Before You Go
Coordinates | 43.4799° N, 110.7624° W
Baton Rouge to Jackson Hole | 1,729.0 miles
Driving Time | 26 hours
Why Jackson Hole? | With warm days and cool nights, Jackson Hole is the perfect location for a family trip before it’s time for back to school. While it’s a good drive away, there’s blooming wildflowers, fly-fishing, biking, rock climbing, rafting, and horseback riding for everyone in the family to enjoy. It will also do everyone some good to get out and stretch those muscles, especially after being cooped up inside for so long while attempting to escape from the summer heat in Louisiana.
Where to Stay
Near Jackson’s Town Square, The Lodge at Jackson Hole is only a short scenic drive to Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. This recently remodeled hotel offers 154 rooms and suites that feature modern amenities enveloped in comfort. Each room offers comfortable bedding, 51 inch Plasma 3D HDTVs, Blu-ray players, an iHome docking station, and a large desk with a built-in electronic hub.
Where to Eat
Pinsetter Restaurant
Located in Hole Bowl, the Pinsetter Restaurant features tasty foods that will go over well with the kiddos. You can eat while you bowl, or you can just visit them for the food. Dine in on the burgers, flatbread pizzas, wings, or the delicious soups and salads.
Rendezvous Bistro
While the tables don white linen table cloths, each table comes complete with paper and crayons for the younger ones in your crew. This restaurant is for everyone, and it includes French-American fare, including sandwiches, seafood, burgers, and chicken.
White Buffalo Club
Make it a date night for you and your special someone while on your vacation at the White Buffalo Club. This cozy, speakeasy-style restaurant is Jackson’s only certified USDA Prime Steak House, and it offers small plates of fresh seafood and fish options. This can’t miss stop is even home to the best burger in town.
Things to Do
Want to see some wildlife in a unique way? Or are you interested in riding the rapids? Either way, you’ll want to climb aboard a raft for some family-friendly rafting. Dave Hansen River Trips provide safe, fun, and exciting whitewater and scenic river trips for children and adults, ages 6-96.
Explore the valley while on horseback. Whether you prefer a short ride or an all day trip, you’ll be able to soak in all of the beauty that Jackson Hole has to offer, even if it’s your first time riding. And besides, as they say, “no trip to Jackson Hole is complete without embracing the Cowboy States’ favorite pastime.”
Reach new heights with your family when you ride the tram. The Aerial Tram brings you to the “top of the world,” where you can enjoy great hiking and running trails, climbing, and maybe even a snowball fight.
Make it a grand adventure at Grand Adventure Park. Loaded with adventure and family fun, you can spend the entire day mountain biking, riding the tram, tackling the ropes course, or climbing the rock wall. The Park is within walking distance from the nearby free parking lots, so you won’t have to worry about bringing extra cash.
Take in all the knowledge you can at Alive@Five. These free, educational programs are geared toward families, and they include visiting raptors and experts on wildlife and ecology. The programs take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but be sure to check the calendar before planning your evening.
Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy the view while listening to great tunes at all of the incredible outdoor concerts. Jackson Hole Live sets up shop at the base of Snow King in downtown Jackson, and Concerts on the Commons hosts touring bands in Teton Village. All concerts are free, but be sure to pack a picnic.
If you need a fun way to cool off the little ones, you’ll want to pop on over to the Pop Jets. Located in the Village Commons, the Pop Jets are fountains that feature water that shoots up in varying locations and intervals. Similar to a splash pad, Pop Jets will have your little ones ready to play all day.
Get outdoors for even more exploring with your family when you pedal your way around Jackson Hole. The Jackson Hole Community Pathway system allows you and your family to travel around the valley, through the town of Jackson, Wilson, Teton Village, and Grand Teton National Park. ■
