Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides
On the second day of our trip, we stopped by Teton Village to ride the tram. We went to the ticket counter, showed our reservation email, and received wristbands. With the wristbands on, we headed straight to the tram.
The tram operates from 9 AM to 5 PM. We arrived at 9, expecting there to be few people, but there were more than we anticipated.
The Aerial Tram glides up to 4,139 feet in just 12 minutes, offering a 360-degree view of Teton, Jackson Hole Valley, and the surrounding mountain ranges. Initially, it was cloudy, but as we ascended above the clouds, the surroundings became clear. The view from up there was indescribably beautiful.
Once we reached the top, we were greeted with stunning views and clouds. There were people hiking down from the top after taking the tram, and many others hiking up from the bottom. As I admired the view, I found myself drawn along the path, where there was a waffle shop. The sweet aroma wafting through the air was irresistible.
Before we set off, we had instant noodles and ordered a Belgian waffle and chamomile tea, while my brother got coffee. The waffle shop was small, and the tables were large enough that strangers just mixed and sat together. At our table, a father and daughter were enjoying four waffles, and I thought to myself, how are they going to eat all that? I felt foolish for only ordering one. The waffle was incredibly delicious, the best I’ve ever had. Eating the warm tea and sweet waffle in the cold made me feel cozy. I wanted to stay longer, but we had a schedule to keep, so I reluctantly left.
Grand Teton National Park & Jenny Lake
After riding the tram back down, we headed to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. It was raining at Jenny Lake as well, so I put on my outerwear.
There were several trails, but since we didn’t have much time, we chose the shortest one. The sky was filled with clouds, so it wasn’t a pretty picture, but as you can see in the photos, the clouds stretched out in a straight line, which was really impressive. It was fascinating that this line of clouds continued for quite a while even on our way back to Yellowstone.
Animal Friends Encountered in Yellowstone
One of the things I was looking forward to on our trip to Yellowstone was seeing Bison. I had heard that it was easy to spot bison in Yellowstone, and I was able to see them on the second day. I couldn’t get too close, and seeing how big they were, I had to stop the car and observe from a distance.
Later, we were able to see not only bison but also a herd of elk. If you want to observe animals from a distance, it’s a good idea to bring binoculars. I had brought binoculars with me, and they were very useful for spotting the distant bison herds.
Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
The first accommodation was the Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole. It was a clean and comfortable place with no particular flaws. The sink was divided into two, one inside the bathroom and one outside, which was convenient, and although it’s not shown in the photos, there was a large full-length mirror that was great for getting ready.
We had to leave early in the morning, so we settled for instant noodles, but the hotel restaurant opens at 7 AM, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole
Yellowstone Village Inn
The second accommodation was Yellowstone Village Inn. The room we booked was the Deluxe King Kitchen Suite, which was said to be the most recently built room. Perhaps because of that, the interior was very clean. The kitchen was also great, and it would be very suitable if you plan to cook your own meals.
Everything was great, but one major downside was that the air conditioning was very noisy. It was a central air conditioning system installed on the floor. According to my brother, older buildings tend to have this issue, and it was indeed very loud. It wasn’t a problem at night since it wasn’t hot, so I turned it off to sleep, but I think it’s something to keep in mind for those who plan to visit in the summer.
Yellowstone Village Inn
The Blue Lion
On the first night, we went to The Blue Lion for dinner. I forgot to take pictures of the restaurant’s interior, but it had a really nice atmosphere. I was so hungry that I quickly scanned the menu and ordered Corn Soup, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, and Seafood Scampi. The Corn Soup that came out first was a bit thinner than I expected, which was a bit disappointing. I was worried about the upcoming dishes, but fortunately, the main courses were all delicious. The salad came out first, which is included when you order a main dish. This salad was so tasty that I devoured it. It was just the right flavor to whet my appetite.
Next came the lamb and Seafood Scampi. The lamb was a style I had never tried before; it was grilled and had a thin crispy coating that made it incredibly delicious. The Seafood Scampi was packed with plump shrimp and a lot of lobster, which surprised me. The shrimp filled my mouth and was so tasty. If you’re looking for a restaurant in Jackson, I highly recommend this place.
The Blue Lion
Old Faithful General Store
On the second day, we went to Old Faithful General Store for a quick lunch. We ordered hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream.
In fact, when I searched for this restaurant before the trip, I found that it wasn’t great for the price, so I didn’t have high expectations, but it was incredibly delicious for my taste. The ice cream, in particular, was so good that even someone like me, who usually doesn’t like ice cream and rarely eats it, found it amazing. I wondered why so many people were walking around with ice cream, and if I had known it was this delicious, I should have had one ice cream a day.
So, before leaving Yellowstone, I had ice cream one last time. I chose Huckleberry + Chocolate Fudge and Strawberry flavor. I don’t know if they realized it was my last ice cream, but they packed it in so generously. The Huckleberry + Chocolate Fudge had really delicious chocolate inside. Of course, the strawberry flavor was also incredibly tasty, so I hope those visiting Yellowstone definitely try it.
Revelry
On the last day of the trip, before heading to the airport, I stopped by Revelry in Bozeman Downtown to explore and have lunch. I didn’t have high expectations, but it turned out to be a great place.
I ordered Cauliflower Wings & Margherita Pizza, and both were incredibly delicious. The Cauliflower Wings were especially good; I never knew fried cauliflower could taste this amazing. The sauce that came with it paired well too. After enjoying a tasty lunch, I explored downtown and then headed back to the airport. Downtown isn’t very big, but it’s perfect for a quick visit, so if you have the time, it’s worth stopping by.
Revelry
Thus, Part 2 of the Yellowstone trip comes to a close. I strangely feel a lot of regret about this trip, but I think it was because it was such a fun and special experience. Walking in the rain, I wondered when I would get to have such a trip again. I hope this can be a little help for those planning a trip to Yellowstone in the future.
