Calgary, Alberta
Canada’s rich Western heritage is often overlooked beneath the shadow of the United States. But any trip to Calgary, the capital of the province of Alberta, will convince groups that this is a massive oversight. Calgary is host every July to the Calgary Stampede, one of North America’s largest rodeos and referred to as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. The Stampede draws an audience of thousands who come to watch cowboys, cowgirls and stock animals compete for winnings pools that total more than $2 million.
“It absolutely takes over the city,” said Andrea Visscher, manager of public relations for Tourism Calgary. “We have a very rich history surrounding the Western ideals, such as rodeo, but we are also moving toward being seen as a contemporary city while still maintaining our Western roots.”
A glance at Calgary’s skyline, which is punctuated by skyscrapers, is an example of the contemporary city. Today, groups can dine at award-winning restaurants, stroll through modern art collections at the Glenbow Museum or even dance at one of the city’s many nightclubs.
Despite the glittering glass buildings taking shape in the city, locals will maintain that the best Calgary attractions exist outside of four walls, such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. This cliff in the foothills of the Rockies is exactly what it sounds like: the historic site where Plains people would drive herds of bison off the cliff to kill them for their meat and skins.
Amarillo, Texas
“There’s a tagline that we’ve been using for years,” said Eric Miller, director of communications for the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Council, “and that’s ‘Step into the real Texas.’
“That’s what Amarillo is,” said Miller. “The real Texas.”
Beyond the classic Texas pride shown by its tagline, the town is also proud of its rich ranching heritage. “It’s real cowboys, it’s real cattle — it’s the whole experience,” said Miller. Groups wanting to try their hand at roping or eager to saddle up for a trail ride can head to Bar H working dude ranch. However, guests should come prepared to work because a typical day’s activities including roping, dragging, doctoring and branding.
If groups want to enjoy the natural beauty of the Texas Plains without so many calluses, they should head to Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the country. Visitors can take in the terrain on bike, on horseback, by walking or on driving tours.
To get a comprehensive grasp of the history of the region, which is tied closely to both the cattle boom and the oil boom, visit the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum or the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, often referred to as the Smithsonian of Texas.
One famous Amarillo native is Charles Goodnight, inventor of the ever-important chuckwagon. For a truly original Amarillo culinary experience, visitors can try the beef brisket “Frito” pie from Crazy Larry’s Pit Bar-B-Que.
Claremore, Oklahoma
With its population of about 19,000, some may not even consider Claremore, Oklahoma, a real city. But what the town lacks in size it makes up for in pride, fully embracing its Western past as well as the agricultural industries that support much of its livelihood today. The best evidence of this is the town’s adoration of its most famous son, Will Rogers, a true embodiment of Western spirit.
Unlike the flat, tumbleweed-covered plains of other Western towns, the area surrounding Claremore is green and relatively hilly.
“All of the land surrounding Claremore that isn’t a residential community is still primarily used to raise cattle,” said Lisa Rogers, sales manager for Visit Claremore, the city’s official tourism bureau.
For the maximum Western experience, groups should consider timing their trip to coincide with the city’s famous Memorial Day Weekend festival: The Will Rogers Stampede Rodeo. This weekend-long series of events provides visitors with the opportunity to see everything from steer roping to barrel racing from some of the most competitive cowboys and equestrians in the country.
There’s nothing to fear if groups can’t make the trip on Memorial Day weekend, said Rogers. “Any day of the week, within an hour’s drive of Claremore in any direction, there is some sort of barrel racing or equestrian event going on,” she said.
Groups should also be sure to stop by the Claremore Museum of History, which contains memorabilia from the original production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma,” which was — you guessed it — set in the town of Claremore.
