Great Western Rodeos

Welcome to Denver, Colorado, the “Mile High City.” Meet your fellow travelers at 5:00 p.m. for a get-acquainted dinner hosted by your Tour Manager. Meal: D

Depart Denver this morning into Wyoming to Cheyenne. Arrive while the town is in the midst of their annual Frontier Days, the “World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration.” Upon arrival you are taken on a “Behind the Chutes Tour” to get a look at what goes on behind the scenes at the rodeo. Follow the path of the bulls and broncs as they are threaded through the gates and into the arena. Then, take your reserved seats to the Cheyenne’s world-class rodeo. The excitement is high as bull riders and bronc riders take to the arena each day in what is fast becoming the “Daddy of All Rodeos.” After time to freshen at the hotel, you are treated to a dinner and live cowboy entertainment the Bit-O-Wyo Dinner Show. The chuckwagon line serves up the finest cowboy steaks and the wranglers serve up a helping of music and comedy. Meals: B, D

The day begins with a plate of hot pancakes and special Cheyenne “howdy” at the annual Pancake Breakfast where over 100,000 flapjacks are served every year. Next, climb aboard the Cheyenne Trolley for a narrated tour of this Old West town. On the tour you’ll see the historic Depot Buildings, a National Landmark, see where many gunfights occurred as well as the spot where Wild Bill Hickok was married. During your free time in downtown enjoy music in the depot plaza our pop into the famed Outlaw Saloon. Later, you head out to Terry Bison Ranch Resort where you climb aboard the train for a ride out to the middle of the ranch’s bison herd. Then it’s back to the ranch for a tasty dinner served up Western style. Meals: B, D

Depart Cheyenne this morning bound for Hot Springs, South Dakota. Here you will be amazed at Mammoth Site, an excavation site featuring the fossils of 58 woolly mammoths, the world’s largest site of its kind. At the Crazy Horse Memorial, view the impressive massive sculpture from the verandah and explore the visitor center, museums and orientation film. Later, arrive in Deadwood and a two-night stay. Meals: B, D

Every July the Days of ’76 Rodeo takes place in historic Deadwood. Cowboys from around the globe gather here for a week of competitions to showcase their skills and compete for prizes. See everything from steer roping, barrel racing and bronc riding. Be sure to see the fun, local street shows and visit the Days of ’76 Museum which chronicles the city’s rich history. Stop at Mount Moriah Cemetery, known as “Boot Hill,” and home to the graves of Old West legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. Meals: B, L

Depart Deadwood and head south to visit Mount Rushmore national Memorial, the famed Shrine of Democracy. See this impressive carving, explore the explore the museum and take in the beauty of the area. Then, board the 1880 Train of the Black Hills Central Railroad for the spectacular mountain scenery found along the tracks laid in the 1880s to service the area mines. Enjoy free time for shopping in the rugged town of Keystone. Then travel into Custer State Park, home of the nation’s largest bison herd. Here, climb aboard the park’s Jeeps for a tour among the bison herd. Meals: B, D

Begin the day at the Chapel in the Hills, a quiet retreat nestled at the foot of the Black Hills. Then stop at famed Wall Drug Store, a unique shopping emporium featuring western clothing, Indian pottery and favorite watering hole since the 1930s. Enjoy time for shopping and an on-own lunch. Then, a local guide takes you through Badlands National Park, a uniquely beautiful geologic area formed over millions of years by wind, rain and erosion. Later, return to Rapid City for a farewell dinner. Meals: B, D

After breakfast, a group transfer to the Rapid City airport is available for flights out after 10:00 a.m. Meal: B