Best of Jackson Hole Summer: Insider Travel Tips from WordenGroup PR

(PRLEAP.COM) Jackson, Wyoming – May 21, 2009 – Jackson Hole’s well-known summer vacation appeal – from easy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks access to a happening cultural scene – makes the town of Jackson, WY, a favorite travel destination. And "insider" knowledge can point the way to a better getaway, explains Darla Worden, principal of Jackson-based WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations. "Vacations can be more fun-you get a more authentic feel for a place-with a local to show you the ropes," says Worden.

The following list includes some top picks in nine popular summer vacation categories featuring WordenGroup’s insider perspective:

Hotel Comforts: Just minutes from downtown Jackson, the comfortable Wyoming Inn is on the free START bus route for around-town transportation. Complimentary continental breakfast, wireless access, on-site laundry and one of Jackson’s only hotels with a complimentary airport shuttle helped gain the Inn TripAdvisor.com’s rating as #1 Jackson hotel. Insider tip: Try some of Joe’s free afternoon soup and bedtime cookies and milk for a touch of home. Summer rates start at $197/night. 1.800.844.0035; http://www.wyoming-inn.com

Rockin’ Guest Ranch: Located in the Hoback River valley on land cultivated by working ranchers for generations, Spotted Horse Ranch offers guests a true Wyoming ranch experience with riding, fly fishing, rafting, and hiking-plus the unexpected luxury of gourmet meals prepared by Cordon Bleu-trained chefs. Insider tip: Bring the kids; the ranch provides a teepee and supervised campouts to give parents a break. Summer rates start at $1,775 per week per person (family of four). 1.800-528-2084; http://www.spottedhorseranch.com

Fine Dining and Drinking: A bona fide locals’ favorite, Trio was opened in 2005 by a trio (thus the name) of owner-chefs. Known for unusual cocktails like the blood orange margaritas that gained it a best drink nod from Outside, the contemporary-yet-cozy joint excels at bistro fare like this summer’s grilled salmon with a corn and pancetta risotto. Insider tip: Trio’s famous blue cheese-topped waffle-cut fries are to die for. Open nightly at 5:30; 45 S. Glenwood; 307.734.8038; http://www.bistrotrio.com

Eco-Minded Art: Named a "must see" by Southwest Art Magazine, Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, on a quiet street off Jackson’s main drag, represents artists working in many media formats. The gallery’s green commitment includes reusing shipping crates for art pedestals and serving organic drinks in compostable corn cups at events, like popular-with-locals First Fridays. Insider tip: The building’s a cleverly "upcycled" small-engine repair shop. Open Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment; 130 S. Jackson St.; 307.734.0649; http://www.lmcontemporary.com

High Altitude Coffee: A "must" stop en route to ride Jackson Hole Resort’s new Tram, locally owned Elevated Grounds Coffeehouse on the road to Teton Village features favorite locally-sourced products include fresh roasted organic beans by Snake River Roasting Co. ("The Elevator" proprietary espresso blend); pastries from the Bunnery, E.Leaven, and desserts/truffles by Oscar Ortega’s Cioccolato. Insider tip: Try the killer Beef & Brie Panini for lunch. Open daily; 3445 N. Pines Way Suite #102 in the Aspens Shopping Center; 307.734.1343; http://www.elevatedgroundscoffee.com

Dressing the Part: Cowboy wannabes may insist on Wranglers, but travelers in search of dual-duty blue jeans that transition easily back to city life after vacation will appreciate Terra and Terra Tots for outstanding denim selection. Located just off Town Square, the chic shop is a local’s favorite for contemporary collections such as Trina Turk, Calypso, James Perse, and Ever. Insider tip: Celeb shoppers include Calista Flockhart, Amy Smart, Rob Morrow, and Brian Vickers. Open daily.; 105 East Broadway; 307.734.0067; http://www.terrajh.com and http://www.terratotsjh.com

Wildlife Wizards: Some 6,500 wildlife enthusiasts left the driving to Wildlife Expeditions (a division of the nonprofit Teton Science Schools) last year for small-group tours through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in custom safari vehicles. Featured in USA Today and on the CBS Early Show, the company’s biologist guides provide best chances to see local wildlife on half-, full- and multi-day tours year-round. Insider Tip: Get a 10-percent 10th-Anniversary discount on day-long expeditions into the parks by booking online. 1.888.945.3567; http://www.wildlifeexpeditions.org

Bike Oasis: Known for outstanding service, Hoback Sports serves as Jackson’s biking headquarters. The shop guys will outfit the entire family for favorite rides like the Elk Refuge, up Cache Creek (for more adventurous riders), or the new Grand Teton Park Bike Trail. The shop rents road, mountain, hybrid, tandem, and kids’ bikes and kid trailers, and offers Fat Tire Tours guided mountain bike adventures. Insider tip: Hoback has the best selection of local-fave Electra cruiser bikes – and an online guide to local trails. Open daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. ; 520 W. Broadway Ave.; 307.733.5335; http://www.hobacksports.com

An Artful View: Perched on a butte overlooking the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art explores our relationship to nature through its fine arts collection-complete with fun-for-kids features and summer exhibition The Lorax: Original Illustrations by Dr. Seuss. Insider tip: To save $1 off admission, bring the printable coupon from the museum website or a non-perishable food donation for Jackson Food Cupboard. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1.800.313.9553; http://www.wildlifeart.org

WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations is a boutique public relations firm representing companies in hospitality, tourism, ecotourism and architecture-many with eco-friendly components. A 2009 Silver award-winner in the Bulldog Awards for Excellence in Media Relations & Publicity, the firm is based in Jackson Hole, Wyo., with associates in Denver, Colo. Visit http://www.wordenpr.com for additional information, or the company blog at http://prcred.wordpress.com.

Media Contact: Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, darla@wordenpr.com, 307.734.5335

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