Must-do Family Activities in Grand Teton National Park

Other than the Grand Teton Scenery Loop every visitor will drive and breathe in, here are 3 family fun activities you will treasure life long.

1. Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle followed by Hidden Fall Hike/Inspiration Point Hike

It starts from the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. The boat shuttle(http://www.jennylakeboating.com/) is the most budget friendly way to have on-lake experience. Boat shuttles run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day across Jenny Lake at the base of Mount Teewinot. From there, the hike to Hidden Fall /Inspiration Point is short(1 mile), but adventurous enough. After Hidden Fall/Inspiration Point, you can also continue to the Cascade Canyon Hike.

 This shorter boat ride(compared to a typical cruise or float trip) might be appreciated especially for children who always want to be on the move. Unlike cruises or float trips, it doesn't need reservations, so you can do that without a fixed schedule. Technically you could start the Hidden Fall/Inspiring Point Hike from the Jenny Lake Trail head without the boat ride. But a short boat ride will not just cut down 2.4 miles walking each way, but also add a different flavor to your family experience without missing the best part of the hiking to Hidden Fall and Inspiration Point.

2.  Horseback Riding or Pony rides

Horseback riding in the Tetons is an experience your children will for sure remember. 8 years or above can choose from 1 or 2 hour guided trip offered at Jackson Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village or  Headwaters, no experience required. Younger kids don't have to be jealous watching their older siblings, since pony rides are offered at Jackson Lake Lodge for $5.

 For detailed horseback riding information in the Tetons, go to http://www.gtlc.com/activities/horseback-riding

3. Jackson Hole Ariel Tram ride followed by the best waffle ever from the shop on top of Rendezvous Mountain

The Aerial Tram lifts you 4,139 vertical feet up from the base of Teton Village to the top of Rendezvous Mountain, which offers a panorama view  of the Snake River Valley, Grand Teton National Park and the Gros Ventre Range.

Now comes the best part, the waffle. There is a small cafe on top of Rendezvous Mountain offering the most delicious waffle we have ever tasted. Lines can be long, but definitely worth it. We ended up waiting in line 4 times, since we wanted more every time we finished what we ordered. It was that good. I ended up researching on waffle recipe and syrup when we got back home, since I developed such a strong craving for waffle because of that.

Lodging in Jackson WY for Families

Jackson Town Square

You might have heard about the upscale hotels in Jackson, WY as a tourist town all year round. However if you are traveling as a family and need more space for your lodging, it might be challenging on a budget. Here I will recommend a local chain of hotels that will make your stay in Jackson memorable without breaking your bank account. Town Square Inns of Jackson owns 4 locations, Elk Country Inn, Cowboy Village Resort, Antler's Inn and 49er Inn & Suites. I have found them to be the best value without compromising the experience of your family vacation.

Cowboy Village Resort is ranked highest from Tripadvisor however it is the farthest from Town Square. They have the best value if a suite with 2 separate rooms is a priority for you. Most accommodations at the resort are individual charming cabins with amenities like fridge, microwave, kitchen and wifi. The cabins are updated regularly and extremely clean with rustic western feel. We had a deluxe double Queen cabin with living room, which accommodates 4 adults and 2 children nicely with a kitchen. They also have a nice picnic table/bench at the patio for every cabin guest to listen to the bird and stare at mountains.

Antler's Inn is the closest from Town Square. All four locations offer from economy motel style rooms to large suites like the 2 room Kitchen suites with 2 baths at Antler's Inn. Elk Country Inn also offer a unique 2 level loft rooms with 3 Queens, popular for families with kids.

Cowboy Village Resort Cabin

Disclaimer: The author is not affiliated with any business mentioned in this blogger. 

Yellowstone National Park Alternative Lodging Tip for Families- West Yellowstone, MT

West Yellowstone, MT is probably the most popular gateway city for Yellowstone National Park visit due to its proximity to famous Old Failthful  geyser area. If you can't find Old Faithful in-park lodge availability(bookable up to 18 month in advance), or you just find in-park lodge out of your budget, or you need modern amenities like wifi, fridge or microwave, make sure you check lodging options in West Yellowstone, MT especially Three Bear Lodge. You can find lots of options through third party travel sites and there are also hidden gems who do not sell over third party at all, which I have found of great value. Three Bear Lodge in West Yellowstone, MT is a great example.

The lodge is very clean and adequate with amenities you don't have from in park lodges, e.g.TV, phone, microwave, fridge and wifi. They gave guests breakfast coupons in their restaurant, which offers very nice made-to order breakfast experience rather than buffet breakfast as in some other chain hotels. Hotel service is excellent, they send us extra sheets right away. It is located close to West Yellowstone visit center, hence you can attend national park service's night program easily. A grocery store and tons of restaurants are within walking distance. They have motel suites with excellent value for groups and families. Their main lodge rooms are more upscale and will give you rustic feel of the bear country. They are usually themed and great for kids too. We have their 2 queen and 1 king motel suite, which costs a fraction of other chains hotel in the area. Their motel rooms also have a western touch with bears as theme. A story of the lodge and motel is also included in their brochure in room. Another good example of local business who doesn't use travel sites, hence it offers customer the best value. We would definitely stay again. 

Disclaimer: The author is not affiliated with any business mentioned in this blogger. 

Yellowstone National Park Alternative Lodging Tip 2 for Families- Gardiner, MT

View of Yellowstone River from Motel rooms

Gardiner is one of the most convenient gateway cities for visiting Yellowstone National Park especially for the northern part. It is a good alternative to Mammoth Hot Spring Hotel inside the park for all sorts of reasons, e.g. more amenities like fridge, wifi, microwave and many more.

If you are looking for best bang on the buck, or you have a group of people to accommodate without breaking your bank account, or you are looking for room views of Yellowstone River in Gardiner, MT for accommodations, you should check out Yellowstone River Motel or Riverside Cottages .Yellowstone River Motel is a very basic, but clean motel locally owned by a kind couple. They don't advertise over travel sites, which might be part of the reason why they are such a good value. Call or email them, it will be well worth it. We got a 2 room suite right on the river. The 2 room suite is small for each room, however still adequate for our group. Don't expect Four Season amenity here, but it's great value for the buck. I will definitely stay here again to honor nicely run local business. Riverside Cottages has both basic motel style rooms and more upscale updated cottages over the river. Owners are very nice too. Their themed cottages can accommodate families very comfortably with bunk beds available in some of the units. 

Disclaimer: The author is not affiliated with any business mentioned in this blogger.