Jackson, Wyoming, got its first snow in mid-September last year—which made leaf-peeping all the more spectacular. Typically, though, powderhounds don’t crowd Jackson until November. Translation: Now that the summer travelers are gone, you can have this remote, charming Rocky Mountain town mostly to yourself.

See The (Artistic) Sights:  Built into a hill that overlooks the National Elk Refuge (see “Meet The Locals”), the National Museum of Wildlife Art is home to more than 5,000 works, including pieces by artists of renown such as Georgia O’Keeffe and John James Audubon. Save time to head to nearby Grand Teton National Park, where you can attempt your best Ansel Adams impression at the same overlook where he captured his famous “The Tetons and the Snake River” in 1942.

5280 October 2017
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Meet The Locals: One of Jackson’s best attributes is its proximity to natural areas (Yellowstone National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest), which makes wildlife sightings likely. The National Elk Refuge, for instance, is home to roughly 47 mammal species, including the largest wintertime elk herd in North America. Tip: You’ll have the best luck spotting these creatures at dawn or dusk.

Gaslight Alley
Gaslight Alley / Courtesy of Krafty Photos

Defy Gravity: You won’t have any trouble scoring an endorphin rush on the 100-plus miles of hiking and mountain biking trails near downtown, but the real adrenaline buzz rests with Jackson Hole Mountain Resorts’s new via ferrata. (Via ferratas are essentially paths along mountainsides or cliffs that are protected with cables and rungs so climbers can experience thrills without the danger of falling.) Choose from three loops that range from beginner to advanced; the more difficult routes include a precarious walk along a 120-foot-long suspension bridge.

Drop Some Dough: For quirky shops, you’ll want to point your cowboy boots toward Gaslight Alley, a strip of locally owned boutiques in the center of downtown. Our favorite stores are Mountain Dandy for barware and Made for hilarious cards. But don’t overlook the turquoise jewelry at Native and mountain-modern furnishings at Twenty Two Home. And if you’re staying in Teton Village, check out the newest location of Stio Mountain Studio for a gear-closet update.

Persephone Bakery
Persephone Bakery / Courtesy of Lindley Rust

Good Enough To Eat: The scent of freshly baked dough will draw you in the front door of six-year-old Persephone Bakery. The creative salads, made with vegetables from the Vertical Harvest greenhouse nearby, will persuade you to stay
for lunch. (Don’t leave without some bread prepared daily using regional wild yeast.) For dinner, we recommend the Local Restaurant & Bar, a modern steak house that’s as focused on responsible food sourcing as it is on a perfect char.

Drink Up: Spend happy hour at Bin22, a wine bar, bottle shop, and specialty market that hums with after-work crowds clinking wine glasses and noshing on items from the tapas menu. Hop heads will prefer a pint at Snake River Brewing, Wyoming’s oldest brewery, while spirit connoisseurs can appreciate the craftsmanship at The Rose, a dimly lit cocktail lounge serving expertly mixed tipples.

Where to Stay

In Downtown Jackson:
Hotel Jackson; rooms start at $259
On The Outskirts Of Town:
Snake River Sporting Club; cabins start at $275
In Teton Village:
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole; rooms start at $509

This article was originally published in 5280 October 2017.
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.