There are a variety of ways to experience all that “western” America offers. Whether you’re looking to explore some of the incredible national parks throughout this part of the country, learn about the role that Native Americans played in U.S. history, experience “cowboy” life on an actual dude ranch, or check out great food and fascinating culture in one of several vibrant cities – there’s enough to see and do to fill a dozen vacations! Here are some great ways to see the amazing American west!
National Parks – Say “Western U.S.” and the first thing most people probably think of are images of the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park. And of course, the American west and southwest is dotted with a number of jaw-dropping views of canyons and other natural wonders. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is likely at the top of everyone’s list, followed by Yellowstone in Wyoming, Utah’s Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks – and so many more! In fact, if you plotted all of the scenic national parks on a map, you’d have a LOT of driving to do! To say nothing of the hours researching, reading hundreds of reviews online for hotels and dining options, figuring out how you’re going to get there, all the while wondering what you’ve missed. Which is why many people decide to opt for a guided group tour where the stress of all that planning is done for you, with first class lodging, dining and experiences already planned. Group tours bring destinations to life with firsthand, in-depth knowledge of the destinations that you are visiting. You’ll have experiences and opportunities that the general public won’t have, because on your vacation, you’ll be a VIP. On a group tour, you’ll have minimal lines, minimal wait times, and maximum fun.
Consider for example, an incredible “Canyon Country Adventure” through some of the most mesmerizing canyons of Arizona and Utah, where you’ll see the sun rise and set in the magnificent Grand Canyon and watch the brilliant rays dance across the wondrous walls of Utah’s Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. You’ll also see the incredible monoliths, buttes, and mesas of Monument Valley and experience a visit to the cactus-studded scenery of Sedona.
Or you can head further north to Big Sky, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, and explore all that Montana and Wyoming have to offer. These tours through Adventures by Disney offer tons of outdoor fun like horseback riding, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, and ziplining, all while witnessing the spectacular beauty and awe-inspiring natural wonders of this part of the U.S.
Native American History – Vacationers headed to the American west often want to experience Native American culture and history and there are a number of opportunities to do just that. One of the best is the vast area of Navajo Nation – the private lands covering an area of over 27,000 square miles in Arizona and Utah that are held by the Navajo Nation Government. Here travelers are welcome and those that do visit are rewarded with the chance to explore the history, way of life, cuisine and art of Native Americans who have lived in this area from at least the year 1300 – although art and building structures remain from people who settled in the region more than a thousand years BCE. Today, more than 300,000 of their descendants inhabit the vast area of Navajo Nation, providing a window into a civilization that pre-dates – and at the same time, is such a part of – what is now the United States.
Dude Ranch Life – What’s that you say? It’s possible to spend a week on a dude ranch, experiencing what it’s like to be a cowboy, all while enjoying the beauty of the American west? And that there’s fun on a dude ranch for an entire family? What’s not to love! Couples, families, and even single travelers will love all there is to do on a dude ranch vacation: horseback riding (don’t worry if you don’t know how, they will teach you!); fishing; hiking and even mountain bike riding on both the ranch and wilderness trails. Of course, there’s also the important “ranch work” like sorting and penning steers and singing around the campfire roasting marshmallows in the evening when work is done. Looking to relax? Few things are more relaxing than enjoying a glass of wine while taking in breathtaking views – or a cold beer while throwing a game of horseshoes. Taking a nap in a strategically-placed hammock is pretty awesome too. When it comes to a unique and super fun way to experience the American West at its finest, a dude ranch vacation is hard to beat.
Exciting Cities – Of course, city life also offers some fun and unique vacation opportunities in the western U.S. While there are a number of medium to large cities, 3 stand out as definite places to explore as part of future vacations.
- Las Vegas, often described as ‘The Entertainment Capital Of The World’, is where visitors will find a good number of the world’s 25 biggest hotels – epic casino complexes built around themes as varied as ancient Rome, medieval Venice, modern Paris or the excitement of the circus. And while much of the action takes place on the four famous miles of The Strip, where most of the major hotels are clustered, Las Vegas can certainly be the central location of a vacation that explores the surrounding area too. One thing to keep in mind is that while you may think “gambling” when you think Vegas (and you wouldn’t be wrong) many of the hotel complexes also offer a number of family-friendly shows and performances by big music stars.
- Denver – the ‘Mile High City’ (it sits at an altitude of 5,280ft) – isn’t just the place to fly into if you want to go skiing at one of the big winter-sports resorts of the Rockies (although you can certainly do that). Denver is a diverse city with a vibrant art and dining community that makes it worth a visit to just explore all that it offers. The Denver Art Museum boasts a wealth of Asian art, plus key works by European masters like Picasso and Matisse, while the Museum of Contemporary Art takes a modern approach with films and installations. And you can absolutely eat well in Denver! While the visiting foodie will certainly enjoy ‘Western’ staples such as beef and buffalo, interestingly Denver has a variety of restaurants featuring Mexican and Asian (including Vietnamese and Thai) cuisine.
- Phoenix is a vast and growing metropolis with a number of neighboring urban areas that feature, among other things, some spectacular resorts and golf courses. As with Las Vegas and Denver, Phoenix can be the starting or ending point of a vacation where you explore the surrounding canyons and national parks (the Grand Canyon is about 3 ½ hours away), but visitors who enjoy art, music, and great food may want to plan some time to enjoy this city as well. The Heard Museum features a large Native American art collection, while Phoenix Art Museum has 16,000 pieces by American and European artists. You may even an opera performance as the Arizona Opera puts on productions at Phoenix Symphony Hall. As for food? Phoenix is a great place to really enjoy south-western cuisine with its Mexican influences.
No matter what you’re interested in, the American West provides countless opportunities for fun and amazing vacations. The challenge is deciding how much time you have!
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