What’s New in Jackson Hole?
Grand View Spa, at Snow King Resort, featuring 9,000 square feet of total relaxation and amenities—the largest, full-service resort and spa in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Every year brings something new to the Hole, be it a business, eatery, watering hole, hotel/resort, or family activity. And 2024 is jam-packed with renovations, rebirths, relaxation, retail additions and more!
Let’s start with a fun fact about what’s new for this year: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is operating for 143 days this winter season, seven more than what was previously allowed. That means it is the longest season in the ski resort’s history!
Getting to town from the airport just got easier. Jackson Hole’s START (Southern Teton Area Rapid Transit) bus launched an airport shuttle pilot program during the 2023/24 winter season. The buses feature large luggage compartments underneath the passenger seating area. The shuttle makes four stops in town that are all within walking distance of many hotels. The one-way fares are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 9 to 12; free for kids ages 8 and under. If it proves successful for the winter, START might run shuttles during the busy summer season, Stay tuned!
A Look at Lodging
The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa was a staple of Jackson Hole in-town lodging for nearly 30 years before it was destroyed in a devastating fire in 2019. However, it is literally rising from the ashes for a grand (re-) opening later this spring. The “new building with an old soul” as the brand new hotel bills itself, will offer a mix of modern luxury with familiar charm and more rooms for guests. Other new features include a roof deck for stargazing and a wildlife viewing deck overlooking a creek.
Also sporting a mix of the old and new is the hotel’s Body Sage Spa — a not-to-be-missed experience offering all manner of massages and facials — and its Wild Sage Restaurant featuring locally sourced dishes. The rustic and sophisticated restaurant earned the Four Diamond Award from AAA every year from 2004 to 2019.
What’s old is new again also in Teton Village as the former Continuum Hotel has been rebranded as the Gravity Haus. The 87-room boutique hotel, located at the foot of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, epitomizes the tailored adventure experience. Renovations include upgraded amenities, new ski lockers (for member purchase), a fitness facility, events space, gear rentals and a brand new culinary concept and farm-to-cup coffee spot, Unravel Coffee. A brand new Gravity Haus culinary concept, Wild Pine, blends the best of the region’s culture.
Hole History
Speaking of culture, the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, founded in 1958, is a nonprofit museum, archive and educational center that for the better part of its existence has been located on Cache St., just steps off Town Square. However, this summer it is re-opening in a new, more than 13,000 square-foot building on a historic block adjacent to the square on East Broadway, featuring a spectacular campus that includes two historic cabins. One of those cabins is the “Shane Cabin,” built in 1951 for the movie set of “Shane;” it was relocated from Grand Teton National Park where it had sat for decades. The diverse history presented at the museum includes archeology to indigenous peoples, to the fur trade and explorers, settlement and homesteading, ranching, tourism, mountaineering and much more. Museum staff also conducts historical tours of downtown Jackson during the summer months.
Eats
Kampai restaurant at 175 Center St., located just off Town Square, offers contemporary Japanese cuisine and combines a modern aesthetic with warm mountain architecture. The restaurant will welcome patrons to a new rooftop dining area this summer. It will be a mix of indoor and outdoor space with views of the National Elk Refuge, Snow King Mountain and the Gros Ventre Mountain Range, and is available for daily dining and private events.
Local and visitor favorite, Cowboy Coffee, has added a third location in Teton Village on the ground floor of the Alpenhof hotel. In addition to coffee and tea, hot breakfast items and grab-and-go fare are available. Sharing the space is Jackson Hole Winery, which will offer wine tastings in the afternoons. Cowboy Coffee is also located on Town Square and Hwy 89 South next to Maverick; drive-thru only at this location.
Look to the Stars
Come this summer, it’s going to be a whole lot easier — and more fun — to gaze at the heavens from atop a mountain. Snow King Mountain, to be exact.
The Snow King Observatory is state of the art with a large (one meter) Plane Wave telescope that will be available for public observation via on-site staff. The 4,400-square-foot observatory will feature a 35-seat planetarium space theater and a 65-seat auditorium for group presentations and learning opportunities. Adjacent to the 24-foot dome is a rooftop observation deck where portable telescopes can be set up for additional viewing during astronomical events.
The observatory can be accessed by the Snow King Gondola, or if you’d prefer to hike some trails go up 1,600 feet to the summit.
Other new additions:
Downtown Jackson welcomed a Kühl store on Town Square last spring. A national retailer, Kühl carries a wide variety of active and outdoor gear, from apparel to accessories.
For those seeking to rest and renew while on vacation in Jackson Hole, the Snow King Resort houses the brand-new Grand View Spa. The largest full-service resort and spa in Jackson Hole, the Grand View offers a range of body treatments, massages and facials, while paying homage to the region by incorporating the natural elements of water, salt, stone and wood. Snow King Resort is located at the base of Snow King Mountain.
The valley’s second Sidewinders American Grill (the original “American grub pub” is located on Broadway) opened in the same Highway 390 (Moose-Wilson Road) building that for many years housed the Vista Grande Mexican restaurant and later became the original Q Roadhouse. Sidewinders Westbank serves lunch as well as dinner. The eatery features a fireplace, a lounge area, a game room with arcade-style amusements and an indoor-outdoor seating area. During the summer, the kids can frolic on the large lawn, in full view of dining families.
Last summer, the Virginian Lodge reincarnated Billy’s Burgers, much to the delight of both locals and longtime visitors. Once a Jackson classic located on Town Square serving giant burgers, Billy’s was reborn in a new space that honors the original. Long known for its wildly popular half-pound, signature burgers made from scratch, Billy’s is a “not so best kept secret” that serves up classic burgers, thick shakes, french fries, onion rings, milkshakes, craft beers and a touch of nostalgia. It opens at 4 p.m. daily.
Two beloved institutions in Wilson (WY) have been rescued and resuscitated by new owners
Hungry Jack’s General Store in Wilson has been open since 1954. It is an old-fashioned general store that offers a little bit of everything, including fresh produce, sandwiches, sundries, groceries and beer. It’s a great place to put together a picnic and experience a piece of Wilson history. The original owners sold the store early in 2023 and a formed coalition of 210 community investors determined to save the historic business. It was remodeled and opened its doors again last summer. The grocery line was expanded with additional refrigeration and an improved meat selection to provide a viable option for grocery shoppers in the valley. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Nora’s Fish Creek Inn, an iconic local restaurant that has been a staple in the valley since 1982 with its beloved home-style cooking, is keeping the tradition alive under new ownership. Consistently voted “Best Breakfast” in the Best of Jackson Hole competition, Nora’s continues to lean into its comfort food identity, especially for breakfast, and there is a new lunch menu that features options for every diner, from meat-heavy dishes to vegetarian delights. The space is brighter and now has live sporting events on numerous TVs. Another new and welcome plus is that Nora’s is now open for dinner!
