I'm taking the family on a road trip to Jackson Hole. Will be there a week (July 1-7). Has anyone been there and can give recommendations and advise on what to do there? Does the town have a large grocery store or should we stock up prior to getting there? I have 3 boys, 10, 9, and 6. All are outdoor types: hunting, fishing, ride bikes, fighting with each other... My wife is very outdoorish but has had back surgery so she doesn't do anything strenuous or jarring that could tweak her back. I have never been that far north and not sure what to expect. Thanks for any input that y'all can give.

There are grocery stores there. The town has grown over the years. Huge tourist destination during the summers. If they still have them in the evenings go to the town square in the evenings and they have an old west shoot out show Your boys will like it. Jenny lake is gorgeous. There's horse back riding, whitewater rafting, probably not good for your wife if she has a bad back. Plenty of hiking throughout yellowstone. I know there's fishing guides up there. There use to be a trail ride to dinner. It was basically you get in a chuck wagon and they take you to this restaurant and on the way you're attacked by indians. Use to scare the crap out of me as a kid. Go check out the village where the slopes are and there is an alpine slide that is fun doesn't mater how old you are. There is also flat water rafting trips. I'll come back with restaurant recommendations in a few. I forgot the names so I have to ask my family from up there.

Food joints: snake river pub, Dornans(in Grand Teton National Park), you have go to go to Jeremiahs for breakfast its like a block off the square or go just outside Jackson to the town of Wilson and eat at Norahs Fish Creek Inn. Both have outstanding breakfast menus! Those are all must eats in Jackson.

[This message has been edited by johnrth (edited 5/14/2013 7:32p).]

I live in Tx and go every Feb for a week.
Town has sporting goods store, groc stores, tourist traps, bars, even an Orvis. Buy a fishing license for all, been checked every time. Snake river runs right by town, cut throats mostly, fly or spin cast. Grand Tetons right there, hiking biking etc. whitewater rafting, lots of small lakes in Nat Park. Yellowstone not too far. Bring binocs, camera, awesome Fam vac place!!!

[This message has been edited by Sullyrocks (edited 5/14/2013 7:21p).]

The kids might like the shuttle boat ride on Jenny Lake. There's a short trail to a lookout where you can relax for awhile before taking another boat back.

They'd probably also like the aerial tram ride up Rendezvous Mountain.

Pack for warm days, cold nights, and afternoon rain.

[This message has been edited by Pierce County Ag (edited 5/14/2013 8:22p).]

Lord, don't you know it's a good town...

Take your fly rod and gear.

They have a nice Albertson's and a Smith's, local I guess, but a nice supermarket. They have a K-Mart, but forget about Wal-Mart, the closest is in Idaho Falls. A little known treat is a late afternoon float trip down the Snake in Grand Teton National Park. No whitewater, but we saw a moose and bald eagles. Watching the sun set over the Tetons was magical.

We will be there in July also for our 40th Wedding Anniversary....we were married on the banks of Jackson Lake with Mt. Moran in the background.

Stay away from Bubba's for BBQ. There was a small hamburger place on the square that was extremely popular, but I thought just another big, greasy hamburger (which is a good thing once in a while). If you can plan it, have lunch at Dornan's in Moose. The food is just so-so, but the view is world class. Sitting on the deck having a pizza with the Tetons as your backdrop is amazing.

If you want to just sightsee and do something out of the ordinary, go to Granite Hot Springs and take a lunch with you. You can soak in 105 degree water and view snow capped mountains. Might see a moose on the way up Granite Creek. There is a fee, was $6 a head, and no plastic (no electricity up there). Large pool originally built by CCC in 1939. No chemicals added and no sulfur smell. There is also a free hot spring just below the falls, if you want to wade Granite Creek. Hot water cascades out of the rocks into Granite Creek. Caution, it is called Hippie Dip by the locals and clothing is optional. It will be the experience of a lifetime for the kids (not the clothing optional part). I can provide more info if you like and pics....SFW.

Be aware that if you decide to go to yellowstone, Old Faithful is on that side of the park, that is is a several hour drive and 45 mph the whole way.

We ate at a place called Gun Barrel, little expensive but good exotic game. We went horse back riding, easy on the back and nice senery and they do have river floats without the white water for wildlife viewing.

TexasRebel,

My favorite RK song.

Wow, Thanks for all the great suggestions and replies. I would love to see any picks that you might have. Congrats on 40 years.
I am actually looking forward to this road trip. Looking forward to posting some pictures when we get back.

quote:

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Lord, don't you know it's a good town...

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excellent Reckless Kelly reference

I'm sure it's a Bruce Hauser line.

I'm going early June. I'll try to report back as it will be our first time.

Thanks Money Game. I would appreciate any info current info you could provide.

bump for any new recommendations. I'm packing the family up and leaving on Friday. Driving from South Texas. Should be interesting to say the least. Boys want to go fishing. Is it only fly fishing or do guides have other rods and reels?

You won't want to return to Texas.

I don't know where you're staying, but if you have flexibility, I'd stay a night or two in West Yellowstone and explore the park. It's a much different feel than Jackson Hole...more casual, and much more budget friendly.

Last year I flew into JH and stayed a night there before going to West Yellowstone for a few nights. For the flight back, we took a western route out of West Yellowstone thru Idaho into Jackson Hole. For me, the scenery that way was just as interesting as the parks. Sure it's a lot of potato farms, but for some reason I found it fascinating.

In JH, we ate at Gun Barrel restaurant. It was good, but I don't recall it being spectacular. If you just want to eat some exotic meat like elk or something, it'll work.

That place is a mad house during July 4 but its still fun. I'd recommend eat at Blue Lion, its West of the town square its one of the better restaurants in town, it's a little pricey but that time of year everything is. Going up in the Gros Ventre's is a good place to escape the some crowds and its beautiful. There's also a hot spring pool thats pretty fun to go to that is off of Granite Creek south of Jackson about 30 minutes( I can't remember the exact location just google hot spring granite creek). And of course Yellowstone is an amazing place as others had mentioned! Have fun and bring some of the nice weather back with you!!

Fourth of July in Jackson Hole proper is awesome. We've done it twice. We'll be at the Durango,Co Fourth should any other Ags be around. The family with all the Snap Pops and lots of Aryan looking kids.

I was in the Jackson/Yellowstone area before Memorial Day. Posted a bunch of photos. If you missed them, here's a link to the first series, it contains links to the rest.

http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=34&topic_id=2314784

I've actually got more photos from the trip I need to post.

Spend a day hiking around Jenny Lake. My favorite views in the US!

Hike Death Canyon. It is pretty cool.

Again, do the fourth in J Hole.

This is rather touristy, but make sure to get a pick underneath the "Antler Arch" in downtown.

There is a full-sized Albertson's grocery store on the West end of town. Also have McDonald's and all the usual fast food junk. Traffic is horrific that direction because of construction on the main street, so be patient.

We stayed in the Cowboy Village Resort. Decent prices, individual cabins and fairly quiet.

It's a pretty drive on the back road from Wilson to Moose on 390, going from Jackson to Tetons. Part of it is dirt, but it is smooth and quite easy for a car.

Some of my pictures are from the back side of the Tetons, through Driggs, Idaho. If you are interested in Agricultural at all, that's a nice drive up to West Yellowstone. Was fascinating to me to see the way they farm up there.

Driggs has a couple of interesting places, one is a little breakfast/lunch cafe (Three Peaks) in a very nice garden center (MD Nursery) just south of town. Your wife would love it, the boys, not so much. So take them up to the airport and Warbirds Cafe. We missed Warbirds, and didn't know there was an aviation museum with it, which really upset me. Supposed to be a good little aviation museum.

Also a grocery in Driggs if you need supplies. We stayed a couple of nights in Driggs. Some pretty cheap lodging there. It's a ski area, not much of a summer resort, so lots of empty ski area lodging.

If you're driving all the way from McAllen, thoughts and prayers for your wife's back. Wave at us as you drive through. If you have any question as to the route or intermediate stops in my area, ask away.

If you're taking the route Google Maps shows, which includes Amarillo - Clayton - Raton, I have an alternate suggestion. Take the loop over Johnson Mesa. Detailed instructions on this thread. Scroll down to my comments posted 8:23a, 06/23/09.

Thanks for all the info. Packing the car and hoping to leave in about an hour. I have a feeling this can turn into "Vacation".

CanyonAg is correct about the west side of Tetons....this pic is from 5/15/06 and taken on our way back to Jackson Hole from Idaho....

Made it to Snyder. About an hour outside of lubbock. Still sane still married.

Just got back today from Jackson hole. Didn't do a lot of shopping but the coolest place I went in was the Jackson hole mercantile. It had tons of head mounts and wolf hides. I just enjoyed looking at those a lot. Went white water rafting on the snake river which was fun with Dave Hansen company. Took the boat shuttle on Jenny lake and did a lot of hiking this morning which was incredible as well. Weather was amazing and everyone very friendly.

[This message has been edited by Canadianag (edited 6/28/2013 11:53p).]

Snyder to Lubbock and still sane? Congrats! Some desolate country through there.

Some great tips in this thread...a few of my favorites:

Hike from base of Teton Village to top. You are basically following the tram line. It is A well marked 7 miles trail and a good hike. You can take the tram down for free. Awesome views.

Nora's was mentioned earlier...you have to eat breakfast here! Awesome.

Hike the Jenny Lake loop. Swim in the lake if warm enough. You will see several Euros swimming.

If you want a fancy meal, go to Snake River Grill. Very good but pricey.

You have to float the Snake River. It is a bucket list item.

Go to the Amagani Hotel and have a drink on the patio. Have your server take a picture of you/family with Grand Teton in background. Spectacular vantage point.

I love Yellowstone Park. Find the areas you want to visit and plan your day. Old Faithful, for us, is a bit of a tourist trap. You will see several big game species on the roads.

Rent bikes in Teton Village and ride the trail on side of highway towards Dornans. Stop and just gaze at he Snake River.

Saturday morning in Jackson Square is a Farmers Market...fun to walk around and buy a few things.

I have some bear spray if you are in Austin and driving. :-)

Quick update. 2nd day we went from Snyder to Denver. 3rd day we went up into Boulder Mountain Forest. Kids had a good stretch going over a couple of trails. From there we went North to Wyoming and stayed at Spring Rock. Just got in to Jackson hole and eating a late lunch. Canyon Ag, the kids waved as we went thru Canyon. Will update later

If you're looking for a fishing guide call Rhett at Reel Deal Anglers. He's an Aggie and has guides all around the area.

"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be."

Fall92, just got off the phone with Rhett. Great guy, have the 3 kids myself and the rib booked for Sunday. He was extremely helpful not only in fishing but with what to do and avoid here. Any Ags that are coming up here and wants to book a fishing trip needs to look Rhett up and give him your business. By the way, we is setting us up with spinners since none of us has any experience with fly fishing.

Bump for FT Aggies.