There are hotels, and then there are institutions. The Wort Hotel, sitting proudly on the corner of Broadway and Glenwood in the heart of downtown Jackson, falls squarely into the second category. Built in 1941 by the Wort family — pioneers who literally helped shape this valley — the hotel has been welcoming travelers, cowboys, celebrities, and wanderers for over eight decades. Walking through its front doors feels less like checking in and more like stepping into a living chapter of Wyoming history.
I first visited on a crisp October evening when the aspens had gone full gold and the air smelled like pine and coming snow. The lobby stopped me in my tracks. Warm wood paneling, taxidermy that feels respectful rather than kitschy, and a front desk staff who greeted me like they’d been expecting me specifically. That kind of welcome is increasingly rare, and here it felt completely genuine.
The crown jewel of The Wort is undoubtedly the Silver Dollar Bar — not to be confused with the Silver Dollar Bar & Grill down the street. This one is the original, and it earns every bit of its legend. The horseshoe-shaped bar is inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated 1921 Morgan silver dollars, and yes, you will run your fingers along them, because everyone does. It’s practically required. The bar has hosted everyone from local ranchers celebrating a good season to Hollywood names ducking in for a quiet whiskey between productions in the valley. The energy on a weekend night is electric without ever tipping into rowdy — think live acoustic music, laughter bouncing off the walls, and the satisfying clink of well-made cocktails.
Speaking of cocktails, order the Wort Old Fashioned. It arrives exactly as it should: no fuss, no foam, no unnecessary garnish theater. Just a beautifully balanced drink that respects the classic. If you’re hungry, the kitchen turns out surprisingly accomplished comfort food — bison burgers, prime rib on weekends, and a French onion soup that deserves its own dedicated fan club.
What makes The Wort truly special is how it manages to be simultaneously a tourist landmark and a genuine local hangout. On any given evening you’ll find fly fishing guides unwinding after a long day on the Snake River, second-homeowners catching up with neighbors, and first-time visitors from across the country absorbing the whole scene with wide, happy eyes. Everyone belongs here.
The guest rooms, recently renovated, blend Western character with real modern comfort — plush bedding, thoughtful lighting, and bathrooms that won’t make you miss home. Staying here puts you within easy walking distance of Town Square, galleries, outfitters, and some of Jackson’s best restaurants. It’s the kind of central, characterful base camp that makes an entire trip easier and richer.
Whether you pull up a stool at the silver dollar bar for a single nightcap or settle in for a multi-night stay, The Wort Hotel delivers something that newer, shinier properties simply cannot manufacture: authentic soul. Jackson Hole has no shortage of luxury, but this particular corner of Broadway offers something more valuable — a real sense of place. Don’t just pass by. Walk in, order something, and let the history soak in around you.
