Best Things to do in Jackson Hole in the Summer

Every so often you just need a break — especially like in our case with twin babies on the way. Whether you’re planning a babymoon adventure or a family vacation, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, offers a wide range of activities. Kevin and I tacked on an overnight stay in Jackson Hole after spending 2 incredible days in Yellowstone National Park. While Jackson Hole is best known for skiing, it has a lot to offer during warmer months — especially for families. Check out our picks of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in the summer. And hey, who wants to deal with piles of snow and slippery ice in the winter? Clearly, we’ve adjusted to living in LA (and complain when it drops below 70 degrees).

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has long been on my list of places to visit. When I lived in Washington, DC, in the early 2000s, I had a client for my job based in Jackson Hole. I spent weeks reading about the area. I was so excited to finally cross Wyoming off my list of states that I visited. But let’s just say, my boss decided she’d “take one for the team” after hearing only one person could travel. It’s funny… She passed on that work trip to rural Arkansas a few weeks later. Oh well, it took 15 years, but glad I could explore Jackson Hole without the pressures of work.

Whether you’re an active traveler or just like to lounge around, here are our top 3 picks of the best things to do in Jackson Hole in the summer.

Best Things to do in Jackson Hole in the Summer: Pretend You’re Tarzan

If you’re a more active traveler, it doesn’t get much more intense than the rope course at Snow King Mountain Resort. We spent about 4 hours on this course — though, we were stuck behind a very slow family for about 90 percent of the time. In fact, Kevin even laid down to nap at one point. Clearly, Kevin can sleep just about anywhere.

The Treetop Adventure involves a series of obstacles that span between trees, wood poles and wooden platforms. A total of 7 courses are marked — ranging from easy to downright terrifying/exhausting. I’m not scared of heights;  however, I had second thoughts about flinging off a platform into a rope net (with nothing but the ground below).

The course remains open during the pandemic with some slight changes to their usual setup. The biggest change is that you’re responsible for clipping yourself into the safety equipment. The guides give a thorough demonstration before getting on the course. However, it’s up to you to remember it. One of the most challenging parts of the course is climbing straight up a telephone pole. And someone (eh hem, KEVIN) forgot to clip himself into the safety device that would stop him from plummeting to the ground. Kevin told me this AFTER he completed the course. Otherwise, I would have totally freaked (okay, truth be told, I still freaked out!).

You could easily spend an entire day at Snow Mountain Resort. In fact, we suggest purchasing their Big King Pass ($125) that gives you access to the ropes course as well as the Cowboy Coaster and Alpine slide…

It also includes mini golf, a scenic chairlift ride with views of the Teton Mountains, and our favorite, the walk through maze.

While the maze is more geared towards kids, we still spent nearly an hour inside. And it wasn’t because we got stuck inside the very narrow sliding board.

Peruse the Downtown Jackson Hole Farmer’s Market

There aren’t many more things in life that I love more than a farmer’s market. When we lived in San Francisco, Kevin and I would visit the Ferry Terminal farmer’s market every week. In LA, I once got so distracted by my local farmer’s market, I walked into a lamp post (with 22 stitches to my face as a reminder). Yes, I’m not afraid to admit I have a farmer’s market problem.

I have a high bar when it comes to farmer’s markets. And the downtown Jackson Hole farmer’s market did not disappoint. The market spans several blocks around the town square, supporting local and regional farmers and food vendors. But my favorite? All the sweet goodies like cookies and pies. And it’s just steps away from the many coffee shops including Cowboy Coffee Co.

The market runs on Saturdays from early July through the end of September, 8 am to 12 pm.

Chow Down at Jackson Hole’s Many Outdoor Cafes and Restaurants

Clearly, there is a theme going on here? We love to eat. Plus, after that ropes course, Kevin and I were just ready to relax. Downtown Jackson Hole has fantastic shopping (where I bought myself 3 T-shirts and a mug) and tasty bakeries. We enjoyed them all, but our favorite was Persephone Bakery.

Inspired by bakeries in France, Persephone Bakery has a wide range of artisanal breads and pastries. If you love croissants, this is the place to get one in Wyoming. The cafe is just steps away from the main square and has a large patio where you can sit outside — perfect for a pandemic or non-pandemic times.

If it’s later in the evening, we suggest grabbing an outdoor table at The Silver Dollar Bar and Grill. It’s your old school bar on the inside. But what we loved was the outdoor sidewalk seating (due to COVID). At least COVID is pushing restaurants to get creative with their seating options. We loved listening to the live band inside, yet being able to have a conversation. Seating is limited, so either call ahead or roll up on the earlier side for dinner like we did. If you did that ropes course, you’ll probably be hungry earlier.

The meal is fantastic, especially the bison short rib with mashed potatoes. I just tried not to think too much about all those bison we saw roaming around Yellowstone a few days earlier. Okay, maybe after the first bite, I didn’t think about it much at all.

So was Jackson Hole worth the wait? You better believe it. Besides, I had a lot more fun than on a work trip… even if it took me 15 years. Hopefully, our next visit here won’t take that long. Looking for other ideas for traveling the west? Check out our babymoon adventure in Sedona where I attempted to find my inner Zen. Love the great outdoors? Follow along our ultimate Yellowstone itinerary in 2 days. Check out our perfect 2-day itinerary in Page, Arizona that takes you through the picture-perfect Antelope Canyon. Or if you’re more into quirky travel spots, follow our great American road trip along Route 66.