Kids Corner
What do you do with the little buckaroos? You forgot the stroller, the children are bored with adult shopping, and the restaurant isn't very welcoming to kids. The pool at the hotel is too deep, the kids need to stretch their legs so they try to run off in the parking lot, and your family just wants to sit under a tree and relax. Your vacation just started and you already feel like it's time to go home. more info
Kids Corner Listings: (add your listing)
Private Scenic Floats
Private float trips for up to 5 guests on a custom 20 ft drift boat. Let us introduce your family to fly fishing, or merely take in the views.
(866) 484-3464
The Ballad of Cat Ballou - Musical Western Comedy
Jackson's western dinner show combines delicious fare with laughter and family-friendly entertainment. Group discounts, multiple times, great value.
(307) 733-6994
Enclosure Rock Climbing Center: Kids Climb & Dine
Three hours of supervised climbing w/ pizza dinner while you go out for a night on the town. Or a great rainy weather activity for the whole family!
(307) 734-9590
Other Related Listings: (add your listing)
Ripleys Believe it or Not
Over 160 bizarre artifacts & seven videos that will amaze you. Come see the real artifacts. Great for families and all ages!
(307) 734-0000
Traveling with children in Jackson Hole can be a very pleasant experience, but without planning, your vacation can begin to seem like a bad dream. The key is to be prepared, and to look at activities through both adult eyes and children's eyes.
Jackson Hole offers many opportunities for families to enjoy their vacation together. Some of these hidden pockets of fun or convenience may be stumbled upon by chance, but for those who like to plan ahead, here are some tips on seeing Jackson with children.
Baby equipment
Let's take care of that forgotten stroller first:
Baby's Away: This Moose, Wyo., business carries a full line of baby supplies for your vacation needs. And they deliver. Call them at 888-616-8495 or 307-739-4711.
Shopping
One of the main attractions in Jackson is its downtown shopping area with nearly 100 retail shops. Stores feature a wide variety of items primarily of interest to adults. When those little legs and short attention spans need a reprieve, try these stores:
Broadway Toys and Togs: 105 E. Broadway, has an excellent selection of educational games, puzzles, craft kits and toys. Something to satisfy both parent and child can be found. They also carry a fine line of children's clothing.
Gifts of the Earth: 32 E. Broadway, has a large assortment of rubber stamps and a great selection of stickers on the roll. While parents browse the greeting cards and stationary, kids can spend time choosing from the hundreds of stickers with an average price of $ .35.
The Roundup: 115 W. Broadway, has cube-shaped beads with letters and pictures for making personalized necklaces, bracelets and key rings. They also have a "penny presser" which stretches a penny into an elongated oval with a Jackson Hole insignia pressed into it for $ .50. Souvenir children's clothing and accessories are also sold.
Jackson Drug Company, Inc.: 15 E. Deloney, has an original old-fashioned soda fountain. Bring the kids here for a special treat and buy your postcards from their excellent selection.
Yipee I-O Candy Co.: Crabtree Corner (across from Toys & Togs) You can pick up the old stand-bys in candy-counter favorites here. They carry caramels, taffy, candy fruit slices, Jellybelly jellybeans, peppermint sticks and much more. Fresh fudge of several varieties is made on the premises. (While you're treating the kids, fill a decorative tin with candy for the dog-sitter and plant-waterer back home.)
Recreation
Alpine Slide at Snow King: 400 E. Snow King Ave. Take a ride up the chairlift and down the mountainside. There are two tracks; you control your speed. Young children can ride with an adult. (307) 733-5200.
Alpine Golf: is a miniature golf course, next to the Alpine Slide at Snow King. l8-holes with waterfalls and ponds. Adult, child and junior prices. (307) 733-5200
Swimming: The Teton County/Jackson Recreation Center, east end of Gill Ave., includes lap pool, children's pool (1'-3'), spiral water slide, and more. Family rate. Plan to spend several hours here. Call for open-swim hours. (307) 739-9025.
Restaurants
Here are a few suggestions for child-friendly dining experiences in Jackson Hole. Most local eateries offer children's menus, be sure to call ahead.
Calico Italian Restaurant: Teton Village Road, has children's menu, toy box, two-acre lawn for kids to use, diaper changing facilities.
Vista Grande: Shares a lawn with Calico and is a Jackson favorite.
Mangy Moose: Teton Village, has children's menu, pre-meal activity, and leg-room for restless children.
Merry Piglets Mexican Grill: 160 N. Cache, has low-priced children's menu, pre-meal activity, and leg-room for restless children.
A Dining Guide is published annually and can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce.
Playgrounds
For a full list of recreation and leisure parks ask for the Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation Guide. Those listed here have either playground equipment or some other special feature.
Phil Baux Park: Located at the base of Snow King Mountain has playground equipment, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, and plenty of open space.
Powderhorn Park: Located just east of Powderhorn Ballpark in west Jackson. This park has playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and restroom facilities.
Town Square:
Offers shade and benches, and Jackson's unique Elk Antler Arches.
Miller Park: Located between Deloney and Gill Streets, just north of Broadway. The facilities include a tennis court, two basketball courts, picnic tables, playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and rest rooms. (This is an excellent, uncrowded place to watch the July 4th fireworks set off at Snow King, especially with young children, because the noise is a bearable level for young ears.
North Park: Located at the north edge of the city limits and is a good place to picnic, obtain information from the Chamber of Commerce and watch waterfowl. There is also a children's fishing pond.
Home Ranch Park: Located at the intersection of North Cache and East Gill. Includes picnic tables, shade and restrooms. It is one of the few places to picnic in the downtown area.
Mike Yokel, Jr. Park: Located on East Kelly Street and includes a picnic shelter, playground, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball court, open grassy area and restrooms.
Emily Stevens Park: Park on the east side of the Snake River at the Wilson bridge. Look for beaver in the early morning and evening hours in the pond adjacent to the parking lot. The dike on the west side of the river is a good place for a short hike.
Culture
National Wildlife Art Museum: Located three miles outside of town on North Cache St. Stunning wildlife art exhibits can be seen here, but the Children's Gallery is a must for the whole family. Set off in a room by itself, there are interactive displays giving clues so children can guess the different animals. A magnetic nature scene with movable segments allows children to change the wildlife scene. The art corner is welcoming to the newly inspired young artists, who can draw and color a wildlife picture for display in the Children's Gallery. The gift shop has a children's corner. (307) 733-5771
Entertainment
The JH Rodeo provides classic western entertainment on Wednesday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Plan to arrive a half-hour early for reasonably decent seats, but bring something as a diversion for the children. Plan ahead what you will buy for snacks; the popcorn, hot dogs and cotton candy carried past by other spectators is very tempting. (No food or drink may be brought into the rodeo.) A family rate makes this an affordable event. (307) 733-2805
In the National Parks
Take the time to view the informational movies offered at many visitor's centers. The brief presentations will deepen your family's appreciation of the natural wonders you will be seeing. While the children may not understand all the material presented, they will understand enough to make the visit more meaningful.
Scenic pullouts on the side of the park highways can be a great place for travel-weary children to stretch their legs while parents take in the scenery.
A single use camera is a good investment for children who are old enough to take pictures but don't have a camera of their own. You'll be surprised at the fun family shots and the entertainment mileage you get from a small investment.
What's listed here is just a start. There are many other great ways for families to spend their time in Jackson Hole. Plan ahead and enjoy your vacation. The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce will be glad to help you. For information on most of the attractions mentioned, and other Jackson Hole destinations, call them at (307) 733-3316.
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