Jackson, WY Tourist Attractions
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The little town of Jackson lies on the southern edge of Jackson Hole and is an excellent base from which to explore the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone Park. Jackson is still redolent of the atmosphere of the Wild West, particularly on the Town Square with its dozens of saloons, bars, galleries and souvenir stands. The Jackson Hole Museum (105 N Glenwood St.) traces the history of settlement in the valley, the Teton County Historical Center (105 Mercell Ave.) is devoted to the fur trade and the cultural history of the Indians, and the Wildlife of the American West Art Museum (110 N Center St.) has an extensive collection of pictures and sculptures on the wildlife of the west, including works by Albert Bierstadt and Karl Bodmer, Charles M Russell and Ernest Thompson.
National Museum of Wildlife Art
The National Wildlife Art Museum is worth visiting even if you are not interested in art. The building is designed to blend in with its surroundings and as a result has been partially embedded in the hillside. The museum has over 4,000 paintings and hosts exhibitions on a regular basis.
Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts in Jackson consists of the Arts & Education Pavilion as well as the Performing Arts Pavilion. The Performing Arts Pavilion features a 500-seat theater, a Music Center, and theater rehearsal space. The Arts & Education Pavilion is home to 20 organizations who enjoy the use of studios, classrooms and offices.
Teton Expeditions Scenic Floats
Teton Expeditions Scenic Floats in Jackson provide several interesting excursions in the Tetons including a scenic float trip. Visitors are taken in a Zodiac boat down the river where all manner of wildlife can be spotted. This is not a whitewater rafting trip, but more a gentle ride down the Snake River. Other tours are available.
Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure
If spending 3 or 4 days on horseback or in a dusty covered wagon is your cup of tea, then you will enjoy a visit to Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventures. They offer several different tours that will let the visitor experience what it was like to travel in the days of the Wild West. The scenery is exceptional and wildlife sightings are frequent.
Bar-T-Five Cook Out and Wild West Show
The Bar T Five show in Jackson ups the ante on Wild West shows. Visitors are first treated to a covered chuck wagon ride and then a meal cooked in an authentic Dutch oven. Following dinner, tall tales, singing, and performances by cowboys and Indians round out the evening.
Jackson Hole Historical Society
The Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum provides visitors with the history of Jackson and the Jackson Hole region. The society has been collecting items of historical interest since 1958. The collection is varied and boasts of over 7000 historical photos of the area.
National Elk Refuge
The National Elk Refuge is famous for being the largest concentration of wintering elk in the world. The herd numbers over 5,000 animals and sleigh rides can be taken to visit them. The National Elk Refuge also has a bison herd of over 500 animals.
Sleigh Rides
What better way to see the 5,000 strong herd of Elk in the National Elk Refuge than to take a sleigh ride? Horse drawn sleighs take visitors out to the herd and accompanying guides provide a narrative history of the area and the herd. The sleigh rides depart from the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone visitor center and are on a first come first served basis.
Wagons West
Visitors to Jackson have several options if travel and tours by covered wagons are of interest. Wagons West travel unused roads across scenic terrain through the Mt Leidy Highlands of Jackson Hole. All meals are included and the seats in the wagons convert to deluxe sleeping mats. Wagons West offers 2, 4 and six day treks.
Bar J Chuckwagon
The Bar J Chuckwagon in Jackson provides visitors with a real taste of the old west. An authentic meal is served followed up by a performance by singing cowboys and other entertainment. The show is suitable for families and small children.
Jackson Hole Historical Museum
Jackson Hole Historical Museum was founded in 1958 and features exhibits depicting the history of Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum
Just like all the other Ripley's Believe it or Not locations around the world, the Jackson location features all manner of gimmicky attractions and oddities. Crazy sights, and fun things to entertain kids are all part of the experience.
