During your trip to Jackson, be sure to check the calendar for the Center for the Arts!
The Center for the Arts is Jackson’s hub for all things art and they do a fantastic job getting incredible acts and artists from all over the world to come to little Jackson Hole to perform and showcase their talents.
In December, have the Center get you in the holiday spirit with a performance from Storm Large. Storm Large is a one woman holiday musical and comedy show wrapped up into one, showing on December 3rd. Then come see the beautiful dancers from Dancer’s Workshop perform a contemporary telling of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe from December 13 through December 15th.
Also, in December, we have two big musical names coming to visit, Chris Thile and Josh Ritter. Chris Thile is a Grammy award winning, mandolin virtuoso, performing on December 17th. Josh Ritter is a musician who has been heralded one of the top 100 best living songwriters, performing on December 27th.
The Center also has you covered for some holiday shopping. November 21-22 is the holiday Mudpots sale. With the pottery studio attached to the Center, we have a wonderful community of potters and they’ll be selling their wares right at the Center. Then on December 7th, in the Center lobby, 50 local artisans will have handcrafted ceramics, jewelry, paintings, photography, woodwork, textiles, body care and knitted wares by Hailey for the annual Holiday Bazaar! Get all your holiday shopping done in one stop!
No matter what time of year brings you to Jackson the Center usually has something spectacular going on, so make sure to keep an eye on the Center calendar!
The French just know custards: custard sauces, creamy custards, baked custards and chilled custards (ice cream!), so it’s no surprise that they have a really fantastic baked custard I like making for breakfast called a clafoutis. A clafoutis is essentially a fruit baked custard, traditionally using black cherries, but you can use any kind of fruit you’d like. I like to describe the custard part as a cross between a crepe and a pancake. Clafoutis look impressive, but are one of the simplest dishes to put together:
½ cup all- purpose flour
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Generous pinch of salt
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Zest from 1 lemon
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons milk- anything but skim
3 cups of any fruit- berries work great! Fresh is best, but I’ve done frozen as well
Heat the oven to 350 and butter an 8 inch cake pan, round or square work.
Whisk the flour, sugar, salt together in a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, melted butter and lemon zest until smooth.
Add the milk and whisk until light and very smooth.
Spread the 3 cups of fruit on the bottom of the cake pan and pour the batter over the top of the fruit.
Bake for 30 minutes, but look is more important than time- you want the clafoutis set, with no jiggling in the center and lightly golden on top. So don’t worry if you have it in 15-20 minutes longer!
Great served warm, but tastes just fine at room temp. Chill any leftovers. Dust with powdered sugar to serve.
Dress this up for an easy dinner dessert and serve with good quality vanilla ice cream.
On a warm summer day, after a good hike, nothing tastes better than a cold beer. Luckily, here in Jackson we have three well established breweries to help you find the perfect draught.
The Snake River Brewery is the oldest brewery in the state of Wyoming, celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year! The Snake River Brewery has won “Small Brewery of the Year” twice during the Great American Beer Festival. They are known for their Pale Ale, but don’t stop there- Snake River Brewery is always putting out new and interesting beer, allowing their brewers to have creative licenses. The Jenny Lake Lager is smooth and flavorful and you won’t find a smoother stout than the Zonker. Head over to the BrewPub for lunch or dinner too! They have a great kitchen staff and their Buffalo chili is huge and delicious!
Next, head over to Thai Me Up, which is also the home of Melvin Brewing Company. Opening in 2009, it didn’t take long for Melvin to also win “Small Brewery of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival in 2015. Known for their wide variety of Pale Ales with all the various hops you could ask for. This summer they are rotating through unique new imperial IPAs on a monthly basis. So, head to Thai Me Up for everything from curries to Asian inspired pulled pork sandwiches to fried rice. The IPAs and the thai food are a match made in heaven!
Roadhouse is the newest edition to the Jackson Brewing scene. Started in 2012, Roadhouse is looking to make something for everyone. They have several Pilsners, a West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, a couple Golden Ales to the more interesting Honey Basil Kolsch to a Sweet Potato Porter. Roadhouse has a bright and cozy taproom to do some sampling of all their varieties, or you can head across the Town Square to their Eatery that just opened in this past year. Open for lunch and dinner, Roadhouse, like its beer selection, has everyone covered. From a good old beer pretzel for starters to a Hen of the Wood Mushroom, Flat Breads, sandwiches for lunch and Bone Marrow Brulee for dinner.
So come to Jackson, appreciate nature and enjoy the beer that follows!
One of our favorite recipes to make is a dish called Shakshouka. It is a Middle Eastern dish that is used both for breakfast and dinner. Traditionally it is a saute of tomatoes, garlic and onion, warmed with Middle Eastern spices such as cumin, paprika and a hint of nutmeg. Eggs are then poached in the hot tomatoes until over easy and then served with a sprinkle of cilantro and parsley.
While the traditional is delicious, I like to mix it up by putting a Mexican spin the dish. You’ll need to following ingredients:
1 yellow onion, small dice
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 28oz can of diced tomatoes
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pasilla pepper, fine diced- a pepper that adds lots of flavor and more smoke than spice to the dish. Or a green bell pepper works just fine too.
1 lime, cut in half
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt to taste
5-6 eggs
Cilantro for garnish
Avocado slices for garnish
First, get a large frying pan and pour about 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom and let it heat on Medium High while you chop your onion. Once you finish your onion, immediately scrape it into the hot frying pan. You should hear a sizzle the minute they hit the pan. Cook until the onion turns a slight golden brown- this brings out amazing flavor when they get a little color. Then add your minced garlic and continue to cook until the garlic also develops a little color. Next add your pasilla pepper and cook until tender.
Next, empty the tomatoes into the frying pan, along with the drained black beans, cumin and oregano. Squeeze 1 half of the lime into the mix too for a little fresh zing. Stir all together until entire mix is hot and some of the water from the tomatoes has evaporated. Carefully taste the mix and add more spice or salt if necessary.
Next, using a spoon, create 5-6 holes in the tomato and bean mix—they will be loose and not perfect—that’s ok, we just want most of the egg to end up here. Once you have the holes made, carefully crack eggs into the holes and cover the pan with a lid. Check after 8 minutes. You’re looking for an over easy egg, so whites will be cooked and there will be a wiggle in the yolk. You are always able to cook your eggs to your desired doneness—just cover the pan back up and check every 3 minutes until you’re happy.
Scoop an egg, along with a nice portion of the tomato saute into a bowl and garnish with lime wedges from the 2nd half of the lime, avocado and cilantro. You could even throw warm tortilla along the side.
This is such an easy dish, but with so much flavor and will keep you going far into the afternoon. Cheers!
Jackson Hole, for being the small town that it is, is quite the food scene. After a day of playing outside, the big question is what to eat for dinner! We have everything from Mexican tapas at Hatch, Nepalese samosas at Everest MoMo Shack, and Japanese octopus ceviche at Suda. But, while you’re here, you should keep that adventurous spirit going with some of our local specialties: Elk and Bison! Now, you won’t be eating the elk and bison that you see out of your car window; restaurants get their elk and bison farm raised, but that doesn’t diminish how tasty they are!
Elk and Bison are very lean cuts of meat. Unlike a cow or pig, the fat on elk and bison do not contribute to the flavor at all, so a good cut of elk and bison will have no fat. But don’t let this scare you—the flavor in the game animals is amazing! With being lean, you might also think that the meat will be tough and chewy, but Jackson Hole chefs have mastered the art of cooking these animals. Most chefs will Sous-Vide the cuts of meat, which means that they are slow cooked in a water bath to an exact temperature and then when ordered, they are grilled and seared to perfection. Every good server will tell you that game meat should be ordered Medium-Rare and below and they would be right. Because of how lean the meat is, anything over medium-rare would really make it chewy. So, be bold and go for it, try something new and unique. You won’t be disappointed.
If you want the best experience with elk and bison, we would recommend the following restaurants:
The Blue Lion: A staple in Jackson Hole for fine dining. They usually have a bison and elk tenderloin on the menu. The buffalo tenderloin comes with a wild Montana huckleberry sauce to give you an entrée truly from the West.
The Snake River Grill: Another fine dining restaurant with a great wine selection and cocktails. They like to switch their menu quite frequently to keep things fresh, but currently they have an elk New York steak served with springtime asparagus and Chanterelle mushrooms.
The Gun Barrel: A long standing restaurant known for their game selections and more of a family style restaurant than the Blue Lion and the Snake River Grill. They currently have a Bison Carpaccio for an appetizer, served with Dijon mustard and Gouda cheese. They also have five different entrees to satisfy an adventurous appetite, from the Elk Chop to the Bison Prime Rib.
Old West Days and ElkFest are the first big events of the summer season here in Jackson. From May 18 through the 27th, we bring a bit of the classic West out into the sunshine . ElkFest begins the 10 day celebration of Old West Days. The Boy Scouts of Jackson Hole collect the elk antlers from the National Elk Refuge in the Springtime, they are weighed, bundled and auctioned off. In addition to the auction, there are several private vendors that have deer, elk and moose antlers for sale. There are food stands around Town Square, so grab a bite and browse!
Throughout Old West Days, the Mountain Man Rendezvous and Trader Row is set up just south of town in the County Fairgrounds. Vendors set up tent to sell pottery, handcrafted knives to wooden flutes and buckskin bags. Mountain Man Rendezvous runs all 10 days of Old West Days
Come hungry on May 19th for the High Noon Chili Cook-Off. Professional cooks and amateurs come together to put on a feed while competing for who has the best chili in town!
On Saturday, May 26 the annual Brewfest takes place! Dozens of local and regional brewers come together in the Town Square to share their creations and to compete for the famous Golden Boot trophy. Set up next to Town Square, a large tent is in place where all the brewers pour their draughts and you can enjoy quite the sampling.
Old West Days is the start of all things Summer in Jackson, so check out the live music, the parade, the rodeo, stagecoach rides, the Bar J Chuckwagon and so much more. So grab your cowboy boots and hat and come experience the Old West!
When planning your Jackson Hole Wyoming vacation, a highlight not to be missed is our wonderful art scene. Would you believe that our little town of Jackson Hole is home to nearly 50 art galleries! Well, you better believe it. The best part is that each gallery is so unique; you will never tire of all the stunning pieces of artwork each gallery has to offer.
One of our favorite evening recommendations at Inn on the Creek is an evening gallery walk. Many of the galleries keep their doors open through the evening and offer wine and hors d’oeurvres as you stroll along and take in the art of local and renowned artists from all over.
Don’t assume that our Cowboy State will only feature paintings and sculptures of cowboys, Native American Indians and Rodeo Broncs. (Well, of course, we do). In addition to all that western fun, our galleries feature works from Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, Carl Rungius, Fredric Remington, Georgia O’Keeffe. And our favorite guests here at the Inn on the Creek; Paul Vilinski and Joshua Tobey. Some galleries display exclusive pieces that tell the story for wildlife and land conservationists and some of the newest modern techniques and spectacular jewelry designers, such as; Lucifer Vir Honestus.
Being in Wyoming, don’t be surprised when you walk into a gallery and you are met with a real live bird of prey from our Teton Raptor center, which is just how we roll in the Wild West.
In addition to being surrounded by natural beauty, we are grateful to be able to enjoy some of the finest art work in the country.
For a complete list of galleries and their locations visit the link below.
https://www.jacksonholechamber.com/arts-and-culture/art-galleries/
One of the Jackson Hole, Wyoming activities we look forward to all winter – the Jackson Hole Rendezvous Festival– is quickly approaching!
Music and mountains meet at this celebration of spring in our valley. We might not have blooming flowers quite yet, but we do have lots of good corn snow! Speaking of which, spring skiing is another of one of our favorite Jackson Hole, Wyoming activities. With longer days, more sunshine, and warmer temperatures, it’s really fun to get out and play in the Tetons!
During the Jackson Hole Rendezvous Festival, you can enjoy free live music!
This year’s festival will feature a weekend of free music. The festivities kick off Friday March 15 with a performance by Grace Potter on the Town Square. This is an easy walk from Inn on the Creek!
On Saturday March 16, the renowned Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats will have you dancing in the streets of Teton Village. This up and coming band is returning to Jackson after an amazing performance in 2016.
Once you have enjoyed all the skiing, dancing, dining, and other fun Jackson Hole, Wyoming activities, return to your home away from home, the Inn on the Creek, for a quiet, peaceful night’s sleep and a soak in one of our signature Jacuzzi fireplace rooms.
One of our favorite Jackson Hole, Wyoming activities in the winter is skiing. The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort hosts some of the best powder skiing in the world! However, it is not just a world class ski destination. At the mountain you can find premier dining, shopping, and events.
We here at the Inn on the Creek love sharing Jackson! Here are our recommendations for a day of skiing, dining, and play at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
For the Couples
Once you have had a hearty breakfast, take the Teton Village Shuttle (Blue Line) pickup just outside the entrance of the Inn. This drops off right at the base of the Aerial Tram and the main ticket windows. (Local’s tip – head up the hill to the right to a second set of quieter ticket windows). Once you have your tickets/pass, head up the hill. Look to the right towards Bridger Gondola, Sweetwater Gondola, and the Apres Vous lift. On your way, look for the Mountain Hosts in red coats to chat about mountain conditions. On a busy day, take the new Sweetwater Gondola which drops you off at the base of the Casper chairlift. This a great mid-mountain spot to get your legs under you. Additionally, you have the options to either head to the East or West sides of the resort.
After your morning turns, head down the hill to the Teton Mountain Lodge’s Spur Restaurant. The menu has something for everyone. Executive Chef Kevin Humphrey’s has won our local newspaper’s “Best Chef” award 9 years in a row. A few of our staff favorites are the bacon bloody mary, the Carter Country Burger utilizing local Wyoming beef (one of the best burgers in the valley), and the tuna poke tacos.
At the end of your ski day, swing by the Mangy Moose. This is one of the first bars in Teton Village and still has some of the best live music around. Enjoy a local brew from Snake River Brewing or Grand Teton Brewing and a few apres ski bites.
For the Families
Once the family’s finished a delicious breakfast at the Inn on the Creek, take the Teton Village Shuttle (Blue Line) pickup just outside the entrance of the Inn. This will drop off right at the base of the Aerial Tram and the main ticket windows.
Bypass the crowds at the base and bring the family up the Sweetwater Gondola, which has a line for those heading up to the Kids Ranch and Sports school drop off without the need for a ticket. Once at the Solitude Station – the sports school complex – have the kids take advantage of one of the many different options offered by the Kids Ranch or set up a family lesson. Any extra gear needed can be rented here as well. If the parents decide to head off separately, don’t miss out on the $10 one hour demo station at the base of Casper chairlift. This is a great way to try a few new skis.
At lunch, head over to Il Villagio Osteria for a relaxing family meal. Don’t let the fact it is one of the top Italian restaurants at the mountain scare you away! It has great options for kids such as pizzas, paninis, and pastas galore, not to mention a great family friendly casual lunch environment. Additionally, right outside its doors is the new Teton Village commons skating rink, which is perfect to wear out those kids.
Once you have finished the ski day, swing over to the Four Seasons for the weekly Wednesday Raptor night. This will delight the family with these incredible birds of prey. Head back to Jackson for a quick bite in town before a sound night of sleep at the Inn.
For the Beginners
After fueling up with an Inn on the Creek breakfast, take the Teton Village Shuttle (Blue Line) pickup just outside the entrance of the Inn and get dropped off right at the base of the Aerial Tram and the main ticket windows. Bypass the crowds and head up the Sweetwater Gondola to the Solitude Station to set up a lesson and any rentals needed. As an added perk, lunch is included with your rental.
At the end of your day head down to the tram base to RPK3, the newest slope-side dining establishment for a few Apres Ski treats and drinks. Stick around for Music under the Tram, a great free Spring music concert, located at the mountain. Head on back to the Inn to soak those tired legs in one of our soothing jetted Jacuzzi tubs.
The moments are far and few between, but sometimes we just want something other than a chocolate chip cookie. We forget that the base of a chocolate chip cookie—the cookie part—is what makes chocolate chip cookies so good. So, if you want to switch things up, be creative, or use up those pecan pieces that have been sitting for a month in your cupboard—throw it into your chocolate chip cookie recipe and revel in the possibilities.
Here at Inn on the Creek we have a go to chocolate chip cookie base:
2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
I like making this a one bowl operation, so the first step is creaming your butter and sugars. Dice up your butter into slightly smaller pieces and place into a mixing bowl. Place both the brown sugar and granulated sugar in with the butter.
Next, with either a hand-held mixer or the paddle attachment on your stand mixer, whip until sugar and butter are nice and fluffy.
Then add the vanilla extract and eggs to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated—I usually bump the mixer up to full speed for 30 seconds to make sure.
Scrape your bowl and the paddles to make sure you have everything mixed together. Then add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and sea salt. Mix slowly and mix well—you don’t want any flour pockets in your dough.
Now the fun begins. Add any 2 cups of extras- 1 cup white chocolate ships and 1 cup dried tart cherries.
1 cup peanut butter chips with 1 cup chopped hazelnuts.
Try zesting 2 oranges and adding 1 ½ Tablespoons of ground cinnamon.
Above, I did do a spin on the traditional chocolate chip cookie by adding 2 Tablespoons of ground coffee for a mocha cookie.
The possibilities are endless. Have fun!