Yellowstone & Tetons vs Glacier
 

I've hiked a number of times in Utah and spent time hiking in CA and OR but have never been to any of the 3 parks listed above. I'm trying to decide what the best option would be for a 7 day trip that includes great day-long hikes and good one-of-a-kind restaurants at night. My reference points for a great trip are hikes and small cities like those near Arches and Zion. Thoughts on whether you would steer us to Yellowstone & Tetons vs Glacier and why? Thanks!

If hiking is your primary objective and desire, Glacier wins the contest hands down. I have one route in Glacier that could require 2 nights and take you to parts of the park never seen by the motorist-tourist.

If I have to justify it, then forget it.
You need to study it to figure it out for yourself.

If all you want is a day hike, then most of the best of Glacier will escape you, unless 5,000 foot climbs and 15 -20 mile hikes are within your range.

Of course Iceberg Lake, the Grinnel Glacier, the Highline Trail, Lake Ellen Wilson trail, and some others are good to great and can be done in a day.

The hike to Lake Ellen Wilson is long and arduous, climbing 4,500 over about 7.5 miles to the crest of the pass. But, as the old saying goes, its no hill for a climber.
I supposed that then boils down to what you want to do.

I have a second route that will involve some planning, but could be a 3 nighter if that is what you want, and it cannot be a day hike -- too long.

If you are looking for a great restaurant in Glacier or Yellowstone, my advice is to stay home.

There are some in Jackson, which is near the Tetons, come to think of it. At least you can spend $100 for 2 depending on what you drink and eat.

I would strongly endorse the Teton as a hiker's paradise....a great variety of hikes to choose from. And, as Bob Brown said, there are some very good restaurants in the nearby town of Jackson.
Fine dining and national parks do not go together!

As much as I LOVE the parks in Utah, I think Yellowstone has to be my all time favorite park. This place is different than anything you will see anywhere else. If you've never been then I would say go to Yellowstone. There are all kinds of range of hikes, but we've only done the easy ones.

With 7 days, you can do both Yellowstone and a couple of days in Grand Tetons.

Utahtea

In Glacier suggest the Garden Wall trail starting at Logan Pass overnighting either at Granite Park Chalet or the nearby backcountry site, if you can get it. There are a couple day hikes in the area if you want to make this a base. Grinnell Glacier overlook. Has a 1000' gain in .8m. or the Swiftcurrent Lookout. Could then continue down The Loop trail back to Going-to-the-Sun Rd or over the range and come down into Many Glacier. At either point you can pickup the park shuttle ($) back to Logan Pass.
Grinnell Glacier 11m roundtrip with 1698' gain, Iceberg Lake 9.4m 1219' gain and Ptarmigan Tunnel 11.2m 2315' gain are all nice day hikes.
Suggest Glacier National Park & Waterton Lakes National Park by Vicky Spring.
Tetons. Did a 3 day 2 night going up Paintbrush Canyon from Lupine Meadow going past Lake Solitude behind the main peaks into Alaska Basin, down Death Canyon across the valley back to Lupine Meadows. Did in late July still had a couple of small snow fields to cross but flowers were fantastic. Get Teton Trails by Katy Duffy & Darwin Wile.
Yellowstone might want to check out Heart Lake trail which goes past a backcountry thermal basin. Yellowstone Trails by Mark C. Marschall.
In all the parks you will have to drive a considerable distance to get back to a town if not eating at the lodges.

Thanks for the info - this website always is a good starting point for planning a trip to a new location. I thought some of the small towns near Yellowstone and Glacier might be similar to Moab in Utah - nothing fancy but no chains and great local cooking & Utah microbrews. Sounds like it's more like the Grand Canyon area where you either bring your own & cook or pay a high price for mediocre food at the parks. I have now been forewarned on the food and will try to pick the best hiking spot.

As much as I like getting away from crowds, I don't like camping enough to do an overnighter. Glacier sounds intriguing but from what I've seen so far, I think your comments are steering me toward Yellowstone and the Tetons. I have done some long and steep day hikes in Alaska but I think for a 7 day trip, I want to stick to moderate level 4-6 hour day hikes only.

If you go to the Teton, you're close enough to Jackson to have dinner there.
I would strongly recommend Nora's Fish Creek Inn in nearby Wilson for dinner. It has excellent food at great prices and is a popular favorite with the locals.