Help! Need input on trip to Montana/Wyoming

We are scheduled to visit Montana and Wyoming this summer with our 4 kids (14, 12, 6, 4). We are in Jackson for 4 days and then head to Livingston, Montana to visit bosses home for 3 days. I am confused as to where to stay in Jackson to make everyone happy. Can you mention activities that is a must-see? Rafting, hiking??? Is my stay in Jackson too long? Should I head to Livingston earlier and stay in Yellowstone? I think he lives just outside the north entrance to Yellowston. Should we stay in downtown Jackson or stay in the Teton area? No idea on what I am doing but want to make it a great trip for all.

Help! Need input on trip to Montana/Wyoming

I was in Jackson a weeks ago and stayed at the Quality Inn 49-er. I liked it, because it was in the center of town, within walking distance of all the restaurants and shops.

P.S. You%26#39;ll love Yellowstone and Grand Teton!

Help! Need input on trip to Montana/Wyoming

To answer your question - yes, 4 days in Jackson is too long. It%26#39;s too far to use as a base for visiting Yellowstone, but it%26#39;s fine for visiting the Tetons. Will the 3 days in Livingston be used to visit the northern parts of Yellowstone?

Yes, we can sightsee and hike in yellowstone and have his house be our base. Maybe we should cut back in Jackson and stop somewhere else on the way-but where?

The town of Livingston is an hour away from the Yellowstone north entrance. Hopefully you can find out exactly how close it is prior to visiting.

I would spend 2 nights in Jackson, 2 nights inside Yellowstone and then your 3 nights in Livingston.

Staying inside the Tetons would be best, but you need to check on lodging availability.

Visit www.nps.gov/grte and www.nps.gov/yell for plenty of ideas etc on what to see and do inside the park.

Thanks--that is a great suggestion. Any favorites for accomodations in Yellowstone or Jackson?

Pinpointing the boss%26#39;s place would help a bit. If it is just outside the north entrance to YNP that would be more like Gardiner area than Livingston. As noted Livingston would make day trips into Yellowstone difficult due to distance.

If in the Paradise Valley and closer to Gardiner then there are some river rafting options to consider...either whitewater from Gardiner or more tame river float from Chico Hot Springs (near Emigrant - about 35mi north of YNP). Speaking of Chico the large warm pool there might be a diversion for the kids as well as the hot pool for adults. They have day rates for non-guests.

www.chicohotsprings.com/hotsprings.html

If the 14yo is up to watching the others for a couple hours the restaurant there would make an excelent ';parents%26#39; evening out';. They also have horseback riding there.

i will second a stay at chico hot springs. great place about halfway between the north entrance to ynp %26amp; livingston. the restaurant is great %26amp; they have several different room options, including cabins. the hot springs are great, the restaurant is absolutely super as well. they also have a spa as well as horseback riding excursions from the area.

there are also several bed-n-breakfast places along the route up to livingston that look interesting. i always enjoy staying at those places %26amp; meeting the owners. just google paradise valley b %26amp; b to find several choices.

jackson is a great town but you can see about all you want in a couple of days but you can also tour grand teton np from there. also, be sure to take the kids out to teton village while in jackson. they have a new aerial tram that goes to the top of the mountain %26amp; several other activities such as a climbing wall.

with 4 kids you need a pretty big place to stay if you%26#39;re just getting one room. try all the townsquare inn properties because some have larger room/suite options. the sundance inn also has 2 large rooms that accomadate big families %26amp; it%26#39;s only one block from the square.

go to jenny lake %26amp; take the boat ride across to visit inspiration point %26amp; hidden falls. you can save the $8 pp %26amp; walk the 1 mile around the lake.

it%26#39;s probably too late to book rooms inside the park unless you%26#39;re lucky enough to call when there%26#39;s been cancellations.