Day 1: Big Sky & Yellowstone Bound

We kicked things off Thursday morning exploring Big Sky. First stop — Cowboy Coffee, an absolute must. I grabbed a matcha and a croissant breakfast sandwich that totally hit the spot. Fueled up, we headed to Ousel Falls, an easy 1.4-mile out-and-back hike. It’s the perfect way to stretch your legs — pine trees and wild dandelions surrounded us the whole way. At the falls, Vic decided to take a (very cold) swim under the waterfall, adding a little adventure to our morning.

From there, we drove to Yellowstone’s West Entrance, stopping by the visitor center to get maps and tips. Our first scenic drive was through Firehole Canyon Drive, a gorgeous detour with waterfalls and swimming holes. Then came one of the most famous sights — Grand Prismatic Spring. The colors truly look surreal in person — neon blues, fiery oranges, and deep reds. We even spotted some chipmunks and steam vents along the way.

We also stopped at Fountain Paint Pot, another geothermal area where bubbling mud pots and erupting geysers make you feel like you’ve landed on another planet. It’s both stunning and slightly eerie — photos don’t do the scale or colors justice.

Continuing through the park, we started spotting wildlife — a herd of bison grazing near a lake, another group lounging in a meadow, and even a lone elk grazing with the Tetons as its backdrop. It felt like driving through a nature documentary.

That night, we made it to Jackson Hole and ended the day with dinner at the top of the Jackson Hole Gondola at Piste Mountain Bistro. Highly recommend — as long as you aren’t afraid of heights. The gondola is the tallest I’ve ever been on, but the sunset views were absolutely worth it.

Day 2: Grand Teton National Park Adventures

Friday morning, we grabbed sandwiches from Creekside Market (which became a favorite stop) before heading into Grand Teton National Park. Before we left town, we popped into Eclectic Consignment, a fun thrift store that’s part trendy, part cowboy — think denim, leather, and some vintage gems.

Our first stop was Oxbow Bend, one of the best pull-offs in the Tetons for wildlife spotting and mountain reflections. We drove to Jackson Lake, where we ate our sandwiches lakeside while birds nested nearby. I even squeezed in some sketching while soaking in the peaceful views.

Next up was our big hike for the day — Jenny Lake. We did the full 5-mile loop, including stops at Hidden Falls and the extra (challenging) .25-mile climb to Inspiration Point. Honestly, we nearly turned around, but I’m so glad we pushed through. The view from the top was breathtaking — craggy peaks, crystal-clear water, and endless wilderness.

That night back in Jackson, we celebrated with espresso martinis at The Cloudveil, followed by dinner at The Bistro, a charming French spot downtown. Afterwards, we stumbled into The Silver Dollar, where locals (including actual cowboys) were dancing — a lively, memorable end to the day.

Day 3: Jackson Hole Exploring & Soaking

Saturday was a more relaxed day wandering Jackson Hole. We browsed local shops, galleries, and antique stores — lots of antlers, taxidermy, and western flair. My favorite spot was Gallery Wild, featuring stunning wildlife paintings by Nealy Riley.

For lunch, we stopped at Bubba’s BBQ (Vic’s pick — he was craving barbecue), followed by a Huckleberry Oreo milkshake from Jackson Drug, which was every bit as good as it sounds. Of course, we had to snap the classic photo under the Antler Arch downtown.

Since Million Dollar Cowboy Bar had been closed the night before, we popped in that afternoon for a drink. The atmosphere was iconic — saddle barstools and all — though I’ll admit, my cocktail wasn’t my favorite.

To cap off the day, we hit Snake River Brewery for happy hour (highly recommend the cider) before driving out to Astoria Hot Springs for a soak. After days of hiking and road-tripping, those mineral baths felt like pure magic. We kept dinner simple with takeout from Thai Plate, a low-key but delicious option.

Day 4: Heading Back Into Yellowstone

Sunday morning started with breakfast at Persephone, one of my favorite meals of the trip — a matcha and their avocado bowl (so good). Before leaving Jackson, we made one last bookstore stop at Valley Bookstore and drove through the National Elk Refuge (no elk in June, but still a beautiful landscape).

On the way back into Yellowstone, we visited the National Museum of Wildlife Art, which was a total hidden gem, and the Jackson National Fish Hatchery. With sandwiches and local ciders packed from Creekside Market, we stopped at Schwabacher Landing for a picnic with a view — a peaceful spot with a short trail and stunning Tetons reflecting in the water.

Continuing north, we made a stop at Moose Falls, where we spotted a beaver and a marmot — our best wildlife sighting yet. By this point, the weather had completely shifted — from sunny 75-degree days to sudden snow flurries. Wild.

That night, we stayed near Old Faithful, driving past the Continental Divide and stopping at West Thumb Geyser Basin along the way. We grabbed dinner at the Snow Lodge, but if I’m honest, you could probably skip staying here — Old Faithful is incredible but doesn’t necessarily require an overnight.

Day 5: Geysers, Bison & Goodbye

Monday morning brought clear skies again. We walked the full Upper Geyser Basin loop, watching geysers erupt against blue skies and spotting a bison grazing right in front of a geyser — one of those “pinch me” moments that felt straight out of a postcard.

On our way out of the park, we made sure to stop at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone — a must. The views are absolutely jaw-dropping, with waterfalls thundering into a rainbow-hued canyon. We also passed the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces before exiting through Gardiner.

Gardiner felt like a charming little town — we kind of wished we had stayed there instead of the Old Faithful cabins. We grabbed one last matcha from Bear Brew, a super cute coffee stand, and hands-down the best BBQ of the trip from Follow Yer Nose BBQ (do not miss this spot).

Final Thoughts

This trip was the perfect mix of hiking, sightseeing, wildlife, and relaxing. The landscapes shift from towering mountains to bubbling geysers to rolling meadows filled with bison. The towns — from Jackson Hole’s cowboy-meets-hipster vibe to Gardiner’s quaint charm — were as much a highlight as the parks themselves.

If you’re planning a trip out west, consider following this route — and definitely don’t skip the matcha at Bear Brew or the mineral baths at Astoria Hot Springs.