8 minute read
Frontier/Mountain West
Spanning the plains of eastern Colorado to the craggy peaks of Utah, the Mountain West region is filled with natural splendors for groups of all ages to enjoy. Many of America’s iconic national parks await your exploration in this region, and many can accommodate large parties with discounted lodging, motorcoach parking and ADA accessibility. Popular destinations include Glacier National Park (which encompasses over one million acres filled with crystal-clear lakes and moraine valleys), Arches National Park (a surreal landscape of sandstone formations) and Dinosaur National Monument (home to over 800 paleontology excavation sites).
The Mountain West region also blends cosmopolitan amenities with easy accessibility to outdoor adventure. In Colorado Springs your group can ascend Pikes Peak and hike through the Garden of the Gods before experiencing the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, while guests in Coeur d’Alene in Idaho can enjoy world-class resort amenities before a boat excursion on the picturesque lake. From Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming to the Gallatin Range landscapes of Montana, there is rugged beauty for all groups to enjoy. Photo courtesy of VisitCOS
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
COLORADO
Colorado’s boasts a remarkable diversity of experiences for groups to enjoy, from the cosmopolitan amenities of Denver and Boulder to rugged Rocky Mountain adventures. Offering more than 60 local attractions and easy access to Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is an enticing destination for groups of all ages. New to Colorado Springs is the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, which features innovative gallery spaces filled with digital projections and interactive screens to learn about America’s greatest Olympians. Other popular group attractions include the United States Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner & Western Show. >> visitcos.com
Looking to rejuvenate your spirit and reconnect with family? The YMCA of the Rockies offers an authentic mountain getaway at its two locations (Estes Park and Snow Mountain Ranch). Lodging is affordable, and groups can rent cabins or vacation homes with easy access to scenic valleys, streams and majestic forests. >> ymcarockies.org
IDAHO
Featuring snow-capped peaks and rolling dunes, Idaho is one of America’s most geographically diverse states. Groups can take advantage of this variety with hiking, rafting and horseback riding expeditions that range from intense adventures to leisurely strolls. Explore the eerie landscape of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, a protected area the size of Rhode Island filled with otherworldly lava tubes, cinder cones and fissures. Bikers will enjoy the Route of the Hiawatha (a 15-mile trail that passes through train tunnels), while courageous paddlers can attempt the whitewater passages of the Salmon River.
KANSAS
The sweeping prairies of the Sunflower State offer plenty for groups seeking outdoor activities. Natural wonders include Rock City Park (a collection of “cannonball” boulders spread along a beautiful prairie pathway), Monument Rocks (massive chalk formations that date back to the Cretaceous Period) and the Kansas River (which can host float trips and kayaking expeditions). Groups looking for a hiking addition to their itinerary will want to savor Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, which protects 11,000 acres of wildflower fields, rare grasses and a bison herd.
MONTANA
Big Sky Country is a perfect outdoor retreat for groups. No itinerary should be without the Crown of the Continent: Glacier National Park. A jaw-dropping collection of alpine lakes, waterfalls and Native American history, this gorgeous area offers accommodations ranging from timber lodges to campsites. Be sure to drive down Going-to-the-Sun Road, which
YMCA of the Rockies Lincoln
stretches 50 miles past glacier-carved valleys and herds of bighorn sheep.
NEBRASKA
Commonly known as the best-kept secret in the Midwest, Lincoln is a destination that is sure to exceed your expectations and leave your group wanting to explore. The city of
FRONTIER/ MOUNTAIN WEST
Lincoln offers a wide variety of experiences and world-class attractions, from sports to arts to museums and more. From the Haymarket to Downtown, Havelock and everywhere in between, your group can explore and enjoy all that Lincoln has to offer. Whether your stay is a day, a week or longer, the tours the Lincoln CVB will put together for you will keep you entertained and coming back for more visits. >> lincoln.org
NORTH DAKOTA
Outdoor adventurers will find plenty of
Glacier National Park
activities in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a 110-square-mile landscape of badlands, prairies and the riverbends. Groups can embark on a scenic drive to Oxbow Overlook in the North Unit, hike the Wind Canyon Trail in the South Unit and tour the remnants of Roosevelt’s private Elkhorn Ranch.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Vast landscapes and photogenic monuments abound in South Dakota, a state defined by its frontier spirit. The most essential stop on your South Dakota visit is
Photo courtesy of NPS undoubtedly Mount Rushmore, the iconic depiction of four American presidents carved into the granite mountainside. Group activities include ranger programs, the Dakota Heritage Village and laser displays that honor George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Other South Dakota attractions include Crazy Horse Memorial (a tribute to the Oglala Lakota warrior), Jewel Cave (an underground cavern of delicate rock formations) and Badlands National Park (a rugged landscape of eroded buttes).
UTAH
The Beehive State is home to five national parks (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion), over 40 state parks and several world-renowned ski resorts that all welcome groups. Canyons, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain and Sundance resorts are all located in the hip community of Park City, where your group can visit several sites that hosted downhill skiing events during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Mountain bikers will want to experience the famous Slickrock Trail, which offers several easy portions for less-experienced cyclists.
WYOMING
Yellowstone—America’s most famous national park—is easily accessible for groups and features iconic landmarks such as Old Faithful, Artist Point and Grand Prismatic Spring. Visitors can spend the evening in rustic cabins, the grand Old Faithful Inn or dozens of campsites spread throughout the park. Other awe-inspiring sites in Wyoming include Devils Tower National Monument, the mighty Teton Mountain Range and Hot Springs State Park—the world’s single largest mineral hot spring.
Get Out and Get Active in Sioux Falls
Travelers seeking to stretch their legs and enjoy fresh air will cherish a visit to Sioux Falls
Home to a delicious food scene, fabulous shopping and a majestic waterfall park, Sioux Falls, South Dakota is one of the most popular destinations in the state.
The city’s most beloved attraction, not surprisingly, is awe-inspiring Falls Park, which resides north of downtown Sioux Falls. Covering 123 acres, Falls Park sees an average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the falls each second. Those looking to savor the falls can visit an observation tower connected to the visitor center, or can enjoy comfort eats at the slightly Falls Overlook Café.
Speaking of tasty eats, Sioux Falls’ dining scene continues to impress as there are more than 700 restaurants who call this vibrant city home. Got a craving for French-inspired pastries? Pay a visit to CH Patisserie and order the famous macarons prepared by Top Chef Winner Chris Hanmer. Want a bite to eat while you’re exploring the city’s many boutiques? Sanaa’s Gourmet o ers Middle Eastern cuisine with glutenfree and vegetarian options. There’s also fine dining with an organic twist at Parker’s Bistro, and so many more food options within walking distance of one another.
Sioux Falls also features a myriad of fabulous shopping options. Whether your group fancies antiques, the latest in fashion or unique gifts, Sioux Falls o ers an exceptional shopping experience. A popular shopping destination is 8th & Railroad, which sits on downtown Sioux Falls’ Eastbank. This center features a variety of local shops and restaurants that specialize in needlepoint, art, interior design, cooking, clothing and accessories. 8th & RR, as it is known to locals, also hosts a Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and even a block party the first Friday of summer months.
Those seeking additional shopping outings can make their way to Phillips Avenue, which provides more in the way of boutiques, restaurants, and space for a stroll through a lively atmosphere.
Groups looking to get active can take advantage of Sioux Falls’ more than 29 miles of paved trails, which are perfect for hiking, walking and biking. You can also stroll from the downtown area to several city parks and also enjoy Sioux Falls’ SculptureWalk, an exciting outdoor art museum that rotates a variety of new sculptures every year.
Sioux Falls also o ers multiple attractions including the Kirby Science Discovery Center, one of the region’s best handson science centers, and the Great Plains Zoo, which features more than 1,000 animals from 137 species. Those with an inquiring mind can visit Washington Pavilion, a historic cultural venue featuring art galleries, science exhibits and theater performances. Home to the Visual Arts Center, the Wells Fargo CineDome Theater and the Husby Performing Arts Center, the Pavilion is the place to see a Broadway show, get cozy with interactive and traditional art installations, and take in giant-screen movies.
Getting to Sioux Falls is a snap, as Sioux Falls Regional Airport accepts flights from more than 200 U.S. cities, including direct flights from Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, Orlando, Clearwater/St. Petersburg and Dallas/ Ft. Worth.
Come explore Sioux Falls, which is the place to be in 2021 and beyond.
