves from camp to camp, completely encircling the majestic Teton Mountain Range with incomparable views. You will even get to camp one night on the top of the Teton Mountain Range and trek within the "Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone". You will see huge moose, elk, deer and maybe some grizzly bears. Without going into too much details so as to not spoil the many surprises in store, this adventure promises to be the thrill of a lifetime, an adventure that brings your family bonding to its pinnacle. Every day is a different place with different activities, cementing memories into your thoughts forever. Be prepared for an incredible journey into the Old West and an amazing Cowboy send off at the end. The cowboys and cowgirls wanting to keep you thrilled to the very end, have a massive surprise on hand, one that will have you howling and yarning to your family and friends back home for months to come. Now you are ready to head back to your hotel in Jackson Town to freshen up and maybe go for a real slap up cowboy steak meal with the family at one of the saloons. Now that you and your family are cowboy and cowgirl trained, it’s time to let your hair down and get right into some line dancing, singing away to a string of country songs. Here is information about the National Parks you may find interesting:

Grand Teton National Park

Located in the Northwest corner of Wyoming and a few miles south of Yellowstone National Park, Teton encompasses 310,000 acres of wilderness with 100 miles of paved road, 200 miles of trails and is home to some of Western USAs most scenic mountain range. There are over 900 varieties of flowers with meadows glowing yellow, blue, purple and white in different combinations, the parks national flower is the alpine “Forget-me-not”. There are 17 species of carnivores (black and grizzly bears and wolves), 6 species of hoofed animals (moose, elk, deer, bison), 22 species of rodents, 6 species of rabbit/hare, 4 species of non-poisonous reptiles, over 300 species of birds, 5 species of amphibians, 16 species of fish and numerous nonpoisonous spiders. Heavy winter snowfall falls around November through to March. Summer temperatures are in the 70s to 80s with cooler nights in the 40s. Carved by glaciers and continually reshaped by water and wind, Grand Teton is the 13,770ft peak of the Teton Mountains, visible from Jackson Hole. Snake River, beginning its life in Yellowstone National Park, meanders through Grand Teton National Park into Jackson Lake.

Yellowstone National Park – Grizzly Recovery Zone The Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone (GBRZ) is the demographic and habitat area aimed at achieving the recovery of the Yellowstone grizzly bear population. The zone’s boundary identifies the known distribution of bears at that time and encompasses seasonal habitats needed to support a recovered population. It spans portions of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, including areas of 5 National Forests (Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Bridger-Teton, Caribou-Targhee, Custer-Gallatin, and Shoshone) and the northern portion of Grand Teton National Park.

 

Excursions you may like

Here are just a couple of excursions you may wish to try while in Jackson, and remember if you are not caught up at the rodeo or line dancing every day, then simply ask the front desk staff at your hotel, they will be happy to point you in the right direction for additional activities.

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Granite Hot Springs

Located one hours drive south of Jackson, the developed mountain oasis springs are encircled by beautiful huge spruce pine and fir forest. This is a place of complete natural rejuvenation, soothing those aching muscles, improving blood circulation, healing skin problems and a complete mind food. The facilities include bathrooms, picnic tables and information kiosks. Summer season opens from May 20th through to October 31st and can be accessed during the winter months on snowmobile, dog sled, skiing, or fat biking.

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Snake River White Water rafting

The 8-mile stretch of Snake River has the highest concentration of laughter in the Wyoming state, brought about through the excitement and thrills of rafting you will absolutely love it. The river has class II and III rapids, such as the Lunch Counter and the Big Kahuna and even an underwater waterfall called Champagne. The scenery of the river is incredible, limestone cliffs, Lodge pole Pine hills, and the mountain peak horizon of Grey’s National Forest. You can see Eagles, Osprey Otters and Kingfishers all on the river and Beavers, Elk and Moose drinking water nearby. The thrill will have you calling your friends back home with so much excitement they will feel like they are in the boat with you. Tickets cost US$76 per person.​

Scenic Raft Trip

For those not seeking the adrenaline pumping white water rafting, the alternative is to join a floating scenic trip on Snake River. A certain section of the river is selected, coupled together with a quality guide, ensuring your scenic float trip most memorable. The section of the river is a thirteen mile stretch for you to experience the essence of the Tetons and all its wonders, this time from the water. The guides have extensive training in wildlife ecology, geology, river hydrology, as well as many other relevant facts about the Jackson Hole area. You will experience the same feeling that they do every time they go exploring the river and take that feeling home with you. Another experience you will remember for a lifetime. The Scenic Float trips includes a delicious lunch, made in the commercial kitchen featuring a deli sandwich, potato chips, homemade cookies and water. High powered Bushnell binoculars are also provided for you to thoroughly enjoy the surrounding area. These binoculars will give you the unique opportunity to view the many types of wildlife up close as if you were standing right next to them! It certainly makes for a better trip when you can see a bald eagle or an osprey from the comfort of your raft. Tickets cost US$76 per person.