Lindsey & Jared
Things To Do
Town of West Yellowstone - Things to Do
There's plenty of things to do in and around West Yellowstone this time of year! Of course there's lots of gift shops in town (Firehole Trading Co, Smith and Chandler, Madison River Outfitters and Eagle's Store are the top ones). A COUPLE OF OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS (nothing super fancy here): -Wild West Pizzeria (great pizza and they have bands playing some nights) -Buffalo Bar (Bar and Restaurant, kids welcome) -Madison Crossing Lounge (One of the nicer restaurants in West, still a very relaxed atmosphere though) -Slippery Otter Pub (Fairly large restaurant and bar, serving american food) -Firehole BBQ (Sometimes with a line around the block, featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives) -Ernies (Sandwich shop, good option to call ahead and order sandwiches to go too) -Bullwinkles Saloon (Bar/Casino and a Restaurant side) ACTIVITIES: -Grizzly Bear, Wolf and Otter Discovery Center (up close and personal with rescued animals) -IMAX -Zip Line -Rodeo (every weekend in the summer)
Yellowstone National Park
You really can't do all of YNP in one day, so we recommend two. However, if do you only have one day and want to see most of the landmark areas, do the south loop. NORTH LOOP: Mammoth Springs and Wildlife Loop - Norris Geyser Basin - Mammoth Hot Springs (there is also a visitor center where you can get lunch, typically herds of elk in around this area) -Hayden Valley (along the loop itself, usually large herds of bison, elk, deer, and every once and awhile a bear around where the valley floor meets the wooded forests) -Lamar Valley (a little out of the way but this and Hayden are best areas for spotting wildlife) SOUTH LOOP: Most of the geothermal features and YNP bucket list items, less wildlife though -Old Faithful -Grand Prismatic Springs -Lone Star Geyser (a hike to this one, 5 mile round trip mostly flat, relatively easy hike) -Mud Pots -Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone -Yellowstone Lake (great spot to stop for lunch if you've packed one)
Old Faithful Geyser (in YNP)
Because I mean you can't go to Yellowstone and not say you've been here. It's the biggest attraction, crowd wise, in the park by far. There is a very large parking lot with a few lunch options, both sit down and cafeteria. This will be very busy in the afternoon but there should be enough parking. This is also one of the few areas in the park with cell reception. [Picture of Jared's parents and us when we snowmobiled to Old Faithful in December]
Happy Hour Bar & Grill
Consider this the meeting spot in the evenings! Just down the road from Jared's parents house where the ceremony will be held and next door to where Lindsey’s family is staying. They've got great burgers, cold beers, Moscow Mules and a killer view of the mountains and Hebgen Lake from the patio. COPPER ON THE FLOOR!
Rent a Boat for a Day on Hebgen Lake at Kirkwood Marina
Rent a boat at Kirkwood and cruise the lake! Also a convenient mode of transportation to head on over for a drink and snack at Happy Hour Bar (docks available there). Pontoons and ski boats available for rental, reserve early though, as they often sell out days or sometimes weeks in advance!
Float the River at Mack’s Inn in Island Park, ID
Float the River! You can rent rafts at Mack's Inn in Island Park for a leisurely float down the north fork of the Snake river. This is a very calm river and not very deep. We plan on trying to get a group together on Tuesday or Wednesday to float in the afternoon if you're in town a little early let us know and we'll fill you in on the plans!
Montana Whitewater Rafting & Zipline - Gallatin
Ok, so we haven't actually white water rafted here yet but this is one of the better ones in the area we’re told. The Gallatin area around Big Sky is the closest area where you can do white water rafting, about a 45-60 minute drive from town of West Yellowstone. They have class II-III and class II-IV trips. Though later in the summer the water doesn’t move quite as fast, so if you really want those class IV rapids you may want to call and ask if they are still doing trips down that part of the river before booking. Another popular river is the Yellowstone river on the north end of the park, though much further of a drive.
Big Sky, MT
Big Sky is the main ski town in the area and about a 45-60 minute drive from West depending on where in town you're going. Though notably quieter in the summer, there's still plenty to do. There is a great golf course in town, several breweries, shops, restaurants, concerts and festivals. If going for an afternoon check out the town center area for shopping and dining. Check before going that restaurants are open as some that are normally open in the summer may be closed this year due to COVID and staffing issues. RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS: -Horn and Cantle (fine dining with a western flair at the picturesque Lone Mountain Ranch, reservations recommended) -Riverhouse BBQ (good BBQ and a great outdoor area which typically has live music in the summer) -Milkie's Pizza and Pub -Westward Social (for dining on the ski hill) -Lone Peak Brewery and Restaurant -Beehive Brewery [Pictured, us up on the ski hill at Moonlight Music Fest in 2019 to see St. Paul and Broken Bones perform]
Breakfast Along the Madison at Campfire Lodge Resort
One of our favorite spots to hang out in the morning, sits feet from the Madison river, often times with fly fisherman casting away. Old fashioned breakfast cooked right in front of you on a griddle. Campfire is super busy around breakfast, they are now taking reservations, so call ahead to get a spot. Otherwise, plan on waiting 30 minutes to an hour depending on the group size and what time you go. Get a cinnamon roll for the table (warning they're huge) as a warm-up snack before your breakfast is served you won't regret it. Note: They accept credit cards for a 3% fee now, they also have an ATM on site, no alcohol served, and no cell service down here, worth the wait and minor inconveniences though we promise! [Pictured: waiting on our table out back along the river last summer]
Fly Fish on the Madison or Snake River with Jacklin's Outfitters
Guide service in West Yellowstone if you'd like to see what all the fuss is about with fly fishing. You can buy flies, rent equipment, get a lesson or hire a guide to take you out on the Madison or Snake Rivers here. Again, we recommend booking this early to make sure there is availability. There are also lots of guide services around the town of Big Sky along the Gallatin river as well.
Willie's Distillery in Ennis, MT
Willie’s in Ennis, MT is about an hour drive from West. They have quite the following in the region now. We’ve stopped by several times and love it. They do tastings every day and you can buy bottles of all of their spirits to take home if you want. Speaking of Ennis, it’s small town meets the Wild West. Several watering holes are in this tiny town and a new brewery and pizzeria just opened up across the street.
Grand Teton National Park
If you're spending a week or more in the area, take a day or two to go down to the Grand Teton National Park. You'll see one of the most striking mountain ranges in the world, almost rising out of nowhere due to the unique way they were formed. Also, Maisie loved it last summer when we camped there for a night!
Jackson, Wyoming
Speaking of the Tetons, about 45 minutes south of the main part of the Tetons NP is the beautiful town of Jackson, WY as well as the Jackson Hole Ski Resort area. If you're staying a week or more, spend a night here and an afternoon shopping, eating and drinking. There's even a mountain coaster we both rode a couple of years ago. We stayed a night at Hotel Jackson, a small boutique hotel, a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it. OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND BARS: -Glorietta Trattoria (ask for a table on the patio if you can get one) -Cafe Genevieve (brunch) -Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (sit at the bar on your very own saddle, live country music most nights)