Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Quintessential America

What’s the next best thing to a European vacation? Wyoming, USA of course!

(Bet you didn’t see that one coming…)

My family and I usually take a summer trip to Europe, but with the World Cup happening this year in the United States, we wanted to stay “local.”

We chose Jackson, Wyoming for its charm and for its proximity to some of USA’s most epic national parks.

By the end of the trip, we had visited Jackson, Yellowstone, and Bozeman. After years of sending many of my clients to Jackson Hole (who all come back home raving about it), I was thrilled to finally experience it for myself. This wonderful destination is only a 2-hour flight from Los Angeles and yet is such a world away with so much to offer.

Jackson was a jewel of a town. It has that quintessential western vibe, which lots of people (mainly tourists) took advantage of by strolling around town in cowboy hats and boots.

It made me want to buy those myself as it just felt right to wear that in Jackson. It also has so many great restaurants, art galleries, and bars. It is the kind of town that I would group together with the Santa Barbaras, Santa Fe, and Charleston/Savannahs of the world. We stayed at Spring Creek Ranch, a luxurious year-round resort just above Jackson Hole. The spacious 2BR home was super comfortable and so classically styled with its wooden, outdoorsy décor. The best thing about it was the stunning views of the valley that we could soak in from our terrace… actually, from any window in the place!

In addition to the National Parks (which were just stunning and each unique), what I really loved was the “American West” experience of it all.

I am happy to share that I got to attend my first Rodeo! There is no place like Wyoming for a rodeo and I loved every bit of it: the patriotism, the family fun, and of course the unexpected excitement of watching the bull riding. For grub, there were plenty of Bison Burgers and Sausages to go around!

We visited Jackson Hole and the surrounding area in late June, so the weather was perfect for most days (in the 60s-70s).

It’s an outdoorsy place, so it was just right for hiking and walking around in the national parks. We did get some rain in Yellowstone – but fortunately mostly sunny days. I will say the weather can be quite volatile and visitors can experience many seasons in 1 day! In fact, after we left Yellowstone on June 28, the very next day they got snow! This is atypical for the summer – but it happens. If you want to experience the Parks, the best time to go is May-Oct when all roads will be open. Jackson and Bozeman are also fantastic winter destinations with top-notch, world-class skiing available in the winter months.

I think this is a great summer destination for someone who enjoys beautiful nature and wildlife, but also enjoys a little bit of culture and town.

My family and I really loved how we could feel like we were in “America” here. In fact, my funniest anecdote of the trip was something we experienced when we were at the Rodeo: the announcer asked the crowd if anyone was from California. When we all cheered, he asked “How does it feel to visit America?” and you know what, he wasn’t wrong! 🙂 –Michael Rathauser, Luxury Travel Advisor

Interested in an Americana-filled adventure? Contact me to start planning your trip to Wyoming’s incredible National Parks, iconic rodeos, and cowboy culture.