Last week, we took a family trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  Known for the natural beauty, of course, but as house obsessed DIYers, of course we found the buildings pretty interesting, too.  Like the Old Faithful Inn, located right in front of Old Faithful Geyser.

Built in 1903-1904, this is the largest log structure in the world.  The windows are beautiful and the craftsmanship is stunning.

Poppy red double front doors with metal straps, rivets, and unique hardware just add to the charm.

Soaring ceilings in the main lobby reveal the exposed timber supports and stairs.

Heck, the public bathrooms are amazing, too.  Look at the gorgeous marble sinks, tilting mirrors, and stunning old tile.

How about solid marble stall dividers, they’ve got twenty.  I can’t verify that number, just thought of the Little Mermaid song.

Summer months are the peak season for tourism in Yellowstone, and battling the crowds to see nature felt quite strange.  Taking a day to go south, through Grand Teton National Park and into Jackson was a refreshing experience.  Jackson had plenty of architectural eye candy.   Most unique award goes to Vertical Harvest.

Located on a 1/10 acre lot just off a parking garage, this unique hydroponic greenhouse features rotating beds, lit by pink solar lights.

After several days of camping food, we decided to have a real lunch at Snake River Brewing.  A front lawn dotted with Adirondack chairs and corn hole boards is fun and welcoming.

I adore the mix of plants, Karl Foerster, coneflower, catmint, coreopsis, and more mingle together in a prairie garden type of way.

Inside, unique hand painted tiles line the walls, adding to the funky vibe.

When I think of Wyoming, modern architecture isn’t what pops in my mind.  But modern buildings abound, like the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts.  Many of the buildings marry modern and rustic in a way that feels fresh and interesting.

Of course, we had to stop at Jackson Square to get pictures of the iconic elk antler arches.

Near our parking spot, this modern home caught my interest.  The warm wood tones, black windows, metal details and even the poppy red garage door had me smitten.

Just back inside Grand Teton was the prettiest visitor center I’ve ever seen.

A large glass bay perfectly frames the amazing mountain view, with etched metal strips in line with each mountain.

As pretty and interesting as Yellowstone is, the laid back vibe and amazing scenery of Grand Teton and Jackson really captured my heart.  Before we even left the Tetons, I told Ben we need to come back, skipping Yellowstone and spending quality time here instead.  If you’re considering a vacation to the general area, certainly allot time to poke around.