Discover the West!

 

Summertime is the perfect season to enjoy a travel adventure across the Western United States. Every state has well-publicized scenic highways that lead to wonderful historic towns, which are perfect places to hang your hat and stay awhile. From Great Falls, Montana, to Tombstone, Arizona, travelers will discover old-fashioned, down-home hospitality in historic spots welcoming visitors to immerse themselves in the community for an extended exploration of the town, area and region.

True West’s editors have picked 12 states we recommend you visit this summer. Each of the towns can be reached via scenic highways and have historic accommodations, Old Western saloons, fun activities for all ages and nearby national parks, monuments and sites. So pull out your maps, plot out your adventure and discover the West!

—Stuart Rosebrook

 

Arizona

The Grand Canyon State is a four-season destination state, but your tolerance for the summer heat in the lower deserts will determine how long you stay in Sonoran Desert locales before heading to cooler temperatures in Arizona’s higher elevations.

Visitors to the 48th state will find many of its historic towns perfect to make as their vacation headquarters for a weekend or more. Arizona’s diverse natural beauty, historic sites and welcoming small towns are three reasons so many visit the Southwestern state in the summer. If you love to drive out West, Arizona’s 27 scenic highways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the landscape from the deserts to the mountains (azdot.gov).

To help you plan your Arizona adventure, the state’s tourism office has designated five travel regions: Northern, West Coast, North Central, Phoenix and Tucson & Southern. Each of Arizona’s travel districts can be enjoyed throughout the year and include scenic highways, historic towns and unique natural wonders.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Grand Canyon State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Arizona.

Gadsden Hotel

With pink marble pillars, stained-glass windows, gold leaf and an Italian marble staircase, the four-story Gadsden Hotel opened at a cost of $200,000 in 1907. The luxurious hotel was named for Ambassador James Gadsden, who negotiated the Gadsden Purchase of 1853. Today, the hotel’s owners are dedicated to restoring one of Arizona’s “Grand Dame” hotels to its elegant past, and rooms can be booked on the mezzanine level. Don’t miss a chance to dine and have a drink in the 333 Cafe, Restaurant & Bar and the historic Saddle & Spur Tavern.

1046 G Ave, Douglas, AZ 85607

520-364-4481 • TheGadsdenHotel.com

 

 

Hassayampa Inn

With Spanish Colonial Revival and Italianate features, Hassayampa Inn in the historic district of Prescott offers comforting small-town charm while being closely situated near the sights and sounds of Prescott. This prime location is walking distance to the Courthouse Square, art galleries and unique one-of-a-kind shops, eateries and antique stores. Designed by Southwest architect Henry Trost, it was built as a luxury hotel in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

122 E Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301

800-322-1927 • HassayampaInn.com

La Posada Hotel

In 1927 the Santa Fe Railway decided to build a major hotel in the center of Northern Arizona. La Posada was to be the finest in the Southwest and they chose Mary Jane Colter to design it for Winslow. It was the finest hotel on Route 66 until it closed in 1957. In 1997, after being closed for 40 years, a new ownership group began renovations on the hotel, and today La Posada has again become an icon of the Southwest and a story of redemption and rediscovery.

303 E 2nd St, Winslow, AZ 86047

928-289-4366 • LaPosada.org

Monument Ranch

Monument Ranch, a short ride northwest of Tombstone, is on the former Trappman Ranch, founded in 1880. Materials from the old ranch buildings have been reused to create comfortable accommodations with a rustic look. Guests are served three meals per day in the Schieffelin Restaurant, named for Tombstone’s founder, and Trappman’s Saloon offers nightly entertainment. There’s even a working-ranch option where guests help out with moving cattle, mending fences and checking water tanks. The Monument Ranch is part of the True Ranch Collection in Arizona, which also includes the White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Rancho de la Osa in Sasabe and the Kay El Bar in Wickenburg.

895 W Monument Rd

Tombstone, AZ 85638

520-457-7299

TombstoneMonumentRanch.com

Palace Restaurant and Saloon

The Palace is Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon and restaurant. Prescott’s famous Palace Restaurant and Saloon opened on Montezuma Street in 1874 as the Cabinet Saloon, where Doc Holliday may have been a patron. The Palace was destroyed in the Whiskey Row Fire of 1900. Patrons supposedly moved the bar across the street and drank and watched Whiskey Row burn to the ground. It was rebuilt in 1901. Today, the Palace maintains its history, grandeur and old Wild West atmosphere with its famous bar, a full dining room and regularly scheduled live music.

120 S Montezuma St

Prescott, AZ 86303

928-541-1996

WhiskeyRowPalace.com

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon

Tombstone’s Big Nose Kate’s Saloon was once the Grand Hotel, originally built in 1881. On October 25, 1881, the night before the Gunfight Behind the O.K. Corral, the Clantons and the McLaurys were guests there. Nowadays, a number of changes have been made to the structure since it burned down and has been rebuilt. The bar area, housed in the basement of the old hotel, is now located on the main level. In the basement is a gift shop, but the tunnel leading to the mineshafts still exists. The saloon holds the Grand Hotel’s original long bar, the only one that survived the fire of 1882 and is still serving thirsty patrons.

17 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638

520-457-3107 • BigNoseKates.info

FYI: For more information on travel in the Grand Canyon State, contact the Arizona Office of Tourism at Arizonaguide.com or 866-275-5816.

Arkansas

Since the late 19th century, Arkansas’ Ozarks Mountains and its famous hot springs have been a popular retreat for summer travelers seeking respite from the hot and humid season. Frontier and Western history lovers of the region will discover that Arkansas is a state filled with wonderful small towns, scenic country roads, historic sites, welcoming retreats and big city charm.

Visitors to the crossroads state find many of its historic towns perfect for their vacation headquarters for a weekend or more. Arkansas’ natural beauty, historic sites and welcoming small towns are just three reasons to visit the state in the summer. If you love to drive, Arkansas’ 12 scenic byways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the mountains to the rivers (ardot.gov).

To help you plan your Natural State adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into six travel regions: Northwest, North Central, Upper Delta, Central, Lower Delta and Southwest. Each of Arkansas’ travel districts can be enjoyed throughout the year and include scenic highways, historic towns and unique natural wonders.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Natural State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Arkansas. 

 

 

1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa

Perched high on a crest of the Ozark Mountains, the four-story Crescent Hotel stands like a storybook castle. The Frisco Railroad and the Eureka Springs Improvement Company joined forces to build the “Grand Ol’ Lady of the Ozarks.” The hotel presently offers 72 rooms and four cottages, set amid 15 acres of manicured gardens and lovely woods laced with hiking trails. Guests at the Crescent may dine at the 1886 Steakhouse in the Crystal Ballroom, an elegant space featuring high ceilings, walnut walls and crystal chandeliers.

75 Prospect Ave,

Eureka Springs, AR 72632

855-725-5720 • Crescent-Hotel.com

Capital Hotel

A weekend in the capital city at the Capital Hotel is a perfect way to finish a tour of Arkansas. Known as the “Grand Dame” of Little Rock, the historic property opened in 1876 and is considered one of the finest hotels in the state.

111 W Markham St

Little Rock, AR 72201

501-370-1502 • CapitalHotel.com

Inn at Carnall Hall

Built in 1905, the Inn at Carnall Hall is located on the University of Arkansas campus and has been fully restored as a luxury boutique hotel. Originally a dormitory, the inn also has served as a fraternity and an academic building. Today, the inn is a great place to relax while visiting the university and historic Fayetteville.

465 Arkansas Ave

Fayetteville, AR 72701

479-582-0400 • InnAtCarnallHall.com

The Ohio Club

The oldest bar in Arkansas was founded in 1905. A famous blues and jazz bar, the Ohio Club stands as a testament to time, its customers—including Al Capone—and its founders. The Hot Springs nightspot survived Prohibition as a speakeasy known as the Ohio Cigar Store. Today, the Ohio Club still is the place for entertainment, with live music Thursday through Sunday night.

335 Central Ave

Hot Springs, AR 71901

501-627-0702 • TheOhioClub.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Natural State, contact the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at Arkansas.com or 800-628-8725.

 

Colorado

In the summer, Colorado is one of the  most popular destinations in the Western United States. From the Front Range to the Swiss-like peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado welcomes visitors from around the world to enjoy its cool mountain climate, gorgeous vistas, popular parks and historic small towns.

Many of the Rocky Mountain State’s historic towns are perfect to make your vacation headquarters for a weekend or more. Colorado’s stunning natural beauty, national parks, historic sites and welcoming small towns are just four reasons to visit the state in the summer. If you love to drive, Colorado’s 26 scenic highways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the eastern plains to the high mountain passes and valleys (colorado.com).

 

 

To help you plan your Colorado adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into eight travel regions: the Great West, Denver City & the Rockies, Pikes Peak Wonders, Mystic San Luis Valley, Canyons & Plains, Pioneering Plains, Mountains & Mesas, and Rockies Playground. Each of  Colorado’s travel districts can be enjoyed throughout the year and all include scenic highways, historic towns and unique natural wonders.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Rocky Mountain State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Colorado.

The Cliff House at Pikes Peak

The Rocky Mountain retreat with 54 rooms decorated in a late-1800s motif opened in 1873 at the base of Pikes Peak. The original 20-room boardinghouse started as a stage stop, and in the ensuing decades it was expanded to 200 rooms. With the nearby mineral springs and spring water, the luxury hotel became a popular destination for the rich and famous, including U.S. presidents and European royalty. After the hotel suffered a series of fires, ownership dedicated itself to restoring the historic property in the 1990s, and today the Cliff House at Pikes Peak is one of the finest, most luxurious mountain resorts in the Rockies.

306 Cañon Ave,

Manitou Springs, CO 80829

719-785-1000 • TheCliffHouse.com

Delaware Hotel

During the mining boom of Leadville, the Calloway Brothers of Delaware built and opened the luxurious Delaware Hotel in 1886. Today, 135 years later, The Delaware is the city’s only remaining grand dame from Leadville’s glory days. The Victorian-era hotel, which describes itself as “part museum, part gallery, and part country inn” is considered the social center of the high-elevation city. All of the 40 rooms and suites are well appointed with antiques, as are the common areas, and most of the historic items are for sale.

700 Harrison Ave

Leadville, CO 80461

800-748-2004 • DelawareHotel.com

The Strater Hotel

Walk inside the doors of The Strater Hotel in Durango, Colorado, and open a world of living history that becomes part of every visitor’s personal story. The Strater is a complete experience where guests tour through pristine, interesting halls and stay in rooms restored to their 1887 glory. Every detail—from amazing antique Victorian furniture to meticulous Bradbury wallpapers—holds Southwest stories, which begin in 1887 and continue today. A founding member of Historic Hotels of America, The Strater is Durango’s living history museum with 93 unique storied rooms, the Henry Strater Theatre, The Mahogany Grille, famous for live music, and the Diamond Belle which brings saloon girls and Victorian-era bartenders together with guests as they belly up to the historic bar.

699 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301

970-945-6511 • Strater.com

 

 

The Hotel Colorado

The Grand Lobby and Baron’s Restaurant were restored to reflect their original charm. Guests dine beside an interior waterfall or enjoy beverages near the original grand fireplace. During the summer, guests dine in the scenic courtyard, or warm themselves by fire pits while enjoying stunning views of Mt. Sopris. For 125 years, timeless secrets of extensive journeys have been held within the hotel’s walls. The Hotel Colorado welcomes guests into oversized rooms and suites, all with high ceilings, spacious closets, and some with balconies and scenic views.

526 Pine St

Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

970-945-6511 • HotelColorado.com

The Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant

Denver’s most historic eating and drinking establishment, The Buckhorn Exchange, is now in its second century of operation. A city and county historic landmark, the restaurant has liquor license Number One in the State of Colorado. Henry H. “Shorty Scout” Zietz, easily recognized as one of the most colorful figures of the Old West, founded the famous restaurant on November 17, 1893. The Buckhorn Exchange brims with a 125-piece Old West gun collection, historic artifacts and a rare 575-piece collection of taxidermy.

10th Ave, Denver, CO 80204

303-534-9505 • Buckhorn.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Rocky Mountain State, contact the Colorado Office of Tourism office at Colorado.com or 800-265-6723.

 

Kansas

In the summer, Kansas is one of the  most popular destinations for lovers of the American West. Whether retracing the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, following the Guidon of the frontier cavalry across Western Kansas or discovering the Sunflower State’s key role in the nation’s Civil War, the prairie and plains state has something for everyone and all ages.

Many historic towns in the Sunflower State are perfect to make your vacation headquarters for a weekend or more. Kansas’s natural beauty, national grasslands, historic sites and friendly towns are just four reasons to visit the state in the summer. If you love to drive, Kansas’s 12 scenic highways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the Western plains and Flint Hills to the Eastern prairie and woodlands (travelks.com).

 

 

To help you plan your Kansas adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into six travel regions: Northwest, North Central, South Central, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest. An enjoyable way to see Kansas, relax in its small towns and visit historic sites is to follow the Santa Fe National Historic Trail across the state.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Sunflower State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Kansas. 

Abilene’s Victorian Inn

The highly rated bed-and-breakfast has been a landmark home in Abilene since 1877. From its construction until 1992, the stately home was a family residence or apartments. In the 1990s, the Victorian home was restored into a B&B, and the current owners, Adrian and Jay Potter, have maintained it as a popular bed-and-breakfast destination in historic Abilene. Enjoy a delicious breakfast every morning while staying in one of their six well-appointed suites or rooms.

820 NW 3rd St, Abilene, KS 67410

785-263-7774

AbilenesVictorianInn.com

Historic Elgin Hotel

Built in 1886, the Elgin Hotel has been fully restored and is considered the most luxurious historical accommodation in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Guests can enjoy one of 12 suites at the boutique hotel and dine in the highly rated restaurant that is open nightly for dinner. Relax in the Elgin while enjoying the small town of Marion and the sights and attractions of the Flint Hills and Santa Fe National Historic Trail.

115 N 3rd St, Marion, KS 66861

620-382-3200 • HistoricElginHotel.com

Hays House

Seth Hays, Daniel Boone’s grandson, was the first White settler in Council Grove in 1847. In 1857, Hays built a two-story wood-frame building. The site served as a trading post, restaurant, hotel, courthouse, post office, printing office, and a meeting and social hall, and offered weary traders journeying between New Mexico and Missouri supplies, meals and rooms. Jesse James and Gen. George Armstrong Custer were a few famous patrons of the Hays House. Today, the Hays House Tavern and Restaurant is famous as the oldest continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi.

112 W Main St

Council Grove, KS 66846

620-767-5911 • HaysHouse.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Sunflower State, contact the Kansas Travel & Tourism Office at TravelKS.com or 785-296-2009.

 

Montana

Montana is a glorious place to visit in the summer, and its natural wonders, wide-open spaces and national parks bring visitors from around the world from June to August. From Glacier and Yellowstone national parks to the Little Bighorn National Historic Battlefield and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Treasure State offers tourists some of the nation’s most spectacular sites and natural wonders.

Many of Montana’s historic towns are perfect to make your vacation headquarters for a weekend or more when on tour of the state. Montana’s natural beauty, national parks, historic sites and small towns are just four reasons to visit the state in the summer. If you love to drive, Montana’s nine scenic and backcountry byways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the Northern Rocky Mountains to the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers to the vast eastern plains of the Missouri Breaks and Big Horn country (scenic.org).

 

 

To help you plan your Montana adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into seven travel regions: Southeast, Missouri River Country, Central Montana, Glacier Country, Southwest Montana, Yellow-stone Country and Indian Country. The latter encompasses a dozen tribal nations and seven reservations located across the state of Montana. Each region has its own natural wonders and encompasses large swaths of the country’s fourth largest state. Map out your trip to Montana well and plan to immerse yourself in just one or two regions per visit to really soak up the beauty and ambience of the big sky state.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Treasure State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Montana.

Grand Union Hotel

At the zenith of steamboat traffic on the Upper Missouri, the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton, Montana, was opened in 1882. Closed in the 1980s, the grand dame was reopened in 1999 after preservation efforts restored the hotel to its 19th-century splendor. Patrons of the Grand Union will be transformed from the present back to the 1880s when they stay at the elegantly appointed, three-story brick hotel. A legendary landmark of Fort Benton, the Grand Union has 26 rooms and suites, a gourmet, farm-to-table restaurant and a popular saloon for drinks and casual dining.

1 Grand Union Sq

Fort Benton, MT 59442

888-838-1882 • GrandUnionHotel.com

Hotel Arvon

Montana mining and ranching pioneer Robert “The Celtic Cowboy” Vaughn opened the Hotel Arvon and an adjacent livery in Great Falls in 1890. The town’s founder named the inn for his daughter Arvonia. The Hotel Arvon is in the city’s oldest commercial building on Great Falls’ Arvon block. The luxurious and lovingly restored inn has 11 suites and 22 luxurious guest rooms. The Celtic Cowboy, an Irish pub named after Vaughan, is next door, and guests and locals equally enjoy the good food and festive atmosphere.

118 1st Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59401

406-952-1101 • HotelArvon.com

The Bale of Hay Saloon

Hoist a cold one at the rustic Bale of Hay Saloon from mid-May to late September. Step into the character of the West in Montana’s oldest established bar in Virginia City, a historic mining town. Known for handmade hamburgers, brats and its beer selection, many from Montana breweries, The Bale offers free pool and shuffleboard. Inside is an antique entertainment equipment collection, old pictures and memorabilia on the walls and a big potbelly stove, perfect for warming yourself on a cold-weather day.

344 W Wallace St

Virginia City, MT 59755

406-843-5700 • BaleOfHaySaloon.com

Circle Bar Guest Ranch

Operated by the True Ranch Collection, the 520-acre Circle Bar Guest Ranch is located on a 19th-century cattle ranch along the Judith River. Famous for its horseback riding and Western ambience, the ranch is adjacent to the Helena Lewis & Clark National Forest and the Little Belt Mountains. All-inclusive activities include family-style meals, hiking, riding, fishing, archery, shooting and UTV tours.

206 Porcupine Ridge Rd

Hobson, MT 59452

406 272-3403 • CircleBarRanch.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Treasure State, contact the Travel Montana office at VisitMt.com or 800-847-4868.

 

New Mexico

The Land of Enchantment is popular year round and invites visitors to enjoy its seasons whatever month brings them to New Mexico. From its high deserts to its beautiful mountains, woodlands and prairies to its Southern Plains and Panhandle regions, New Mexico has something for everyone who loves the natural beauty of the Southwest, national parks and historic sites, Hispanic and Indian culture, Route 66 and welcoming communities of all sizes that make a road trip to the state memorable.

Many historic towns in New Mexico are perfect to make your vacation headquarters for a weekend or more when on tour of the state. If you love to drive out West, New Mexico’s 25 scenic byways and historic Route 66 allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the prairie to the plains (newmexico.org).

 

 

To help you plan your New Mexico adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into six travel regions: Northwest, Southwest, North Central, Central, Northeast and Southeast. Each of New Mexico’s travel districts can be enjoyed throughout the year and include scenic highways, historic towns and cultural sites.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Land of Enchantment? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of New Mexico.

Historic Plaza Hotel

The beautifully restored Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico, anchors the city’s historic downtown. Known as “The Belle of the Southwest” since it opened in 1882, the Plaza Hotel has undergone a masterful restoration of its 70 rooms, lobby, dining room and saloon. Nineteen of the well-appointed rooms overlook the Plaza Park, which fans of the television series Longmire will recognize as downtown “Durant.” The Plaza’s proprietors have also restored and manage Las Vegas’s Castañeda Hotel, and Winslow, Arizona’s, La Posada, both former Fred Harvey hotels that served the passengers of the Santa Fe Railway.

230 Plaza Park, Las Vegas, NM 87701

505-425-3591 • PlazaHotelLVNM.com

St. James Hotel

St. James Hotel is an enigma. Cimarron is a sleepy little town an hour east of Taos, but the hotel’s frontier history is replete with tales of outlaws, gunplay and bloodshed. Founded as a saloon circa 1872 by French chef Henry Lambert, it added rooms and the St. James Hotel name some years later. Various accounts claim a list of notable Westerners slept here, including Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Jesse James, Doc Holliday, the Earp brothers, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Historians are skeptical.

617 S Collison Ave

Cimarron, NM 87714

575-376-2664 • ExStJames.com

Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch

As the name implies, this guest ranch surrounded by the Gila National Forest north of Silver City is within the historic range of Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apaches. Trail rides take guests to archaeological sites of the Mimbres people who lived in this region circa 200 to 1150 A.D. Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch got its start as a hunting lodge in the 1980s and became a guest ranch 20 years ago. Meals are served in a dining hall or outdoors for barbecues. There are three cabins with multiple bunking options. The ranch takes just 12 guests at any one time.

1 Wall Lake Rd, Winston, NM 87943

575-772-5157 • GeronimoRanch.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Land of Enchantment, contact the New Mexico Department of Tourism at NewMexico.org or 505-827-7400.

North Dakota

If you have ever been to North Dakota, you immediately have it on your list for a return trip. From the eastern plains and the Missouri River Valley to the Western Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Northern Plains state has something for everyone.

Many of North Dakota’s historic towns are perfect to make as your vacation headquarters for a weekend or more. The Peace Garden State’s natural beauty, historic sites and welcoming small towns are three reasons so many visit the Great Plains state in the summer. If you love to drive out West, North Dakota’s 13 scenic highways and byways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the Western Badlands, the Missouri River Country and the Eastern Plains (ndtourism.com).

 

 

To help you plan your North Dakota adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into three regions based on cities: Eastern Cities, Central Cities and Western Cities. Each regional section guides visitors into a area of the state and into and through its many wonderfully welcoming communities. North Dakota’s emphasis on connecting your travel by its communities versus geography is unique in the West and reflects the state’s philosophy of tourism. Summer and fall are the best times to visit the high plains state, and a successful road trip to North Dakota should include scenic highways, historic towns and a visit to the Western Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Medora.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Peace Garden State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of North Dakota.

Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch

Just five miles west of historic Medora, the Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch has something for everyone who loves horses, trail riding, rodeo, great steaks and comfortable rooms. Book a night in the log cabin lodge, hook up your RV or camp on the property. They can even accommodate your stock if you are traveling with horses or cattle; they have corrals, barns, pens, an arena and feed available. Activities include trail riding, hiking, fishing and hunting.

3100 Buffalo Gap Rd

Medora, ND 58645

701-623-4200

BuffaloGapGuestRanch.com

The Rough Riders Hotel

The perfect place to stay in historic Medora is located just outside the entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The hotel’s accommodations are perfect for all ages and in walking distance of the shopping, restaurant and entertainment district of the visitor-friendly town.

301 3rd Ave, Medora, ND 58645

701-623-4444 • Medora.com

Peacock Alley American Grill & Bar

A Bismarck landmark, Peacock Alley has been serving up great food and memories since it opened after the end of Prohibition in 1933. Located in the former lobby of the Patterson Hotel, the highly rated and award-winning restaurant proudly serves the best North Dakota beef.

422 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

701-221-2333 • Peacock-Alley.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Peace Garden State, contact the North Dakota Tourism Division at NDTourism.com or 800-435-5663.

 

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a Western state that can be visited year round and invites travelers to enjoy its seasons whatever month brings them to the Sooner State. From its Eastern woodlands and prairies to its Southern Plains and Panhandle regions, Oklahoma has something for everyone who loves the natural beauty, historic sites, Route 66 and welcoming communities that make a road trip to the state memorable.

Many historic towns in the Sooner State are perfect to make as your vacation headquarters for a weekend or longer. If you love to drive out West, Oklahoma’s four scenic byways and historic Route 66 allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the prairie to the plains (traveloka.com).

 

 

To help you plan your Oklahoma adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into six travel regions: Northwest, Southwest, North Central, South Central, Northeast and Southeast. Each of Oklahoma’s travel districts can be enjoyed throughout the year and include scenic highways, historic towns and local and regional museums, including the Three Rivers Museum in Muskogee. Three Rivers has one of the most comprehensive exhibits on Bass Reeves in the country. (For more on Bass Reeves’s extraordinary life, see page 20.)

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Sooner State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Oklahoma.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

Known to have the best steak in the Sooner State, the Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is located in the historic Oklahoma City Stockyards. Founded in 1910, the landmark restaurant has been a favorite of ranchers, cowboys, movie stars and presidents since its doors opened. Ask the wait staff about the famous 33 brand and learn how the restaurant was gambled away in a dice game.

1309 S Agnew

Oklahoma City, OK 73108

405-236-0416

CattlemensRestaurant.com

The Davis Flying W Guest Ranch

You want to be a cowboy? Come on out and stay at the Davis Flying W Guest Ranch, where guests can enjoy trail rides, cattle roundups, good food and great cabin accommodations for the whole family. The Flying W also has a full rodeo arena for roping, including bucking chutes and a barn with corrals. CMT’s Cowboy U actually filmed its fifth season at the Flying W.

10874 N 1920 Rd, Sayre, OK 73662

580-277-1304 • DavisFlyingW.com

The Stone Lion Inn B&B

Step back to a simpler time and stay in one of the Stone Lion Inn’s well-appointed suites. Built in 1907, the Victorian home is the perfect getaway for relaxing in comfort while staying in and touring historic Guthrie, the first capital of the Oklahoma Territory.

1016 W Warner Ave

Guthrie, OK 73044

405-282-0012 • StoneLionInn.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Sooner State, contact the Oklahoma Tourism& Recreation Department at TravelOK.com or 800-652-6552.

 

Oregon

The Beaver State is one of the most beautiful in the nation and has something for everyone who loves escaping the pace of the interstate and slowing down on a long and winding scenic highway. Whether driving over and through the Cascade and Coastal Ranges, up or down the rugged Pacific Coast, the Columbia River Gorge  or one of the scenic highways of central and eastern Oregon, you will discover the charm of small towns, historic sites and natural wonders around every turn.

A summer vacation in Oregon is one to be relished and enjoyed. Don’t try to do the whole state in one road trip but consider at least a loop vacation that immerses you in one or two of the state’s regions. Where you go may depend on whether you arrive by car or plane. Portland has the state’s largest airport and is a great jumping off place to visit Oregon’s Columbia Gorge, the Oregon coast or a scenic loop east to The Dalles, south to Klamath Falls and back north past Crater Lake National Park and Mount Hood National Forest. If you love to drive out West, Oregon’s 29 designated scenic byways and tour routes allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the ocean to the mountains to the eastern plains (traveloregon.com).

 

 

To help you plan your Oregon adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into seven travel regions: Central, Eastern, Mt. Hood & Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast, Portland Region, Southern Oregon and Willamette Valley. Each of Oregon’s travel sectors can be enjoyed throughout the year—although many will tell you that summer and fall are the best seasons—and all include scenic highways, historic towns and unique natural wonders.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Beaver State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Oregon.

Long Hollow Ranch

Founded in 1890, the historic ranch property is the perfect place to step away from the technology of today and relax in the beauty of rural, central Oregon. Twenty miles outside Sisters and Bend, the Long Hollow Ranch offers guests a tranquil Western experience on a sustainable, working cattle ranch.

71105 Holmes Rd, Sisters, OR 97759

541-923-1901 • LHRanch.com

The Dalles Inn

Perfectly situated in the historic downtown of The Dalles, the popular inn is in walking distance of the entertainment and restaurant district as well as the Columbia River. Well known for its hospitality, The Dalles Inn is a wonderful place to stay for a long weekend while on tour of the Columbia River Gorge. The staff are well versed in activities to enjoy in The Dalles area, including local museums, award-winning winery tours and outdoor adventures.

112 W 2nd St, The Dalles, OR 97508

541-296-9107 • TheDallesInn.com

Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon

Located in the heart of Pendleton, the Hamley Saloon & Steakhouse, open Tuesday to Saturday, has the region’s most authentic Old West 100-year-old mahogany bar which features oak woodwork and is watched over by “Tex,” a massive longhorn steer. Stained-glass chandeliers complete the decor. The restaurant specializes in prime rib and traditional ranch cooking. Hamley Café, open Monday to Saturday, offers a quiet relaxing breakfast and lunch.

8 SE Court Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

541-278-1100 • Hamley.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Beaver State, contact the Oregon Tourism Commission at TravelOregon.com or 800-547-7842.

 

South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore State welcomes tourists throughout the year, but summer and fall are the most popular seasons to enjoy everything South Dakota has to offer its visitors.

Many of the Northern Plains state’s historic towns, especially in the Black Hills, are perfect to make as your vacation headquarters for a weekend or longer. South Dakota’s natural beauty, historic sites, national parks and interesting small towns are just four reasons so many come to visit the plains state in the summer. If you love to drive out West, South Dakota’s five scenic byways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from the Black Hills to the Missouri River country and the eastern plains and prairie (travelsouthdakota.com).

To help you plan your South Dakota adventure, the state’s tourism office has divided the state into four travel regions: Black Hills & Badlands, South Dakota Missouri River, Glacial Lakes & Prairies and Southeast South Dakota. Each of South Dakota’s travel districts can be enjoyed through the summer and fall, and include scenic highways, historic towns, national parks and unique natural wonders.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Mount Rushmore State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of South Dakota. 

Deadwood Social Club-Saloon #10

Step back into history at the historic Saloon #10 on Deadwood’s Main Street. For over 100 years, the #10 has served locals and visitors with an Old West style and ambience that hearkens back to the wild and woolly territorial days of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The saloon is a virtual museum with artifacts everywhere you look and daily entertainment in the bar. The famous “Shooting of Wild Bill” reenactment starts every Monday through Saturday, on May 31.

637 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732

800-952-9368 • Saloon#10.com

 

 

Historic Bullock Hotel

In 1894, local sheriff and entrepreneur Seth Bullock built with his partner, Sol Star, the three-story Bullock Hotel after another downtown fire in Deadwood. The brick building took two years to complete but was quickly known as the city’s finest and convenient to the Grand Island and Wyoming Central train station, which had been operating passenger service to the town since 1891. Today, the three-story Bullock is the “Jewel of Downtown” Deadwood with 63 rooms and suites. Bully, the hotel’s restaurant is named in honor of Bullock’s good friend, Theodore Roosevelt.

633 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732

806-336-1876 • HistoricBullock.com

Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Located in stunning Spearfish Canyon, the lodge is open year-round. Visitors have a choice between 44 rooms, 10 suites and one private cabin. Guests can choose from a variety of “stay & play” packages, including fly-fishing, hiking and biking and a winter snowshoe adventure. The century-old lodge dining room, the Latchstring Restaurant, is known throughout the Black Hills as one of the finest dining experiences in the region.

10619 Roughlock Falls Rd

Lead, SD 57732

877-975-6343 • SFFCanyon.com

Circle View Guest Ranch

Philip and Amy Kruse manage the Circle View Guest Ranch, a family-run operation on their 2,800-acre cattle ranch four miles west of Interior, southwest of the Badlands National Park Visitors Center. Guests stay in seven guest rooms or the original 1880 Hamm Homestead Cabin. Relax and enjoy the family ambience and morning chores, hearty breakfasts and ranch life while on a tour of the Badlands and Black Hills.

20055 E Highway 44

Interior, SD 57780

605-433-5582 • CircleViewRanch.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Mount Rushmore State, contact the South Dakota Office of Tourism at TravelSouthDakota.com or 800-952-3625.

 

Texas

Is everything big in the Lone Star State? You bet, and you better make sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your visit to Texas and all its big cities, small towns, natural wonders and historic sites.

So how do you immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of the largest state south of Alaska and not spend all your time driving? The key is to pick a region (or two) and pick a great place to stay as your headquarters from which to explore and enjoy the local sites, food, fun and people.

 

 

To help you plan your visit in the vast state, Texas’s tourism office has divided the state into seven travel regions: Big Bend Country, Hill Country, South Texas Plains, Panhandle Plains, Gulf Coast, Piney Woods and Prairies & Lakes. Each is almost like a state unto itself, and you will thank yourself if you decide to visit them just one at a time. Each region has its own set of scenic highways and byways, which are an ideal way to tour the area and explore the local small towns and cultural sites.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Lone Star State? Here is a short list of True West’s favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Texas.

Crockett Hotel

Built in 1909 just behind the Alamo, the Crockett is within walking distance of many of San Antonio’s most popular sites, including the Shrine of Liberty and the River Walk. The building’s seven-story west wing was added in 1927. The hotel and its 138 guest rooms were completely renovated in 2007. One of the most striking features of the Crockett today is its six-story-high atrium, created when the hotel enclosed its outdoor courtyard in the 1980s. It’s a perfect place to stay while exploring the historic city and the nearby Hill Country, the city’s many museums, historic district and River Walk.

320 Bonham, San Antonio, TX 78205

210-225-6500 • CrockettHotel.com

Rancho Cortez Dude Ranch

This ranch, in the Texas Hill Country and near San Antonio, offers cowboy experiences for everyone. Escape urban life for a half or full day, or much longer. The ranch offers meals, horseback riding, swimming, hayrides, barrel racing and fitness programs. Or stay overnight in Western-themed lodging. Large porches, a refreshing outdoor pool, indoor pool, children’s play area and deck and hot tub complement a large dining and lodge room. A girls’ horse summer camp, for riders 8-16, teaches good horsemanship. A boys’ cowboy camp, for ages 8-18, teaches riding and roping skills, caring for livestock and camping.   

872 Hay Hollar Rd, Bandera, TX 78003

830-796-9339 • RanchoCortez.com

Old Central Firehouse Bed & Brew

Centrally located in downtown San Angelo, Old Central Firehouse was built in 1929. One of the first firehouses in San Angelo, the stately building remained in service as a firehouse until 1976. Newly renovated into a bed and brew, it is near the city’s dining and entertainment district, as well as many local historic sites including Fort Concho. Old Central Firehouse provides a unique, relaxing getaway within walking distance of many of the things that make San Angelo so great.

200 S Magdalen St

San Angelo, TX 76903

325-703-2029

OCFBedAndBrew.com

Y.O. Ranch Hotel

The Y.O. Ranch Hotel is the perfect place to make your headquarters for a long weekend or more when on a tour of the Texas Hill Country. Whatever season you visit, including winter (many suites have wood-burning fireplaces), the Y.O is a relaxing place to kick back and enjoy the beauty of the region and the many wonderful places to visit while in the Hill Country. When in Kerrville, don’t miss a chance to tour the nearby Museum of Western Art, which has one of the finest collections of cowboy art in the state.

2033 Sidney Baker St

Kerrville, TX 78028

830-257-4440

YORanchHotel.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Lone Star State, contact Texas Tourism at TravelTexas.com or 800-452-9292.

 

Wyoming

The Cowboy State is one of the great summertime destinations in the American West. True, Wyoming can be considered a four-season state by those who enjoy winter sports and tourism, but the summer is the most popular for tourists from both home and abroad.

The Rocky Mountain-Great Plains state’s natural beauty, historic sites and welcoming small towns are three reasons so many visit Wyoming in the summer. If you love to drive out West, Wyoming’s seven scenic byways allow you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the state from east to west and north to south (dot.state.wy.us).

 

 

To help you plan your visit, Wyoming’s tourism office has divided the state into five travel zones: National Parks, Black to Yellow, Park to Park, Rockies to Tetons and Salt to Stone, which actually starts in Salt Lake City, Utah, which has the closest major airport to Yellowstone National Park. Each zone has something for everyone, including scenic highways, welcoming historic towns and natural wonders.

Where should you stay, eat and drink when visiting the Cowboy State? Here is a short list of True West  favorites where you can immerse yourself in the local history and discover the beauty and culture of Wyoming.

Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel

Visit the Irma Hotel—a place that Buffalo Bill Cody called “a gem”—just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Cody built the hotel in 1902 and named it for his daughter, Irma. Today, you can stay in historic rooms that housed some of the most famous Western personalities the world has ever known, including Frederic Remington, Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane. You can even stay in Buffalo Bill’s private suite. Enjoy a drink and friendly camaraderie in the Silver Saddle Saloon. Or sit on the porch where Buffalo Bill and Irma sat, and enjoy a meal while you experience the sights of Cody. Fancy enough for royalty and comfortable enough for cowboys and cowgirls, the Irma Hotel is the heart and spirit of Cody, Wyoming.

1192 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414

307-587-4221 • IrmaHotel.com

Occidental Hotel

The Occidental Hotel was founded in 1879 in a tent before the log structure was constructed in 1880. The hotel hosted many of the most famous people of the Old West. Owen Wister, author of The Virginian, frequented the region and based his characters on gunslingers and cowboys he’d met in the Occidental Saloon. The current hotel, built between 1903 and 1908, guarantees today’s visitors an Old West experience at its historic Occidental Saloon, Busy Bee Cafe and The Virginian Restaurant.

10 Main St, Buffalo, WY 82834

307-684-0451

OccidentalWyoming.com

Sheridan Inn

The end of the Johnson County War opened the door to the expansion of tourism in Wyoming, including the opening of the Sheridan Inn in 1893. A gathering place for travelers for decades, the inn was completely restored and reopened in 2013. The Sheridan Inn is the perfect headquarters for an exploration of the Big Horn region of Wyoming and Montana, with 22 fully restored rooms and a popular banquet facility for weddings and reunions. Also, ask about the inn’s five-bedroom Mountain Lodge, available to rent with a three-day minimum.

856 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801

307-655-7861 • SheridanInn.com

Miners and Stockman’s Steakhouse & Spirits

Wyoming’s oldest bar is open Thursday to Sunday. Housed in the last remaining remnants of the old Fort Laramie trading post, the Steakhouse in Hartville, population 64, is adjacent to Guernsey State Park. Hartville was founded as a mining town. The bar visitors see today, was carved in 1862 in Germany, shipped to New York, sent by train to Cheyenne and then to Fort Laramie for the officers’ club. In the 1880s, it was brought by wagon to Hartville. Step back into history and enjoy a cold libation and great steak.

608 Main St, Hartville, WY 82215

307-836-2008

WyomingsOldestBar.com

FYI: For more information on travel in the Cowboy State, contact the Wyoming Travel and Tourism office at

WyomingTourism.org or 800-225-5996.

Editor’s Note: Want more details about heritage travel in all 22 Western states in the U.S.? Order your copy of the True West Ultimate Historic Travel Guide from TrueWestMagazine.com and use it to plan your next adventure out West. And don’t forget to take it with you as a handy guide to where to stay, eat, drink and visit while on your Old West tour.