Sure, a vacation with children can be a challenge. Keeping them entertained and engaged while trying to enjoy your time off as well can be stressful, negating the reason for your vacation in the first place. But not in Jackson Hole… While you might occasionally have to give in and take the kids to Disneyland, you and children can both have a rewarding and relaxing vacation in the Old West.

So what’s so great about a vacation with children in Jackson Hole? Let’s break it down to seasons…

Throughout the Year

Jackson Hole has three museums and several visitor centers that are kid-friendly. The Jackson Hole Children’s Museum is located in Jackson and has a wealth of activities for your wee ones. There is also the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum located on Cache in Jackson and the National Museum of Wildlife Art on HWY 89 North of Jackson that have kid-friendly sections. The Jackson Hole Visitor Center on North Cache provides opportunities for children to learn about local area wildlife and offers views of the Elk Refuge.

Hole Bowl in Jackson offers year round entertainment with several bowling alleys and arcade games for the children. We have a recreation center that offers swimming and basketball courts. We also have two movie theatres, the Twin Cinema and Movieworks, with all the latest Hollywood hits.

We have two prominent babysitting companies, Playtime in the Tetons and Jackson Hole Babysitting, that can accommodate you where-ever you are.There is also a Kid’s Ranch at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort that can provide child care while you ski and also has several summer activities for children.

Winter

In addition to skiing at Snow King, Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, there are plenty of opportunities to entertain your youth. There is sledding at King Tubes in Snow King as well as in the commons area of Teton Village and the beginner’s slope at Grand Targhee.

There are Moose hockey games at the Snow King Center and ice skating at the rinks at Snow King’s base and Wilson’s Owen Bircher Park. There are Elk Sleigh Rides at the Elk Refuge, ice fishing on Slide Lake near Kelly (bring your own gear), and snowmobile rides in Yellowstone, Togwotee Pass and Granite Hot Springs.

Summer

The wealth of activities multiply at this time of year.

There is the Cowboy Coaster, the Alpine Slide and a mini-golf course at Snow King.  There are rock climbing walls in Teton Village commons area and at the base of Snow King. We have a shoot-out on the Town Square every night of the summer (except Sundays).

In addition to white water rafting on the Snake River through several companies, (Mad River, Sands, Jackson Hole Whitewater, Lewis and Clark) you can rent boats, paddleboards and canoes to explore many of the lakes in Grand Teton National Park. And speaking of Grand Teton National Park, there are three Visitor Center/Discovery Museums at Moose, the Rockefeller Center and Colter Bay that are perfect for young ones.

There are hiking trails throughout the valley that are flat and short or long and steep depending on the skill level of you and your children. And if you are feeling truly adventurous, you can go Tandem Paragliding at Teton Village, go on a trail ride from Teton Village, Jackson Lake Lodge or Colter Bay Village, or visit one of our ropes courses at Teton Village and Snow King.

We also have a Rodeo that runs every Wednesday and Saturday night of the summer and the Teton County Fair that happens the last week of July (July 21-30th) at the Fairgrounds.

Always

There is plenty to do in Jackson while on vacation with children. There are also plenty of babysitters that will take your kids to the pool which you get some relaxation time.

Trust us, Jackson Hole is a mini- Disneyland for adults and their children (with real animals…not cartoons)! It doesn’t get better than this!

Having souvenirs from your travels are essential to your memories later in life. They are reminders of the activities and experiences that you had. Souvenirs are usually tangible, but we have some souvenir ideas for Jackson Hole that are combination of both.

Antler Products-Throughout Jackson, you can get various decorations made with elk antlers. Our boy scouts collect the antlers in the spring and sell them at the Elkfest the week before Memorial Day Weekend. The proceeds from this auction feed the elk on the Elk Refuge during the winter. By purchasing elk antler products, you are indirectly supporting the elk during the winter.

Huckleberry jam-This tasty and sweet treat is made from local Rocky Mountain huckleberries and can be purchased in all of our tourist shops as the grocery stores. Watch out though, bears love huckleberries and might ask you to share!

Prints– For unique souvenirs, we would recommend visiting the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. This museum has a great collection of prints from the old days in Jackson Hole.

Pictures– A handful of locations around town make for excellent photography backdrops and should be included as a token of your Jackson Hole memory. Our personal suggestions include a photo under the antler arches on Jackson’s town square, a photo at any one of the pullouts in Grand Teton National Park (Try Snake River Overlook, Hwy 89/191/26 North Past Moose Junction), a photo of “Mormon Row” on Antelope Flats Road, and a photo from either the top of Teton Pass (Hwy 22) with the “Yonder” Sign or the valley floor from the top of the Tram in Teton Village. If you are really into the Old West of Jackson, check out JH Old Time Photos for a blast to the past of Jackson.

Wood carved Bears– Around town, you can see wood-carved bears everywhere. An artist south of Jackson called Jonathan the Bearman creates these beautiful pieces of art. He sells them at a few stores in town and also at our Art Fairs in Teton Village and in Millward Park.

Apparel– As far as clothing goes, there are plenty of clothing shops on the square that sell “Jackson Hole” products, including Stone’s Mercantile, Lee’s Tees, and Jackson Trading Co. However, if you want a more unique hat, t-shirt, or sweatshirt from the area, check out Hungry Jacks in Wilson, Nora Fish Creek Inn in Wilson, the Mangy Moose in Teton Village, Moosely Seconds Mountaineering in Moose, the GunBarrel in Jackson and the Snake River Brewing Company in Jackson.

Stickers– If you are more of minimalist, grabbing a JH or Wyoming Cowboy sticker is a great way to go. Again, these convenient decorations are found in all of our major grocery stores, the tourist shops and even some of our gas stations.

 
Hopefully, our souvenir ideas for Jackson Hole gave you something to think about. If you would like any further tips from the area, please check out our other blogs or feel free to contact us at 800-329-9205 for more information.

There are many different places and activities that contribute to Jackson Hole’s charm. Knowing where to find them and what they are is the hard part.

Here’s our list of 8 unique pieces that give Jackson Hole charm:

1. Unique to Jackson Hole are the Tetons. This mountain range was formed by a fault line that pushed the Farallon Plate (under the Pacific Ocean) up and the North American Plate down. The result…mountains that jut up directly from the valley floor, giving Jackson Hole it’s amazing, breath-taking views. Grand Teton National Park is only a hop away from Jackson and offers easy access to rocky cliffs, glacial lakes, and an abundance of wildlife.
2. Wildlife: Imagine driving along a road and watching a coyote search for prey. Or a moose wading in a pond. Or a herd of “buffalo” roaming. Or watching the deer and antelope play. That’s Jackson Hole. Keep your eyes peeled though because our wildlife move fast.
3. A Western Shoot Out under Antler Arches- Every night of the summer, the Jackson Hole Playhouse recreates a Western Shoot Out on the North-Eastern side of the Town Square at 6pm. Cowboys battle each other on the streets of Jackson and the Old Stagecoach (which you can also ride on) brings in Law and Order. Did I mention that the arc entrances to the Town Square are made of elk antlers collected by the Boy Scouts in the spring?
4. Mormon Row-Get a feel for life in the area when it was first settled. The Mormon Row Barns are probably the most photographed historical buildings in the area. The backdrop for these old, rustic buildings is of course the Tetons. Find these on Antelope Flats Rd as you head towards Grand Teton National Park.
5. Wooden Boardwalks- The Jackson Town Square is lined with old wooden boardwalks that help catapult you into the rocky Old West. Complete with the old wooden creak sound!
6. Saddle Barstools-Our Cowboy Bar, on the square, is a favorite among both locals and tourists. Complete with saloon doors, this rustic long-standing hangout sports old horse saddles to help you belly up to the bar. You can also catch a photo with the large black bear killed by a human with his bare hands.
7. Slide Lake- The Gros Ventre Slide, back in the 1920s, took out the town of Kelly…the location of the original town. They, of course, had to move the town south and thus, Jackson was formed. The result of the slide is a lake filled with petrified trees visible from the shores. A must see.
8. Elk Refuge (Winter)-In the winter, you can take a quaint and invigorating sleigh ride through the Elk Refuge. You can safely get as close as humanly possibly to the majestic herds of elk that winter on this refuge yearly.

If you haven’t already figured out that Jackson Hole has plenty of charm, you should probably just come and see it for yourself.

How do you best prepare to visit Jackson Hole? Here are 8 tips to know when coming to the Hole. We have also provided a wildlife cheat sheet so you can figure out what animals you will likely see.

Altitude: The lowest part of our valley floor sits at 6200 feet above sea level. As a result, many sea-level folk have trouble adjusting to the high altitude. We strongly recommend drinking extra water the week prior to your arrival as it will help with your transition out here. Furthermore, we are that much closer to the sun and we recommend bringing plenty of sun block.

Humidity: On average, our humidity here is extremely low. Thus, the temperatures will feel exactly as they are reported. But this also means that we are a dry climate and it is easy to get dehydrated here. Again, drink plenty of water!

Temperature: In the summer, we average around 80C during the day (Aug) and around 40 at night. In the winter, we average around 20C during the day (Jan), and roughly 6 at night. While the temperature in the winter is low, it will not feel as cold as locations closer to water due to the lack of humidity.

Weather: In the heat of the summer, the days will be sunny. It generally gets windy around 3pm during to small storms forming over the mountains. In the winter, it is either cold and sunny or warm and cloudy. If we have something called an inversion and are “socked in”, the weather at the top of the mountains is warmer than the valley floor and there is usually a cloud layer separating the two temperatures. We usually need a windy storm to blow the cold air out.

The Name: Jackson Hole refers to the valley floor surrounded by the Teton Range to the west, the Gros Ventres Range to the east, Yellowstone National Park to the North, and the Snake River Range to the South. Within Jackson Hole lies the towns of Jackson, Wilson, Teton Village, Kelly, Moran and Moose.

Scale: Jackson Hole is a large area. To get from the town of Jackson to the south entrance of Yellowstone takes about an hour. It takes roughly 15-20 minutes to get from Teton Village to town and roughly 15 minutes to get from Jackson to the airport. While our highways generally have speed limits of 60 and town driving is generally 35, the distance you are covering is far greater. Yellowstone, for example, takes about 2 days minimum to see if you are stopping at about ½ the sites.

Safety: This is the Wild West! We strongly recommend that you are prepared to spend a night out in the woods if you are going hiking. This means traveling with warm clothes, extra food and water, and possibly some matches. If you make a fire, be sure that it is completely out as our climate is dry and forest fires start easy. Be sure to make a lot of noise when you are hiking so as to not startle the wildlife. There are large parts of Jackson Hole that do not get cell phone coverage-be prepared. If you are going on a back-country adventure, be sure to tell someone where you are going and do your best to stick with the plan. Some of our lakes have leeches (the ones you would want to swim in) along the banks and occasionally you will find ticks in deer heavily-traveled areas. Otherwise, we do not have poisonous snakes and Wyoming brown-recluses are few due to our generally colder weather.

Wildlife: Our wildlife is unpredictable and are NOT a part of a zoo! No one in Jackson Hole can guarantee that you will see wildlife while you are here so do NOT expect it! That being said, it is possible to spot wildlife in various places around the valley mainly when people are not around. The best times to see wildlife is in the early morning or at dusk when they are moving around to feed. Early spring and late summer are also the best times to see wildlife.

Wildlife Cheat Sheet

Wildlife	Description	Likeliness to See IT	Pictures
Elk	About the size of a horse, dark neck, large antlers, long legs, with friends	Highly Likely-in trees/fields
White Tail Deer	White tail and brown, smallish, with friends	Highly Likely-in fields
Pronghorn	Orange, white butt, pointed curved horns, with friends	Highly Likely- in fields
Birds of Prey	Large birds with claws, loner	Highly Likely-above rivers
Small rodents	Squirrels, chipmunks, chiselers, with friends	Highly Likely-anywhere
Bison    AKA American Buffalo	Big, bulky, dark cow-like, with friends	Possibly-in fields
Moose	Almost black, taller than a horse, males have big hand shaped antlers, awkward, a loner unless with a baby	Possibly-in marshes
Bear	Black, brown and cinnamon varieties. Stay extra far away from cinnamon ones with large hump on back (grizzly’s), aggressive	Possibly-in the forest
Marmots	Yellow/Orange fat rock-dwelling rodents in high altitude locations	Possibly- on rocks
Fox	Orange, fluffy tail, about the size of a dog, loner	Possibly-in fields
Coyotes	Grey, dog like, size of a fox, loner.	Possibly-in fields
Medium-sized rodents	Skunks, possum, badgers, weasels, porcupine	Unlikely-anywhere
Big Horn Sheep	Sheep but with a curved horn, with friends	Unlikely-on cliffs
Wolves	Extra large dog, multiple colors, long nose, with friends	Highly unlikely-in the forest
Mountain Lion- AKA Cougar	Think of an African lion with more of a cat face, loner	Highly unlikely- on rocks.

Jackson Hole, home of world re-known ski resort Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, is paradise. But you do not have to break the bank to enjoy this paradise. Consider these tips for enjoying your stay while limiting your costs.

Winter Months: Lodging and Activities

Countless people flock to Jackson Hole for it’s light, fluffy powder and excellent amenities. To make the most of your cash, consider staying in a town hotel. Several our hotels in town are of good quality, allow easy access to shopping and dining, and are conveniently located to public transportation out to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. To save the most on dining, consider hotels with small kitchens and shop for breakfast and snacks at Smith’s Grocery Store (usually the least expensive grocery store in town).

For skiing and such, JHMR is expensive but you can get packaged deals for slightly cheaper rates. Consider riding the START bus from Stilson Lot to save on parking costs at the resort. Finally, bring snacks with you out to the resort to save on food costs. Alternatively, you can ski at Snow King Resort in town for a much-discounted price while getting short lift lines and fresh powder stashes.

If you have your own equipment, there is ice skating at Owen Bircher Park in Wilson, sledding at Rendezvous Park on Moose-Wilson Road, and cross country and skate ski tracks on several of our bike paths. Moose Hockey provides hours of entertainment for minimal cost and we also have two movie theaters in town. You can also drive out on the Elk Refuge Road from the end of Broadway to view our resident elk.

For dining, our best, least expensive restaurants in town include Cutty’s, Pinky G’s, Sidewinders, Merry Piglets, Bubba’s BBQ, and Abuelitos.

Summer Months: Lodging and Stuff

Summer in Jackson Hole consists of 80 degree, perfectly sunny, dry warm days. While it can drop to 40’s and 50’s in the evening, the best way to save money in Jackson Hole during the summer is to camp. There are plenty of campgrounds both in the town of Jackson and nearby in Grand Teton National Park. If you are not comfortable with “roughing” it, check out our search engine of available hotels around the area to find the cheapest rates.

Regarding activities during the summer, there are several that you can do on a budget. We would recommend spending money taking a whitewater or scenic float trip down the Snake…it’s a great way to see wildlife.

In the town of Jackson, walking around Jackson’s town square for shopping is fun. The shootout on the square is a free, long-standing tradition and takes place Mondays through Saturdays at 6 pm on the corner of Center and Deloney. If of age, consider ducking into the Cowboy Bar for a photo on the saddle bar seats or into the Silver Dollar Bar in the Wort Hotel for a view of the bar top.

In the park, consider backpacking and hiking any of the trails in Grand Teton National Park (just the cost of the park entrance and a small reservation fee for overnight camping). If you want to see Inspiration Point on Jenny Lake, walk around the lake as opposed to taking the boat across…the hike is several miles but relatively flat. You have a better chance of seeing wildlife by walking around this way. If you have access to tubes, kayaks or a canoe, a nice leisurely afternoon floating on String Lake is always a fabulous way to spend your time.

Other random activities: You can also play frisbee golf at Teton Village for free granted you have the frisbees. You can ride bikes on our bike paths that go all the way to Jenny Lake and as far south as the South Park Bridge. You can enjoy the ropes courses in Teton Village and on Snow King Mountain, although there are fees to use them. If you have access to fishing gear, you can fish on the Snake River at any of the bridges as well as on Slide Lake, Jackson Lake, and any other lake you can find (just the WY Fishing license fee).
It is possible to enjoy Jackson Hole on a budget. Just pick and choose what is most important to you and be frugal on all else.

If you plan to visit Jackson Hole in the winter, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your Jackson Hole stay.

What to wear:

Jackson Hole is frequently in the 20’s during the day and hovering somewhere around 0 in the evenings. We suggest plenty of layers, a warm coat (down if you have it), good winter boots with traction (packed down snow is slick), a hat and gloves.

How to prepare:

Our climate is dry which makes for great powder! But it also means that you can dehydrate easily so drink plenty of water before you come. Drinking water will also help with altitude adjustment…our valley floor is at 6200ft (1890 meters).

Where to stay:

In general, you can stay in the town of Jackson for cheaper rates but will have a 20-minute drive by car or public transport (START bus) out to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR). Alternatively, you can have the ease of the resort life by staying out in the “Village” (Teton Village) and can visit Jackson for a break from fresh ski turns.

Where to eat:

You really can’t go wrong with the majority of restaurants in Jackson Hole. Out in the Village, a couple of our favorite restaurants include the Spur**, the Alpenrose***,  Teton Thai** and the Mangy Moose**. If you are staying in Jackson, we suggest Trio**, Rendezvous Bistro**, Snake River Grill***, and Bin 22**. A couple other great spots include Nora’s Fish Creek Inn** in Wilson, WY, Dornan’s* in Moose, WY and Stiegler’s*** on Moose Wilson Rd.

Where to ski and snowboard:

For alpine skiing, telemark skiing, and snowboarding, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King, and Grand Targhee offer a variety of trails for your ski level and plenty of both groomed and off-pitched snow-filled trails. Snow King is the town ski resort and provides great steep terrain. Grand Targhee is about an hour a way in Alta, WY but has great stashes of fresh powder. There are a couple of courses for cross-country and skate skiing in the valley as well (Teton Pines, Golf and Tennis, Shooting Star) along with trails on our bike paths. Consider renting cross country skis at Skinny Skis or at JHMR and going for a nice tour on the Grand Teton National Park’s groomed path starting from Bradley-Taggart Trailhead.

What else to do:

Jackson Hole has a plethora of activities in the winter aside from skiing. To name a few…visiting elk on the Elk Refuge Sleigh Rides, snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Togwotee Pass, sledding with King Tubes, riding the Snow King Rollercoaster, and watching Jackson Hole Moose Hockey with locals at the Snow King Center (base of Snow King Ski Resort in town).  You can rent fat bikes at Hoback Sports and take a gander up Cache Creek Trail. Bring sleds for the sledding hills at Rendezvous Park on the Village Rd (Moose-Wilson Rd). Bring ice skates and visit the Snow King Center or Owen Bircher Park in Wilson.There is also great shopping on the town square in Jackson.

Where to find the locals:

If there is fresh snow coming, you will only see the locals in the lift lines. Fresh ski tracks are an important part of our culture. If the snow is a little bare, find us at the Silver Dollar Bar in the historical Wort Hotel in Jackson, the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson, the Calico on Moose-Wilson Rd., and Cutty’s.

 
Jackson Hole in the winter is a magical place. After you experience our little taste of heaven, keep it to yourself. We don’t want our little secret to get out!

It’s been a snowy October in Jackson. In fact, it’s the snowiest October on record in the last 16 years, so even though the lifts aren’t quite spinning yet, the locals are already hiking for some waist deep powder turns. For those of you who are reading at low altitude challenged environments (otherwise known as L.A.C.E.), we’ll wait for you to put your ski boots, skis, and rest of your gear on in your living room so you can have a good old-fashioned ski carpet session. Maybe, first vacuum the carpet to give it the appearance of fresh corduroy, then put on your favorite mountain skiing soundtrack (you know the one you rock on the tram to get hyped up), open all the windows, because ski parkas and pants are warm, close your eyes for a moment and drop into your favorite line. Don’t worry if it’s too much of a hassle to dig out all your gear, or if gasp, you are at work, just sit back, relax, close those pesky TPS reports and get psyched up for the coming ski season by learning about some of Jackson Hole’s legendary history. Today’s lesson is about the bad boys and girls of the Jackson Hole Air Force who partied hard and skied harder and changed skiing at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort forever and beyond.  

Growing up at the base of the ski resort at his family owned Hostel X in Jackson Hole, Benny Wilson was destined to be one hell of a skier. Throw in a life changing ski lesson with famed Olympian Pepi Stiegler where they focused more on catching air than actual skiing, and the die is pretty much cast. Benny Wilson, AKA the Captain of the Jackson Hole Air Force, skied everywhere and anywhere at the Village as a kid and often skied with older skiers who guided him around the mountain. When he was skiing with his peers, he was causing skiing mayhem in a group called the Teton Village Mafia. In the 80’s he would pioneer and lead another group that became the most famous outlaw skiers Wyoming and the world has ever seen and he named them the Jackson Hole Air Force.

As legend would have it, the resort was riding out a week-long storm that was so epic in severity and accumulation that the resort was closed for a solid week in 1986. Undeterred, Benny and his skiing buddies would show up every morning bright and early to the tram line only to find out that the mountain wasn’t open. No, they didn’t call it a day and head into work. Instead, they went straight to the bar, the Bear Claw, like ski bums do and preceded to wait it out each day, dressed in storm gear, drinking beer and waiting for word that the mountain would open. Between beers, Benny started sketching up the logo that would become the iconic patch of the Jackson Hole Air Force. Based on a military special unit badge, it read proudly their creed “Swift, Silent, Deep”. It was adorned with a skull and ski poles and underneath the tag line 1st Tracks OB (out of bounds). He had them made up and started passing them out to his skiing buddies such as Air Force co-founder Howard “Hollywood” Henderson and eventually future deserving innovative skiers who were known for ripping up the local mountain.

The Air Force was known to crush all the inbound terrain, so they literally pushed the skiing boundaries and went in search of powder thrills outside the closed ski resort boundaries. The creed, “Swift, Silent, Deep”, summed up the Air Force’s attitudes. They were going to get in and get quickly of forbidden powder terrain. They also had a mafioso mentality of not bragging about it or even talking about their mountain conquests outside their small band of like-minded brethren. The mountain was literally their playground and when they weren’t skiing new lines, they were hauling up barbecue grills onto the slopes, making jumps, and simply hanging out and having more fun than just about everyone else.

Benny and his band thought all the fresh untracked lines just past the gates should be open to skiers since it was officially the federal government’s land and not the resorts. A cat and mouse game ensued with Air Force members crossing ropes and patrollers trying to enforce the resort rules. The conflict finally came to a head when famed Air Force member and extreme skiing legend Doug Coombs was caught out of bounds and banned from the resort. The original members of the Air Force wanted to ski like and emulate Pepi Stiegler, but the current members all wanted to ski like Coombs, and his banishment just fired up the Air Force more to poach lines out of bounds and dared the patrollers to catch them if they could. Granite Canyon, known as the dark side, because it’s a northern facing slope with endless, but potentially fatal cliff runs or avalanches proved to be a training ground for skiing’s next frontier, Alaska. Here in Granite they learned about snow science and snow safety. The presence of the Jackson Hole Air Force reached far beyond Jackson as members won repeatedly at the Alaskan extreme skiing competitions. Through petitions and flagrant breaking of the resort’s ski code the Air Force persuaded Jackson Hole to eventually open up their boundaries and let skiers ski the whole mountain. Other ski resorts would eventually follow Jackson’s lead and change the culture of skiing forever. Doug Coombs would be invited back to Jackson in less than three years from being banished. He became a skiing ambassador at Jackson until his untimely death from a fall while helping another rider in La Grave, France.

Next time you are on the tram and see one of those iconic Air Force patches give them a nod that says thanks for opening up the mountain for you to ski. The renegade outlaws of the Air Force in their quest for freedom to ski what they wanted, has given freedom to all skiers. Just don’t kid yourselves and try to follow their tracks because they are probably skiing some insane terrain.

Our company owner, Ron Miller and his brother David Miller, who works in our real estate department, are proud members of the Jackson Hole Airforce.

A street corner is a street corner is a street corner. That is unless it happens to be the corner of Broadway and Cache in downtown Jackson Hole, where thanks to the internet and a webcam this corner has become a world wide web sensation. Besides the buttes in the background that are often mistaken for mountains in the comments, an antler arch perched almost dead center of the shot, and the sign with the arrow stating Teton-Yellowstone Parks this way, it could almost be anywhere USA. You’ll see cars, pedestrians and yes, red trucks (more on that later). The only difference is that at anytime there may be upwards of over 2,000 people watching and commenting from all points around the globe. The comments fire away so quickly that it’s hard to read them and watch at the same time; you pretty much have to just focus on one or the other. And the comments are never ending.

This webcam has blown up with viewership (www.youtube.com/watch?v=psfFJR3vZ78,) but it’s far from the only one streaming live in Jackson. In fact, if you go to www.seejh.com/live you can see a ton more, but for whatever reason no one, or practically no one, is watching those, even though they are more scenic. Maybe the problem is they don’t have any street traffic which for some web reason translates to viewing traffic. Other examples of webcams you’ll find here include the Elk Refuge, Mount Moran, Sleeping Indian, as well as an arial view of the whole town, but the one the internet is in love with is the one that shows the corner of Broadway and Cache.

There are some theories as why it’s become popular, but no one really knows for sure. Maybe people just want to travel virtually from the confines of their work cubicles and be pretty much anywhere than where they currently are, at work. Hey, if you can’t actually be in one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the world, you can at least travel their by wi-fi and hang out for the day and wait for something to happen, and anything presumably can or could happen, since it’s live. If nothing is happening, well you can always just narrate what you see. Everyone seems to be doing their best Howard Cosell color commentary and commenting on what happens to be unfolding. “Orange shirt” “skater” “FedEx!” “kayak”. The viewers have also become enthralled with the arch itself as if it’s a sacred artifact or something to be worshiped. A common refrain is “feed the arch” when tourists walk through it as if the arch is feasting on the souls of unsuspecting tourists. Don’t worry that isn’t really happening (as of yet). Or, maybe people think the arch is some time travel portal as they see people enter but never return. Whatever is going on, if you start looking for things you are bound to find them and red trucks are sure in abundance in Jackson to the viewers delight. It’s become a thing and everyone shouts or rather types it as quickly as they see it, “red truck!”. Nothing quite lights up the message boards like a red truck sighting. Or, maybe it’s all just an elaborate interactional drinking game and you have to drink when you see a red truck. Whatever the reason it’s become must see tv.

The locals have picked up on the fact that someone is indeed watching and the mundane act of crossing the street has turned into an opportunity for some performance art. Cops have stopped their patrol cars on late nights, gotten out and started dancing in the streets like it was a David Bowie and Mick Jagger music video from MTV back in the day, as they hammed it up and dabbed for the crowd. Local organizations, such as the Art Association of Jackson Hole, have held impromptu parades complete with banners and t-shirts touting their non-profit to unsuspecting fellow cross walkers. A slice of pizza walked by one night, presumably it escaped from a local pizzeria. A flash mob, made complete with umbrellas and synchronized dancing, delighted the online viewers and got such high praise as “the arch is pleased”. That’s the gold standard of comments right there.

If you find yourself reminiscing about your vacation out to Jackson Hole and just want to catch up, go check out the webcam. Or maybe you are counting down the days till you are actually here and want to see what the hubbub is around the square, if so go spend some quality time with your favorite street corner. Now everyday can be a Jackson Hole day. Just make sure when you are actually here and find yourself on that famed corner to look up and give a wave to all your admirers, it’s the least you can do and more importantly it will be sure to please the arch.

It’s not officially fall yet, it’s more like we are in the bonus round of summer in the Tetons. Nonetheless, the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival is set to kick off in Jackson September 7-18.

In it’s 32nd annual year, the Fall Arts Festival helps ease the sting of summer’s end with the opportunity to see and score some great art as well as enjoy some delicious food and wine. The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival has it all – from the serious collector looking to buy some high end art for their abode, to the casual fan who just wants to find a one-of-a-kind trucker hat with some cool local art on it. There will be all kinds of art opportunities, so get out there and enjoy it.

Western Design Conference

Thursday, September 8 the Western Design Conference kicks off. For those wanting a sneak peek of what the conference has in store, stop by from 6-10 pm at Snow King. Attendees will be treated to a fashion show, live auction, and meet and greet with this year’s artisans. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll get to dine on local food from Cafe Genevieve while washing it down with a signature cocktail. So shop, eat, drink, and be merry. VIP tickets are $125 and General Admission is $50. For more info go to westerndesignconference.com.

The Western Conference continues September 9-11 from 10am-5pm. With over 130 national artists presenting contemporary and traditional creations in fashion, furniture, jewelry, and more, you’ll be sure to be inspired and amazed. Tickets are $15 per day at the door.

Palates and Palettes Gallery Walk

This is the event that art lovers, as well as food lovers, turn out for in droves. With over 30 galleries participating, you can see a dizzying amount of new art. The galleries also team up with local restaurants to prepare delicious local food offerings that pair perfectly with the art. Your eyes will be amazed as well as your appetites as you make your way from gallery to gallery. Palates and Palettes is September 9 from 5-8pm. Make sure to start your night early as the food and the art won’t last. For more info on participating galleries go to info@jacksonholechamber.com.

Takin’ It to the Streets

For one day only, September 11 from 10am-4pm, the Town Square is transformed into an art fair made up of local artists. The artists may be local, but some are already nationally known as this fun fair is made up of professional, mid level, and emerging artists. It’s the perfect place to snag some art, jewelry, or ceramics that are made right in Jackson Hole. Better buy this year before some of these artists get too big and their prices just keep going up. For more info on this free event go to artassociation.org.

Taste of the Tetons

Art isn’t the only thing on display on the square as local chefs and restaurants proudly show off their tasty creations for the public to sample. Trade in your dollar bills for food dollars. Typically,  samples of food will set you back about two to four tickets, so make sure to stock up on some meal tickets because you’ll want to try just about everything. There will also be live music to accompany all the wonderful food. Taste of the Tetons runs from 11am-3pm on the Town Square on Sunday, September 11. For more info call 307-733-3316 or email info@jacksonholechamber.com.

Rotary Supper Club’s Wine Tasting and Silent Auction

Wine goes well with art and just about everything for that matter. Try some delicious varietals at the Rotary Club’s wine tasting, while bidding at their silent auction. All proceeds will benefit Veterans.

Fall Arts Featured Artist at Mountain Trails Gallery

You may have missed out on the original painting, but you can grab a copy of the Fall Arts Festival poster that features the work of Edward Aldrich. Grab your poster at Mountain Trails Gallery from 3-5pm for $31.80 or get it signed for just a bit more. Then stick around for an artist reception and see Aldrich’s new work. If you want to check out the painting that made the poster, you’ll have to go to the Wort Hotel to scope it out. Greeting the Dawn is an impressive 64”x52” oil painting. For more info on the reception and Aldrich’s work, go to mtntrails.net. and edwardaldrich.com.  

The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival crams in a year’s worth of art and culture into 2 weeks of events. We recommend eating and drinking your way through it and just possibly buying something new to hang over the sofa. For more info on the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival go to jacksonholechamber.com.

This weekend marks a half century of art in the park as the Art Association of Jackson Hole presents Art Fair Jackson Hole. Miller Park is transformed from a quiet picnic spot and playground for the kids into a world premiere art fair that boasts 150 artists representing 20 states as well as some local Wydaho talent that have all been selected by a professional jury of artists, curators, and gallery owners. With art for all tastes, wildlife and landscapes will be represented as well as new school contemporary and everything in between. It’s not just about the art as there will be plenty of activities for the kids, music, great food, and oh did we mention beer. It’s pretty much the perfect event to kick start your weekend as it runs from Friday, August 12 to Sunday, August 14.

Art, Art, and More Art

The 50th Annual Art Fair Jackson Hole has been bringing in world class art for…well 50 years and this year is no different as they ramp it up for their big semi-centennial. Whatever type of art is your jam, you’ll be sure to find it at this year’s August edition of Art Fair Jackson Hole. So if you are into jewelry, ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, metalwork, and more you can you can see it all at Miller Park. Peruse the booths and shop for yourself or buy one-of-a-kind gifts for those on your birthday and holiday lists (never to early to get a jump start on those).

Admission to the fair is $5 or free to Art Association members and children under 10. Also look for deals around town at local coffee shops for $1 off admission if you bring in your Art Association coffee sleeves. Local hotels will also be handing out $1 off coupons that are good for up to 4 people, so you’ll have more to spend on art, food, and beer. 100% of the admission fees collected at the gate go to support the Art Association of Jackson Hole, a non-profit which “has made visual art a vital part of creative life in Jackson Hole for over 52 years.” The Art Association provides over 300 art classes a year and puts on art exhibits of local, national, and international artists. So, just by going you are helping to support more art in Jackson.

Music

When you’ve been doing something and doing it well for 50 years, it makes sense to celebrate. The Art Fair Jackson Hole is doing just that with it’s lineup of music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. DJ BDubz  AKA Brendon Weber keeps things moving through out the fair for all three days when live acts aren’t playing. He’ll be serving up your perfect art strolling/buying soundtrack. Saturday the Grand Teton Music Festival musicians will take the stage from 11am – 12:30pm and provide you with some sounds for your lunch hour noshing. On Saturday From 3pm – 7pm Art Fair Jackson Hole kicks it up a notch with local legends Whiskey Mornin’. Expect the unexpected as you’ll hear anything from Motown, hip-hop, and classic rock and back again as their set lists play like your favorite party mix on Spotify. If you needed extra incentive to check out Whiskey Mornin’ or the art for that matter, a special happy hour entry from 5pm – 7pm is free. Easy like Sunday morning, local musical wunderkind Aspen Jacquet sets the tone from 11am to noon on the last day of the fair.

Art to Eat, Beer to Drink

As you make your way around the park and all that art you are bound to get hungry. Luckily for you, you won’t have to hunt all over for some grub as the food trucks are conveniently located right at the corner of Deloney and Jackson Street by the art fair entrance. The food truck vendors have elevated your lunch and dinner to an art form as you’ll find tasty offerings from Nom Nom (delectable doughnuts), Nomadic Bean, Everest Momo Shack (amazing Indian and Nepali cuisine), JH Pop! (best popcorn around), Los Tres Bradas Shaved Ice, and Chuckwagon Pizza.

You’ll probably need some drinks to wash down all that food. Hit up the beer tent where you’ll be able to find a variety of beers including Stella Artois, Snake River Brewing’s Pako’s IPA, and the old reliable and always appropriate PBR. Every first beer comes with a free koozie and when you return with it you’ll get $1 off all additional beers. The beer sales go towards to Art Association of Jackson Hole’s programming. So hoist back a few and drink for art.

For the Kids

Keep the kids entertained and engage your little Picasso’s with some art as they get the chance to make some art of their own. Who knows they could be selling their own art at the 75th Annual Art Fair Jackson Hole. The Youth Art Zone will host art activities in conjunction with the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole WILD, and JH Public Art. Also opportunities for face painting and henna tattoos or get your portrait done by cartoonist Grant Wilson.

Art Fair Jackson Hole is located in Miller Park and runs Friday, August 12 from 10am – 6pm; Saturday, August 13 from 10am – 7pm; and Sunday, August 14 from 10am – 4pm. For more info head over to artassociation.org.