The Occidental
Everything about the Occidental Hotel and Saloon serves as a reminder that Wyoming was, and is, truly the Wild West. Nearly every inch has been restored and preserved in history. Walk the same halls as Butch Cassidy and Calamity Jane. The bar in the saloon is the very same as the one that was installed more than 100 years ago.
The Irma
The legendary Buffalo Bill himself founded this bar and hotel in 1902. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places; the original cherry wood bar, which was a gift to Buffalo Bill from England’s Queen Victoria, is renowned around the world.
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Located in downtown Jackson, this famous watering hole has hosted celebrities, presidents, royals, cowhands and more. Sit down on their famous saddle barstools and enjoy Western dancing and live entertainment.
The Wolf Hotel and Restaurant
Set in downtown Saratoga, The Wolf is a historical gem. After a long day of soaking in the hot springs, head over to the restaurant for a delicious meal or a nightcap. If you’re an avid reader of CJ Box’s Joe Picket novels, you will recognize the hotel from his stay in room 9.
Nearly every inch of the Occidental Hotel and Saloon has been preserved in history; the bar in the saloon is the very same as the one that was installed more than 100 years ago. CREDIT Wyoming Tourism
For more information on Wyoming, visit TravelWyoming.com.
In Southwest Idaho, at the heart of downtown Boise’s food scene is 8th Street, a lively hub of local fare where you can find everything from fine dining to hole-in-the-wall pizzerias. Enjoy artfully designed atmospheres and memorable craft cocktails. The food (and the atmosphere) is genuine, with no pretense – just passionate chefs and mixologists who are proud of what they do. At Fork, we recommend the Idaho Rainbow Trout. It’s paired with local vegetables to match the season and is a local and visitor favorite.
Also located in downtown Boise is the Basque Block. It’s a year-round must-visit offering a taste of the Basque culture. Sample Basque specialties, watch Basque dancers or learn Basque history – it’s all here. Every Wednesday and Friday at noon, we invite you to Paella on the Patio – rain or shine. You don’t want to be late, as the paella is usually gone by 12:30 p.m.
Don’t miss Paella on the Patio in Boise’s Basque Block, every Wednesday and Friday, rain or shine. CREDIT Visit Southwest Idaho
For more information on Southwest Idaho, visit VisitSouthwestIdaho.org.
The South Dakota Department of Tourism has announced the launch of a free South Dakota Great Finds mobile exclusive passport that highlights hidden gems in South Dakota.
The Great Finds passport encourages users to explore and experience the many hidden treasures found throughout South Dakota. With the passport, visitors can check in at designated Great Finds locations to unlock a range of South Dakota prizes and receive discounts at participating businesses. The passport showcases more than 100 locations, including restaurants, retail businesses, outdoor activities and local parks for passholders to discover. South Dakota Great Finds will continue to expand by adding new partners, locations and businesses from across the state, with a goal of showcasing at least one hidden gem in every community. This mobile experience will allow visitors to discover what truly makes up the great state of South Dakota.
To ensure visitors continue to get the most out of their time in South Dakota, additional passports highlighting a range of niche offerings throughout South Dakota will continually be released.
The free passport can be accessed through TravelSouthDakota.com and delivered to mobile devices, with no app download necessary.
For more information on South Dakota, visit TravelSouthDakota.com.
Sheridan is Wyoming’s emerald gem, a postcard-perfect vision of Western graces and wide-open spaces. Nestled in the foothills of the iconic Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan is where cowboy culture and Western hospitality have fused to provide the experience of a lifetime.
Step into your favorite boots and saunter into King’s Saddlery, where the cowboy and his craft remain alive and well. Across the street, you’ll spy the neon lights of the legendary Mint Bar (outlaws need not apply), and the burly buffalo of Bison Union, where you can find a local pint or a cup of freshly roasted coffee, respectively.
Hungry? Good thing you’ve come to cattle country. Order a hand-cut ribeye as big as a steer’s head at the Ledoux Saloon and Steakout or the Rib & Chop House, or find quintessential Wyoming fare at Frackelton’s, Birch Restaurant or Welcome Market Hall.
Craft is king in our backyard, and we invite you to experience a taste of the West at Black Tooth Brewery, Luminous Brewhouse, Smith Alley Brewing and Koltiska Distillery. Each is known for live music, trivia or bingo nights, and for welcoming food trucks to their doorsteps.
Find a local pint inside the neon-bedecked legendary Mint Bar in Sheridan – outlaws need not apply! CREDIT Sheridan County Travel and Tourism
For more information on Sheridan, visit SheridanWyoming.org.
Sabatino’s Italian Ristorante
Rapid City’s newest Italian restaurant features creations from Italian Chef Alessdio Di Sabatino, who has 20 years of experience cooking in the finest Italian restaurants. For a dish that will live up to all expectations, try the Lobster Ravioli.
Firehouse Wine Cellars
Guests can enjoy regular musical performances at Rapid City’s downtown winery, next door to historic Firehouse Brewing Company. Try Mythical Beast, a Midwestern blend that hails the iconic jackalope.
Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show
Embrace the Old West at Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show, featuring a hearty meal and Western entertainment. If breakfast is more your style, Fort Hays Old West Town Square provides all-you-can-eat pancakes for just 99 cents.
Zymurcracy Beer Company
Peanut butter lovers, look no further. If you are visiting in February or July, the Peanut Butter Oatmeal Porter is a no-fail option at this off-the-beaten-path brewery. Groups can enjoy a spacious atmosphere and food truck on-site.
Colonial House Restaurant & Bar
This staple of Rapid City has catered to groups large and small for 41 years. They provide American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the most popular menu items is the homemade Caramel Rolls.
Embrace the Old West at Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show, featuring a hearty meal and Western entertainment. If breakfast is more your style, Fort Hays Old West Town Square provides all-you-can-eat pancakes for just 99 cents. CREDIT South Dakota Department of Tourism
For more information on Rapid City, visit VisitRapidCity.com.
On the culinary and entertainment spectrum, North Dakota leaves no point untouched! Microbreweries are getting more and more popular around the country, and North Dakota is no exception. At Drekker Brewing in Fargo, they believe in creating community, experiences and good times with brewery tours, live music, craft fairs, movie nights and more. Try a flight – with so many “Best of Craft Beer Awards,” you’re sure to find your new favorite brew.
At the Pitchfork Steak Fondue in Medora, chefs load up pitchforks with 12-ounce steaks and fondue them Western-style. These delicious steaks come with your favorite sides served buffet-style, and your favorite drinks await at the Tjaden Terrace Bar. Enjoy the unbelievable views of the Badlands and the can’t-miss Medora Musical performed just steps away in the Burning Hills Amphitheatre.
Ebeneezer’s Eatery & Irish Pub in Minot has been serving authentic Irish cuisine for over 20 years with live music six times a week. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, sandwiches, drinks and more. A few of their signature dishes include Bangers & Mash, Shepherd’s Pie and Big Bob’s Breaded Fish & Chips, a local favorite.
Chefs load up pitchforks with steaks and cook them Western-style at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue in Medora. CREDIT North Dakota Tourism
For more information on North Dakota, visit NDTourism.com.
Bearcreek Saloon and Steakhouse, east of Red Lodge, Montana: Where pigs really do fly! Serving up award-winning steaks and more along with a full bar in a comfortable rustic dining room.
Livingston native Chef Sarah Faye creates a refreshing menu of local dishes served in a welcoming atmosphere in downtown Livingston at Faye’s Cafe. Try the (not your average) Eggs Benedict and huckleberry bacon!
Pine Creek Lodge, located in Paradise Valley between Gardiner and Livingston, has long been known as a gathering place for local bands and great comfort food. Listen to the babbling creek from the outdoor patio and enjoy local beer or a concert under the stars.
The Newberry is a new event venue in downtown Great Falls with full bar and lounge. Featuring local and national acts.
Lewis & Clark Brewery: With a passion for good beer, the Lewis & Clark Brewery built the craft beer scene in Helena, Montana. Grab the local favorite An American Wheat Ale, sit on the patio, and listen to some of the best live music Helena has to offer.
Benny’s Bistro: A historic icon in the community. Experience a farm-to-table-style meal with live jazz in the evenings. Try a Montana-style ranch-to-plate steak with an incredible hand-squeezed lemonade.
Bearcreek Saloon and Steakhouse, east of Red Lodge, Montana: Where pigs really do fly! Serving up award-winning steaks and more along with a full bar in a comfortable rustic dining room. CREDIT Brand MT
For more information on Montana, visit VisitMT.com.
When visiting Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks, travel to nearby Victor for a uniquely Idaho treat. Victor Emporium serves huckleberry milkshakes made with local ice cream and packed with Idaho’s state fruit. If your travels take you near Ashton, drop by Five 11 Main for a fantastic huckleberry shake served with a side of nostalgia in a converted soda fountain shop.
Boise has a reputation for its vibrant music scene, featuring both talented local artists and touring acts from all over the world. Check out Pengilly’s Saloon – a local favorite beloved for its old-school Brunswick bar, vintage decor and rotating mix of live local music, ranging from jazz to bluegrass.
For touring acts, Treefort Music Fest and Duck Club Entertainment have created a legacy of bringing in well-known artists as well as some still flying below the radar. Opening in 2023, the Treefort Music Hall in downtown Boise will showcase a variety of sounds for discovery.
The Lewis-Clark Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a must-do for sampling Idaho wine. Lindsay Creek Vineyard’s Irresponsibility Red Wine is an irresistible red blend pleasing to almost any palate. Or head to Rivaura Wine in Julietta for their award-winning cabernet franc rosé.
For touring acts, Treefort Music Fest has created a legacy of bringing in well-known artists as well as some still flying below the radar. CREDIT Amy Russell
For more information on Idaho, visit VisitIdaho.org.
Western Montana’s Glacier Country invites all visitors to live like the locals while in our region, and locals are loving the culinary options found in Whitefish. A new addition that opened to rave reviews includes Jalisco Cantina, a scratch kitchen that pairs uniquely made dishes with the finest tequila and handcrafted cocktails.
If you’re in Kalispell and find yourself looking for New York, Sicilian-style or Detroit deep dish pizza, Ranger Joe’s Pizza is your place. Mercantile Steak brings a classic steakhouse experience to downtown Kalispell, and the KM Bar offers delicious pub food and signature cocktails along with live music performances.
Missoula continues to be a haven for beer enthusiasts. Gild Brewing – located on Missoula’s coolest block, the Hip Strip – boasts craft brew, epic Sunday brunch and a basement arcade. Conflux Brewing offers a convergence of delicious beer, a Southern-twist menu and sustainable brewing practices all in the heart of downtown. For an unforgettable evening, not far from Missoula on the banks of the Blackfoot River sits the tap room of KettleHouse Brewing Company, adjacent to the KettleHouse Amphitheater. Be sure to check your itinerary against the list of musical performances throughout the summer.
Conflux Brewing offers a convergence of delicious beer, a Southern twist menu and sustainable brewing practices all in the heart of downtown Missoula. CREDIT Glacier Country Tourism
For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.
