Encounter raptors up close and personal.

Enthralling as it is to witness a bald eagle gliding gracefully in a thermal high above one of the forested buttes that surround Jackson, it is equally mesmerizing to learn about and observe raptors up close at the Teton Raptor Center, a haven that cares for injured birds. On a rainy day, consider an experiential tour of the Teton Raptor Center at the historic Hardeman Barns in Wilson, Wyoming.

While serving as a refuge for ill, injured, and orphaned owls, falcons, eagles, hawks, and more, the center is also home to raptor conservation and education through their public programs. Raptors are rehabilitated at the facility and when strong enough, they are released back into their wild habitat. Those that do not fully recover become permanent residents and serve as avian ambassadors. 

The center’s Hardeman Barns campus is a place to learn about the wonder of birds and the role they serve in the environment. The center offers onsite Raptor Encounter Experiences where visitors can meet the resident raptors and learn about birds of prey in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. These experiences need to be booked in advance, so if you see rain on the radar give them a call. They also offer private group tours by appointment which must be scheduled 48 hours in advance.

Take a tour of a farm — an indoor farm that is, right in the heart of Jackson Hole!

Growing fresh produce in a vertical farm attached to a public parking structure, Vertical Harvest is the first hydroponic vertical greenhouse in North America. And it is right in the heart of Jackson. The ​“farm” uses underutilized urban space to provide green leafy vegetables, spicy microgreens, and luscious tomatoes year-round to the local community while also supplying area restaurants and grocery stores with fresh, locally grown crops.

Beautifully lit by its pink growing lights, this three-story vertical garden of life provides an engaging indoor outing. Visitors will learn all about the growing and harvesting at the ​“farm” as well as learn about its employment model which provides meaningful work for underserved populations in a 45-minute tour that takes you on a walk through the entire greenhouse. 

A wild attraction rain or shine!

Ranking fifth out of the 10 best art museums in the United States in USA Today​’s 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards, the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s thoughtfully curated art exhibits showcase wild animals from around the world. Its inspiring collection of more than 5,000 wildlife art pieces and sweeping views from its roost high above the valley make it a perfect place to spend any day, especially a rainy one when the mist rises from Flat Creek in the valley below shrouding the landscape in mystery.

The richness of the museum’s permanent collection is reflected by the inclusion of distinguished artists such as Andy Warhol, John James Audubon, and Georgia O’Keeffe, while an appointment-only library houses archival materials including books, journals, and audio recordings allowing the curious to delve deeper into wildlife art and artists. To welcome the entire family, the museum includes a Children’s Discovery Gallery with hands-on activities, animal costumes, and a puppet theatre.

Be sure to enjoy lunch at the Palate restaurant, offering delicious selections of soups, salads, and sandwiches, and stop into the gift shop which has beautifully designed jewelry, toys, books, and more.

Explore the legacy of Jackson Hole and connect to the history of the valley.

Jackson Hole is chock full of Native American, pioneer, and archeological history, and a visit to the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum introduces the visitor to the storied past of the region which makes for a perfect rainy day excursion. 

Permanent exhibits touch on a wide variety of topics so you can be sure to discover something that appeals to each member of your vacationing party. Interesting artifacts, artworks, and displays highlight: American Indians of the Tetons; homesteading in the valley; cattle ranching and the early economy of Jackson Hole; colorful dude ranches; and tourism in Jackson Hole.

Gain appreciation of a centuries-old art form.

Collaborators Laurie Thal and and Dan Altwies create stunning works in blown glass that reflect the vibrant colors of nature in deep blues, brilliant oranges, and emerald greens. Their gorgeous glass bowls and vases grace global collections and make for unique, special-occasion gifts that are intended to add joy for the collector. Each functional, glass art piece is simple yet elegant by design.

Set up a tour of their private studio through an appointment and go behind-the-scenes to see up close how molten-glass and sandblasting artists work. 

As an introduction, take a virtual tour here: (https://​www​.youtube​.com/​w​a​t​c​h​?​v​=​w​p​4​C​H​_​HC5A0)

Power down and silence your alerts.

For a unique spa-like experience on a rainy day book a sensory deprivation float at Healing Waters to reset and recharge while taking a break from outdoorsy endeavors. 

“Float therapy” provides a safe and isolated floating environment that gives your sensory and nervous system a break from the barrage of modern day stimuli and over-booked schedules. The float pods at Healing Waters are filled with gallons of skin-temperature water and almost 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) which provides the buoyancy to float on the surface naturally. As you float weightless in silence, your brain and body enter into a state of deep relaxation.

Visit Grand Teton National Park through indoor exhibits.

Situated near the banks of the Snake River with an impressive wall of windows opening to the Teton Range the displays here invite discovery, as the center’s moniker implies. Interwoven in the exhibits are themes of place, people, wildlife, nature, preservation, and mountaineering that encourage observations of the present, studies of the past, and thoughtful reflection about the future.

Park rangers stand ready at the information desk to help you plan your visit, answer questions, and issue backcountry or boating permits. Along with the engaging exhibits, there is also a gift shop, ranger programs, and movies.

Wait out the weather in a an indoor center at the edge of a nature preserve.

A model for energy and environmental design, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center serves to orient visitors to the Preserve and offers unique sensory-rich experiences that highlight the visual, auditory, and tactile qualities of nature. A poem written by award-winning writer Terry Tempest Williams, recordings of Mr. Rockefeller speaking about conservation, high-definition nature videos, large-scale photography, and a soundscape room with nature recordings from the Preserve complete the experiential exhibits. There is also a welcoming resource room with a fireplace and comfortable chairs that is a relaxing place to explore a variety of books and maps while waiting out the weather.

Take a page from the animals’ playbook.

Another bonus of a rainy day is that the abundant wild animals in the park and around Jackson are much easier to spot in the muted light created by a cloud-covered, shadowless sky than in the harsh light of the afternoon sun. Wild animals pay no attention to the weather, so enjoy the cozy warmth of your personal vehicle or take private tour in a safari-like van to experience the best of what Jackson Hole offers — wildlife viewing.

Top outfitters like Eco Tour Adventures, Backcountry Safaris, and JH Wildlife Safaris can take you on a tour in the warm comfort of one of their luxurious vehicles and show you around Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks while offering interesting facts about the geology, wildlife, and history of the area.