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.
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.
Address: National Wildlife Art Museum, 2820 Rungius Road, 6825, Jackson, WY 83001, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 733-5771, Fax: 1 (307) 733-5787
Hours:
9am-5pm; Sun:11am-5pm
Always closed on: Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October ), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
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.
Address: Bar J Ranch, Box 220, Wilson, WY 83014-0220, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 733-3370, Fax: 1 (307) 733-2589
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.
Address: Bar-T-Five, 790 Cache Creek Drive, Box 3415, Jackson, WY 83001-3415, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 733-5386, Fax: 1 (307) 739-9183
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.
Address: Center for the Arts, 240 South Glenwood, Box 860, Jackson, WY 83001, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 734-8956, Fax: 1 (307) 733-9582
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.
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.
Address: Jackson Hole Historical Society, 105 Mercill Avenue, Box 1005, Jackson, WY 83001-1005, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 733-9605, Fax: 1 (307) 739-9019
Hours:
May 30 to September 6: 10am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sat
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.
Hours:
May 31 to September 6: 9am-10pm
September 7 to June 1: 11am-7pm; Sun:12pm-6pm; Fri:10am-8pm; Sat:10am-8pm
Always closed on: Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays in November and December.
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.
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.
Address: Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure, Box 10307, Jackson, WY 83002-0307, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 734-6101, Fax: 1 (208) 787-3435
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.