Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Jackson Wyoming. While many travel blogs will tell you the fun things to do in Jackson Wyoming, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your Jackson Wyoming trip.
Don’t Confuse Jackson Hole with Jackson
Jackson Hole is the valley where the town of Jackson is located. There are several towns in Jackson Hole, including Jackson. This is also important when choosing your accommodation as a rental in Jackson Hole could mean a lot of different things. When you visit Jackson Hole, you are visiting the valley surrounding the town of Jackson.
Don’t Forget to Bring a Flashlight
It’s dark here, and the streets and sidewalks are not well-lit outside of the main downtown area. In part, this is cool because low light pollution means you have amazing views of the night skies. But when you’re walking back to your hotel, it can be very dark.
Don’t Miss the National Museum of Wildlife Art
While most things to do in Jackson revolve around the wildlife and the great outdoors, make sure you stop at this fantastic art museum on the way to Grand Teton National Park. It’s a great museum full of western and wildlife art, and one of the best things to do in Jackson.
Don’t Forget to Pack Layers
The mountain climate can be harsh, and you’ll see temperature swings of 30 to 40 degrees each day. That means cold mornings and evenings, with warm, sunny days. The only way to properly dress on your Jackson trip is to have layers you can add and remove throughout the day.
Don’t Plan on Having a Cheap Trip to Jackson
Most of Wyoming is very affordable and budget-friendly. But once you reach Jackson, that’s no longer the case! Jackson is very expensive; the locals joke that the billionaires have chased out the millionaires. Forget about real estate; everything in Jackson is expensive. Plan to spend more on accommodation and eating out while you’re visiting Jackson. We visited in the fall and had trouble finding accommodation under $500 a night.
Don’t Wait to Reserve Jackson Wyoming Lodging
Because Jackson is so popular and expensive, any reasonably priced accommodation will go fast. There’s not really a low season in Jackson; it’s popular year-round with tourists so it can be difficult to find hotels in Jackson. Any affordable Jackson Wyoming lodging gets booked up well in advance, no matter which season you visit.
Don’t Try to Wing It With Your Plans
Just like with hotels, you need to plan ahead for any excursions and even your restaurant plans. There are a ton of fun things to do in Jackson, like fishing or rafting, but these excursions fill up quickly. Likewise, the restaurants are small and fill up, so it really helps to have reservations for dinner so you don’t have to wait an hour or more for a table. This even applies at breakfast; we found lines up to 30 minutes just to grab a pastry or a bagel to go.
Don’t Expect Authentic Wyoming in Jackson
Yes, Jackson is part of Wyoming, but it’s very touristy compared to the rest of the state. If you want to see “the real Wyoming” you need to get out into places like Cody and Cheyenne. The National Parks and ski resorts of Jackson bring visitors, and workers, from all over the world, so it’s definitely more of a mix in Jackson. Once you get out into Wyoming, you’ll see true cowboy country.
Things to Do in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Don’t Miss Out Just Because You Don’t Ski
Yes, Jackson is known as a ski town. But there’s so much more to do and it would be a shame to miss out just because you don’t ski. You’re close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, there’s an Elk Refuge, a Playhouse with live performances, a children’s museum, and so much more. Plus, Jackson has several fun bars and restaurants, like the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Don’t Overestimate Your Skiing Ability
If you do visit Jackson in the winter, don’t overestimate your skill level at skiing. The ski runs in Jackson are not be taken lightly! They are likely much tougher than what you are used to skiing at home; especially if you’re from the Midwest like me!
Don’t Be Afraid to Try Bison or Elk
You’ll see bison and elk on a lot of menus in the Jackson restaurants. It’s not just a tourist gimmick, these are actually meats that the locals hunt and eat. Bison is quickly becoming a “healthier” alternative to ground beef as it has less fat. Bison burgers, bison chili, and elk steaks are a few of the favorites we tried in Jackson.
Don’t Mess With the Animals in Wyoming
Every year, tourists end up on the news because they got too close to the wild animals in Wyoming. Don’t let that happen to you; follow the guidelines that are posted everywhere and handed out in park brochures when you enter the national parks. You’re in a National Park, not a zoo; these animals are wild. They are not tame or friendly with people. The abundance of wildlife also means you need to pay attention while driving as animals can wander into the road at any time.
What Not to Do in Grand Teton National Park
Don’t Forget to Explore Beyond Jackson
As we mentioned, Jackson Hole encompasses more than just the town of Jackson. If you get tired of paying high tourist prices, go check out some of the other little towns in the valley. Wilson, Teton Village, Moose, and Moran are just a few other towns you can check out when you visit Jackson Hole.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to Jackson Wyoming. It’s a cool town near two of the best national parks, plus so many other places to visit in Wyoming. Want more of our US road trip tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: