It’s not a competition. But if it were, Jackson Hole would take home the award for ‘most inspiring archetype for a frontier-based ski town.’ Its acceptance speech: a silent and sincere tip of the hat.
Jackson is currently embracing a more thoughtful aesthetic. While places like the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar provide the rustic experience you’d head West in a wagon for, the overall vibe is starting to shift. Neon lights adorn newer restaurants, menus offer craft cocktails, and the lodging feels more authentic than themed.
The recently renovated Anvil Hotel considered the area’s history to determine its new look. Think back to frontiersmen and fur-traders. Not yet of the notion or means to fill each room with oversized wooden bed frames and wildlife artwork, furnishings in the 19th century were usually imported from the East Coast. Elements like beadboard, parquet flooring, and custom bedding create an environment that complements its surroundings instead of competing with them. The result feels organic.
Our stay at the hotel met the expectations we garnered from online reviews and articles. If planning your own trip, check rates throughout the year as they vary.
On this trip, like others, we drove in the opposite direction of seasonal traffic. You make sacrifices as a visitor when traveling in the off-season. In November this includes the Jackson Hole Tram and a handful of restaurants which close for the month. The appeal lies in lower hotel rates and the ability to book your trip on a whim. Additionally, you can experience the Grand Tetons as if you reserved the entire national park for two.
Recommended itinerary:
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8:00 am – Arrive early at Persephone Bakery to grab a table. By day two, we had perfected our order: house coffee, two servings of the herbed omelet, and bread pudding french toast to share.
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10:00 am – Take your binoculars and spend a solid chunk of time at Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge. On a trip to the Oregon coast, we heard the best way to spot a whale is to spot a whale watcher – the same principle applies here for four-legged wildlife.
- 3:00 pm – Regain feeling in your limbs by warming up in the lobby of the Anvil Hotel. Enjoy coffee, board games, and a folksy playlist.
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4:30 pm – Start the night with happy hour nachos and margaritas at Hatch. Migrate to either Hand Fire Pizza or Lotus for the main course.
2 Comments
john Frechette
December 3, 2017 at 4:59 AMThanks for coming to town!
Becca
December 6, 2017 at 8:08 PMHi Julia! I love this post and especially like your recommended itinerary! I found your post through Persephone Bakery’s Facebook page. They recently shared my must try restaurants post.
Happy Travels!
-Becca
http://www.lexiandlady.com