I really did not know what to expect of an art museum in a town of 10,000 people. Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a high-class gem in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, but how nice of museum could possibly exist in the middle of a state with less people than most big cities?
It turns out that the National Museum of Wildlife Art was equal to many museums in the biggest cities of the world. Housed in a building modeled after a Scottish castle, the elegant collection of mostly American artists ranges in age from early native American pottery to excellent modern paintings. There is most definitely much for the adult art enthusiast to enjoy, but children are also engaged with a scavenger hunt, story time, and a children’s discovery area. Once finished inside, visitors can walk a trail of sculptures outside.
My 2 year old daughter said hello to all the animals in the painting and made the animal noises. My youngest son was fascinated by the dates to the art pieces. Both of them loved the scavenger hunt and the little prize at the end. My teenage son was reluctant to go, but loved the relief of the Georgia O’Keeffe painting for the blind and the audio that went with it. I think that the next time we come we might do the audio tour. I really wish that I could have slowed my children down enough to read the signs.
The museum restaurant has high praise from reviewers, but we could not eat there because my children are far too picky for their menu (they lacked French fries). Even so, it looked very luxurious with a great view of the Teton National Park and the Elk preserve.
The gift shop has cute and unique items of high quality that you won’t find easily anywhere else in Jackson. We bought some animal shaped cookie cutters and coasters.
We spent 2 hours there and did not see everything. It would have been easy to have been there longer, but we didn’t have the stamina as a family. My little ones are only really able to be anywhere for only about 2 hours before getting squirrelly.
I highly recommend this museum if you ever come this way for the national parks or the skiing.
What do you think?