Nobody ever said that choosing to visit Jackson Hole in the summer is going to be particularly easy on one’s bank account—but the bank doesn't have to break. Let us arm you with the knowledge and the numbers of which lodging, restaurants, tours and attractions can cost you less during your vacation in Jackson Hole.
But remember, after all is said and done, you will find the experience of being here is really pretty priceless.
Sleep On the Cheap(ish)
Hotels in the town of Jackson are generally less expensive than those in Teton Village at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. At the lower end of the spectrum, a double room in town can start around $250. A room for two at more up-market lodges averages $350 and higher. Conversely, accommodations in most hotels out in the Village are well upwards of $400 a night in summer.
Why not think outside the box for alternative lodging? Eschew the traditional hotel room and try a hostel (an inexpensive lodging facility for open-minded travelers that typically has dormitory-style sleeping arrangements— called also youth hostel) Experience Cache House located just steps from Town Square, the Anvil Hotel's sister property. Cache House is unlike anything you’ve come to expect. Queen, full or twin bunks options to choose from feature a custom curtain to block out light and sound when it’s time to rest. More amenities include radiant heat floors, 12 private bathrooms, private locker storage, freshly brewed coffee, gathering space, and movie nights! Rates start as low as $86 per person, per night, with a two-night minimum.
Savings Tip: A lot of hotels and inns offer special reduced-rate packages, so don’t forget to ask about those before you book. Also keep in mind that you can find even cheaper lodging in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall—and Jackson Hole is just as amazing during those months as it is in the summer.
Don’t Rent a Car...
… At least not for the entire length of your visit. Is a car convenient to have in Jackson? Yes and no. There are a lot of folks who visit in July and August which translates into even more cars on the roads which naturally equals a lot of slow-moving traffic, plus a harder time finding a spot to park downtown near Town Square. And who wants to spend precious vacation exploration time in a traffic jam? Again, we encourage you to think outside the box.
A lot of hotels and resorts offer a free shuttle service between the Jackson Hole Airport and the hotel, so right off the bat, you're comfortably car-less. Once you’re settled in you can take full advantage of Jackson Hole’s START (Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) bus to get back and forth between town and Teton Village and vise versa. It only costs $3 a ride (cash only) for adults and children under age 8 ride free plus getting from Point A to Point B within the town limits is free for everyone! START also has a community bike share program servicing the town of Jackson, so you have access to 55 bikes and 18 conveniently located START bike stations and the fee is nominal—unlock a bike for $2 and it’s only 10¢ a minute. Soak in the fresh air and see the sights without worrying about traffic. And, new this year is the START airport shuttle, a coach bus with luggage bay storage under the bus. Hourly service from the airport runs from 5:40 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. daily (the last bus will wait until 10 p.m. to depart from JAC). Hourly service from town runs from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Fares are adults, $10, children age 12 and under and seniors, $5, and kids age 8 and under ride free. Click here for more info.
You will need to rent a car for a trip out into Grand Teton or Yellowstone national parks, but that cost is so much less than renting for a week or two.
Savings Tip: You can always see the national parks with a scenic wildlife tour operator. The average cost for a half-day is $165 for adults; full-day is $250. Not only are you seeing all the sights of Grand Teton and Yellowstone with someone else behind the wheel, but you're also guaranteed to spot wildlife up close in their magnificent stomping grounds in the Tetons. Most tour companies offer a complimentary pick-up and drop-off at your hotel located in the town of Jackson or Teton Village. Win-win!
Minimal Money for Mountain Munching
There are many restaurants throughout the Jackson area—in and around Town Square, on the outskirts of town, in Teton Village—and while we recommend you check them out, your wallet may grow weary, so we'd also like to let you know that your lunch or dinner options need not always equal the cost of your hotel room.
The first recommendation is simply two words: Happy Hour. At any given eatery or bar, the Happy Hour is going to feature eats on the cheaps. That's a given, so keep this option in your back pocket.
Our second recommendation is also encapsulated in two words: lunch specials. A sampling of these glorious, money-saving menus includes two slices of pizza and a drink for $12 at Pinky G’s and Snake River Brewery's $12 lunch menu. Other restaurants in town will also feature eats on the cheap.
One of the perks of visiting Jackson Hole in the off-season is what we locals really look forward to in both fall and spring: The arrival of two-fer's (two-for-one meals).
If you're headed out to Grand Teton or Yellowstone national parks or any other adventure, get some grab-and-go noshes for around $10 at Creekside Market and Deli, located across from the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center.
Think shoulder seasons
One of the perks of visiting Jackson Hole in the off-season is what we locals really look forward to in both fall and spring: The arrival of two-fer's (two-for-one meals) at many of the restaurants around town. These dining deals—two-fer's and/or discounted meals—usually begin mid-to-late October and last into the early part of November. Some of the eateries that offer the BOGO meals are Sidewinders, The Kitchen, Roadhouse Pub & Eatery, Il Villaggio Osteria, Bin 22, Hatch, Gather, The Blue Lion, and Thai Me Up.
Visit jhfinedining.com for more details on discounts at specific restaurants.
Free food! Best. Vacation. Ever.
Savings Tip: Check out our "Specials" tab for discounts at restaurants and bars, as well as for retail stores, tour companies, etc.
No-To Low-Cost Entertainment
Given the high prices of all manner of activities, you might not imagine that Jackson Hole nightlife would be easily and happily affordable, yet summer here offers free music in spades, as well as other cheap entertainment in the evenings.
Free musical options are Sunday Concerts on the Commons at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, listening and dancing to the decades-old Stagecoach Band at the Stagecoach Bar in Wilson (dubbed "Sunday Church") and hearing live bands play nearly nightly for no cover charge at the Silver Dollar Showroom inside the Wort Hotel.
Attending the free, Monday night Jackson Hole Hootenanny out at Dornans in Moose is sure to be one of the most memorable parts of your visit to Jackson Hole. This real deal, Western acoustic musical event has been around for more than 60 years. It starts at 6 p.m.
No trip to the last of the Wild, Wild West would be complete without a shoot-out! From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day each year, the streets are cleared at 6 p.m. (except Sundays) to accommodate the Jackson Hole Shoot-out Gang. With characters as dastardly or virtuous as you’ll find in any tumbleweed saloon, the gang puts on a show that culminates with an authentic shoot-out (not real bullets!), the longest-running of its kind in the country.
While it's not exactly entertainment, Wyoming Stargazing offers free, year-round, public stargazing events on Thursdays in the northwest corner of the Stilson parking lot off Hwy. 390 and 22, behind the bus hut where there are no lights. Astronomy educators use one of their large aperture telescopes to show you planets, stars, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more. There is no need to reserve your spot in advance; just come and go as you please.
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