We love to travel - honestly, can never get enough of it and hope to see so much of this big ole' world in this lifetime. Because we are not professional travelers (but like, can I sign up for that?) we have limited time and resources just like most people do. I LOVE to explore new places - cities, countries, cultures and we need to get to it if we want to even scratch the surface of globe trotting. There are, however, a few places that continue to call us back over and over again....
one, Hawaii: another post for another time, but we have been so fortunate to go almost annually with BJ's parents since I met and married him. What a gift we will never take for granted! We have so many fun memories, moments and suggestions for Maui and Kauai, but that I'll save that for another day.
two, Jackson Hole: our very favorite summer destination. I cannot imagine growing tired of the Grand Tetons and this little spot of the country is our dose of heaven on earth. We've traveled as just our immediate family, again with our extended family and then multiple friends over the years and as a result have landed on some Rector family recommendations that I pass along to friends all the time! So... why not share here in hopes that I can be a resource to anyone looking to make it up to the Cowboy State in the summer (note, this is definitely a SUMMER list!).
This list is not even exhaustive and definitely has rhythms to make an itinerary the BOMB incorporating the right places / meals / activities - I have tons made from 4-day, 7-day and 2 week trips... just let me know if I can help you plan one! But enjoy some of our recommendations, below:
Stay
The Rustic Inn - right as you enter the town of Jackson, there is this small boutique resort that we just love. Depending on your family size, they have little log cabins all around the property and creek (where we have stayed) or they have fabulous spa suites if you need a larger space. With a daily beautiful breakfast, a fantastic spa and firepit creekside spots it is just a exceptional. Its also perfectly located close to the square but also not in the middle of it where traffic can be quite congested. We LOVE it here!
Fireside Resort - ok so this is a little hidden gem. It feels like an elevated campground meets tiny-house cabins kind of perfection. The price is really incredible, the tiny-houses come in various sizes to fit families and it makes for a perfect group trip spot so that families can have their own spaces and yet be together. We absolutely love this place - it helps that is next door to one and across the street from another of our two very favorite places to eat.
Jackson Golf & Tennis Club - okay so obviously you can VRBO all over Jackson Hole, but after staying close to Snow King (Jackson) and not wanting to be as far out as Teton Village (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort) we found ourselves LOVING this spot with these cabins. It doesn't hurt when the back porch fleshed up against the golf fairway and backdrop was the Tetons.... but yes, this was our very favorite rental and where we hope to one day be able to purchase.
Other noteworthy stays:
Four Seasons - could you even go wrong? No. And it is in Teton Village which has so many amenities, activities and restaurants.
Amangani - go without your kids and stay here..... or just go up for a cocktail one evening because, YES please.
Rusty Parrot - have kids and want to stay in town? Here is another great hotel option that just was renovated in 2024!
Eat Breakfast
Persephone - Not to be dramatic or anything, but this is OUR FAVORITE. We go every day.... sometimes multiple times. Go ahead and visit the downtown and the Westbank location because their menus differ a little bit and so do their vibes. Both are 10/10. Go ahead and trust me when I say to get the egg croissant sandwich with bacon and avocado... I dream about it paired with a one-pump lavender latte. BJ and split this for breakfast (with one of their amazing pastries) every single morning when we are in JH!
The Bunnery - Won't lie.... feels a lot like an IHOP, its kind of a tourist trap, but its also a JH staple so if you love a home-cooking style breakfast pop in here. You'll find me at Persephone, but this is still a fun little place.
Dornan's Chuckwagon - Ok, so turns out there is one morning we don't eat at Persephone and its our Jenny Lake day (see below). Before we grab our bikes for the day we eat a chuckwagon breakfast in the little Dornan's village.... its only open in the summer months, so take note! My kids fill up on bacon, eggs and monster pancakes before we head out for our day of bike/hike fun.
Eat Lunch
Picnic - no surprise here, but this is a Persephone cafe and we love to pop in here to pick up lunch to take away. They've got great sandwiches and salads... and a different breakfast menu if you want to try more options!
StillWest Brewery & Grill - awesome lunch spot upstairs on the patio overlooking Snow King mountain
Jackson Drug - this is my kids’ favorite and it’s not bad, but it is right on the square and kind of a tourist trap. I will say, I've enjoyed everything I have ordered and I'm not mad that my kids love it. Its super cute but just prepare yourself for the crowds.
Cafe Genevieve - good healthy brunch and lunch options - this should be on my breakfast list, too... but can I beat a dead horse and mention Persephone again? Ha! But this a spot we've enjoyed and picked up from multiple times!
Eat Dinner
Snake River Grill - this is the perfect date night or final night dinner for your time in JH - the menu, the drinks, the intimate setting... its just all so good... start with the steak tartare pizza appetizer!
Calico - we love this totally casual but PERFECT dinner spot with kids because they have a huge fenced in green space and kids play the whole time while we sit on their lovely patio - essential when you set your reservation - their patio is everything! Order the bruschetta to start and thank me later!
Local - sitting right on the square, this is a consistently great casual dinner spot. I personally love their burger, BJ the kids can punish a steak and starting with the charcuterie is always a good idea.
The Bird - ok so this place is a total dive, but we love it - after a good day outside hiking I won't lie a good beer and burger just hits right. Casual enough that kids on the patio can be loud, too, because its just really unassuming at this spot - and the view is just so, so good!
The Deck on Piste - Ok, so this one comes with a price tag, and there are a few ways to do it. One, you can take the evening gondola at 5pm up for a discounted rate.... still adds a cool total to your bill but the deck is just the most fun place to hang for heavy apps, drinks and a view of the entire landscape (this is how we've done it!)... Breathtaking in every day. Secondly, you can go ahead and purchase the Bridger Gondola ticket early in the day and plan to hike / play / eat your way through Jackson Hole resort for the day and end with dinner up top. Again, costs more to enjoy the full day, but there is so much to explore on the mountain.... And you can head up to Corbet's Cabin for waffles midday (they are so good)!
Pinky G's - we love this pizza joint! We've actually never eaten there but we often order from here and take it to go and picnic in the square.
Moo's - OK this is our other daily stop in Jackson - Moo's is right on the square and there will be a line a football field long, but we love this local ice cream shop. After hikes, bike rides, dinner.... it is the treat that keeps my kids going all day! I dream about their Huckleberry, BJ and Eleanor cannot pass up the Salted Caramel, Dorothy Grace punishes the Strawberry and Tripp rotates between all the flavors I just listed. I may not do dairy in Dallas, but you bet your bottom dollar I eat ice cream on the daily while in Jackson!
ExploreJenny Lake Hike & Bike - this is our family's very favorite thing we do up in the Tetons.... this day brings me more joy than I can describe! We start our day renting bikes from
Dornans and hop on the trail from the shoping village headed towards Jenny Lake. It is an 8 mile ride through Grand Tetons to Jenny - once you get there, you have a few options. You can take
the ferry across the lake OR you can hike the perimeter of Jenny to get to the trailhead for Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. We've done both but currently LOVE hiking around the lake and then up for this 1-1.5 mile hike up to the bluff that overlooks the lake. We pack a picnic and enjoy then hike back around the lake to our bikes.... ride 8 miles back into town and relish the most incredible scenery from the day! We ALWAYS end the excursion with a scoop from
Moo's to celebrate.... it is the MOST perfect day! (We've rented burleys for Dorothy Grace, tandem bikes when our kids were little and there is only one really big hill to prepare for.... otherwise it is a 16 mile bike ride, but it is easy and flat and so, so fun!)
Horseback riding - so, age is definitely a factor on this activity, but there are two different companies we have ridden with and love their trails! The first is Teton Village Trail Rides at the base of Jackson Hole mountain - takes you up and around in the Tetons for up to 2 hours. A professional photographer follows along and you'll get incredible photos! We also loved Swift Creek Outfitters, it is in Wilson and gives you a good view of the Tetons along their trail.
Jackson Hole Whitewater - being on the Snake River is a must! We've enjoyed both the Scenic Float trip and elevated the game up to Whitewater for the big kids.... both are great! Both are beautiful, both are so fun!
ATV up to the Sleeping Indian Mountain - we've rented ATVs for a self-guided tour up different trailheads to explore. Pack bug spray, wear clothes you don't care turn brown and just get ready - it is SO fun! I'll say this.... you could also hike Sleeping Indian, but it is not for little kids. An ATV is a super fun way to see the different range, get a view of the Elk Refuge and get a little dirty!
YELLOWSTONE - we LOVE national parks! We LOVE Yellowstone - it is the perfect day trip from Jackson Hole if you just want to hit some of the highlights. Leave early in the morning and head straight to Old Faithful, then hit the Grand Pristmatic Spring from above and around, and then pop over to the Biscuit Basin and Fountain Pots before heading back into town. It will full, but man, it is SO good! But also…. Another post on this another day because I also highly recommend staying in Yellowstone for a few days - this National Park is obviously a vacation in and of itself!
String Lake - we love to rent kayaks (from Dornans) and take a picnic up here. We get there early and set up a little spot for the day - It is such a perfect place and so fun to play on the water, hike around, relax, play games and just enjoy being outside!
Jackson Lake - another beautiful spot with LOTS of hiking options. We have done the Colter Bay trail and the views are out of this world. It is super easy for kids and there are ways to make this loop longer, too. You can rent a boat to get out on the water or like us, set up another picnic on the shores and just enjoy the view. We've also taken a trail head from Signal Mountain... and there is a really good pizza stop at the Leek's Marina in this area... another good place to add to your list!
Snow King Mountain - my kids absolutely LOVE a play day here.... alpine slides, a mountain coaster, mini golf, treetops and zipline course... I won't lie, BJ and I enjoy it too! We typically grab the evening pass that gives us unlimited coasters/slides after 5:30pm for $60.... a nice reward for our kids after a big day of hiking or something adventurous.
Jackson Hole Mountain - I mentioned this up above, but there are tons of activities to do at this mountain, too....ropes courses, bungee trampolines, gondola rides, hiking, mountain biking.
Chuckwagon dinner - My kids loved this but I’ll be honest, it feels like one big camp skit, haha. Great for kiddos!
Jackson Hole Rodeo! It’s a couple nights every week in the summer and SO fun - if you are in town when its on, its a fun event you don't want to miss! 
Live Music / Dancing at the Wort - check the schedule or their concert nights, but get a sitter and you and your sweetheart go enjoy an iconic night at the Silver Dollar Bar.
Of course carve out some time to go shopping on the square. There is a great park at the base of Snow King in town where we will often go to rockclimb, picnic and just play. Really, it is all just so quaint and darling. We could spend hours just sitting in the square green space with a scoop of huckleberry ice cream from Moo’s or a milkshake from Jackson Drug...
there are honestly SO many things I have missed even writing this list. Example: Rectors do not fish... but you know some of the best fly fishing is up in the Tetons. So you've got to know there is even more beyond that which is noteworthy. If you've been and I don't have something listed... will you share it with me, too? I'd love to go experience everything this part of the country has to offer! I hope you and yours get the chance to do the same, friends! Hope some of these suggestions make it to your itinerary!
Comments