Make your plans, pack your bags and head out for a Western adventure of a lifetime!

Whether you live in rural North Dakota or urban Texas, an annual trip into the heart of the West should be on everyone’s annual bucket list of adventures. 

 

With so many choices across the Western United States, deciding where to start or go is always difficult, but we believe that if you get off the interstate, immerse yourself in a historic small Western town for a few days—or even a week—you will discover the magic of the West and enjoy a real Western experience.

In the May 2023 issue, we published our first annual guide to Western saloons, and because of the enthusiastic response from our readers, we have updated it for the True West Ultimate Travel Guide. In each of our five travel regions we recommend four of our favorite Western towns where you can hang your hat, put up your boots, relax and enjoy the best Old West hospitality and local history.

We look forward to hearing about your adventures into the heart of the West in 2024!

 

 

The Pacific Coast

Travelers to the Pacific Coast will quickly discover the beauty of its mountain ranges, coastal lands, vast deserts and expansive valleys. The region is dominated by some of America’s largest cities, but also important historic sites and towns, national parks, wildernesses and forests.

When planning a trip to the Pacific Coast, we recommend contacting the state office of tourism and then checking online or calling ahead directly to the museum, restaurant, saloon or hotel you want to visit to ensure it is open or has a room available when you arrive. And don’t forget to schedule extra travel time to enjoy spontaneous stops in this history-rich region.

Here are some Pacific Coast communities where you can immerse yourself in Old West history and visit some classic Western saloons.

 

California

Old Sacramento

A national historic landmark district and state historic park, Old Sacramento is a living history center on the banks of the Sacramento River. Visitors can tour the California State Railroad Museum, The Delta King Riverboat, Huntington & Hopkins Hardware, Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum, Sacramento History Museum and the Wells Fargo History Museum. Passenger train rides can be enjoyed on the California State Railroad Museum’s Sacramento Southern Railroad, which departs from the reconstructed Central Pacific Freight Depot.

2nd St & Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814

916-808-7059 • OldSacramento.com

 

Idaho

Wallace

Located in the richest silver district in American history, Wallace is in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County in Idaho’s northern panhandle. Start your walking tour of the Wallace Historic District at the Wallace District Mining Museum, and continue on to the Oasis Bordello Museum and the Northern Pacific Depot Museum. Don’t leave town without taking the Sierra Silver Mine Tour.

10 River St, Wallace, ID 83873

208-753-7151 • WallaceID.fun

 

Nevada

Virginia City

In the desert hills between Reno and Carson City, one of the richest silver strikes in U.S. history, the Comstock Lode, rocketed Nevada from territory to statehood. Today, Virginia City is a virtual Victorian-era heritage center, with historic sites, museums and buildings. Don’t miss the Storey County Courthouse, Piper Opera House, Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the Comstock Mill, Ponderosa Mine Tour, Mark Twain Museum and the Comstock Fire Museum. A great way to see the historic mining camp is aboard the Virginia City Trolley tour.

86 C St, Virginia City, NV 89440

775-847-1114 • VirginiaCityNV.com

 

Oregon

Pendleton

Pendleton is world famous for the Pendleton Round-Up, a rodeo equally known for its action in

the arena as well as its dedication to the local Indian cultures and the history of the Umatilla River Valley. Visitors will enjoy touring the Pendleton Woolen Mills, Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame Museum, Heritage Station Museum and Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. Before leaving town, don’t miss Hamley’s & Co., a famous saddle, Western wear shop, steakhouse and saloon in business since 1883.

501 S Main St, Pendleton, OR 97801

541-276-7411 • TravelPendleton.com

 

 

Saloons 

California

Almost Historical River City Saloon

916 2nd St, Old Sacramento, CA 95814

916-443-6852 • TheRiverCitySaloon.com

 

The Buena Vista

2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

415-474-5044 • TheBuenaVista.net

 

Columbia City Hotel & What Cheer Saloon

22768 Main St, Columbia, CA 95310

209-532-5341 • CityHotel.com

 

Comstock Saloon

155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

415-617-0071 • ComstockSaloon.com

 

Cosmopolitan Hotel

2660 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110

619-297-1869 • OldTownCosmopolitan.com

 

The Cowboy Palace Saloon

21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311

844-426-9725 • CowboyPalace.com

 

Elixir

3200 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

415-552-1633 • ElixirSF.com

 

The Historical Iron Door Saloon

18761 Main St, Groveland, CA 95321

209-962-8904 • IronDoorSaloon.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1852.

 

The Holbrooke Hotel & Golden Gate Saloon

212 W Main St, Grass Valley, CA 95945

530-460-1945 • Holbrooke.com

 

Jack’s Bar and Grill

1743 California St, Redding, CA 96001

530-246-2190 • JacksGrillRedding.com

 

Long Branch Saloon

907 N Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308

661-829-5832 • No website

 

The Murphys Historic Hotel & Saloon

457 Main St, Murphys, CA 95247

209-728-3444 • MurphysHotel.com

 

The National Exchange Hotel & Bar

211 Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959

530-362-7605 • TheNationalExchangeHotel.com

 

The No Name Bar

2102, 757 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965

415-332-1392 • TheNoNameBar.com

 

Old Western Saloon

11201 CA-1, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

415-663-1661 • No website

 

Rusty’s Saloon & Grill

113 N Main St, Bishop, CA 93514

760-873-9066 • Rustys-Inc-Bishop.edan.io

 

The Saloon

1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

415-989-7666 • SFBlues.net

 

Smiley’s Schooner Saloon

41 Wharf Rd, Bolinas, CA 94924

415-881-1851 • SmileysSaloon.com

 

Idaho

Ace Saloon

103 Illinois Ave, Council, ID 83612

208-253-4469 • Ace-Saloon.Business.site

 

Historic Smoke House & Saloon

424 Sixth St, Wallace, ID 83873

208-659-7539 • CogsPub.com 

 

The Cowboy’s Pastime

32524 Belle, Bruneau, ID 83604

208-845-2116 • No website

 

The Gold Mine Grill & Saloon

3867 Highway 21, Idaho City, ID 83631

208-392-4787 • TheGoldMineHotel.com

 

Pengilly’s Saloon

513 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702

208-345-6344 • No website

 

Pioneer Saloon

320 N Main St, Ketchum, ID 83340

208-726-3139 • PioneerSaloon.com

 

The Snake Pit

1480 Coeur d’Alene River Rd Enaville, ID 83839

208-682-3453 • SnakePitIdaho.com

 

White Horse Saloon, Hotel and Café 

6248 W Maine St, Spirit Lake, ID 83869

208-623-2353 • TheWhiteHorseSaloon.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1907.

 

Nevada

Bucket of Blood Saloon

1 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440

775-847-0322 • BucketOfBloodSaloonVC.com 

 

Cowboy Bar and Café

443 Front St, Montello, NV 89830

775-776-2466 • No website

 

Genoa Bar and Saloon

2282 Main St, Genoa, NV 89411

775-782-3870 • GenoaBarAndSaloon.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1853.

 

International Café & Bar

59 Main St, Austin, NV 89310

775-964-1225 • No website

 

Lucky Spur Saloon

306 Kingston Canyon Rd Austin, NV 89310

775-964-2000 • LuckySpurSaloon.com (Check the website for directions)

 

The Martin Hotel, Restaurant and Bar

94 W Railroad St, Winnemucca, NV 89445

775-623-3197 • TheMartinHotel.com

 

Paradise Valley Saloon Bar & Grill

95 Main St, Paradise Valley, NV 89426

775-578-3090 • No website

 

Pioneer Saloon

310 W Spring St, Goodsprings, NV 89019

702-874-9362 • PioneerSaloon.com 

 

Ponderosa Saloon

106 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440

775-847-7210 • No website

 

Red Dog Saloon

76 N C St, Virginia City, NV 89440

775-847-7474 • RedDogVC.rocks 

 

Silver Dollar Club

400 Commercial St, Elko, NV 89801

775-738-4834 • No website

 

The Star Hotel & Bar

245 W Silver St, Elko, NV 89801

775-738-9925 • ElkoStarHotel.com

 

Oregon

Dan and Louis Oyster Bar

208 SW Ankeny St. Portland, OR 97204

503-227-5906 • DanAndLouis.com

 

Hamley’s Steakhouse & Saloon

8 E Court Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

541-278-1100 • HamleySteakHouse.com

 

Huber’s

411 Southwest 3rd Ave Portland, OR 97204

503-228-5686 • Hubers.com

The oldest restaurant and saloon in the state was founded in 1879.

 

The Pioneer Saloon and Restaurant

327 Main St, Paisley, OR 97636

541-943-3289 • No website

 

Shamrock Cardroom Bar

17 SW Emigrant Ave, Pendleton, OR 97801

800-226-6398 PendletonUndergroundTours.org

 

Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill 

190 E Cascade Ave, Sisters, OR 97759

541-549-7427 • SistersSaloon.net

 

Terminal Gravity Brewery & Pub

803 School St, Enterprise, OR 97828

541-426-3000 • TerminalGravityBrewing.com

 

Washington

Bluebird Inn

121 Goldendale, Bickleton, WA 99322

509-896-2273 • Bickleton.org/Bluebird-inn

 

The Brick Saloon

100 W Pennsylvania Ave Roslyn, WA 98941

509-649-2643 • BrickSaloon.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1889.

 

Frontier Tavern

111 W 4th Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926

509-925-9229 • No website

 

Olympic Club

112 N Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

866-736-5164 • McMenamins.com

 

Rhein Haus Seattle

912 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

206-325-5409 • RheinHausSeattle.com

 

The Desert Southwest

Travelers to the American Southwest will quickly discover the beauty and diversity of its geography, cultures, heritage-rich small towns and large, modern cities, out-of-the-way historic sites and blue highways crisscrossing expansive vistas. We recommend that when planning a trip in the Southwest you contact the state office of tourism and then check online or call ahead to the restaurant, saloon or hotel you want to visit to ensure it is open or has a room available when you arrive. And don’t forget to schedule extra travel time to enjoy spontaneous stops at the many fine museums in this history-rich region.

Here are some Desert Southwest communities where you can immerse yourself in Old West history and visit some classic Western saloons.

 

 

Arizona

Prescott

The historic and picturesque Territorial capital of Arizona, Prescott is the perfect town in which to take a walk through state history. Start at Sharlot Hall Museum, the living history center with several historic buildings, including the Territorial Governor’s Home, and walk down Gurley Street to Prescott’s historic Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, where Solon Borglum’s Rough Rider bronze greets visitors to the park. Across the street, take a walk down Montezuma Avenue, known as Whiskey Row, and visit the historic Palace Restaurant & Saloon.

117 W Goodwin St, Prescott, AZ 86303
928-445-2000 • Prescott.org

 

Tombstone

“The town to tough to die,” Tombstone is Arizona’s most infamous Territorial mining camp and is known internationally for the Earp-Clanton gunfight behind the O.K. Corral. Tour the Tombstone County Courthouse State Historic Park, take a walk through Boothill Graveyard, and park at one end of Allen Street and walk into history. In the National Historic District, don’t miss visiting Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, the Crystal Palace, C.S. Fly’s, O.K. Corral, the Bird Cage Saloon, Rose Tree Museum, Good Enough Mine Underground Tour and the Tombstone Epitaph Museum.

109 S 4th St, Tombstone, AZ 85638

888-457-3929 • TombstoneChamber.com

 

New Mexico

Mesilla

Founded in 1848, Mesilla is one of the oldest settlements in the southern Rio Grande River Valley in New Mexico. Mesilla’s historic plaza is where U.S. troops from Fort Fillmore raised the American flag after the conclusion of the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. The town served as the short-lived capital of the Confederacy in New Mexico during the Civil War. In the 1870s and 1880s, Mesilla’s popular saloons and dance halls attracted law-abiding citizens and outlaws, including Billy the Kid. Visitors should tour the historic plaza (the Kid was tried and sentenced to die in the historic building that is home to today’s Billy the Kid Giftshop), the local Gadsden Museum and the New Mexico Ranch & Farm Museum in nearby Las Cruces.

2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla, NM 88046

575-524-3262 • OldMesilla.org

Texas

Bandera

Small-town Bandera is big for its britches and proudly wears the title of the Cowboy Capital of the World. This is where cowboys converged for longhorn cattle drives on the Western Trail to Dodge City and beyond from 1874-94. It’s where rodeo thrives today in the town’s century-old Manchester Park arena. Cowboy Mardi Gras is a very popular annual event in Bandera, with three days of festivities centered around the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. Don’t miss a tour of the Frontier Times Museum or a stay at the Dixie Dude Ranch.

126 State Highway, 16 S, Bandera, TX 78003

830-796-3045 • BanderaCowboyCapital.com

 

 

Saloons 

Arizona

Antlers Café & Bar

46788 AZ-288, Young, AZ 85554

928-462-3265 • No website

 

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon

417 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638

520-457-3107 • BigNoseKate.com

 

Black Cat Bar

114 Chino St, Seligman, AZ 86337

928-442-3451• BlackCatBarSeligman.com

 

The Crown King Saloon and Café 

7219 Main St, Crown King, AZ 86343

928-632-7053 • CrownKingSaloon.com

Only accessible by unpaved roads; go to CrownKing.com for directions.

 

Crystal Palace Saloon

436 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638

520-457-3611 • CrystalPalaceSaloon.com

 

Handlebar J BBQ Restaurant & Bar

7116 E Becker Ln, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

480-948-0110 • HandlebarJ.com

 

Longhorn Grill and Saloon

28851 S Nogales Hwy, Amado, AZ 85645

520-398-0700 • LonghornGrillAndSaloon.com

 

Matt’s Saloon

112 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303

928-776-2974 • MattsSaloon.com

 

The Maverick King of Clubs

6622 E Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715

520-298-0430 • TucsonMaverick.com

 

The Museum Club

3404 E Rt 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

928-440-4331 • MuseumClub.net

 

1902 The Spirit Room at the Copper Queen Hotel

11 Howell Ave, Bisbee, AZ 85603

520-433-2216 • CopperQueenHotel.com

 

Palace Restaurant & Saloon

120 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86301

928-541-1996 • HistoricPalace.com 

The oldest saloon in the state was founded as the Cabinet Saloon in 1874.

 

The Rusty Spur

7245 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

480-425-7787 • RustySpurSaloon.com

 

Saddle and Spur Tavern at the Gadsden Hotel

1046 G Ave, Douglas, AZ 85607

520-364-4481 • TheGadsdenHotel.com

 

Saddlehorn Saloon

6300 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715

520-722-9253 • No website

 

Spirit Room

166 Main St # 155, Jerome, AZ 86331

928-634-8809 • SpiritRoom.com

 

Sultana Bar

301 Historic Rt 66, Williams, AZ 86046

928-635-2021• No website

 

XA Bar & Grill

18 W Main St, Springerville, AZ 85938

928-333-0333 • No website

 

New Mexico

The Alley Cantina

121 Teresina Ln, Taos, NM 87571

575-758-2121 • AlleyCantina.com

 

Annex Bar and Grill

101 US-54, Logan, NM 88426

575-487-4745 • AnnexBarAndGrill.com

 

Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House

32 Main St, Pinos Alto, NM 88053

575-538-9911 • BuckhornSaloonAndOperaHouse.com

 

Caballo Tavern

NM-187, Arrey, NM 87930

575-267-5535 • No website

 

Capitol Bar & Brewery

110 Plaza St, Socorro, NM 87801

575-835-1193 • CapitolBarAndBrewery.com

 

The Eklund Hotel and Restaurant

15 Main St, Clayton, NM 88415

575-374-2551 • HotelEklund.com

 

El Farol

808 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

505-983-9912 • ElFarolSantaFe.com

The oldest restaurant and saloon in the state was founded in 1835.

 

El Patio Bar

2171 Calle de Parian, Mesilla, NM 88046

575-526-9943 • No website

 

The 49ER Lounge, El Rancho Hotel

1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301

505-722-2285 • ElRanchoHotelGallup.com

 

Golden Spur Saloon

US Hwy-60, Magdalena, NM 87825

575-854-2554 • GoldenSpurSaloon.com

 

La Posta de Mesilla

2410 Calle De San Albino Mesilla, NM 88046

575-524-3524 • Laposta-De-Mesilla.com

 

No Scum Allowed Saloon

933 White Oaks Rd, White Oaks, NM 88301 

575-648-5583 • NoScumSaloon.com

 

Silva’s Saloon

955 S Camino Del Pueblo, Bernalillo, NM 87004

505-867-9976 • No website

 

Tinnie Silver Dollar

28842 US-70, Tinnie, NM 88351

575-653-4425 • TinnieSilverDollar.com

 

TJs Bar, St. James Hotel

617 S Collison Ave, Cimarron, NM 87714

575-376-2664 • EXStJames.com

 

Western Bar & Café

304 Burro St, Cloudcroft, NM 88317

575-682-2445 • WesternBarAndCafe.com 

 

Oklahoma

Blue Belle Pizza Parlor & Saloon

224 W Harrison Ave, Guthrie, OK 73044

405-877-3205 • No website

 

Bob’s Cowboy Bar & Rodeo Room

132 N Ellison St, Guymon, OK 73942

580-468-3110 • No website

 

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

1309 S Agnew, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

405-236-0416 • CattlemensRestaurant.com

 

Dry Hollow Bar

517 Kihekah Ave, Pawhuska, OK 74056

918-604-8775 • No website

 

Eischen’s Bar

109 S 2nd, Okarche, OK 73762

405-263-9939 • Eischensbar.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1896.

 

Ironhorse Saloon

13573 US-169, Oologah, OK 74053

918-443-2622 • No website

 

McClintock Saloon & Chop House

2227 Exchange Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73108

405-825-1359 • McClintockSaloon.com

 

Texas

Albert Ice House

5435 Ranch Rd 1623, Stonewall, TX 78671

830-644-2042 • AlbertTexas.com

 

Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar

308 Main St, Bandera, TX 78003

830-796-8826 • No website

 

The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery

7701 I-40, Amarillo, TX 79118

806-372-6000 • BigTexan.com

 

Billy Bob’s Texas

2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164

817-624-7117 • BillyBobsTexas.com

 

Broken Spoke

3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

512-442-6189 • BrokenSpokeAustinTX.net

 

Cattleman’s Club & Café

3803 E Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79107

806-383-1707 • No website

 

11th Street Cowboy Bar 

307 11th St, Bandera, TX 78003

830-796-4849 • 11thStCowboyBar.com

 

The Esquire Tavern

155 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

210-222-2521 • EsquireTavern-SA.com

 

Gruene Hall

1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

830-606-1281 • GrueneHall.com

 

The Little Longhorn Saloon

5434 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

512-524-1291 • TheLittleLonghornSaloon.com

 

Lou’s Landmark Saloon

5101 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78408

361-882-9300 • No website

 

Luckenbach Texas

413 Luckenbach Town Loop Fredericksburg, TX 78624

830-997-3224 • LuckenbachTexas.com

 

Menger Hotel 

204 Alamo Plz, San Antonio, TX 78205

210-223-4361 • MengerHotel.com

 

Neon Cowboy

10420 C F Hawn Fwy, Dallas, TX 75217

972-557-5102 • Neon-Cowboy.business.site

 

Ole Crystal Bar

410 E Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830

432-837-4800 • No website

 

Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon

1505 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. Lorena TX 76655

254-857-4717 • PapaJoesTexasSaloon.com

 

Ricky D’s

10780 Pebble Hills Blvd D, El Paso, TX 79935

915-222-8407 • RickyDs.com

 

Riley’s Tavern

8894 FM1102, New Braunfels, TX 78132

512-392-3132 • RileysTavern.com

 

Rosa’s Cantina

3454 Doniphan Dr, El Paso, TX 79922

915-833-0402 • No website

 

Scholz Garten

1607 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

512-474-1958 • ScholzGarten.net

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1866.

 

Starlight Theatre Restaurant & Bar

631 Ivey Rd, Terlingua, TX 79852

432-371-3400 • TheStarlightTheatre.com

 

Texas Café & Bar: “The Spoon”

3604 50th St, Lubbock, TX 79413

806-792-8544 • TexasCafeAndBarTheSpoon.com

 

White Elephant Saloon 

106 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

817-624-8273 • WhiteElephantSaloon.com

 

Great Basin and Rocky Mountains

The Great Basin and Rocky Mountains region is home to some of the West’s largest national parks—including Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Zion and Bryce—and some of the West’s most historical mining towns, ranching communities and battlefield sites—including Little Bighorn and Big Hole in Montana. Touring by car or RV is the best way to enjoy this vast section of the West, with plenty of scenic highways to choose from in all four states. Don’t forget to schedule extra travel time—especially during the winter months—to enjoy spontaneous stops in this history-rich region.

Here are some Great Basin and Rocky Mountain communities where you can immerse yourself in Old West history and visit some classic Western saloons.

 

 

Colorado

Durango

In the heart of the San Juan Mountains on the banks of the Animas River in Southwest Colorado, Durango is home to the world-famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Visitors who love Victorian inns will enjoy staying at the Historic Strater Hotel in the downtown district before taking a round-trip ride into history on the narrow-gauge railroad to Silverton and back. The train runs year ’round, with special excursions in the heart of winter.

802 Main St, Durango, CO 81302

800-463-8726 • Durango.org

 

Montana

Great Falls

Upriver from Fort Benton, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail leads to Great Falls, a key stop for heritage travelers to view and tour the site of the Corps of Discovery’s portage of the five waterfalls on the Missouri River. Travelers should visit the C.M. Russell Museum, Giant Springs State Park and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and enjoy a short or long walk, run or bike ride on the 48-mile River’s Edge Trail.

1106 9th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405

406-771-1180 • VisitGreatFallsMontana.org

 

Wyoming

Buffalo

Visitors who walk the downtown district of Buffalo, Wyoming, should consider spending the night and dining at the Occidental Hotel, where Owen Wister might have written part of his famous novel, The Virginian. The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum’s exhibits chronicle local history, including the Johnson County War. Just outside town is the TA Ranch, a historic guest ranch that was the site of a major conflict during the cattle war. Don’t miss Longmire Days every July in celebration of writer Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire mystery novels and television series set in Big Horn Country.

55 N. Main St, Buffalo, WY 82834

800-227-5122 • BuffaloWyoming.org

 

Sheridan

In 1882 John D. Loucks founded Sheridan, which he named in honor of his commanding officer in the Civil War. The gateway city to the Big Horn Mountains and Little Bighorn country of Montana, Sheridan became an economic center for the bi-state region after the railroad arrived in 1892. Today, visitors can stay at the fully restored Sheridan Inn, stroll historic downtown and tour the Brinton, Sheridan County and Bozeman Trail museums.

1517 E 5th St, Sheridan, WY 82801

307-673-7121 • SheridanWyoming.org

 

 

Saloons 

Colorado

The Buckhorn Exchange 

1000 Osage, Denver, CO 80204

303-534-9505 • Buckhorn.com

 

Buffalo Rose Saloon

1119 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401

303-278-6800 • BuffaloRose.net

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1859.

 

The Diamond Belle at The Strater Hotel

699 Main St, Durango, CO 81301

970-375-7123 • Strater.com

 

Gold Pan Saloon

103 N Main St, Breckinridge, CO 80424

970-453-5499 • TheGoldPanSaloon.com

 

Grand Imperial Hotel Bar

1219 Greene St, Silverton, CO 81433

970-387-5527 • GrandImperialHotel.com

 

Gray’s Coors Tavern

515 W 4th St, Pueblo, CO 81003

719-544-0455 • No website

 

Historic Bar in the New Sheridan Hotel 

231 W Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435

970-728-4351• NewSheridan.com

 

Historic Western Hotel Bar

206 & 210 7th Ave, Ouray, CO 81427

888-624-8403 • HistoricWesternHotel.com

 

J-Bar in the Hotel Jerome

330 E Main St, Aspen, CO 81611

970-429-7674 • AubergeResorts.com

 

Kochevar’s Saloon

127 Elk Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224

970-349-7117 • No website

 

The Legendary Silver Dollar Saloon

315 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461

719-486-9914 • LegendarySilverDollarSaloon.com

 

The Historic Mint

347 Blue River Pkwy, Silverthorne, CO 80498

970-468-5247 • MintSteakhouse.com

 

My Brothers Bar 

2376 15th St, Denver, CO 80204

303-455-9991 • MyBrothersBar.com

 

New Sheridan Historic Bar

231 W Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81320

970-728-4351 • NewSheridan.com

 

740 Front

740 Front St, Louisville, CO 80027

720-519-1972 • 740Front.com

 

Town Pump

124 N College Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80524

970-493-4404 • No website

 

The Whiskey Bar at The Stanley Hotel 

333 Wonderview Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517

800-976-1377 • StanleyHotel.com

 

Montana

Bale of Hay Saloon

344 W. Wallace St, Virginia City, MT  59755

406-843-5700 • BaleOfHaySaloon.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1863.

 

The Blue Moon Saloon

3793 US-287, Cameron, MT 59720

406-682-4555 • BlueMoonSaloonMt.com

 

Cowboys Bar and Museum

311 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 59404

406-453-0651 • CowboysBarsMCA.com

 

Gold Bar and Western Bar

400 North Last Chance Gulch Street Helena, MT 59601

406-442-2250 • No website

 

The Historic Montana Bar

612 Main St, Miles City, MT 59301

406-234-5809 • TheMontanaBar.com

 

Long Branch Saloon

124 Main St, Ennis, MT 59729

406-682-7370 • No website

 

The Mint Bar and Grill

102 N Main St, Livingston, MT 59047

406-222-4759 • TheMintBarAndGrill.com

 

The New Atlas Bar

528 E Pike Ave, Columbus, MT 59019

406-322-9818 • No website

 

The Old Saloon

210 Railroad Ln, Emigrant, MT 59027

406-333-4482 • OldSaloonMt.com

 

The Oxford Saloon & Café

337 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802

406-549-0117 • The-Oxford.com

 

The Silver Dollar Saloon

133 S Main St, Butte, MT 59701

406-782-7367 • ButteAmerica.com

 

Stacey’s Old Faithful Bar & Steakhouse

300 Mill St, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730

406-763-4425 • StaceysBar.com

 

Utah

Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon

1212 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767

435-772-3498 • BitAndSpur.com

 

Gateway Saloon & Café

733 E Main St, Vernal, UT 84078

435-789-9842 • No website

 

The Outlaw Saloon

1254 W 2100 S St, West Haven, UT 84401

801-334-9260 • OutlawSaloon.com

 

Ray’s Tavern

25 S Broadway, Green River, UT 84525

435-564-3511 • No website

 

The Swingin’ Steaks at Mexican Hat Lodge

100 Main Hwy 163, Mexican Hat, UT 84531

435-683-2222 • MexicanHat.net

 

Shooting Star Saloon

7350 East 200 S, Huntsville, UT 84317

801-745-2002 • ShootingStarSaloon.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1879.

 

Thunderbird Restaurant

4530 State St, Mt Carmel, UT 84755

435-648-2262 • ThunderbirdUtah.com

 

Wyoming

The Albany Bar and Restaurant

1506 Capital Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001

307-638-3507 • AlbanyCheyenne.com

 

The Bar at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel

1192 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414

307-587-4221 • IrmaHotel.com

 

The Bunkhouse Bar & Grill

1064 Happy Jack Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82009

307-632-6184 • BunkHouseBar.com

 

Buffalo Bill Bar, Sheridan Inn

856 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801

307-655-7861 • SheridanInn.com

 

Cowboy Bar

104 W Pine St, Pinedale, WY 82941

307-367-4520 • No website

 

Cowboy Bar and Café

1936 State St, Meeteetse, WY 82433

307-868-2233 • No website

 

Cowboy Saloon

108 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY 82072

307-200-8343 • TheCowboySaloon.com

 

Invasion Bar & Restaurant

343 Nolan Ave, Kaycee, WY 82639

307-738-2211 • InvasionBar.com

 

Lander Bar and Grill

126 Main St, Lander, WY 85250

307-332-8228 • LanderBar.com

 

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

25 N Cache St, Jackson, WY 83001 

307-733-2207 • MillionDollarCowboyBar.com

 

Miner’s & Stockmen’s Steakhouse

608 Main St, Hartville, WY 82215

307-836-2008 • WyomingsOldestBar.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1862.

 

The Mint Bar

151 N Main St, Sheridan, WY 82801

307-674-9696 • MintBarWyo.com

 

Outlaw Saloon

312 S Greeley Hwy, Cheyenne, WY 82007

307-635-7552 • CheyenneOutlawSaloon.com

 

Rustic Pine Tavern

119 E Rams Horn, Dubois, WY 82513

307-455-2430 • RusticPineTavern.com

 

The Saloon at the Occidental Hotel

10 N. Main St, Buffalo, WY 62834

307-684-0451• OccidentalWyoming.com

 

Senator’s Steakhouse & Saloon Terry Bison Ranch

51 I-25 Frontage Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82007

307-634-4171 • TerryBisonRanch.com

 

Shelly’s Cowboy Bar

486 Washington St, Afton, WY 83110

307-885-9890 • No website

 

Shiloh Saloon at The Historic Virginian Hotel

404 Lincoln Hwy, Medicine Bow, WY 82329

307-379-2377 • TheHistoricVirginianHotel.vpweb.com

 

Stagecoach Bar

5755 W WY 22, Wilson, WY 83014

307-733-4407 • StagecoachBar.net

 

Northern Prairie and Plains

Travelers to the Northern Prairie and Plains will discover the beauty of the Great Plains’ endless vistas rolling on beyond the horizon, the timelessness and sacredness of the Black Hills, the badlands of North and South Dakota, the prairie, forest and lakes of Minnesota, and the many rivers that define the region: the Missouri, Mississippi, Red, Big Sioux, Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar and Minnesota. Don’t forget to schedule extra travel time—especially during the winter months—to enjoy spontaneous stops in this history-rich region.

Here are some Northern Prairie and Plains communities where you can immerse yourself in Old West history and visit some classic Western saloons.

 

 

Minnesota

Northfield 

Founded in 1855, Northfield entered the history books permanently as the legendary site of the James-Younger Gang’s failed robbery of the First National Bank on September 7, 1876. Visitors to Northfield should tour the historic downtown after touring Northfield’s Historical Society and Museum, in the restored original bank building. The annual Defeat of Jesse James Days is held every Labor Day Weekend and is one of the premiere Old West reenactment events in the region.

205 Third St W, Suite B Northfield, MN 55057

507-645-5604 • VisitingNorthfield.com 

 

North Dakota

Medora 

Among the most beautiful—and entertaining—places in North Dakota are the inexorably connected restored historic village of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Every summer the town of Medora comes alive as the community celebrates the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt at the Medora Musical. Frenchman Marquis de Mores founded the town in 1883 and named it for his wife. The Marquis’s settlement also attracted another New Yorker, Teddy Roosevelt, who built a cattle ranch nearby in 1883. Roosevelt’s experiences in the Dakota Territory would forever shape his life and political career, and the adjacent national park encompasses the land he so loved.

330 Pacific Ave, Medora, ND 58645

701-623-4830 • MedoraND.com 

 

South Dakota

Deadwood and Lead

The epicenter of the Gold Rush of 1874-76 that transformed the Black Hills, Deadwood was founded to supply the rush of miners everything they needed to survive: supplies, saloons and soiled doves. Visitors who walk the streets of Deadwood today should start at the visitors center in the restored railroad station for a map of the city, directions to local museums, daily events, historic sites and the Mt. Moriah Cemetery, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried side by side. After touring Deadwood, drive up the mountain to tour the historic gold mining town of Lead.

501 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732 800-344-8826

160 W Main St, Lead, SD 57754 605-584-1100

Deadwood.com / LeadMeThere.org

Saloons 

Iowa

Breitbach’s Country Dining

563 Balltown Rd, Balltown, IA 52703

563-552-2220 • BreitbachsCountryDining.com

Iowa’s oldest bar & restaurant opened in 1852. Six generations of Breitbachs have managed the tavern.

 

Dave’s Fox Head Tavern

402 E Market St, Iowa City, IA 52245

319-351-9824 • IowaCitysOldestBars-Blog.tumblr.com

 

Deadwood Tavern

6 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240

319-351-9417 • No website

 

General Store Pub

12612 Stone City Rd. Anamosa, IA 52205

319-462-4399 • GeneralStorePub.com

 

Frick’s Tap

1402 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52802 

563-594-8657 • FricksTapIA.com

 

The Twisted Tail Steakhouse & Saloon

2940 335th St, Logan, IA 51546

712-644-3942 • TwistedTailBBTown.com

 

Minnesota

Cowboys Saloon

3801 Restwood Rd, Lexington, MN 55014

763-784-6560 • CowboysSaloon.co

 

The Midway Saloon

1567 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

651-645-8472 • MidwaySaloon.com

 

Neumann’s Bar & Grill

2531 E 7th Avenue, North St Paul, MN 55109

651-770-6020 • NeumannsBar.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1887.

 

New Ulm Turner Hall

102 S State St, New Ulm, MN 56703

507-354-4916 • NewUlmTurnerHall.org

 

Red Wing Barrel House

223 Main St, Red Wing 55066

651-327-2300 • RedWingBarrelHouse.com

 

Spot Bar

859 Randolph St, St Paul, MN 55102

651-224-7433 • No website

 

North Dakota

Hanson’s Bar

123 Main St, Robinson, ND 58478

701-390-9896 • Hansons-Bar.business.site

 

Lonesome Dove Saloon & Dance Hall

3929 Memorial Hwy, Mandan, ND 58554

701-663-2793 • No website

 

Old 10 Saloon

407 Main St, Buffalo, ND 58011

701-633-5317 • No website

 

Peacock Alley

422 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

701-221-2333 • Peacock-Alley.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1933.

 

The Round Up Saloon

4501 Urban Plains Dr S, Fargo, ND 58104

701-499-1397 • RoundUpSaloonFargo.com

 

South Dakota

Badlands Saloon & Grille

509 Main St, Wall, SD 57790

605-279-2210 • VisitBadlandsSaloon.com

 

Brass Rail Lounge

624 St Joseph St, Rapid City, SD 57701

605-341-1768 • BrassRailRapidCity.com

 

Buffalo Bodega Restaurant & Saloon

658 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732

605-578-9993• BuffaloBodega.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1877.

 

Bullwacker’s Saloon

1010 Meade St, Whitewood, SD 57793

605-717-1888 • Bullwackers1888Saloon.com

 

The Knuckle Saloon

931 1st St, Sturgis, SD 57885

605-347-0106 • TheKnuckle.com

 

R Bar

116 Main Ave, Lemmon, SD 57638

605-374-7227 • No website

 

Red Garter Saloon

124 Winter St, Keystone, SD 57751

605-666-4274 • RedGarterSaloon.com

 

Saloon No. 10

637 Main St, Deadwood, SD 57732

800-952-9398 • Saloon10.com

 

Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill

115 Main St, Interior, SD 57750

605-433-5331 • No website

 

Southern Prairie and Plains

The Southern Prairie and Plains region is a historically rich crossroads where America’s greatest Western trails originated and its biggest rivers defined the nation’s commercial, settlement and military history. The historic routes along the Mississippi and Missouri, Red and Arkansas, Kaw and Platte rivers can all be followed and explored. Beginning in St. Louis and the Kansas City area, travelers can follow National Historic Trails, including the Lewis and Clark, Santa Fe and Oregon, westward. The recently rededicated and renovated Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis is a great place to start a tour in the region.

Here are some Southern Prairie and Plains communities where you can immerse yourself in Old West history and visit some classic Western saloons.

 

 

Arkansas

Fort Smith 

In the annals of American Trans-Mississippi history, Fort Smith, founded in 1817, was an important gateway city to the West. The National Park Service’s Fort Smith National Historic Site is one of the largest, best-preserved interpretive centers of a historic 19th-century federal post west of the Mississippi. Fort Smith may have been best known as the court of Judge Isaac Parker, the hanging judge. Visitors can tour the 37-acre grounds of Fort Smith on a 1.4-mile self-guided tour of all the key historic structures and sites, including the Gallows, Commissary and Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Overlook. In July 2023, the U.S. Marshals Museum had its grand opening, and it is a must-see in historic Fort Smith.

2 North B St, Fort Smith, AR 72901

479-783-8888 • FortSmith.org

 

Kansas

Abilene 

Abilene was founded in 1857, but it was the arrival of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1867 that transformed Abilene into the legendary town at the end of the Chisholm Trail from Texas. Old Abilene Town is dedicated to promoting and preserving the colorful and popular heritage of the “wickedest and wildest” cow town of all the Kansas cow towns. Three other notable museums not to miss when visiting Abilene, Kansas are the Dickinson County Heritage Center, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home and the Historic Seelye Mansion.

100 SE 5th St, Abilene, KS 67410 

785-479-0952 • AbileneCityHall.com

 

Dodge City

“The Queen of the Cow Towns,” Dodge City’s iconic status stands equally with that of Deadwood, Lincoln and Tombstone. A tour of Dodge City should begin at the Visitor Information Center for an orientation and guide to the city. Take the Historic Trolley Tour (operating Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day), pick up a map of the Dodge City Trail of Fame and visit the acclaimed Boot Hill Museum. While in Dodge City, don’t miss a visit to the Gunfighters Wax Museum and the Wild West Heritage Foundation’s Buffalo and Longhorn Exhibit.

400 W Wyatt Earp Blvd
Dodge City, KS 67801

620-225-8186 • VisitDodgeCity.org

 

Missouri

St. Joseph 

Known best as the trailhead for the Pony Express, St. Joseph’s historic district will inspire the imagination and remind visitors of the importance to American history of Missouri’s Western frontier towns. Begin tours of historic St. Joseph at the Pony Express Museum, followed by a visit to the extraordinary St. Joseph Museum with its extensive displays on the culture and history of the region, including American Indian and Civil War exhibitions. Also, don’t miss the Patee House Museum, Jesse James Home, Robidoux Row Museum and Pony Express Monument.

109 S 4th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501

800-785-0360 • StJoMo.com

 

Saloons 

Arkansas

The Ohio Club

336 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901

501-627-0702 • TheOhioClub.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1905.

 

Kansas

Bourbon Cowboy

605 Commercial St, Emporia, KS 66801

620-481-9404 • BourbonCowboyBar.com

 

Buffalo Bill’s Bar and Grill

207 Center Ave, Oakley, KS 67748

785-671-1287 • No website

 

Central Station Bar & Grill

207 E Wyatt Earp Blvd. Dodge City, KS 67801

620-225-1176 • CentralStationDC.net

 

Cowboy Inn

642 N St Paul St, Wichita, KS 67203

316-201-6447 • No Website

 

Hays House Restaurant & Tavern

112 W Main St, Council Grove, KS 66846

620-767-5911 • HaysHouse.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1857.

 

Last Chance Bar & Grill

2 E 1st Ave, Caldwell, KS 67022

620-845-3434 • No website

 

Outlaws

1676 State St, Salina, KS 67401

785-827-3290 • No website

 

Western Kansas Saloon and Grill

121 N Main St, WaKeeney, KS 67672

785-743-2050 • No website

 

Louisiana

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116

504-593-9761 • LafittesBlacksmithShop.com

The oldest tavern on the Mississippi River opened in 1772! 

 

Missouri

Concert Hall and Barrel Tavern

206 E 1st St, Hermann, MO 65041

573-486-5065 • ConcertHallAndBarrel.com

 

The Honky Tonk STL

756 S 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102

314-925-8868 • TheHonkyTonkStL.com

 

J Huston Tavern 

304 Main St, Arrow Rock, MO 65320

660-837-3200 • No website

 

Kelly’s Westport Inn

500 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111

816-561-5800 • KellysWestportInn.com

 

Lindberg’s Tavern

318 W Commercial St. Springfield, MO 65083

417-868-8900 • LindbergsBar.com

 

O’Malley’s Pub

540 Welt St, Weston, MO 64098

816-640-5235 • WestonIrish.com

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1842.

 

Paddy Malone’s Pub

700 W Main St, Jefferson City, MO 65101  573-761-5900 • PaddyMalonesPub.com

 

Nebraska

Buck’s Bar and Grill

27849 W Center Rd, Venice, NE 68069

402-515-6212 • BucksBarAndGrill.com

 

Bunkhouse Restaurant & Saloon

109 US-20, Valentine, NE 69201

402-376-1609 • No website

 

Dude’s Steakhouse & Brandin’ Iron Bar

2126 Illinois St, Sidney, NE 69162

308-254-9080 • No website

 

Glur’s Tavern 

2301 11th St, Columbus, NE 68601

402-564-8615 • No website

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1876.

 

Joe’s Honky Tonk

2023 1st Ave, Kearney, NE 68847

308-455-1194 • No website

 

L Bow Room

102 Main St, Johnstown, NE 69214

402-722-4481 • No website

 

Murphy’s Wagon Wheel

107 N Lincoln Ave, Hastings, NE 68901

402-463-3011 • MurphysWagonWheel.com

 

77 Longbranch Saloon

115 Main St, Chadron, NE 69337

308-432-3380 • No website

 

Alaska

B&B Bar

326 Shelikof St, Kodiak, AK 99615

907-486-3575 • No website

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1908.

 

The Red Onion

201 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840

907-983-2222 • RedOnion1898.com

 

Salty Dawg Saloon

4380 Homer Spit Rd, Homer, AK 99603

907-235-6718 • SaltyDawgSaloon.com

 

Hawaii

Smith’s Union Bar

19 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817

808-538-9145 • No website

The oldest saloon in the state was founded in 1935.

 

Wranglers Steakhouse & The Saddle Room

9852 Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, HI 96796

808-338-1218 • WranglersSaddleRoom.com