Jackson Hole

A buzzy downtown surrounded by national parks makes this the ultimate base for cowboys and millionaires alike.

- Jen Murphy

Come spring, when the snowcapped peaks of the Tetons start to melt, Jackson Hole sheds its ski-destination image and turns into a family-friendly outdoor playground. Named for fur trapper Davey Jackson, this mountain town hasn’t lost its western spirit. Elk-antler arches grace each corner of the Town Square, and cowboys still rope steer on the rodeo grounds. But this doesn’t mean the town is stuck in the past. Big-city-worthy restaurants, cocktails, shops, and hotels make Jackson one of the most amenity-rich bases for exploring nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Photo ops are plentiful in the quieter months of May and June, when wildflowers start to carpet the valley floor and bison calves roam the parks.