Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
| |

11 Best Things to Do in Jackson, Wyoming

Experience the ultimate Wild West adventure in Jackson, Wyoming. Here are the best things to do in Jackson to help you plan the perfect vacation.

Jackson is a great basecamp for visiting both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Plan to spend a few days here while having your bucketlist national park vacation!

From the iconic elk antler arches to a fun Wild West shootout to exploring two of the country’s best national parks, I’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Jackson, Wyoming.

Bronze statue of a cowboy riding a bucking horse atop a grassy hill at the Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyoming, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The sculpture is set against a backdrop of rolling hills and distant mountains, embodying the rugged spirit of the American West.

Fun Things to Do in Jackson, WY

1. Antler Arches at Jackson Town Square

Paige and Kevin smiling in front of an arch made from interwoven antlers at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A small sign in the arch reads 'Jackson Hole, WY'.

The historic elk antler arches on each corner of Jackson Town Square are the most popular photo spots in Jackson.

Each of the four arches are made entirely from more than 2,000 local elk antlers, constructed by hand and weighing more than 14,000 pounds. The arches are supported by a steel framework, but they’re held together mostly by friction and gravity. They are rebuilt every 50 years or so.

2. Jackson Town Square Shootout

Jackson Hole Town Square Shootout, Jackson, Wyoming

The Jackson Town Square Shootout is a free, family-friendly Wild West shootout on the northeast corner of the Square that happens nightly, except Sundays, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is the world’s longest-running shootout.

The Jackson Hole Playhouse puts on the performance. The fictional reenactment pits the outlaws and good guys against each other, with a cast full of cowboys, gunslingers, and saloon girls.

It’s just a 20 minute show, and depending on where you’re standing, you’ll be assigned on the side of the law or the outlaws. There’s singing, dancing, audience interaction, and gun-shooting (don’t worry, they’re blanks). And at the end, the audience’s cheers decides which side wins.

3. Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Huckleberry Cosmo from Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson, Wyoming

The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a landmark Wyoming watering hole on the Jackson Town Square that’s known for its country music, Western dancing, and saddle bar stools.

They have live music playing nightly, a small menu of sharables and sandwiches, a drink menu full of specialty cocktails and local beer, and a separate steakhouse located downstairs.

You must be 21+ to enter the bar. It gets pretty crowded, but it’s a nice place for a pre-dinner drink.

4. Grand Teton National Park

Glacier View Turnout, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Jackson is just on the edge of Grand Teton National Park. It’s super easy to spend a day or more exploring the Tetons and using Jackson as your homebase.

A full-day tour of Grand Teton National Park can easily include a trip to see Jenny Lake, Mormon Row, Snake River, and Signal Mountain. You can spend your days hiking, wildlife watching, and driving from one scenic stop to another.

You can rent a car and make the drive yourself, or you can book a Grand Teton day tour to do it for you. Both are great options!

5. National Elk Refuge

National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, Jackson, Wyoming

The National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center is a small museum and welcome center that overlooks the 24,700 acres of grasslands that serve as a refuge for elk in the winter.

During the winter, elk come down from the mountains and graze here. You won’t see elk on the refuge until December through April. In the summer, this area is just a beautiful grassland.

Still, it’s worth stopping in to the museum to learn a little about the wildlife you’ll find in Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

6. Shopping on Jackson Town Square

Street view of downtown Jackson, Wyoming, featuring parked cars along both sides of the road and rustic-style storefronts with wooden balconies. Towering green trees line the street, with a ski slope and forested mountains visible in the background under a sunny blue sky.

You’ll find a bunch of unique and charming shops on Jackson Town Square. You’ll also find plenty of souvenir shops.

There’s Western-inspired clothing and homegoods, local crafts, professional photography, outdoor gear, gourmet food products, and more.

7. Murals and Public Art

Colorful mural of a grizzly bear with two cubs painted on a white brick wall, with a vibrant sunburst background. The mural includes messages such as 'Be alert, be aware, carry bear spray, keep your distance,' and 'Make noise, do not feed, store all food, travel in groups.' Artwork by Helen Seay in Jackson, Wyoming.

There is art everywhere in the town of Jackson! Colorful murals decorate the buildings and unique sculptures and art pieces line the streets.

The WildWalls project features permanent and temporary wheatpasted murals that share a conservation message. My favorite is Helen Seay’s Knowledge is Protection mural about bear safety.

You’ll also find around town 25 ski chairlifts from the Snow King Ski Area repurposed into colorful swings, benches, and public art installations.

8. Stay at the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort

Cabins at Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa at Jackson Hole, Jackson, Wyoming

The Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa is the best place to stay in Jackson! This luxury hotel is the perfect blend of rustic and comfort.

You can stay in a cozy private cabin overlooking Flat Creek, relax at the year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and book an appointment at the hotel’s full-service spa.

The hotel is just across the street from the National Elk Refuge and is just a 15 minute walk to the Square (plus they have a courtesy shuttle that will drive you to the Square).

Check out my full review of the Rustic Inn Creekside here.

9. Yellowstone National Park

Aerial view of the Grand Prismatic Spring seen from the Fairy Falls Trail in Yellowstone National Park, showing vibrant blue, green, yellow, and orange rings of microbial mats around the hot spring. A boardwalk with visitors stretches along the edge, surrounded by pine trees and forested hills in the background.

The south entrance of Yellowstone National Park is only 60 miles from Jackson, so it’s easy to make a day trip into Yellowstone and use Jackson as your basecamp.

A full-day tour of Yellowstone National Park can easily include a trip on the Lower Loop where you’ll see Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and several geyser basins.

You can rent a car and make the drive yourself, or you can book a Yellowstone day tour to do it for you. Both are great options!

10. Book a Jackson Hole photoshoot with Flytographer

Paige and family at Jackson Point Overlook, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Explore Jackson with a fun and talented photographer, learn local tips, and capture priceless memories with photogenic backdrops. It’s a win all around!

With Flytographer, you can hire an amazing local photographer for a fun vacation photoshoot. Get wall-worthy photos that allow you to relive your trip as the perfect souvenir.

You can use my link here for $25 off your first Flytographer photoshoot.

Book your Jackson Flytographer photoshoot here, and get $25 off your first photoshoot.

11. Use the Tinggly Bucketlist box to find top experiences in Jackson

Tinggly Bucketlist box

Valentine’s Day Sale: Get 20% off all experience gift boxes using code PaigeMTG from February 3, 2025 through February 17, 2025.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable adventure in Jackson with the Tinggly Bucketlist box.

Tinggly boxes are essentially gift vouchers for experiences all around the world. But you can give yourself the gift of adventure, too. Especially because Tinggly has some Jackson experiences you can’t find anywhere else!

With the Bucketlist box, you can treat yourself to unique Jackson experiences like a Jackson Hole Dog Sleeding Adventure or a Winter Wonderland Adventure in Grand Teton and the National Elk Refuge.

Get yourself the Bucketlist box here, or check out other Jackson experiences from Tinggly here.

Jackson Things to Do Map

Ready to explore all that Jackson, Wyoming has to offer? Use the map below to plan out your tirp!

I hope you have an amazing time visiting Jackson, WY!

7 Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Itinerary

Ultimate Yellowstone & Grand Teton 7 Day Itinerary

Your Yellowstone & Grand Teton vacation — planned for you.

Don’t spend any more time stressing about planning your perfect National Park vacation. Get this done-for-you, fully planned itinerary!

Jackson, Wyoming FAQ

What is Jackson, Wyoming best known for?

Jackson is most known for its proximity to ski resorts and national parks. Nearby are ski resorts like Jackson Hole Mountain and Snow King Mountain. Nearby national parks are Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Is it worth visiting Jackson, Wyoming?

It’s absolutely worth visiting Jackson, Wyoming! There are so many fun things to do in Jackson, there is an airport just 15 minutes away, and it’s the most convenient town to use as a basecamp for visiting Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Is there a difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole, Wyoming?

Yes, there is a difference between Jackson and Jackson Hole. Jackson refers to the actual town. Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley beside the Teton Mountain Range, in which the town of Jackson sits.

Top Jackson Tours

Want a guide for your Jackson, Wyoming vacation? Check out these top tours for an easy-breezy trip:

Where to Stay in Jackson, Wyoming

Find the best place to rest your head in Jackson, Wyoming with these incredible options.

More Wyoming Travel Tips

Check out these other posts to help you plan your Wyoming vacation:


Ready to visit Jackson, Wyoming? Plan your trip with these tips.


Cheers!

Paige

11 Best Things to Do in Jackson, Wyoming

What are your favorite things to do in Jackson, Wyoming? Let me know in the comments!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *