Why Teton Village Should Be Your Base Camp For Jackson Hole, WY and the Tetons

Many people begin their tour through Jackson Hole, WY, on their way to Grand Teton National Park after spending time in Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park. However, because I planned this road trip at the last minute, I had to arrange our itinerary around the dates that we were able to stay in Yellowstone. Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole, WY were the last stop on our US National Park Road Trip through the mountain states, and by the time we reached Jackson Hole, WY, we were ready for a real hotel!

Don’t get me wrong, I love lodges, camping, and RVs, but sometimes a girl wants to be pampered. And after more than two weeks of traveling with kids and in-laws in the same car, that girl was me!! Needless to say, The Hotel Terra was a welcome luxury for this tired mama!

We checked into our room and were very pleased by the accommodations, the cleanliness, and the amenities. I was ELATED to discover that the laundry was right across the hall from my room, and it was completely F-R-E-E!  I must say this was a first for me.  After nearly, a ten-day journey with seven people living out of our backpacks, washing our clothes was a welcome treat!

Teton Village was much smaller than I expected it to be, but I contend that this added all the more to its charm.  I am quite sure it is a beautiful site to see in the winter when the slopes are covered in white powder, but I was not disappointed in the late summer.  The grounds are well manicured. There is a nice water feature and a great play area for the kids.  The restaurants located on site are 5-star!

Here are some other things you wouldn't want to miss at Teton Village:

• 4 days and 3 nights driving adventure– Stop frequently to take in the sights of Yellowstone country on boardwalks, and walk along easy hiking trails.-Get Your Guide Tour[Lodging included]
• All Day Eco Tour-Choose between a sunrise or sunset tour of Jackson Hole and the Grand Teton National Park.
• Schedule a half-day tour of Grand Teton National Park from Teton Village
• Experience the beauty of Jackson Hole and the Grand Teton National Park from above during a 45-minute or 60-minute scenic helicopter flight.
• Take a 4 Hour Safari Tour with Get Your Guide

There are several restaurants on-site in Teton Village so driving into Jackson isn’t necessary until you are ready to go exploring.  We enjoyed both dinner and breakfast at the Spur Restaurant and Bar located directly behind the Hotel Terra at their sister property, Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa. 

The food is locally and regionally sourced from sustainable farming sources by executive chef, Kevin Humphreys.  The freshness and attention to detail are immediately evident.  

The best part of this experience was their attention to our food allergy needs.  At both dinner and breakfast, they took their time listening and ensuring that our kids would be able to enjoy a safe and healthy meal.  Traveling with food allergies can be a challenge for my family.  It is always a relief when we encounter a restaurant where the chef and the wait staff know what is in their food and take great care to provide a safe meal for my family. 

Breakfast the next morning was just as amazing as our dinner the night before; maybe even better! I enjoyed the Blackberry French Toast, and my husband had some amazing homemade corned beef hash.  

After a day of enjoying some downtime relaxing around the resort, we were ready to explore.  We took the opportunity to drive into Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and meander around town.

This quintessential western town puts you right back in the old west so long as you can look over the modern-day vehicles on the road.   

We enjoyed visiting a couple of saloons. Interestingly at some of the saloons, the kids had to wait outside with grandparents while we took some pictures.   

A fun photo op presented itself when we discovered these historical bronze statues.  The kids had a great time posing with each character.  It was a proud homeschool moment that they knew all of them except for Lewis & Clark, which we have yet to study. I even had to have help on that one from mamaw.

Dad, the private pilot, even had a bit of fun posing with the Wright brothers!

I simply must mention our adventures at the Bar T 5 Covered Wagon Cookout.  What a fun evening for the whole family.  My mother and father-in-law had previously been through Jackson Hole and experienced the Bar T 5, so they graciously treated our family to an evening of food, fun, and entertainment.  

After arriving at the Bar-T-5 and purchasing tickets, you will be given a short history of the venue and Cache Creek Canyon.  After which, cowboys and cowgirls will escort you on a real covered wagon back into the canyon for a rootin’ tootin’ time!  

Be careful and watch out for anyone seeking to disrupt your pleasant wagon ride through Cache Creek Canyon.

After a harrowing journey up the trail, we were escorted to our BBQ feast.  My husband and I enjoyed that the children were each assigned a Cowgirl or Cowboy to help gather their vittles.  This meant we could relax and enjoy our own meal and the show.  The evening is complete with stage performances, singing, and some good ole fashion hoe-down audience participation. Our kids received much attention since they were the only ones attending that night.  Needless to say, fun was had by all!  

Teton Village, of course, gets its namesake from the surrounding Majestic Grand Teton Mountain Range.  I cannot begin to cover the amazing time we had in the Tetons in this particular post but will be doing a guide soon.  However, I did want to mention the very nearby Jenny Lake and our time spent there.  

During our visit to the Tetons, there were unfortunate wildfires raging to our west, and the smoke obscured the mountains on most days.  This was a sad reality for our trip, however, there was a certain mystique to the ranges created by the smoke.  The lake, however, was a pristine crystal lake with hues of blues and greens.  It was almost as if we were viewing the Caribbean sea.