“The mountains are calling and I must go”

— John Muir

Last September, we took a trip to Jackson, Wyoming on a whim, and it was love at first sight. A year later, we had a destination western wedding.

There is something so special about connecting with nature. And in Wyoming, there’s wide open space and wild animals at the heart. A place so big, can make you feel small…but somehow welcome at the same time.

The beauty of traveling to me is seeking those places that make you feel alive; that take your breath away, make you wonder, capture your dreams. Jackson is one of those places.

Its authentically cowboy, leather and beer. Its free range fields and fine dining. Its picturesque mountains and a quaint town. It’s so many things at once, which is part of its charm, I think. Fall is a great season to visit because the summer tourist rush has dissipated. It's the sweet spot before the snow (although, I’d love to do a winter trip there!). The foliage was still changing while we were there in late September - throughout the range, a sea of gold.

The drive from the airport to the hotel was so scenic I couldn’t stop taking photos! On our first trip, we stayed in Teton Village (the ski resort) at the Teton Mountain Lodge. Our room was spacious, clean and cozy with a fireplace. I liked that it was quieter around the resort area so we could really relax.

Coming into the town of Jackson, there is a quaint central square surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. The square is famously flanked by antler arches. There are several cowboy themed spots including the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar with its saddle bar seats and Cowboy Coffee Co. I stopped here for an iced coffee and loved it! I put together a few of my recommendations based on a short stay. If you’ve been before and have something to add, I’d love to know.

Wear

Layers are key. There is an overall casual vibe around Jackson. Definitely sport those cowboy boots! If you plan to hike, bring solid hiking shoes/athletic shoes. Yellowstone was more driving than walking, so you can get away with a sneaker. It was warmer in the days, but cooled off quite a bit in the evenings so layers are essential! A flannel jacket and denim is perfect during the fall.

Eat

Persephone Bakery - Found this place via Yelp and really enjoyed it. It’s a walk up order and sit eatery, with a cute outdoor patio space. Coffee was on point and our food was delicious! It was the perfect stop for breakfast on our last day, then we walked around the square.

Coelette - This place feels like you're stepping into an upscale, cozy lodge. In doing a little research, it looks like the same owners as the Persephone Bakery! The decor is amazing, and the food is phenomenal! They rotate dishes frequently and offer seasonal, local fare. Make sure to ask about their specials as we had an amazing steak that wasn’t on the menu. The bar is also known for craft cocktails. I requested another off-the-menu drink - a hot toddy - and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend this unique spot, but be sure to check for reservations.

Bin 22 - This cute spot has more of a farm-to-table feel. There is a market as well as a wine/tapas bar. It was buzzing when we went, but they have shared seating so we got seated quickly. After a long day of exploring, we tried quite a few things on the menu and everything was good. We even bought a bottle of wine and some treats to bring back to our room!

Roadhouse Brewing - We stopped in at Roadhouse for a pre-dinner drink on our first trip. They have a wide selection of beer but also some fun cocktails. The inside is moderate and gets crowded, so we grabbed a table outside where their patio overlooks the square. We also brought a group here during our wedding week and loved it. They were so nice to accommodate nearly 20 of us for dinner and drinks. The food is elevated bar fare and was perfect for a casual spot! For our wedding, we served a selection of Roadhouse beers for a local taste.

Shop

Made - This place is just off the square, so I’m glad I stumbled upon it. Super cute shop with items from local makers including glasses, jewelry, and so many other unique gifts. This is where I found the huckleberry Tram Jam. I also bought some cute cups for (unofficial) bridal party. The staff was friendly, they offer shipping, and they have an online store!

Beaver Creek Hats & Leather - This is the place for custom hats. They had tons of sizes and styles to choose from as well as custom accessories and branding/monogramming. I didn’t have enough time to find a hat on our first visit, so it was one of my top priorities during our wedding trip. I ended up branding one with my new initials and love it! Disclaimer that there are a lot of animal products around Jackson Hole (hey, it is cowboy country, but I get that’s not everyone’s thing).

Sightseeing | Yellowstone in a Day (technically 2)

Yellowstone is about a 2 hour drive from Jackson. You’ll pass through the Grand Teton National Park which is beautiful in and of itself. If we had more time to explore, we definitely would have done the Jenny or Phelps Lake hikes. A local also told me that you can pick the wild huckleberries fresh here! Those would have been perfect for my huckleberry mule!

We forged ahead to Yellowstone, which is encompassed in two massive loops that span Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. The first day we prioritized the geysers. Luckily, we timed it perfectly to catch the next viewing of Old Faithful! One of the best things we did was download the Yellowstone NPS App. The app has maps as well as rough estimates for the geysers! From Old Faithful, you can grab a map of the immediate area and take a loop to see the many geysers and hot springs. Our trail ended at the Morning Glory hot spring, which is a must see! At every turn, I was amazed. I won’t spoil it - you have to go see for yourself! But I liked that we kept this day focused in one area so as not to get overwhelmed.

The second (half) day, we got up early hoping to cover a lot more ground. We also had the assistance of a virtual tour guide, Gyspy Tour Guide. This app was so unique and helpful, offering verbal prompts for popular stops as well as storytelling. It was like listening to an audiobook in real time! Definitely recommend it if you are exploring a new area - they have multiple parks. There was a road closure during this time, so make sure to check the maps as you’re planning your route.

We explored more of the upper loop which included Yellowstone Lake, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and tons of other sites. While the Lake Yellowstone Hotel was a bit off the path, it was a unique stop. The historic hotel is eerie but quaint at the same time and had a nice gift shop, which is where I picked up my huckleberry vodka! The rest of our day was spent sightseeing from waterfalls, to gorges, to free range wildlife including two massive buffalo that crossed right by our car! That certainly topped off the Yellowstone experience.

One word to the wise: pack snacks! I was disappointed in the food options but as with many places, I think the park was hit hard with covid. Some places were closed or just had very limited options. Hopefully things will continue to improve.

When we returned for our wedding a year later, Jackson was just how I remembered it. Small town, big charm. As a born and raised southerner, I love the country feel. But my creative side (California), loves the eating and shopping the downtown offers without the big city hype. It’s honestly one of my favorite places and you can’t beat the scenic views of the Grand Tetons. It’s magical, and even more special to us now having been married there.

I’ll write all about our wedding week in another post so be sure to read that as well.