Best Wyoming Vacations

I’ve visited Wyoming many times, and I always make sure to plan time around the best spots. The mountains are breathtaking, the towns are charming, and the pace of life feels just right. All of that makes Wyoming one of the best places for a getaway in the U.S.!

As always, be sure to pack plenty of layers, good hiking shoes, a camera, and maybe even a pair of binoculars for spotting wildlife.

Here’s the rundown of my favorite Wyoming vacations. I’m using the term “vacation” loosely, to include everything from national park adventures to relaxing small-town escapes.

Basically, these are, in my opinion, the very best spots where you'll experience Wyoming at its finest.

We flew from Austin into Jackson Hole ($163), the plane circling past snow-streaked mountains before landing in the wide valley. The drive into town was short, but already I felt small against the towering Tetons.

I planned the first part of our visit in Jackson Hole with variety in mind: one night wrapped in history, one surrounded by sleek mountain style, and one tucked along a creek where the air smelled of pine. Each stay revealed a different angle of Jackson’s character. From there, we explored Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks on our summer adventure.

1. Jackson, WY & The Wort Hotel

If you want one of the best small-town mountain vacations in Wyoming, you can’t skip Jackson. This town has the perfect mix of Old West charm and modern adventure, making it one of the best bases for exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

Downtown Jackson is packed with art galleries, western shops, and some of the best restaurants in the region. The iconic elk antler arches in the town square make for the best photo op (see my picture), and if you visit in winter, Jackson transforms into one of the best ski towns in the Rockies.

Inside The Wort Hotel, I felt folded into Jackson’s past. The lobby glowed with polished wood and western paintings, and I could almost hear the echoes of old cowboy stories as I sank into a leather armchair. My room carried that same sense of western elegance, heavy with carved details and thick blankets that felt like they belonged in a mountain lodge.

We ate dinner at the hotel’s Silver Dollar Bar & Grill. The room smelled of seared steak and smoky sauces, the sound of a local band filling the space. My ribeye came with potatoes crisped just right, and the flavor was deep, charred, and comforting. It felt like the perfect start to Jackson, classic, full of history, and hearty enough to fuel the next day.

2. Exploring Jackson Hole

Walking through downtown Jackson, I felt the mix of past and present everywhere. Outside The Wort, the cowboy boots on the sidewalk clicked against old wood beams, while inside the hotel, the western artwork and leather chairs made me feel folded into history.

At Hotel Terra, I opened my balcony door to the crisp air of Teton Village and thought, “This is where the mountains press close enough to touch.” And at the Rustic Inn, the sound of the creek lulled me at night, the scent of pine drifting through the cool air.

You can walk on Jackson’s wooden sidewalks, step beneath the antler arches in the Town Square, or drive minutes into Grand Teton National Park. Families can float on the Snake River, ride the tram at Teton Village, or explore the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

3. Eco-chic luxury at Hotel Terra

Nestled right at the base of the Teton Village ski lifts, Hotel Terra offers the best location for anyone who wants to be steps away from world-class skiing in the winter or hiking and mountain biking in the summer.

At Hotel Terra, modern mountain luxury surrounded me. The sleek lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and earthy textures gave the place a sense of calm. From the balcony, the peaks stood so close it felt like I could reach out and touch them. Opening the door filled the room with crisp alpine air, sharp with the scent of pine and snow.

That evening we walked just steps to Il Villaggio Osteria, tucked inside the hotel. The smell of wood-fired pizza hit me as soon as we entered. My plate of handmade pasta carried a rich tomato sauce, layered with garlic and herbs that warmed me against the mountain air. It was refined yet cozy, the kind of meal that made me feel cared for after a day outdoors.

4. Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa

My night at the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa brought a different rhythm. The cabin-style suite opened right onto the creek, and at night the water whispered outside my window. In the morning, I followed a short trail to a bend where the Tetons reflected on the surface like a painting. My son tossed pebbles into the current, his laughter breaking the stillness. That quiet moment felt like Jackson distilled into peace.

For travelers who want one of the best combinations of rustic charm and modern comfort, I thought that the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa delivers in a big way!

For dinner we stayed close and ate at the Rustic Inn Bistro. The scent of roasting game drifted through the dining room, and I chose the bison short ribs. They arrived tender and rich, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables that carried just a hint of sweetness. It was the kind of meal that anchored me in the landscape, hearty, local, and unforgettable.

Need a quick recommendation for a kid-friendly Wyoming vacation? If I had to choose just one, I’d say Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa is the most family-friendly. The cabins, open space, and creekside setting give kids freedom while still keeping parents relaxed.

5. Jackson Hole Travel Tips

First, The Cons: Jackson’s beauty comes with high demand. Hotels and restaurants fill quickly in summer, and prices climb. You should reserve early and expect crowds downtown on weekends.

6. Mountain serenity at Spring Creek Ranch

We drove up a winding road from Jackson, climbing higher until the town fell away below us. It only took about ten minutes, but when we pulled into Spring Creek Ranch, it felt like we had entered another world. The Tetons stood across the valley in full view, their jagged peaks cut against the sky.

I chose Spring Creek Ranch for its vantage point, and from the moment I opened the door to our suite, the air smelled different, thinner, cooler, carrying sage and pine. A stone fireplace anchored the living room, and the balcony stretched toward the mountains. I stood outside and thought, “This is what it feels like to perch on the edge of a painting.”

Spring Creek Ranch is designed for travelers who want the best blend of wilderness and comfort. The accommodations range from hotel-style rooms to spacious townhomes and mountain villas, making it one of the best options for families, couples, or groups.

You get to wake up to sunrise over the Tetons, watch moose graze in the valley below, or book a horseback ride along the ranch’s trails. Families can take the shuttle into Jackson for shopping and art galleries, then return here for stargazing without the noise of town.

The Cons: Because Spring Creek Ranch is set on a hill above town, you need to drive down for most activities and restaurants. The road can feel long at night, so you should plan ahead if you want to explore downtown after dinner.

7. Jenny Lake - Boat Ride & Mountain Trails

No list of the best Wyoming vacations would be complete without Jenny Lake. Nestled in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, this spot offers some of the best scenery in the entire state. With crystal-clear waters reflecting the towering Tetons, I think it’s a place that feels almost too perfect to be real.

We drove about 25 minutes from Teton Village, passing fields where elk grazed, until the road dipped toward Jenny Lake. The water stretched out like glass, reflecting the Tetons so sharply that it felt like a painting. Standing at the edge, I could smell the coolness of the lake mixed with pine drifting down from the mountains above.

We started with the boat shuttle across the water, the engine humming softly as we skimmed along. The mountains seemed to rise up closer with every minute. I leaned over the edge, spray hitting my face, and thought, “This is the fastest way into the heart of the Tetons.”

You can take the boat shuttle (10 minutes each way) or hike around the lake’s edge for a longer, quieter approach. From the far dock, trails fan out to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Families can walk the short 0.5-mile climb to Hidden Falls, where cold mist brushes your skin, or continue higher to Inspiration Point for a sweeping view of the lake and valley below. For couples and more ambitious hikers, the Cascade Canyon trail leads deeper into the mountains, where the sound of rushing water follows you into alpine quiet.

Where To Eat: You can bring a picnic to enjoy by the lake. For something heartier afterward, we drove into Moose and ate at Dornan’s, where pizza on the deck came with uninterrupted views of the Tetons.

A downside? Jenny Lake is popular, and parking lots fill early, especially in summer. You should arrive before 9am or plan for the shuttle to avoid long waits.

8. Jackson Hole Aerial Tram & Gondola Rides

If you’re chasing the best views in Wyoming, you’ll find them at the top of the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram. Known locally as “Big Red,” this tram climbs more than 4,000 vertical feet in just 12 minutes, making it one of the most unique ways to see the Tetons without breaking a sweat.

We drove from Jackson out to Teton Village, about twenty minutes, the road winding past fields where horses grazed beneath the shadow of the Tetons. The resort came into view with the tram cables stretching impossibly high, vanishing into the clouds. Just standing at the base made me catch my breath.

Boarding the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram, I felt the sway as the car lifted off. The air thinned as we rose, and the town shrank below us. The Tetons unfolded wider with every passing second, snow still clinging to the ridges even in summer. I pressed my forehead to the glass and thought, “This is the closest I’ve ever felt to flying.”

You can ride the tram all the way up to 10,450 feet and step out onto Rendezvous Mountain. In summer, there are hiking trails, wildflowers brushing against your legs, and views stretching across Wyoming, Idaho, and the Snake River Valley. In winter, skiers and snowboarders pour out of the tram into powder runs that seem endless. Families can also try the gondolas, shorter rides with sweeping views that are calmer but still breathtaking.

Where To Eat: Corbet’s Cabin is a must for waffles at the summit, while in Teton Village you can try Il Villaggio Osteria or Spur Restaurant for hearty meals after your ride.

A downside? Weather can change quickly at the top, clouds, wind, even sudden storms. You should bring a jacket and check conditions before you go. Lines also build up on busy summer weekends.

9. Visiting Yellowstone from Teton Village

Yellowstone isn’t just one of the best places to visit in Wyoming, it’s one of the best destinations in the entire world. And that's not just my expert opinion!

We started the morning early in Teton Village, watching the sun rise over the slopes before driving north. The route wound past the Snake River, through Moose, and up into Grand Teton National Park. It took just under two hours to reach the south entrance of Yellowstone, but the drive itself felt like part of the adventure, mountains on one side, valleys stretching wide on the other. By the time we crossed into Yellowstone, I already felt like we’d traveled through three landscapes.

“This is where the earth breathes,” I thought, as steam rose in the distance. The air smelled faintly of sulfur, sharp and otherworldly, and the sound of bubbling pools reminded me that Yellowstone was alive beneath the surface.

You can follow the Grand Loop north to Old Faithful, stop at West Thumb Geyser Basin where hot springs glow turquoise, or wander the boardwalks at Biscuit Basin. Families can picnic by Yellowstone Lake, watch bison cross the road in Hayden Valley, or wait for Old Faithful’s eruption, a plume of water and steam shooting skyward right on schedule.

Where To Eat: You can pack a picnic from Teton Village before heading out, pastries from Persephone Bakery travel well. In Yellowstone, we stopped at the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, where the rustic log beams and the smell of roasting chicken made the meal as memorable as the geyser outside. Simple, hearty food, but the setting carried the weight of history.

A downside? Yellowstone is vast, and even from the south entrance it takes time to reach the main attractions. You should expect long driving stretches, crowded parking lots in summer, and unpredictable wildlife delays, bison truly do cross at their own pace.

10. Old-world charm at Chamberlin Inn

On our way back, we drove east from Yellowstone into Cody, the road stretching through open plains before the town came into view. It only took a couple of hours, but by the time we arrived I felt the shift from wilderness to western main street. The Chamberlin Inn sat right off Sheridan Avenue, tucked behind its ivy-covered brick walls, a place with history written into every detail.

Checking in, I felt as if I had stepped back in time. The inn’s interior was polished and intimate, with antique furniture, framed photographs, and flowers set neatly in vases. My room carried the same sense of quiet refinement, a tall bed, crisp linens, and windows that opened to the sound of town life just outside. I stood there and thought, “This feels like staying in someone’s well-kept historic home, full of stories.”

You can walk out the door and be right in downtown Cody, with shops, art galleries, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West just blocks away. In the evenings, you can catch the Cody Nite Rodeo or wander Sheridan Avenue where the sidewalks fill with music and chatter.

Where To Eat: For dinner we walked to Rib & Chop House, just a few steps away. The smell of grilling steaks filled the air before we even entered. My bison ribeye was smoky, juicy, and paired perfectly with roasted vegetables that carried a sweet char. For breakfast the next morning, I found myself at Beta Coffeehouse, where the fresh pastries and strong, nutty coffee were a perfect start before exploring town.

A downside? The Chamberlin Inn is boutique-sized, so rooms can book up quickly in summer. You should plan well ahead if you want to stay here, especially during rodeo season.

11. Jackson Hole - My Lasting Impression

Looking back on my time in Wyoming, I realized it wasn’t just one thing that stayed with me, it was the balance.

Each day brought its own rhythm. We rode the Aerial Tram into the clouds, ate waffles at 10,000 feet, and wandered under the antler arches downtown. From Teton Village, I set out for Yellowstone and watched geysers breathe steam into the sky. At night, I sat by fire pits and listened to the quiet rush of water or the hum of music spilling out of the Silver Dollar Bar.

You can shape your time here however you want, adventurous or restful, historic or modern, tucked in town or high in the mountains. Jackson Hole isn’t just a base for the parks; it’s a destination of its own, full of contrasts that somehow fit together.

12. Family Travel Tips - Jackson Hole, Yellowstone & Beyond

Visiting with kids? Here are my family travel tips at a glance.

Hi, I'm Ema. I'm the face behind Vacation Idea. My husband, son, and I spent years on the road, basing ourselves in each place for one or two months at a time. This has allowed me to experience each destination as a local, and I'm eager to help you with travel itineraries, weekend inspiration, and local tips. I love to chase unique experiences and revisit old favorites, anything from great sunsets to the best places to stay. I have 30 years of experience, over 400,000 social media followers, and my work as a travel expert has been mentioned on ABC6 Morning Show, Best of the Web, and USA Today. When I'm not traveling around the USA, I live in Austin, TX. Click for more.

 

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