5 Iconic Cowboy Tours and Wild West Cities That Bring the Old West Back to Life

Have you ever wondered what life must have been like living in the Frontier era? Luckily, you don’t have to imagine too hard, as there are several US destinations that still thoroughly embrace their own Wild West histories.

Inspired by these epic destinations, join us as we name the best places in the US where you, too, can still celebrate their cowboy heritage.

Step into Cowboy Country in Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth absolutely lives and breathes its cowboy culture, so where better to start our cowboy travel-inspired tour of the US than by visiting its city’s Stockyards National Historic District. Here, visitors can witness modern-day cowhands still driving their herds of Texas Longhorn cattle down Exchange Avenue twice a day, then, once you’ve checked out this real-world cattle drive, be sure to head down to the magnificent Cowtown Coliseum – the world’s first-ever indoor stadium to host its own weekly cowboy rodeos.

Fort Worth is also famous for showcasing its authentic Wild West past, and the city is packed with historical saloons and shops so you can buy genuine cowboy clothing, including cowboy boots, belts, and cattleman hats. Finally, one of the best things to do in Fort Worth has to be to pay a visit to Billy Bob’s Texas – the world’s largest honky-tonk – loaded with fun cowboy activities for guests of all ages, from its two-step dancing and mechanical bull rides to its regular feast of live country music.

Saddle up for the ultimate Fort Worth getaway and rest easy at majestic Best Western Plus Lake Worth Inn & Suites for a great night’s sleep every night of your Wild West odyssey.

Embrace the Wild West Charm of Cody, Wyoming

Home to the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, the town of Cody, Wyoming, certainly loves to embrace its Western roots. Throughout the summer, visitors here can head to the Cody Stampede Rodeo to watch the region’s best bronc riders battle it out, or explore the fascinating cowboy displays at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West all year round. Impressively, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is five museums all rolled into one, which are all dedicated to celebrating life on the frontier in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

For those of you looking to truly embrace the cowboy experience, make sure you meet with the outstanding team at Bill Cody Ranch for a horseback riding adventure to survey the panoramic landscapes east of the Yellowstone National Park. For the adventurers among you, why not try the awe-inspiring 4-hour horseback ride excursion into the mountains for a cowboy BBQ of burgers cooked over an open fire. Alternatively, for families with young kids, the stable also has a dedicated pony ride station to keep them thoroughly entertained.

After a day of rodeos and horseback riding, kick off your cowboy boots and relax at the marvellous Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites in Cody, Wyoming.

Feel the Frontier Spirit at Durango & Silverton, Colorado

Next on our shortlist of the best cowboy-themed vacations, we head to the Centennial State of Colorado. Famed for its historic silver steam train connections, this brilliant Colorado cowboy hotspot takes you on a wonderful 19th-century adventure through the rugged Rocky Mountain canyons.

Here, visitors to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will be instantly transported back to the golden era of the cowboy, with its own free railroad museum and guided walking tours of the nearby Tuxon Ranch. However, for us, the highlight is for guests to jump aboard the Cascade Canyon Express for its jaw-dropping views of the Animas River, which has remained almost unchanged since the age of the cowboys in the late 1800s when the railway was first built.

Hit the trail for an unforgettable cowboy trip to Durango & Silverton and enjoy your Wild West getaway even more by booking your stay at the stellar Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn in Durango, Colorado.

Relive the Cowboy Legacy of the O.K. Corral at Tombstone, Arizona

Undoubtedly, our next western-themed destination that explores the nation’s cowboy-rich history finds us visiting the iconic town of Tombstone, Arizona, home to the celebrated O.K. Corral. Here, you and your family and friends can tread the same wooden boardwalks as Wild West legends Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, who famously confronted a gang of unruly outlaw cowboys in a 30-second shootout that is still talked about today.

The authentic cowboy town of Tombstone genuinely looks like it has been frozen in time, with the daily highlight being three separate O.K. Corral Gunfight reenactments to entertain visitors. In addition to this, another top thing to do in Tombstone is to join the terrific family-owned Old Tombstone Tours for a stagecoach or covered wagon tour of the town, before finishing the day with a graveyard stroll around its infamous, and supposedly haunted, cemetery.

Roll into the timeless saloons on East Allen Street and catch a stunning Arizona sunset before getting a superb night’s sleep at the delightful Best Western Plus Sun Canyon in nearby Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Discover the Cowboy Heritage of Dodge City, Kansas

Our final cowboy tour destination sees us heading to what was once known as the “wickedest little city in the West,” Dodge City, Kansas, which was a prime cattle drive destination during the Wild West era. Now fully embracing its remarkable legacy as a lawless frontier town, Dodge City actively commemorates its heritage as once being home to countless gunslingers and rowdy cowboys in its heyday.

At the top of our list of things to do in Dodge City has to be the captivating Boot Hill Museum, which epitomises a Wild West city’s cowboy culture, with gunfight reenactments and the lively costumed Long Branch Saloon Variety Show. Finally, if you’re looking for the perfect cowboy photo opportunity, another must-see Dodge City landmark is the El Capitan Statue situated on Wyatt Earp Boulevard, which celebrates the Texas longhorn cattle that the cowboys once used to drive along the illustrious Chisholm Trail.

Enhance your stay in the heart of cowboy country by unwinding every night in comfort at the incredible Best Western North Edge Inn in Dodge City, Kansas.