The adventure and history of the Wild West have captured imaginations since the earliest settlers to the region—first by Native Americans, then by the countless trailblazers who set out searching for a new life the unknown western frontier promised.
Across the Southwest, numerous Old West towns, guest ranches, landmarks of Native Americans, and other historical attractions offer visitors a glimpse at Native American culture, Western life, and Wild West folklore. These sites allow meeting attendees a chance to break away from the conference room and explore the region’s history and heritage for themselves—and even experience life as the earliest Native American and Western settlers did.
ARIZONA
What better place to step into the Wild West than the town made famous by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday? Known as the “town too tough to die,” Tombstone is home to the notorious shootout at the O.K. Corral between the Earps and the Clantons. Meeting attendees can retrace the steps of these infamous residents at iconic spots like Bird Cage Saloon, Boothill Cemetery, and The Tombstone Courthouse State Park.
“The best way to connect with the land is to stay on a ranch, and Tombstone Monument Ranch & Cattle Co. is perfect for hosting private events, small meetings, or gatherings” says Marjorie Magnusson, media relations manager at Arizona Office of Tourism. “Tombstone Monument Ranch & Cattle Co. provides a quiet environment in a historic setting, surrounded by beautiful mountain views, allowing groups to focus, achieve, and enjoy a unique and memorable experience.” The ranch can accommodate small groups of up to 20 guests in the Mine Shaft or large groups of up to 120 in the big barn, Magnussen says. “The location sets the tone for a casual meeting, and can include such activities as horseback riding, UTV rides, archery, or shooting, allowing new experiences to inspire new ideas.”
Located in Tucson, Tanque Verde Ranch welcomes meeting attendees to experience a touch of the Old West through a variety of offerings. One notable experience is its breakfast ride, which takes guests past majestic cacti, up rolling hills near Saguaro National Park East, to enjoy a freshly cooked blueberry pancake breakfast in a setting offering an epic view of the desert. “Unique activities like this keep meeting attendees engaged and make for a memorable event,” says Mo Olivas, destination manager for Visit Tucson. “The morning breakfast ride up the hillside nestled right up against Saguaro National Park East is not something attendees will soon forget.”
Starting the day outside in the fresh air is an ideal way to kick off any day during a meeting or conference. “Making time to unplug and connect with nature in the Sonoran Desert is not just a change of scenery; it is a rejuvenating experience,” Olivas says. “The lush, beautiful backdrop provides a perfect setting for resting, recharging, and healthy living. An easy morning horseback ride is a unique, low-impact way to get attendees moving before the day’s sessions, and provides a low-pressure, relaxed environment for teambuilding and networking.”
CALIFORNIA
In the Santa Ynez Valley in Solvang, Alisal Ranch invites meeting attendees to take advantage of all its natural attractions throughout the 10,500-acre property. “This timeless, family-owned property has embraced the spirit and nature of the American West for nearly a century,” says Christina Oliver, director of sales for Alisal Ranch. “The ranch honors its rich heritage by providing authentic Western hospitality and luxury ranch living in an experience exclusively suited for today’s most savvy travelers.”
Activities include stargazing, flyfishing, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, or enjoying a massage after a long day on horseback. “There are studies galore detailing the immense mental health benefits of spending time in nature and spending time with animals, and Alisal Ranch provides a multitude of opportunities to do both,” Oliver says. “The ranch also provides many activities suitable for teambuilding or friendly competition, like axe throwing, archery, group horseback rides, lawn games, pickleball, golf, tennis, and a ropes course. There truly is a way for any group to build its own adventure at Alisal Ranch and come out stronger and more connected to each other after the experience.”
The Old Sacramento Waterfront is a 28-acre National Historic Landmark and State Historic Park preserving the Wild West/Gold Rush history of the region. Gold was first discovered in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill, outside old Sacramento. It attracted prospectors from all over, making Old Sacramento the hub for the many “49ers” who came to the area in the hopes of finding gold and striking it rich. Today, visitors can walk the town’s wooden sidewalks and see many of the original buildings.
“The Old Sacramento Waterfront is walking distance to SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, so it is the perfect place to visit and get a sense of California’s Wild West heritage,” says Brandon Darnell, director of marketing for Visit Sacramento. “Visiting the Old Sacramento Waterfront is a great way to soak in the history of the Gold Rush and gain a better understanding of California’s early days.”
Old Sacramento Underground tour takes visitors down to the original street level (it was raised in the late 1800s, due to flooding), where many artifacts dating back to the Wild West era are on display.
COLORADO
Located in Durango, Bar D Wranglers Chuckwagon Suppers combines an Old West cowboy music show and chuckwagon supper, perfect for everyone in your group. “Bar D Wranglers Chuckwagon appeals to meeting and event groups because it offers a blend of entertainment, education, and interaction,” says Ben Brewer, destination services coordinator for Visit Durango Colorado. “The live music, cowboy poetry, and chuckwagon meals keep attendees captivated and engaged. It is also an excellent way for groups to relax and unwind in a fun, informal setting at the end of the day. The picturesque setting in Durango adds to the charm, making it a clear choice for planners looking to provide a standout experience.”
In Loveland, Sylvan Dale Ranch sits along the banks of the Big Thompson River, welcoming meeting attendees to spend some time on a historic working horse and cattle ranch. Guests can choose from scenic trail rides or “chow down” rides that include a meal. The ranch staff even works with groups on unique teambuilding opportunities involving horses and cattle.
“Slowing down to the Wild West clock, or ‘horse time,’ as we call it, offers an opportunity for guests to break from their normal fast-paced culture and embrace a slower pace,” says Karen Burbank, dude ranch and lesson programs coordinator at Sylvan Dale Ranch.
A stay at Sylvan Dale Ranch provides more than just time to relax. “The ambiance of our Western heritage combined with the beauty of the mountains and the sound of the river stimulate creative thinking and productive work sessions,” says owner Susan Jessup.
NEVADA
One of only eight historic landmark districts in Nevada, Virginia City became well-known following the 1859 Comstock Lode, a rich deposit of silver and gold, which led to a mining boom for the next 20 years. Today, visitors can step back in time as they learn about the people who called this town home in the 1800s.
“Virginia City offers visitors an adventure found nowhere else in the world,” says
Todd Tuttle, director of tourism for Virginia City. “The town boomed in the mid-1800s following a silver discovery, known as the Comstock Lode. Nearly overnight, the town grew to a population of 25,000. Full of various shops, mines, mills and more, the town has retained its historic appeal by preserving the attractions marking one of the greatest mineral discoveries in America.”
During their visit, attendees can ride the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad, tour the Ponderosa or Chollar mines, or see the Territorial Enterprise, a famed home of Mark Twain.
NEW MEXICO
Located near Farmington, Salmon Ruins provides an in-depth look into the earliest settlers of this region: Ancestral Puebloans. Visitors can tour Salmon Ruins, Heritage Park, the museum, and gift shop as part of their time here.
Salmon Ruins’ proximity to Farmington—only 15 miles away—makes it an easy outing for conference attendees, according to Chantalle Kovacs, tourism outreach coordinator for Visit Farmington. It provides an intimate and enriching backdrop for smaller gatherings and receptions, she says.
“Planners should consider Salmon Ruins over more traditional destinations because it offers a unique and immersive experience that cannot be replicated in conventional settings,” Kovacs says. “It allows attendees to explore one of the largest outlying colonies built in the Chacoan style during the 11th century, offering a rare opportunity to walk among structures built by Ancestral Puebloans, an ancient Native American culture known for their advanced architecture and extensive trade networks. This historical and cultural depth can enhance any event, making it more memorable and impactful, and offers attendees a chance to connect with the local heritage and landscape.”
UTAH
Head 90 miles north of Salt Lake City, and planners will find an abundance of Wild West history at American West Heritage Center. “Cache Valley was the Wild West. American West Heritage Center is located in Wellsville, near the first settlement in the area,” says Julie Hollist Terrill, director of Cache Valley Visitors Bureau. As Terrill explains, “Peter Maughan led the original group of settlers to Cache Valley and settled Maughan’s Fort. He and his family, along with six other families, met many challenges as they struggled to establish a new life. They had to work and play well together and rely upon one another to survive and thrive in the American West. Groups will have the same opportunity to learn and apply these skills to help encourage and fine-tune teamwork, gain courage, and adapt modern-day challenges to those faced in days past. The same experience will be humbling for some and exhilarating for others as they recognize weaknesses and gain confidence together.”
The center offers organized teambuilding packages with activities customized to specific needs, such as physical limitations, length of time, and so on. “Groups can also package the experience with a meal and enjoy focusing their interactions with the pioneers or the mountain men, or on the farm,” Terrill adds.
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Historic Landmarks of the West |
| Hundreds of historic landmarks and sites chronicle the early days of Western settlement, expansion, and exploration. These sites tell the stories of Indigenous peoples, Spanish settlers, pioneers, cowboys, outlaws, marshals, mining towns, and ghost towns—each a pivotal part of Old West history. To continue your Wild West adventure, hit the trail to these Western sites. |
| ARIZONA
Goldfield Ghost Town Apache Junction GoldfieldGhostTown.com Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site Ganado NPS.gov/Hutr/Index.htm Jerome Historic District Jerome VisitArizona.com/Places/Parks-Monuments/ Pioneer Living History Museum Phoenix PioneerAZ.org |
| CALIFORNIA
Autry Museum of the American West TheAutry.org Bodie State Historic Park Parks.CA.gov/?page_id=509 California Missions VisitCalifornia.com/Experience/California-Missions California State Mining & Mineral Museum Mariposa MariposaCounty.org/1930/Museums |
| COLORADO
Black American West Museum & Heritage Center Denver BAWMHC.org The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave Denver BuffaloBill.org Ghost Town Museum Colorado Springs GhostTownMuseum.com Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Kiowa County NPS.gov/Sand/Index.htm |
| NEVADA
Western Folklife Center Elko WesternFolklife.org Gold Butte National Monument Gold Butte BLM.gov/Programs/National-Conservation-Lands/Nevada/Gold-Butte Love Lock Cave Churchill County TravelNevada.com/Caves/Lovelock-Cave-Backcountry-Byway Stuart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum Carson City StewartIndianSchool.com |
| NEW MEXICO
Aztec Ruins National Monument Aztec Ruins NationalParks.org/Explore/Parks/Aztez-Ruins-National-Monument Bandelier National Monument Los Alamos NewMexico.org/Listing/Bandelier-National-Monument/2202 Lincoln Historic Site Lincoln NMHistoricSites.org/Lincoln Santa Fe National Historic Trail NPS.gov/SaFe/Index.htm |
| UTAH
The Cassidy Trail (Butch Cassidy) Red Canyon VisitUtah.com/Articles/Chasing-Old-West-Outlaws-On-The-Cassidy-Trail Frontier Homestead State Park Museum Cedar City StateParks.Utah.gov/Parks/Frontier-Homestead Golden Spike National Historic Park Corinne NPS.gov/GoSp/Index.htm Pony Express National Historic Trail & Monument Salt Lake City NPS.gov/PoEx/Index.htm |
