Good Times in Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole has a small airport (JAC), but American, Delta, United and Frontier all provide service. Renting a car is quick and easy. The rental counters are in the airport just as you exit the arrival area and are easy to find. All of the cars are on property within a five minute walk from the counter.

Once you leave the airport, it is very easy to find Jackson. Turn left on Hwy. 191 and you will head towards Yellowstone; turn right and you will head right in to Jackson. FYI-the area is called Jackson Hole, but the actual town is just Jackson.

Jackson has a lot to offer in the summer months, but don't start off your adventure hungry. I personally recommend The Lotus Cafe, The Bunnery or Persephone for breakfast.

The Lotus Cafe has the best bacon I HAVE EVER EATEN. Seriously, this was some righteous pig. The bison sausage gravy was pretty tasty.They carry an impressive selection of gluten free and vegan options.

The Bunnery is a wonderful bakery and between my husband and I, we sampled most of the baked goods! They were all delicious.

Persephone caters to the fancy coffee crowd. I ordered the Croque Madame and I was not disappointed. They have a breakfast bourbon bread pudding that looked amazing.

For dinner, the Snake River Grill is the place to go for fine dining in a casual atmosphere, but you will need reservations if you don't want to eat at the bar. Look for links below for restaurants that have been featured on the Food Network.

Jackson is filled with interesting shops and a park in the center of town. The park is square with an antler archway at each corner. After walking around and building up a thirst, mosey on in to the Silver Dollar bar for a cold beer. It is connected to the Wort Hotel.

If shopping isn't enough to keep the boredom at bay, then head over to the National Elk Refuge. Located just north of town near the Visitor's Center, you can view the refuge from your car or take a guided sleigh ride in the winter.

A great place to stay is the Wort Hotel. It is centrally located with attractively decorated rooms and a nice fitness area. The fitness area is downstairs in the basement and there are also two hot tubs with showers. A short video of the Wort is included below if you would like more information. Prices range from $289-$800 per night depending on room type and season.

A day trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park is easy and highly recommended. The south entrance to Yellowstone is about 50 miles away. You will need to pay the entrance fee to Grand Teton ($25) to get to Yellowstone, but the fee covers both parks. Maps available when you pay for the pass.

You can cover the south loop in Yellowstone at a leisurely pace in one day. If you begin at Old Faithful, you can stock up on food and supplies at the general store nearby. Don't just stop at Old Faithful; be sure to walk around the trails to see the other bubbling, spewing spectacles. It is worth the walk. All of the walking areas that we saw were well maintained and handicap accessible.

Be advised, July is the busiest month for this tourist destination. You need to arrive early. We visited in July, but we made it to the parking lot for Old Faithful by 9:30 and found a parking spot. When we left the area around noon, cars were lined up waiting for spots to open.

Head over to the Animal Adoption Center and volunteer to walk a furry friend around town or on the pet-friendly hiking trails. The dogs wear "Adopt Me" vests, so you are helping their chances of being adopted. The center is located on N. Glenwood Street.

*The airport is small and there are no jetways. Be prepared to carry your luggage and/or small children down steep metal stairs and across the tarmac when you get off of the plane.

* Do you need a grocery store? Jackson has an Albertson's off of Broadway and Buffalo Way (the west end of town) and a Whole Grocer on Broadway.

* If you forgot an item, check out the second-hand store in town. They have everything from fishing vests, to jewelry to hiking equipment. It's called The Browse and Buy and it's on N. Cache Drive. This is across from The Bunnery.

*When you leave Jackson Hole, have your camera ready for one last shot when you walk out to board the airplane. The view is gorgeous.