Mayan Ranch, Bandera

Lonely PlanetJul 10

Missing the Calgary Stampede this year? Here are the 12 best towns to experience cowboy core

Whatever your vision of the ideal cowboy core experience, channel your inner John Wayne or Annie Oakley in one of these frontier towns.

Working dude ranch with chuckwagon breakfasts and trail rides.

20 things in this story

The Cowboy StorePlaceWestern shop on Main Street.
Arkey Blue’s Silver DollarNightclubClaims to be the oldest continuously operated honky-tonk in Texas.
OSTRestaurantBYOB restaurant with a John Wayne Room.
Mayan RanchHotelWorking dude ranch with chuckwagon breakfasts and trail rides.
11th Street Cowboy BarBarHosts legendary steak nights.
Bandera General StorePlace
Elsewhere
Million Dollar Cowboy BarPubJackson, United StatesLocal icon with saddle barstools and nightly live music.
Darwin RanchHotelJackson, United StatesMost remote guest ranch in the Lower 48.
Rusty Parrot Lodge & SpaMotelJackson, United StatesOffers Cowboy Concierge for private trail rides.
Brewery FolliesRestaurantVirginia City, United StatesCatch a cabaret show.
Fairweather InnHotelVirginia City, United StatesAllegedly haunted lodging.
Alder Gulch Shortline RailroadSightVirginia City, United StatesTravels to Nevada City, a living history museum.
Nevada CityNeighborhoodVirginia City, United StatesGhost town turned living history museum.
BannackParkDillon, United StatesOne of the country’s best-preserved ghost towns.
The Cedar RoomRestaurantNorth Platte, United StatesServes prime Nebraska beef.
North 40 ChophouseRestaurantNorth Platte, United StatesPolished ranch vibe with cocktails.
Saguaro TheaterSightWickenburg, United StatesScreening old Westerns since 1948.
Kay El BarHotelWickenburg, United StatesDude ranch with trail rides in century-old adobe buildings.
Heart SixHotelJackson, United States
Triangle XHotelJackson, United States

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Mayan Ranch

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Missing the Calgary Stampede this year? Here are the 12 best towns to experience cowboy core