Cheyenne-women-annd-children-moving-across-the-plainIn 1840, trapper Joseph Meek led the first emigrant wagons over the Oregon Trail from Fort Hall to Fort Walla Walla in the Oregon Territory. Today, 175 years later, tourists come to the American West from around the world to follow the Oregon Trail, as well as numerous other historic trails, highways and back roads to discover firsthand the history of the West. While True West magazine provides the best articles and insights on Western travel in every issue, we especially hope that this month, our annual Heritage Travel Guide will inspire you to discover new trails and adventures across the West.

*** BEST OF THE WEST 2015***

BEST PLACE TO LIVE LIKE AN OLD WEST COWBOY

Editor’s Choice: Prescott, AZ

Reader’s Choice: Sheridan, WY

BEST OLD WEST GUNFIGHTER TOWN

Editor’s Choice: Deadwood, SD

Reader’s Choice: Tombstone, AZ

BEST PRESERVED PIONEER TOWN

Editor’s Choice: Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island, NE

Reader’s choice: Dodge City, KS

BEST OLD WEST ART TOWN

Editor’s Choice: Scottsdale, AZ

Reader’s Choice: Santa Fe, NM

BEST TOWN FOR HISTORICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Editor’s Choice: Durango, CO

Reader’s Choice: Prescott, AZ

BEST ARCHITECTURALLY-PRESERVED WESTERN TOWN

Editor’s Choice: Grass Valley, CA

Reader’s Choice: Deadwood, SD

BEST HISTORICAL TOWN TOUR

Editor’s Choice: Old Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

Reader’s Choice: History Trolley Tours, Dodge City, KS

BEST PROMOTION OF A HISTORICAL PLACE

Editor’s Choice: Lincoln, NM

Reader’s Choice: Dodge City, KS

BEST OLD WEST TOWN TO LIVE IN

Editor’s Choice: Cody, WY

Reader’s Choice: Prescott, AZ

BEST HISTORICAL CEMETERY OF THE WEST

Editor’s Choice: Concordia Cemetery, El Paso, TX

Reader’s Choice: Boot Hill Cemetery, Dodge City, KS

BEST PRESERVED HISTORICAL FORT OF THE WEST

Editor’s Choice: Fort Laramie, WY

Reader’s Choice: Bent’s Old Fort, CO

BEST HISTORICAL RAILROAD OF THE WEST

Editor’s Choice: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, CO

Reader’s Choice: Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, Chama, NM

BEST PRESERVATION OF A HISTORICAL WESTERN BUILDING

Editor’s Choice: Lincoln County Courthouse, Lincoln, NM

Reader’s Choice: Bird Cage TheatreTombstone, AZ

BEST PRESERVED HISTORICAL TRAIL

Editor’s Choice: Oregon Trail

Reader’s Choice: California Trail

BEST PRESERVATION EFFORT OF THE WEST

Editor’s Choice: Las Vegas, NM

Reader’s Choice: Dodge City, KS

BEST “WHO SLEPT HERE?” HOTEL

Editor’s Choice: Irma Hotel, Cody, WY

Reader’s Choice: Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs, CO

BEST HERITAGE HOTEL

Editor’s Choice: Strater Hotel, Durango, CO

Reader’s Choice: Irma Hotel, Cody, WY

BEST HERITAGE BED & BREAKFAST

Editor’s Choice: Grand Canyon Bed & Breakfast, Williams, AZ

Reader’s Choice: Ellis Store Country Inn, Lincoln, NM

BEST HISTORICAL SALOON OF THE WEST

Editor’s Choice: Crystal Palace Saloon, Tombstone, AZ

Reader’s Choice: Occidental Saloon, Buffalo, WY

BEST TREASURE HUNTING DEVICE

Editor’s Choice: Garrett AT Gold, Garrett Metal Detectors, Garland, TX

BEST HISTORICAL RESTAURANT

Editor’s Choice: Buckhorn Exchange, Denver, CO

Reader’s Choice: La Fonda, Santa Fe, NM

BEST CHUCKWAGON COOK-OFF

Editor’s Choice: Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, Ruidoso, NM

Reader’s Choice: National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, Lubbock, TX

BEST CHUCKWAGON SHOW & SUPPER

Editor’s Choice: Boot Hill Museum, Long Branch Variety Show, Dodge City, KS

Reader’s Choice: Bar J Wranglers, Jackson Hole, WY

BEST HERITAGE GUEST RANCH

Editor’s Choice: White Stallion Ranch, Tucson, AZ

Reader’s Choice: Flying E Dude Ranch, Wickenburg, AZ

BEST OLD WEST MOUNTED RE-ENACTMENT

Editor’s Choice: Defeat of Jesse James Days, Northfield, MN

Reader’s Choice: Custer’s Last Ride, Little Bighorn Battlefield, MT

BEST OLD WEST RE-ENACTMENT GROUP

Editor’s Choice: Six Guns and Shady Ladies, El Paso, TX

Reader’s Choice: Prescott Regulators and Their Shady Ladies, Prescott, AZ

BEST WILD WEST SHOW

Editor’s Choice: Wild Western Festival, Glendale, AZ

Reader’s Choice: Western Legends Roundup, Kanab, UT

BEST COWBOY POETRY GATHERING

Editor’s Choice: National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Elko, NV

Reader’s Choice: National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration, Lubbock, TX

BEST COWBOY MUSIC GATHERING

Editor’s Choice: Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Santa Clarita, CA

Reader’s Choice: Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering, Ellensburg WA

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