Wild West to Live Music: A 14-Day Adventure Through Montana, Utah, and Texas
Welcome to a two-week American adventure that marries the mountain West with Texas culture. You’ll trace the story of the world’s first national park in Yellowstone, wander Moab’s Martian landscapes sculpted over millions of years, and finish in Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” where tacos, craft beer, and guitars rule the night.
Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders and roaming bison are framed by Montana’s college-town vibe in Bozeman—think espresso, gear shops, and seriously good breweries. In Moab, 2,000+ stone arches, slot canyons, and slickrock trails invite adrenaline and sunset photography. In Austin, food trucks, murals, Barton Springs, and Hill Country wineries deliver that easygoing Texas rhythm.
Practical notes: Reserve national park entries and popular tours early (peak season fills up). Carry layers—mountain weather swings fast; the desert sun is intense. In the US, tipping is customary (18–22% for good service). For nightlife, you’ll need a valid passport/ID and be 21+ for alcohol.
Bozeman (Yellowstone Gateway)
Bozeman blends frontier history with outdoor energy. Main Street’s brick facades hide third-wave coffee, bison burgers, and taprooms with mountain views. It’s your launchpad for Yellowstone’s geysers, wildlife, and canyon rims—plus whitewater, ziplines, and hot springs.
Days 1–5: Yellowstone icons, river thrills, and Bozeman breweries
- Yellowstone in a day (lower loop focus): See Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and waterfalls with a pro guide to maximize wildlife and minimize driving stress.
Full Day Yellowstone National Park Tour with lunch included
Full Day Yellowstone National Park Tour with lunch included on Viator - Whitewater on the Yellowstone River (Gardiner): A splashy half-day raft trip through fun wave trains just outside the park; perfect for an adventurous crew and great GoPro moments.
Montana Whitewater Half Day Raft Trip - Yellowstone River
Montana Whitewater Half Day Raft Trip - Yellowstone River on Viator - Zipline EcoTour at a historic ranch: Fly above meadows near the park boundary—epic scenery, short hikes between lines, and big “I can’t believe we did that” energy.
Yellowstone Zipline EcoTour at the Ranch
Yellowstone Zipline EcoTour at the Ranch on Viator - Local hiking and hot springs: Tackle Hyalite Canyon’s easy-to-moderate trails (Hyalite Lake or Palisade Falls), then soak at Bozeman Hot Springs in the evening.
Eat & drink like a local: Start at Wild Crumb (cardamom buns) or Treeline Coffee Roasters (single-origin pour-overs). Brunch at Jam! (pumpkin pancakes) or The Western Café (since 1930, try the biscuits). Lunch on bison burgers at Backcountry Burger Bar or Neapolitan pies at Blackbird. Dinner at Montana Ale Works (local beef, huge tap list) or Feast Raw Bar & Bistro (oysters, creative small plates). Breweries: MAP Brewing (lakeside views), Mountains Walking (hazy IPAs, ramen nights), and Outlaw Brewing (laid-back patio). Nightcaps at Copper Whiskey Bar and Lockhorn Cider House.
Where to stay: Browse downtown lofts or cabins near Hyalite: VRBO Bozeman | Hotels.com Bozeman
Getting there (for the trip start): Fly to Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) via US hubs (NYC, LAX, DEN). Typical economy fares from major US hubs run ~$180–$380 one-way; from Europe with one connection ~$850–$1,300 round-trip (season-dependent). Search and compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. A rental car is highly recommended for Yellowstone and Bozeman side-trips.
Travel to next hub (assuming morning departure): Bozeman to Moab typically involves a short flight to Denver (DEN) or Salt Lake City (SLC) and a connection into Canyonlands Field (CNY). Total air time 4.5–7 hours including the layover; expect ~$180–$320 one-way. Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Alternative: fly to SLC (1h30) then drive ~4 hours to Moab.
Moab (Arches & Canyonlands)
Moab is Utah’s red-rock playground: rust-colored cliffs, moonlike mesas, and star-splashed skies. Days swing between slot canyons and slickrock ridges; evenings are about burgers, local beer, and sunsets that set the La Sal Mountains on fire.
Days 6–9: Arches spotlight, Canyonlands viewpoints, UTV adrenaline, and stargazing
- Drive the slickrock on Hell’s Revenge: A bucket-list UTV route with steep fins, sandy bowls, and massive views over the Colorado River—thrilling yet guided and safe.
HIGHLY RATED U-DRIVE Moab Hell’s Revenge UTV Off-Road Adventure
HIGHLY RATED U-DRIVE Moab Hell’s Revenge UTV Off-Road Adventure on Viator - Arches National Park (without the crowds): Let a local guide handle timed entry, parking, and the best sequence for Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and the Windows Section.
HIGHLY RATED Arches National Park Sightseeing Tour From Moab Utah
HIGHLY RATED Arches National Park Sightseeing Tour From Moab Utah on Viator - Canyonlands: Island in the Sky by 4x4: Descend rugged switchbacks to jaw-dropping overlooks above the White Rim. Photography heaven.
Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab
Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab on Viator - Optional Colorado crossover: If you want a Colorado stamp, drive ~1.5 hours to Colorado National Monument (Grand Junction) for sweeping canyon drives and post-hike beers at Trail Life Brewing or Kannah Creek.
Eat & drink like a local: Coffee at Love Muffin (breakfast burritos) or Moab Garage Co. (soft-serve + espresso). Quick bites at Quesadilla Mobilla (legendary truck) or Antica Forma (VPN-style Neapolitan pizza). For dinner, Desert Bistro (Southwest fine dining) or 98 Center (Vietnamese-inspired, great cocktails). Pints at Moab Brewery (amber ales), Sabaku Sushi for a surprise desert sushi win, and late-night vibes at Woody’s Tavern.
Where to stay: Choose a casita with desert views or a walk-to-Main-Street condo: VRBO Moab | Hotels.com Moab
Travel to next hub (assuming morning departure): Moab (CNY) to Austin (AUS) usually connects via Denver; 5–7 hours total, ~$200–$350 one-way. Another option is Grand Junction (GJT), ~1.5–2 hours from Moab, with more flights. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Austin (Texas Hill Country & Live Music)
Austin is Austin: breakfast tacos for fuel, Barton Springs for the cool-down, murals for the ‘Gram, and music everywhere. Rainey Street bungalows-turned-bars, BBQ smoke rings, and Hill Country sunsets round out your grand finale.
Days 10–14: Tacos, tunes, river time, and Hill Country sips
- Hill Country BBQ & wine shuttle: Let someone else drive while you taste Texas staples—think The Salt Lick’s oak-smoked brisket and two scenic wineries. Ideal for a social group day.
From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle
From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle on Viator - Lake Austin cruise (BYOB): A one-hour boat ride past lakeside homes and green hills—great for golden hour photos and a relaxed reset before a night out.
1 hr Lake Austin Boat Cruise. BYOB (Shared - Single Tickets)
1 hr Lake Austin Boat Cruise. BYOB (Shared - Single Tickets) on Viator - See the city fast: Catch landmarks, skyline views, and the backstory of Austin’s neighborhoods on an open-top loop—ideal on day one.
Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour
Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour on Viator - DIY Austin days: Swim at Barton Springs (year-round 68°F/20°C), rent kayaks on Lady Bird Lake, and mural-hop (I Love You So Much; Greetings from Austin). Catch bands on Red River (Mohawk, Stubb’s) or classic blues at Antone’s. Breweries for the crew: Lazarus Brewing (east side), Pinthouse Pizza (award-winning IPAs), Austin Beerworks (Core beers + seasonal). Rainey Street picks: Banger’s (sausage + taps), Lustre Pearl, and Lucille for patio nights.
Eat & drink like a local: Coffee at Merit Coffee or Houndstooth. Breakfast tacos at Veracruz All Natural or Nixta Taqueria’s creative Mexican plates (go early). BBQ at Franklin (line up), Terry Black’s (lines move fast), or La Barbecue (peppery brisket). For dinner, Uchi (sushi with Texas flair), Suerte (masa magic), or Emmer & Rye (seasonal shareables). Nightlife on East 6th and Rainey; live music any night of the week.
Where to stay: Base near South Congress, Downtown, or East Austin for walkability and nightlife: VRBO Austin | Hotels.com Austin
Suggested 14-Day Flow (multi-day blocks)
- Days 1–5: Bozeman base for Yellowstone (lower loop day tour, rafting, zipline, Hyalite hike, brewery night).
- Day 6 (AM): Fly to Moab (via DEN or SLC); sunset stroll to the Windows Section or a mellow Corona Arch hike outside the park.
- Days 7–9: Hell’s Revenge UTV, Arches guided highlights, Canyonlands 4x4, night-sky photography.
- Day 10 (AM): Fly to Austin; afternoon tacos + Lady Bird Lake kayaks.
- Days 11–14: Hill Country BBQ & wine shuttle, Barton Springs, murals, brewery crawl, and back-to-back live music nights.
Budget & tips for a 69/100 spend level
- Splurge smart: Book 2–3 guided tours (Yellowstone day tour, Moab UTV, Hill Country shuttle). The expertise and logistics payoff is huge.
- Save creatively: Mix picnic lunches (market runs) with one standout dinner each city. Choose walkable neighborhoods to cut ride-shares.
- Seasonal notes: Summer requires park reservations; spring/fall offer cooler hikes; winter brings unique wildlife tours up north.
Final flight home: Depart Austin (AUS) to your international gateway; typical 1-stop routes to Europe. Check Trip.com or Kiwi.com for best schedules and fares.
Across mountains, desert, and a music-filled city, this itinerary balances iconic sights with local flavor—geysers and bison, red-rock ridges, tacos and vinyl. You’ll head home with camera rolls full of sunsets and a playlist of new favorites.

