Are you considering celebrating your next birthday in Jackson Hole? As one of the premier travel destinations in the country, Jackson Hole is a great place to spend your birthday or any celebration for that matter. Because of its dual peak seasons (summer and winter), there are fun activities for almost all zodiac signs (sorry Taurus & Scorpio). To be as inclusive as possible, almost all of our guide’s activities are great for snow or shine, including renting a Jackson Hole party bus and shooting a 50 caliber rifle. So let’s get started!
Jackson Party Bus
Jackson Hole is a great place to book a birthday party bus because the valley is extremely spread out and the cops love to give out DUIs. Double Black’s party buses are outfitted with wraparound seating, surround sound speakers, LED mood lighting and bars, making them the most fun Jackson Hole transportation option. Renting a party bus can either be the main event of your birthday party or it can be the method you get from each activity. Double Black offers great half-day and full-day rates if you want it to be your transportation the whole time. They even offer multi-day discounts if you want to ride in a party bus your entire birthday weekend!
Ski/Ride Horses
Depending on if you were born in the summer or winter, skiing or riding horses is the best way to start your birthday in Jackson Hole. For skiing, you gotta hit Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and preferably start the day with a Tram line if you can ski double blues or blacks. Then after a few hours of hard skiing, head over to the Mangy Moose for some much needed pints.
If you’re a summer birthday, then we recommend Willow Creek’s 2-hour Moose Meadow Breakfast Ride. It’s hard to think of a better way to start your birthday party in Jackson than a breakfast ride via horseback.
Shoot a 50 Cal
It doesn’t matter what gender you are, there’s very few feelings that compare to shooting a 50 caliber rifle on your b-day and Jackson Hole Shooting Experience is the place to do it! From rifles to shotgun clay shooting and archery, this place has it all; not to mention some amazing instructors. While they have private lessons, they also accommodate large groups (up to fifty) and their range of activities guarantee that everyone will have a good time.
Shop till you Drop
Jackson Hole has some great shopping options, most of which are located around the Town Square. Rather than waste your money on a bunch of touristy junk (a Jackson Hole sweatshirt), we recommend buying one or two higher priced items that can become lifelong mementos of your trip to the Tetons. Some great options include a custom cowboy hat from Encounter Hat Co., hand forged knives from New West Knifeworks, something covered in fur from Overland Sheepskin Co. or even an old time photo from Judge Roy Bean’s!
Dinner
Jackson Hole has dozens of great dining options, especially for dinner. Unfortunately, not all of them are able to accommodate large parties, especially on weekend nights. This means you’ll definitely want to make reservations early on in your planning. Luckily, we’ve got a few recommendations that are great at hosting large groups.
Glorietta
This is our favorite italian restaurant in Jackson and with good reason. They have a killer cocktail list backed by worldly wines and the food is to die for. They’ve got a great private dining room, along with a bar that is first come, first serve. Walk in right as they open for an easy seat at the bar.
Suda
One of our favorite japanese restaurants in the Valley, Suda offers a whole lot more than just sushi. Their menu includes ramen, kushiyaki, sandos, sushi and great shareable plates. They’ve also got a great selection of sake and A5 wagyu. Make sure to ask for their private dining room if your group is larger than 8 people!
StillWest Brewery
A relatively new kid on the block, StillWest is a great casual dining option in the town of Jackson. Located at the base of Snow King, their massive windows provide a perfect view of people on the mountain. Their food is also great and their beer continues to improve.
Brewery Hop
Jackson Hole has a handful of great breweries, and a lot more if you're willing to drive over into Idaho and Alpine. We recommend our famous scenic brewery tour of Jackson Hole where one of our party buses takes you through the Snake River Canyon into Alpine, then through the Palisades over into Victor and finally down the Teton Pass back into Jackson Hole. It is an all-time birthday activity! Either way, check out our list of best breweries in Jackson Hole.
Swing Dancing
A birthday party in Jackson Hole isn’t complete without swing dancing at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. With live music five nights a week, The Cowboy is always guaranteed to be a memorable time. Try to arrive by 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays to ensure a smooth entry.
If your birthday lands a weekday, check out the Silver Dollar on Tuesdays for great live music!
Conclusion
A Jackson Hole birthday is something special and can serve as a memory for life. We hope you’ve found some good ideas to plan your next circle around the sun in the Tetons. Whether it’s riding a Jackson party bus or just eating a nice dinner on the Town Square, there is truly something for everyone!
We also have our comprehensive best things to do in Jackson Hole in summer guide and its counterpart best things do in Jackson Hole in winter.