Each region of the United States carries with it a unique spirit. The Midwest conjures images of sprawling farmland and industrious cities. The Northeast is bursting with colonial history and maritime charm. The Southeast is a place of vibrant culture and sunny beaches. And the West … well, we’ll get to that. With each unique region comes an array of bucket list destinations that epitomizes these individual spirits. And the West—with its cultural, climatological, and geological diversity—is no exception. In fact, it can be a real challenge sifting through the possible tour stops your group might want to make.
Perhaps most commonly associated with the Great Plains and cowboy culture, the West offers so much more than that. Breathtaking natural wonders, eclectic communities, and unforgettable cultural attractions set the West apart as a region just begging to be explored. No matter where your group chooses to wander, there will always be something new to discover among the endless mountains, towering forests, rolling deserts, and coastal communities.
The West, a veritable haven for distinct natural formations and breathtaking bodies of water that attract millions of visitors each year, is home to 46 of the country’s 63 national parks—that’s almost three-quarters of the entire park system! Mother Nature’s handiwork doesn’t end with the national parks, though.
According to National Geographic, Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park attracts the most visitors annually, with an estimated 4.7 million people (second only to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee). One of the largest canyons in the world, the Grand Canyon is a mile deep and reaches up to 18 miles in width. There are several tour options available to groups looking to experience this massive park, including bicycle tours with Bright Angle Bicycles, motorcoach tours, mule tours of the North and South rims, guided hikes with the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute, helicopter tours, and more.
In Montana, Glacier National Park is another iconic destination in an area overflowing with popular group attractions. “Western Montana’s Glacier Country is the ultimate destination for group tours seeking soft adventure and scenic beauty,” says Debbie Picard, director of sales for Western Montana’s Glacier Country. “Nestled in the American Rockies, it offers unforgettable experiences like Red Bus Tours on the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, scenic boat rides, and endless photo opportunities.”
Credit: Andy Austin
Other attractions in the area include Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the West; Whitefish Mountain Resort; Lake McDonald, known for its colorful pebbles; Bigfork Village, a local arts community; CSKT Bison Range; Travelers’ Rest State Park, the only archaeologically verified campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition; Garnet Ghost Town; the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas; and several Indigenous cultural sites.
“Beyond the stunning landscapes, our region offers rich history, unique wildlife, and vibrant arts communities,” Picard says, noting the region’s offerings in live theater, an annual music festival, and even rodeo. “With diverse activities ranging from outdoor adventures to cultural tours, paired with exceptional lodging and culinary options, Western Montana provides an unforgettable experience.”
Other popular national parks include the Mighty Five of Utah: Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park; California’s Redwood and Yosemite national parks; Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, located nearly six hours south of the similarly popular Cannon Beach; Mount Rainier National Park in Washington; Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona; Badlands National Park in South Dakota; and Yellowstone National Park, mostly situated in Wyoming.
On the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe—while not a national park—certainly has the beauty and prestige of one. The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe is known for its crystal-clear waters and majestic scenery. Its Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed locations in the world. Of Lake Tahoe, Mark Twain once wrote, “As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.”
“Lake Tahoe is a stunning year-round destination that offers unparalleled beauty, outdoor adventure, and a range of amenities tailored to group experiences,” says Juraj Sojka, director of tourism for Visit Lake Tahoe. “Whether your group seeks a serene escape or outdoor thrills, Lake Tahoe provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable trip. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Sierra,’ Lake Tahoe’s mountain air and serene waters are truly awe-inspiring. There are accommodations for every budget, as well as convenient access from major airports.”
Popular activities for groups include riding the Heavenly Gondola, which takes guests on a nearly 2 1/2-mile ride up to an observation deck that offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains; year-round lake cruises; clear-bottom kayaking; biking; snowshoeing; and attending shows at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. According to Sojka, many businesses around the lake offer discount rates for groups of 10 or more.
For many, bucket list destinations often hold some sort of cultural or historical significance. Another national park that best embodies this concept is Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, home to 5,000 known Indigenous ancestral sites, including mesa-top villages, farming terraces, reservoirs, pictographs and petroglyphs, towers, and cliff dwellings like the famous Cliff Palace.
Popular with groups are the Mesa Verde Museum and the “Mesa Top Loop” audio tour that covers 700 years of history. Different tours at the park can accommodate a range of 10 to 50 tourgoers. As an International Dark Sky Park, the grounds are also great for stargazing. Kristy Sholly, chief of interpretation and visitor services, says, “There is something for everyone—an amazing drive, beautiful Southwest desert scenery, dark skies, rich cultural history, opportunities for hiking, and shopping for site-specific items.”
More cultural hot spots popular on bucket lists throughout the West include South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore; OZ Museum in Wamego, Kansas; the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu County, Hawaii; and Space Center Houston in Texas.
Credit: Adobe/Stuart Westmorland/Danita Delimont
For some people, a bucket list goes beyond only one attraction. Myriad cities across the West sit high on travelers’ lists, as they offer no dearth of cultural institutions suitable for groups of all shapes and sizes.
For groups seeking those trademark “Wild West” vibes, towns like Tombstone, Arizona; Fort Worth, Texas; Deadwood, South Dakota; and Cody, Wyoming, offer a slew of attractions centered on cowboy culture, from iconic saloons to live reenactments of notorious standoffs.
Cities like Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; and San Francisco, California, offer a combination of urban life and scenic surroundings. Groups traveling to these world-class cities will be met with unique culinary offerings, impactful museums, and unforgettable attractions. Seattle’s Space Needle, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, and the beautiful Portland Japanese Garden are prime examples.
Planning for a few more thrills? Las Vegas, Nevada, is a must-visit for a trip filled with glamour, gaming, and fun. Or, go with a more laid-back approach with a visit to Fairbanks, Alaska, where several area hotels offer Northern Lights tours.
With a region as large and diverse as the West, it can be challenging to list all the places that truly define its unique spirit. A true western bucket list could be a mile long, and your group might still be missing something they don’t even know is out there. So, why not start here, with the iconic places that hold a special place in the heart of millions?
By Madeline Fuerstenberg
Main Image: Space Needle, Seattle, Washington; Credit: Adobe/Adonis Abril
