Go West into Wide Open Spaces The Western horizon is filled with incredible sights and contrasts. At all points of the compass you find the scenery spectacular, the history colorful. The people, representing a diverse blend of cultures, arrived in search of adventure, riches and new roots.
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here is no set path to exploring the West. You can follow migration routes of birds, butterflies and whales, or re-
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PR ESENCE
trace historic footsteps of Native Americans, Lewis & Clark, conquistadors, Spanish missionaries or Northern fur traders. More contemporary routes may lead to Hollywood filming sites or culinary adventures that savor the latest trends in food and wine. The West’s
FROM OUR RUGGED WESTERN PAST TO THE MAJESTIC PRESENCE OF OUR CITY’S EVER-CHANGING SKYLINE, OKLAHOMA CITY IS THE PERFECT BLEND OF HISTORICAL PRIDE AND FORWARD PROGRESS. IT’S BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL …
vibrant arts scene appeals to groups who appreciate museums, theater and music. The West’s traditions are celebrated in every town. Each area has a distinctive personality as seen in its architecture, foods, lifestyles and festivals. From powwows and rodeos to Route 66 celebrations, don’t be surprised by the range of reasons Westerners embrace when organizing a festive gathering. Perhaps the most cherished and distinctive activity is to experience the vast wilderness areas with their protected wildlife habitats and awesome landscapes. Names
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like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Death Valley and LeisureGroupTravel.com
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Mount Rainier offer just a hint of the hundreds of millions of acres of public lands waiting to be explored. Groups enjoy the diversity of Arizona, from the desert to the mountains, from cosmopolitan cities to Native American lands. And don’t forget the Grand Canyon. New Mexico, a blend of Spanish, Native and Anglo cultures, has an artistic legacy
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dating to ancient times. Texas landscapes range from vast plains to coastal communities to big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Oklahoma offers a rich cowboy heritage and is home to more American Indian tribes than any other state. Colorado abounds with mountain resorts that provide recreational opportunities year-round. The state’s tourist railway lines are one of its great symbolic links between the past and present. No trip to Colorado is complete without a visit to Denver, the Mile High City. Wyoming, the Cowboy State, conjures up romantic images of the great
WYOMING
frontier ranches, rodeos, railroads and majestic plains. It is home to Yellowstone
gaming meccas like Las Vegas, Laugh-
National Park, Grand Teton National
lin and Reno.
Park and Devils Tower. Cheyenne, its capital, is best known for Cheyenne
and Oregon are blessed with stunning
Frontier Days, a summer celebration of
coastlines, mountain ranges and vine-
all things Western, and boasts attractions
yard-studded slopes. Learn about the
like Terry Bison Ranch and the Wyoming
apple industry in Washington’s We-
State Capitol/State Museum.
natchee Valley or enjoy the laidback
Montana also claims part of Yellow-
lifestyle in Seattle, famous for its coffee-
stone and encompasses Glacier Na-
houses, bustling harborfront and skyline
tional Park in its northwest corner, near
punctuated by the Space Needle.
the Canadian border. Tours in vintage
California beckons with dreams of
buses, sightseeing cruises and whitewa-
cruising down coastal highways, romping
ter float trips are just some of the choices
around Disneyland, sampling wines in
at Glacier. Idaho is also a great place for
the Napa and Sonoma valleys, and visit-
rafting adventures, picturesque lakes and
ing national parks like Yosemite and Se-
mountain vistas.
quoia. Urban excitement awaits in San
Utah has its share of natural splendor, especially in Red Rocks Country,
72 June 2012
In the Pacific Northwest, Washington
Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego.
home of Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion and
Welcome to the West…see, experi-
Capitol Reef national parks. In neighbor-
ence, enjoy and celebrate every step of
ing Nevada, try your luck at casinos in
your journey. LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com
CHEYENNE, WYOMING
CHEYENNE FULL DAY ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS ■ Historic Attractions
■ Bison Ranch ■ Western Shopping ■ Western Entertainment
© Courtesy Cheyenne Area CVB/Matthew Idler
■ Trolley Tour
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Go downtown to the newly restored Day Cheyenne Depot. A National Historic Landmark, the depot has been restored to its original glory and is once again a center of activity in the community. Tour the Art Deco lobby and visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum, which chronicles the railroad and its relationship to Cheyenne.
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In the depot, purchase tickets for the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley (307-778-3133), which provides a 90-minute overview of the community, its history and attractions. The tour includes stops at various attractions, allowing riders to disembark for the attraction and then reboard the next trolley 90 minutes later. Stops include the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (307-778-7290), Nelson Museum of the West (307-635-7670), Wyoming State Museum (307-777-7022), Historic Governors’ Mansion (307-777-7878), Wyoming Capitol and Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (307-637-6458). (Trolley drivers are available as step-on guides for motorcoaches.)
OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Frontier Days
Enjoy one of Cheyenne’s new nightlife options — Freedom’s Edge Brewpub in the historic Tivoli Building, the Suite 1901 Martini Bar, the Morris House Bistro, or the Cadillac Ranch Bar.
Spend some time downtown shopping at a couple of true Western stores. Try the Wrangler (307-634-3048) for jeans, boots, hats and other Western apparel or Wyoming Home (307-638-2222) for its unique Western furniture and artwork. Or catch a ride on the free downtown carriage rides. Day
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Head south nine miles to the Terry Bison Ranch (307-634-4171) for a horseback ride or a train ride into the middle of the bison herd that calls the ranch home. Back in town, be sure to check out Big Boy 4004, the world’s largest steam locomotive (1.2 million pounds). It was designed especially for the rugged Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah run. End your day watching the Western skits and escapades of the Cheyenne Gunslingers at 6 p.m. in downtown Cheyenne (June-July). Then enjoy the Bit-O-Wyo Horsebarn Dinner Theater in the beautiful mountains west of town (May-August). Or catch the Old-Fashioned Melodrama (307-638-6543) at the Historic Atlas Theater where you can cheer the hero and hiss the villain (July).
CONTACT: Visit Cheyenne ➤ Darren Rudloff www.cheyenne.org 1 Depot Sq., 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 202, Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: 800-426-5009 or 307-778-3133 Email: darren@cheyenne.org
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ELKO, NEVADA
NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING themselves. This tradition is still being practiced among ranching people today and experienced a renaissance in the 1980s with the first Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Enjoy lunch and tour historic downtown Elko, then Cowboy Music Traditions, $25 per person, Western Folklife Center G Three Bar Theater. This workshop will provide an overview of the history and practice of cowboy music in the American West and its relationship to cowboy poetry.
HIGHLIGHTS ■ Enjoy cowboy poetry and music performances ■ Tour the Northeastern Nevada Museum
Tonight’s dinner is at one of the Basque Restaurants followed by Cowboy Poetry and Music Performance, $20 per person, Western Folklife Center G Three Bar Theater.
■ Visit a real working cattle ranch and hear tall tales of life on the range ■ Western art shows, Great Basin Native American Market and cowboy gear shows ■ See the elephant at the new California Trail Interpretive Center ■ Experience Basque, Native American and Western culture
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Meet Italian Cowboys at the 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering As part of the Western Folklife Center’s ongoing program of cultural exchanges with herding and horse cultures from around the world, cowboys from Italy will participate in the 29th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, January 28 to February 2, 2013. The butteri, as they are known, come from the Marrema area of southern Tuscany in the Northern Latium and in the Pontine Marshes, where men, horses and cattle roam the beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The 2013 Gathering will feature several working butteri who will perform their music, songs and poetry, and will also include an exhibit on buttero culture and gear. Day
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Sunday, January 27 Arrive in Elko and check in to hotel. Dinner at the Aspens Bar and Grill.
Monday, January 28 Start your day with a cowboy breakfast and then take a tour of the Western Folklife Center, home to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which begins today. See authentic cowboy gear, art and memorabilia and an exhibition focusing on Italian ranch culture. Walk across the street to J.M.Capriola’s, the Western store that is home to the Garcia Bit and Spur Company and Capriola Custom Saddles, and watch a master saddle maker craft a saddle into a work of art. Attend the Cowboy Poetry Workshop, $25 per person, Western Folklife Center G Three Bar Theater. In the American West, the oral tradition of cowboy poetry dates back 150 years to the time when horsemen trailed cattle across the vast, open rangelands. Crafting and reciting poetry during those long drives was a way for cowboys to pass the time and entertain Day
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OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Nevada’s Wild West Tour
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Trains Through Northern Nevada
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Scenic Wonderland Western Adventure
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California Trail Gold Rush
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Tuesday, January 29 After breakfast, depart hotel to tour the Northeastern Nevada Museum; view mast radon elephant fossils, an original Pony Express cabin, and the largest gun collection in Nevada, followed by a ranch tour and lunch. Day
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Tonight, enjoy Cowboy and Music Performance, $20 per person, Western Folklife Center G Three Bar Theater. Wednesday, January 30 After breakfast, depart hotel for The Best of Deep West Videos, $10 per person, G Three Bar Theater. For as long as there have been moving pictures, filmmakers have tried to capture the drama of life in the West. And while the “Old West” may be gone, the drama continues to this day, as people in rural places redefine life in the West for our times. Deep West Videos are the Westerns of today: first-hand stories made by rural and ranching people that highlight the drama, creativity and challenges of life in the rural West. This screening will include the best of Deep West Videos since the program began in 2004. Day
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This afternoon, tour the new California Trail Interpretive Center with a Dutch oven dinner before attending the Official Opening Night Performance of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, $35 per person, Elko Convention Center Auditorium. Day
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Thursday, January 31 Depart Elko after breakfast.
CONTACT: Elko Convention & Visitors Authority ➤ Tom Lester www.exploreelkocva.com 700 Moren Way, Elko, NV 89801 Phone: 775-738-4091or 800-248-3556 Email: tom@elkocva.com LeisureGroupTravel.com
RAPID CITY AND BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND MEMORIALS (3-DAY) HIGHLIGHTS ■ Visit our nation’s Shrine of Democracy – Mt. Rushmore National Memorial ■ See the world’s only mountain carving in progress – Crazy Horse Memorial ■ Indulge in views of spectacular terrain and wildlife in Custer State Park ■ Experience the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park ■ Trek through 2.5 billion years of Black Hills history at The Journey Museum
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Centrally located to the wonders of the Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial, Rapid City provides unique historic attractions and one-of-a-kind views, all very affordably. With an abundance of accommodations, restaurants, activities, shopping and a great central location, Rapid City is the perfect hub for time spent touring the marvels of the Black Hills. Central Black Hills The first stop of the Parks, Monuments and Memorials tour is Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Spend time in the Lincoln Borglum Museum at the memorial to learn more about this amazing sculpture. Next, enjoy the scenic drive to Crazy Horse Memorial. This ongoing mountain carving is the world’s largest and a majestic tribute to all Native American tribes across the country. Groupfriendly lunch options can be found at the Carver’s Café at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial or Laughing Water Restaurant at Crazy Horse. Driving further into the Black Hills is Custer State Park, a 71,000-acre park that is home to abundant wildlife including one of the nation's largest free-roaming buffalo herds, making it common to encounter a "Buffalo Jam" while driving in the park. Dining options are available at a variety of restaurants or chuckwagons in Rapid City or enjoy a private dinner with a view at K Bar S Lodge. Then return to Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse for their evening shows. During the summer season, Mount Rushmore holds a nightly patriotic lighting ceremony, while at Crazy Horse you can experience the laser light show, Legends in Light. Day
■ Enjoy Downtown Rapid City: The City of Presidents, Main Street Square, shopping, dining and more! ■ Watch jewelers handcraft legendary Black Hills Gold Jewelry
OTHER ITINERARIES ■
Rapid City & Black Hills Destination Tour (5-day)
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Parks, Monuments & Memorials (2-day)
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Lakota Sioux & Paha Sapa
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Rapid City in a Day
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Rapid City & The Badlands Before departing Rapid City, stop at The Journey Museum, where you will take on special section
an incredible trek through time, from the violent upheaval that formed the mystical Black Hills over 2.5 billion years ago to the continuing saga of the Western Frontier. When your journey is complete, you will fully understand the legacy of the land and its people. Depart Rapid City and head east to Wall, where you will find world-famous Wall Drug store. Built in 1931, it has boomed to become internationally known for its offering of free ice water, specialty shopping and a unique backyard experience. The restaurant at Wall Drug easily accommodates groups for any meal. Continue on to Badlands National Park to enjoy the spires and pinnacles of this 244,000-acre wilderness area. There are many scenic pull-offs for photos and short hikes. The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is also located on the Badlands loop drive. It may not be a national park or monument, but the City of Presidents walking tour in downtown Rapid City is a great way to end your Parks and Monument tour. These life-sized bronze statues will take you on a journey through American Presidential history. While downtown, also enjoy shopping at Prairie Edge or entertainment at Main Street Square. Spend your evening at an oldfashioned chuckwagon supper and music show. Northern Black Hills Start your final day in Rapid City with a tour of one of the Black Hills Gold Jewelry Factories and watch as each piece of jewelry is hand-crafted. A Black Hills experience would not be complete without visiting the likes of Deadwood, where Wild West history abounds. This gaming town’s claim to fame comes from the likes of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, who you will find buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Take a city tour of Deadwood where more than 80 gaming casinos beckon with slots, blackjack and poker. Enjoy lunch at a variety of dining establishments in Deadwood. Venture to Deadwood’s sister city, Lead, to visit the Homestake Visitor Center, where you will view the open-cut mine and take a surface tour of the gold mine that was in operation until 2002. Complete your day with a drive through Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and enjoy the picturesque views of the canyon and waterfalls. Return to Rapid City for dinner at one of our group-friendly restaurants or a catered meal at a unique venue. Optional: Extend your itinerary with day four in the Southern Hills and day five with more Rapid City attractions! Day
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CONTACT: Rapid City CVB ➤ Michelle Thomson, CTP, CTIS, CSTP, Tourism Director www.tourrapidcity.com 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd. North, Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: 605-718-8489 Email: thomson@visitrapidcity.com June 2012 75