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.
Fun Things to Do in Jackson, WY
1. Antler Arches at Jackson Town Square
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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:
- From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour
- Grand Teton Wildlife Safari in a Enclosed or Open-Air Vehicle
- Scenic Wildlife Float in Jackson Hole
Where to Stay in Jackson, Wyoming
Find the best place to rest your head in Jackson, Wyoming with these incredible options.
- Where We Stayed: Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa at Jackson Hole
- Top Hotel: Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa
- Great Value: Flat Creek Inn
- Unique Stay: Snow King Mountain Condo
More Wyoming Travel Tips
Check out these other posts to help you plan your Wyoming vacation:
- Perfect 7 Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Itinerary
- 35 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
- Old Faithful Inn Review: Is It Worth It?
- 21 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
- Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa Review: Jackson Hole Hotel
- Yellowstone Packing List: Essentials for Stress-Free Sightseeing
- Easy 1 Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
- 4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary for First-Timers
- 8 Best Yellowstone Restaurants: Where to Eat in the Park
- Where to See Bears in Yellowstone National Park
Ready to visit Jackson, Wyoming? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Jackson using Booking.com.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
What are your favorite things to do in Jackson, Wyoming? Let me know in the comments!