Well, here we are. The bustle of summer sun is behind us and the snow is upon us, but we’re not quite to ski season yet. But don’t let the off-season get you down! Of course, there are plenty of great local specials at restaurants during this time of year, but there’s plenty to do, too!
Read on and discover some fun ways to spend your off-season days. Savor the slower pace in town, and the snow will be here before you know it!
Get Artsy at the Center
Jackson’s creative hub, the Center for the Arts, has some great shows on the marquee this fall! Get your giggles on with Laff Staff Improv shows, check out a visiting speaker and more — the calendar’s right here.
The Center for the Arts is also home to twenty arts and cultural organizations. Take a leap and try out a dance class with Dancers Workshop, try a new artistic medium with a class at the Art Association, dust off your writing skills with Jackson Hole Writers or get musical with the Community Band! There’s plenty to explore and learn through these vibrant organizations, even in off-season.
Explore the Wild Side of Art
The only museum in the country that’s entirely dedicated to wildlife, the National Museum of Wildlife Art makes for a great off-season activity. With galleries and activities for all ages, it’s a spectacular showcase of art from around the world. During off-season, the galleries are quiet and peaceful with fewer visitors.
On the first Sunday of every month, locals get in free to enjoy the galleries and a unique interactive activity, too. The museum’s in-house restaurant, Palate, is a great place to take in the view of the National Elk Refuge over a delicious lunch!
Add Some Layers and Get Outside
Sure, the temperatures are starting to drop right along with the last leaves, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside. Equip yourself well — warm socks, some down, a cozy scarf and hat — and head out for a walk in your favorite place. Take a stroll with a friend along the Snake River or onto the Elk Refuge. Leash up your furry friend and take them along, too!
Not only is off-season a unique time to observe all the changes that our beautiful valley undergoes during the seasonal transition, but fewer other folks out there makes it especially tranquil.
Catch a Movie
It’s the time of year when some exceptional films start hitting the big screen, with hopes of creating some Oscar-worthy buzz. Find yourself a date (or a gaggle of friends), order the biggest popcorn available and kick back for a couple hours. If you’re in Jackson, check out the schedule of what’s playing at MovieWorks Cinema here.
If you’re on the other side of the pass, head to Pierre’s Theatre — a 70 year-old gem in downtown Victor. Lovingly restored, and yet still packed with character, it’s a great place to catch a movie on the weekends!
Treat Yourself
Off-season is the perfect time to treat yourself to a little pampering. Recover from the fast-paced summertime adventures and get ready to enter winter with enthusiasm. Indulge in the unsurpassed luxury of a massage and other spa treatments at Grand View Spa at Snow King Resort or at the spectacular Wellness Centre at Amangani — your muscles will thank you!
Equally relaxing — and more family-friendly — is a soak at Astoria Hot Springs. Immerse yourself in the naturally-heated waters and feel the zen roll in. The contrast of hot water and cool air is pure off-season magic.
