6 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 crystalclear 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.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
COLORADO
Colorado 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. In Denver, groups can attend a concert in the unique Red Rocks Amphitheatre, admire abstract art at the Clyfford Stills Museum and enjoy craft beer at the metro area’s over 100 breweries.
Pass through the Rocky Mountains to arrive in Grand Valley, which is famous for its orchards and vineyards. Sample creations from nearly two dozen wineries after an invigorating hike through the colorful canyons of Colorado National Monument, enjoy an outdoor picnic in the shadow of the region’s mesas and admire the plentiful public art along Main Street.
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.
MONTANA
The award-winning C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, collects, preserves,
Pagosa Springs, CO
researches and educates on the art and life of America’s cowboy artist Charles M. Russell. The museum contains more than 3,000 pieces of Western art in a complex that covers two city blocks and encompasses 16 exhibition galleries, an outdoor sculpture garden, and Russell’s home and artist studio. With nearly 1,000 Russell creations, the museum presents Russell’s authentic reflection of Western history. >> cmrussell.org
Authentic Montana experiences and adventures beckon in Glacier Country with its rugged mountains, pristine waters and bustling downtown main streets. With places to explore like Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, two Indian reservations—the Flathead and Blackfeet—and blue-ribbon trout streams, including the Blackfoot, Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers, you’ll be planning your next visit before your first one is over. The region is also
C.M. Russell Museum
FRONTIER/MOUNTAIN WEST
home to grand mountain lodges, six downhill ski resorts, natural hot springs, legendary cultural events and lively arts scenes, just to name a handful. >> glaciermt.com
Glacier Country
Photo courtesy of Visit the USA
Lincoln, NE
Photo courtesy of Lincoln CVB
North Dakota State Heritage Center
Photo courtesy of North Dakota Tourism
NEBRASKA
Commonly known as the best-kept secret in the region, Lincoln is a destination that is sure to exceed your expectations and leave your group wanting to explore. The city of 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
Possibility is as endless as the horizon in North Dakota. Adventurers can experience plentiful outdoor opportunities in the 700,000acre Theodore Roosevelt National Park, hike on the legendary Maah Daah Hey Trail and view wildlife at the White Horse Hill National Game Preserve. Groups also enjoy the cosmopolitan amenities of Fargo, historic sites in the state capital of Bismarck and the beautiful displays at the International Peace Garden. >> ndtourism.com
SOUTH DAKOTA
American Indian history comes to life at the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center located on the campus of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. The museum is devoted to preserving and promoting the arts and history of the Northern Plains Indian people. View beautiful exhibits of contemporary art and historical artifacts. Your group will leave enriched in Northern Plains Indian history. Free admission. Open year-round. >> aktalakota.stjo.org
Sioux Falls is the perfect getaway for people who want to escape their busy life and explore the scenic beauty of the United States. Visit the Falls Park, a picturesque location with natural waterfalls or explore the Great Plains Zoo to see the wildlife that is indigenous to the region. If you want to check out something unique, the Butterfly House & Aquarium is a fantastic place to visit. >> experiencesiouxfalls.com
Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center
Sioux Falls, SD
Badlands National Park
Scenic views and memorable moments await groups on every turn in South Dakota’s Black Hills and Badlands region. The area’s highlights include Badlands National Park (where there are beautiful drives and hikes through an unforgettable landscape) and the world-famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial (where a ranger can explain presidential history). Groups can also enjoy a meal at Wall Drug, tour Custer State Park and pan for precious metal at the Broken Boot Gold Mine. >> blackhillsandbadlands.com
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.
Zion National Park
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.
Photo courtesy of Visit Utah
Stockyards Ag Experience
Sioux Falls enjoys four beautiful and distinct seasons. It is one reason our city is unique—unique seasons means unique places to explore.