How to Experience the Wild West in Modern-Day Texas
Live Like a Cowboy in Modern Texas
Texas has a long history of cowboys, horses, and wide-open spaces. Even today, you can still do many of the things cowboys did long ago. Here’s how to have a Wild West adventure in Texas right now!
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Visit a Working Ranch
Ranches are big farms where cowboys work with animals. Most ranches have visitors who can ride horses, feed cattle, and practice lassoing. Some even have overnight stays in cabins where you can sleep overnight. You can picture yourself a real working cowboy herding cattle, or a resting cowboy at a campsite. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn about life for a cowboy!
One popular ranch is the Dixie Dude Ranch in Bandera, and visitors can spend a weekend with family and enjoy such activities as a hayride and a campfire session with tales. There is also a fabulous alternative in the form of the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera, dating back to the 1930s.
Watch a Rodeo Show
Rodeos are exciting events with bull riding, barrel racing, and calf roping. There is a demonstration of skill for cowboys and cowgirls, and everyone in attendance roars with thunderous cheering. Fort Worth and San Antonio have big rodeos throughout the year. Put on a cowboy hat and boots and join in the activity!
The Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo is one of them. It happens Friday and Saturday nights. There, one can witness a bull being rode by a cowboy and a run through barrels by a cowgirl. It’s a thrill for your whole family.
Walk Through a Historic Town
Some Texas communities have a life-like Wild West atmosphere. There is a wood boardwalk, saloons, and longhorm cattle riding cowboys at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Bandera, a "Cowboy Capital," has miniature museums and shops with cowboy hats. There is a horse carriage in which a picture can be taken, and one can even see make-believe shootouts.
In Bandera, make a stop at the Frontier Times Museum to see Old West treasures including antique saddles, guns, and even a stagecoach. There's even a small annual cowboy parade in town.
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Eat Texas-Style BBQ
Cowboys cooked over an open flame, and barbecue in Texas is famous. Smoky sausage, ribs, and brisket at restaurants like Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ must not be missed. Most communities have BBQ contests in which a variety of recipes can be tasted. Don't forget about accompaniments: beans, coleslaw, and cornbread!
In Austin, Franklin Barbecue is a must-stop location. People will stand in early morning queues for a bite of its famous brisket. Black’s Barbecue, in business since 1932, is a must-stop for flavorful BBQ in Lockhart.
Ride Horses Across a Trail
Horseback riding is a traditional cowboy activity dating back centuries. Guided canyon and desert trails at parks including Palo Duro Canyon can be enjoyed. Ride at a leisurely pace and enjoy the view, or become a seasoned expert at cantering. It’s a peaceful way to appreciate Texas’s beauty.
Palo Duro Canyon is America's runner-up canyon in terms of its dimensions. It is a beautiful site to go horse riding and enjoy seeing the red rock formations. There are numerous ranches with horse riding trails through forests and riverways.
Go to a Western Festival
Texas has its quota of rodeo-themed festivities. There’s country music played live, square dancing, and craftsmen producing leather goods. There’s even a chance for kids to practice lassoing and panning for "gold" in simulation mining camps. All family members can have a go at these festivities together!
The Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Alpine is a one-time-only event. Cowboys swap poems and stories about ranch life. There is a big one in Houston, with concert performances, carnival rides, and rodeo events, too.
Stay at A Western-themed Hotel
Some hotels in Texas have a Wild West theme. They can have wagon wheel decor, hats hung on walls, and bunk beds such as in a ranch cabin. Some even have big breakfasts with pancakes and bacon. It’s a warm and welcoming way to wrap up a day of activity.
The Hotel Turkey in Turkey, Texas, is a cool place to sleep at night. It’s not actually named for the fowl, but for the city itself! It’s a Western-themed hotel located near the Bob Wills Museum, a tribute to "the King of Western Swing."
Time to Explore!
Texas makes it easy to have a little taste of the Wild West. Ride horses, indulge in BBQ, and explore historic towns. No time machine is needed—just a desire for an adventure!
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Pack your boots and hat—Texas is ready to show you the Wild West! 🐴✨
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