Colorado: The Best State To Feel The Wild West, New Study Says
Colorado is the No. 1 state for travelers looking for the best Wild West experience, a new study says.
Three cities and one town in Colorado finished in the top 5 of Wild West destinations, according to a study done by InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison website. The study analyzed 50 cities and towns in seven states that were once part of the Wild West and compared them based on various criteria, including average cost of ranch-style accommodations, number of hotels with horseback riding and number of nature and wildlife parks.
Steamboat Springs, a small skiing town in Yampa Valley about 155 miles northwest of Denver, ranked first. It has 142 hotels that offer horseback riding and about 20 nature and wildlife parks in its small town, according to the study.
Steamboat rated highly for ranch-style accommodations but at an expensive price: Nightly lodging averages $579 during high season. The town also has an average summer temperature of 63.9 degrees, which can be ideal, InsureMyTrip says, because horses prefer exercising in 53.6-66.2 temperatures.
Tourists take a covered wagon ride in Durango, Colorado. (Photo by Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Colorado cities in the top 5 are No. 2 Durango, No. 3 Estes Park and No. 4 Colorado Springs. The non-Colorado locale in the elite five is No. 5 West Yellowstone, Montana. Besides Colorado and Montana, the study evaluated cities and towns in Arizona, California, Idaho, Texas and Wyoming.
'With more travelers looking to tap into their inner cowboy and explore the Great West, we wanted to make it easier to find the best spots for a true Wild West experience,' says Sara Boisvert, InsureMyTrip's marketing director. 'These destinations offer something special for anyone chasing that frontier feeling: horseback riding, ranch stays or just soaking in the scenery.'
Durango, about 335 miles southwest of Denver and 220 miles north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, scored highly for number of lodgings with horseback riding, average cost of ranch-style accommodations and average temperature. The city is among the most affordable for lodging.
It is known for its Victorian-era architecture and the scenic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The city has been a backdrop in more than 145 Western films, including The Revenant , The Mask of Zorro and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid .
Estes Park, about 65 miles north of Denver and the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, scored highly in the study because of its ranch-style accommodations, affordable lodging and 10 nature and wildlife parks.
Following No. 4 Colorado Springs and No. 5 West Yellowstone in the rankings are No. 6 Tucson, Arizona; a 7th-place tie between Granby, Colorado and Harrison, Idaho, and an 8th-place tie between Douglas and Cody, Wyoming.
The Garden of the Gods attracts tourists year-round to Colorado Springs, one of the best cities, according to a new study, to experience the Wild West. Gary Stoller
According to a March story in Vogue , 'a renaissance' of Western fashion and a Wild West travel trend have emerged. The magazine said the emergence can be atributed to Beyoncé's Grammy-winning Cowboy Carter album, the popularity of Western melodrama Yellowstone, Netflix's Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders docuseries and other factors.
'Dubbed cowboy-core, an increasing number of travelers are saddling up to visit destinations where 10-gallon hats are as common as caps and where ranches and rodeos reign,' the Vogue story said.
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Travel + Leisure
8 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
I've Lived in Japan for 20 Years—and These Are 10 Common Mistakes I See Tourists Make
Ah, the horror of the cultural faux pas. The hot twist of shame that keeps you up at night, cheeks burning and wondering if you should just grab your passport and make a midnight run for the border. I know the feeling well. With its opaque rules and rigid customs, even the most conscientious traveler can put a foot wrong in Japan. While people are generally gracious about missteps, recent surges in tourist numbers are starting to strain that vaunted hospitality. I've lived here for 20 years—here are 10 common mistakes to avoid on your next trip to Japan. A hand picks up sushi with chopsticks. Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty Images Dining etiquette is a minefield, and the rules are different depending on the cuisine, but proper chopstick manners always make you look good. I'm not talking about being able to use them, although expect any level of proficiency to be greeted with effusive praise. I'm talking about where to put them. When you aren't eating, place chopsticks on the rest provided. In the case of disposable chopsticks, you can make a rest by folding the paper sleeve in half. Never stick them upright in a bowl of rice, as this symbolizes an offering to the dead. Don't point to things with chopsticks or commit the double-dipping sin of taking food from a common plate with chopsticks that have been in your mouth. Some other good tips for dining out: Do slurp noodles like ramen, eat nice sushi with your hands, and neatly fold up the oshibori hand towel after use. Don't arrive late to a reservation, leave food uneaten, or wear strong scents, especially to kaiseki or sushi, where the chef will be highly protective of the subtle flavors. Part of maintaining social harmony in space-starved Japan is literally keeping the peace. I almost never see Japanese people—well, sober ones anyway—having raucous conversations in public. This especially goes for phone conversations. It's considered rude to answer one's phone on public transport or in a restaurant, for example. Of course, you've got to let it all out sometime, and the volume goes way up in places like pubs, playgrounds, and festivals. The rule of thumb is to read the room and set your volume accordingly. A passenger awaits a train arriving in a station. Those videos you've seen of staff physically cramming people into trains? They're real. Rush hour in Tokyo is no joke, as my bruised toes and crushed lungs can attest. So, bringing a giant suitcase on the train at 8 a.m. and parking it in front of the door isn't going to win you any fans. Luckily, Japan has excellent next-day luggage delivery services, so pack an overnight carry-on and entrust oversized bags to the pros. Even at off-peak times, avoid blocking the doors or ticket gates by standing to the side and hold backpacks in front of you so they don't whack other passengers. Eating or drinking is also a no-go, except for long-distance services like the bullet train, where bringing a bento box is practically imperative. One other point to remember is that trains don't run 24/7 in Japan, even in big cities like Tokyo. Particularly for day trips to more rural areas, be sure to check the departure time for your last train so you don't get stranded. A person handing over Japanese Yen. During the pandemic, Japan got a lot better about accepting digital payments, but there are still lots of places that only want cold, hard cash, especially small businesses. I've seen many a tourist have to scramble to find an ATM when they realize they've just eaten a meal they can't pay for. Just to be safe, always carry a bit of cash. Also, Japanese people rarely pass money directly to a cashier, wanting to evade an awkward hand touch. Instead, there is a tray provided next to the register. It's polite to put your cash on the tray and allow the cashier to pick it up. They'll return your change the same way or cushioned on top of a receipt. This one goes out especially to my fellow Americans: Leave the tipping culture at home. It is never expected in Japan for any service, and it just creates confusion. I've seen waitstaff chase customers down the street to return money left on the table. It's like if you went to the supermarket and tried to tip the cashier—they'd just be confused and insist on giving you the correct change. If someone really goes above and beyond, a small gift of appreciation like chocolate will usually be graciously accepted, particularly if it's something representative of your hometown or that isn't readily available in Japan. But again, none of this is expected, and a sincere thank you is appreciated just as much. Nonverbal communication can get non-Japanese speakers a long way, but be aware that not all gestures translate. A common miscommunication happens with beckoning. In Japan, a come-hither gesture is performed palm down with a flick of the fingers, which unfortunately looks a bit like how Europeans and North Americans communicate 'Buzz off, jerk!' When signaling for the check, miming signing a bill will sometimes work, but the more standard gesture is to cross your index fingers in an X, indicating you don't wish to order anything else. Finally, bowing with hands pressed in front of your chest: While this communicates gratitude in much of Southeast Asia, it looks like over-the-top pleading in Japan. A standard bow here is with hands at your sides or clasped neatly at the waist. View of Kyoto through a taxi window. Daniel Gorostieta/Travel + Leisure People often joke about Japan living in the future. When I first arrived, the automatic taxi door cemented that idea as gospel for me. The driver just hits a button and the door swings open to let you in, no need to juggle bags or touch hot metal. The same goes for alighting. Once you've paid, the door automatically swings open to let you out. Magic! Of course, the mechanism can get broken if mishandled, which is why drivers have a sharp word if you try to manually open the door. In other taxi-related tips, drivers will usually insist on loading luggage in the trunk as part of their service. It's okay to hail a taxi on the street so long as there is room to pull off, but you can generally find taxi ranks in front of stations and hotels. Uber does exist in Japan, but only in major cities. Also, it will only connect you with a taxi. A local app called Go is cheaper and more widely used. Following a change to public health laws in 2020, smoking is pretty tightly restricted in Japan to prevent second-hand exposure. This means no smoking in public areas like restaurants and hotels except in designated smoking rooms. All train services, including long-distance bullet trains, are non-smoking. Smoking while walking on the street is banned, and police can hit you with an on-the-spot fine if they catch you lighting up. Screened smoking areas are usually found outside stations or other gathering spots, complete with bins for your butts. Vapes fall under the same rules. And note that e-liquids containing nicotine are not sold in Japan, but you can bring up to 120mL for personal use. Exterior of Kyoto's Imperial Palace. Maria Ligaya/Travel + Leisure Most Japanese people have a very loose relationship to religion compared to some Westerners, adopting practices from Buddhism, Shinto, and even Christianity. That doesn't mean they don't take it seriously, though. A common complaint among my Japanese friends is tourists' lack of respect at shrines and temples. Not just the buildings but also the grounds are considered sacred, so remove hats and sunglasses, moderate your volume, don't take photos of ceremonies unless given express permission, and certainly don't do gymnastics off the torii gates. Another pro tip: The center of the path under a torii is reserved for deities, so stand to the left or right when taking pictures. Visiting a hot spring or sento public bath is a literal immersion in a bathing culture that has lasted more than a millennium. It's part of the social and spiritual fabric of life in Japan, where a long soak before bed is still a nightly practice in many households. But like everything, it has its rules. The communal water is for soaking, so shower first to ensure you aren't bringing in a day's worth of sweat and grime. The small towel provided can be used as a washcloth. Some smaller facilities don't have showers. In that case, use the little buckets provided to scoop up water from the bath and pour it over yourself where it won't splash others. No swimsuits are allowed. It's also bad form to let your towel touch the water, so many people rest it on their heads. Loud talking or splashing can disturb other bathers, so just slip into the water and keep your conversations to a murmur.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Renting a Camper Van for a Family Road Trip of Stargazing, Cook Outs, and Red Rock Hikes
Jo Piazza; Getty For Jo Piazza and Nick Aster, a camper van trip through the national parks of Colorado and Utah wasn't just a summer escape—it was a way to reconnect with the adventures they loved pre-kids. 'It was time for a trip out west,' Jo says. 'We'd visited a lot of these national parks when we lived in San Francisco, but now it was about showing our kids—Charlie, 5, and Beatrix, 3—what makes these places so special.' The couple, who live in Philadelphia and were expecting their third child at the time (Eliza, now born), mapped out a 10-day loop that started and ended in Denver. Along the way, they visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs, Dinosaur National Monument, Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Breckenridge. 'It was a bit of an epic romp,' Jo laughs. Here's how they spent their family vacation—and how much it cost. Why rent a camper van? Pregnant, outdoorsy, and realistic about the physical demands of camping with two small kids, Jo knew she needed more than a tent. 'Sleeping on the ground just wasn't going to cut it,' she says. 'A van gave me a good place to sleep—and full disclosure, Nick often slept out in the tent with the kids to give me a bit of luxury.' They rented their 'cabin camper' through Outdoorsy—a fully tricked-out truck with a massive cap in the back that felt like a log cabin on wheels. 'People commented on it everywhere we went,' Jo says. 'We'd get high fives, people asking to take pictures. At one point, someone said, 'Hey man, we saw you in Canyonlands two days ago! That thing is awesome.' Planning a flexible route around national parks Unlike their usual meticulously planned vacations, this one was intentionally open-ended. 'We had a general loop in mind,' Jo explains. 'We knew we wanted to hit Rocky Mountain right away since it's so close to the airport, and we knew Charlie would go bananas for Dinosaur. But the rest we figured out as we went. That's the beauty of traveling by van—you don't need to lock in hotels every night.' This flexibility came in handy during a July heatwave in Moab. 'We broke up the camping with a stay at the super-unhip Marriott,' Jo says. 'It had a fake red rock pool and a mini water park. It flew in the face of the National Park ethos, but with 100-degree heat and two little kids, we just leaned in. They loved it.' Top highlights for parents and kids The kids' favorite moments weren't always the ones Jo and Nick would've picked, but they rolled with it. 'They're still talking about the pool in Moab and the fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument,' Jo says. 'Also, they were weirdly into how much attention the van got.' Black Canyon of the Gunnison was a surprise standout for the adults. 'There were hardly any visitors, and the dark sky was just incredible,' she says. 'We caught a ranger program where the kids learned about constellations under a super clear Milky Way. It was magical.' And though Jo once preferred low-key park campgrounds, she now sees the upside of KOAs. 'Pancake breakfasts and mini golf? Yes, please,' she says. 'The kids were thrilled, and frankly, so were we.' The bottom line Group size: 2 adults, 2 kids, 1 on the way Days on the road: 10 Flight cost: ~$1,000 Van rental + campgrounds/hotels: ~$2,600 Gas, food, and extras: ~$400 Total trip cost: ~$4,000 What daily life in a camper van with kids actually looks like Though the camper was cozy, it wasn't set up for lounging in the back while driving. 'It was more like a truck with a cabin on top,' Jo says. 'So we kept drive times short—just a few hours a day—and stopped whenever something interesting popped up.' Their daily rhythm was less about the van and more about what happened once they parked. 'We'd arrive, set up the tent and kitchen, cook, maybe hike if there was daylight left, or just start the campfire,' she explains. They ran into hiccups, of course. 'Our camp stove failed the first night,' Jo says. 'So we made quesadillas over the fire. Smoky, but pretty delicious, honestly.' Kid-tested gear and road trip tips that worked Some items proved unexpectedly helpful. 'Headlamps were key—the kids loved them and we always knew where they were,' Jo says. 'The kid-carrying backpack was a lifesaver on hikes—it's comfier than piggybacking and doubles as a lunch tote. And swimsuits were essential. Rivers, lakes, KOA pools… any kind of water saved us from meltdowns.' They also brought a steady supply of car snacks. 'Yogurt pouches, cheese sticks, and Dip'n Dots at gas stations were clutch,' she adds. 'It's our go-to bribe. Works every time.' Games helped, too, but they had a shelf life. 'The alphabet game gets old fast,' Jo says. 'Better to have someone riding shotgun asking national park trivia or tracking license plates. We once saw Alaska and Hawaii parked next to each other. It felt like a cosmic event.' Managing the hardest parts of the trip Their biggest challenge? The heat. 'We knew it'd be hot in July, especially in Moab, but it was still rough,' Jo says. 'We adjusted by hiking early or late, lathering the kids in sunscreen, and making sure everyone had hats and tons of water. And when all else failed, we drove to higher elevation.' Other bumps included a minor incident right out of the gate. 'Nick picked me up at the Denver airport and whacked the van into a low-clearance sign,' she recalls. 'There was nowhere to back up, so we just crawled through the pickup zone slowly and hoped for the best.' Would they do it again? 'Oh, absolutely,' Jo says. 'We're already plotting a Pacific Northwest version. I'd probably downsize the van a bit. Some of those mega-RVs have full kitchens and flat-screens, but they're expensive and a pain to drive. I'd love one with a pop-top so we could all sleep inside without setting up a tent.' Her biggest advice to other families thinking about a camper van trip? 'Do it. It's way more fun than a car trip, and cheaper than hotels. But break it up with a hotel here and there so you can do laundry and reset.' And while national park camping can feel impossible to book these days, she recommends looking outside the box. 'The KOAs and private campgrounds are actually kind of awesome. Yes, there are giant RVs with satellite dishes, but the people are friendly—and the kids will love the pool.' Final advice for families new to van life Jo's top tip is to manage your expectations. 'Don't try to do too much. Be mindful of how long kids can sit still and how far they're willing to hike. Sometimes the most memorable part of the day isn't the canyon view—it's the stick they found on the ground,' she says. 'And honestly, that's okay. Both are magic in their own way.' Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler Solve the daily Crossword
Condé Nast Traveler
10 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Renting a Camper Van for a Family Road Trip of Stargazing, Cook Outs, and Red Rock Hikes
For Jo Piazza and Nick Aster, a camper van trip through the national parks of Colorado and Utah wasn't just a summer escape—it was a way to reconnect with the adventures they loved pre-kids. 'It was time for a trip out west,' Jo says. 'We'd visited a lot of these national parks when we lived in San Francisco, but now it was about showing our kids—Charlie, 5, and Beatrix, 3—what makes these places so special.' The couple, who live in Philadelphia and were expecting their third child at the time (Eliza, now born), mapped out a 10-day loop that started and ended in Denver. Along the way, they visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs, Dinosaur National Monument, Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Breckenridge. 'It was a bit of an epic romp,' Jo laughs. Here's how they spent their family vacation—and how much it cost. Dead Horse Point State Park at Moab National Park Karl Hendon/Getty Why rent a camper van? Pregnant, outdoorsy, and realistic about the physical demands of camping with two small kids, Jo knew she needed more than a tent. 'Sleeping on the ground just wasn't going to cut it,' she says. 'A van gave me a good place to sleep—and full disclosure, Nick often slept out in the tent with the kids to give me a bit of luxury.' They rented their 'cabin camper' through Outdoorsy—a fully tricked-out truck with a massive cap in the back that felt like a log cabin on wheels. 'People commented on it everywhere we went,' Jo says. 'We'd get high fives, people asking to take pictures. At one point, someone said, 'Hey man, we saw you in Canyonlands two days ago! That thing is awesome.' Planning a flexible route around national parks Unlike their usual meticulously planned vacations, this one was intentionally open-ended. 'We had a general loop in mind,' Jo explains. 'We knew we wanted to hit Rocky Mountain right away since it's so close to the airport, and we knew Charlie would go bananas for Dinosaur. But the rest we figured out as we went. That's the beauty of traveling by van—you don't need to lock in hotels every night.' This flexibility came in handy during a July heatwave in Moab. 'We broke up the camping with a stay at the super-unhip Marriott,' Jo says. 'It had a fake red rock pool and a mini water park. It flew in the face of the National Park ethos, but with 100-degree heat and two little kids, we just leaned in. They loved it.' Jo Piazza and Nick Aster with Charlie, 5, and Beatrix, 3 Jo Piazza Dinosaur Monument Quarry wall shows visitors dinosaur fossils still half buried in stone. Peter Unger/Getty Top highlights for parents and kids The kids' favorite moments weren't always the ones Jo and Nick would've picked, but they rolled with it. 'They're still talking about the pool in Moab and the fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument,' Jo says. 'Also, they were weirdly into how much attention the van got.'
