Best of the High Country
Best of Entertainment 2005

Photo courtesy of Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo
Photo courtesy of the French Laundry
Best Rodeo

Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, Wyoming The biggest and best rodeo in the West. Featuring non-stop entertainment in the riding ring with steer wrestling, calf roping, wild horse racing, bareback bronco riding and more. (800) 227-6336 or cfdrodeo.com.

Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Barrel racing, tie-down roping, bull riding, chuck wagon races, grandstand shows, arts and crafts and live music attract visitors from around the world to this 10-day rodeo. (800) 661-1767 or calgarystampede.com.

OTHER FAVORITES: Pendleton Roundup, Pendleton, Oregon; Sheridan WYO Rodeo, Sheridan, Wyoming; The Oakley 4th of July Rodeo & Celebration, Oakley Utah.

Best Restaurant

The French Laundry, Yountville, CA This restaurant equals food with art. Located in the Napa Valley, this exceptional gourmet experience has been recognized by Restaurant Magazine as “The Best Restaurant in the World.” (707) 944-2380 or frenchlaundry.com.

SIX89, Carbondale, Colorado For an alternative to Aspen’s fine dining, make the short drive to Carbondale, where SIX89. chef/owner Mark Fischer cooks up extraordinary dishes. (970) 963-6890 or six89.com.

Old House Restaurant, Santa Fe, New Mexico Chef Martin Rios’ innovative approach to contemporary global cuisine fuses Southwestern and Asian influences with French techniques. Located in the Eldorado Hotel. (800) 286-6755 or eldoradohotel.com/oldhouse.html.

OTHER FAVORITES: The Fort, Morrison, Colorado; The Granary, Jackson, Wyoming; Wahso, Park City, Utah; Yellowstone Garage, Jackson, Wyoming.

Best Coffee Shop

Bongo Billy’s, Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado  Brewed coffee with continental flair, personally crafted blends and organic joe. (800) 738-0622 or bongobillys.com.

Java on Main, Hailey, Idaho Espresso drinks, coffees and teas, comprehensive breakfast and lunch menu and baked goods from scratch; a locals’ favorite. (208) 788-2444.

The Depot Deli, Sisters, Oregon Located in a recreated old fashion train station. The reasonably priced menu is highlighted by espresso concoctions.  (541) 549-2572.

OTHER FAVORITES: Steaming Bean Coffee, Telluride, Colorado; Forks Coffee Shop, Forks, Washington; Butterhorn Bakery & Café, Frisco, Colorado; The Bunnery, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Best Train Trips

American Orient Express Restored vintage rail cars—sleepers, dining cars and club cars—from the 1940s and 1950s offer a luxurious way to see   the National Parks of the West. (888) 759-3944 or american orient express.com. 

The Denali Star From Anchorage to Fairbanks through hundreds of miles of pristine wilderness. (800) 544-0552 or alaskarailroad.com.

Best Art Festival

Santa Fe Indian Market, New Mexico More than 100,000 buyers, collectors and gallery owners from around the world make the annual pilgrimage to this southwestern art Mecca during its weekend-long festival. The Indian Market hosts artists from 100 tribes and offers visitors the chance to meet and buy directly from the artists, as well as learn about contemporary Indian arts and culture. (505) 983-5220 or swaia.org.

Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, Wyoming The highlight of this festival arguably is the QuickDraw Art Sale and Auction, where recognized artists gather to create their craft in front of a live audience. Other events include gallery walks, juried art fairs and western culture celebrations. Jacksonholegalleries.com/festival.html.

Park City Kimball Arts Festival, Utah Artistic mediums include wood, glass, fabric, photography and paint. Mingle with the artists and discover what inspires them. (435) 649-8882 or kimball-art.org.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Colorado Colorado’s signature cultural event, this 4th of July weekend show is one of the nation’s most competitive outdoor-juried art festivals. Talk with  the artists and  sample fine cuisine. Free to the public. (303) 355-2787 or cherryarts.org.

Scottsdale Arts Festival, Arizona Art enthusiasts travel to this highly anticipated festival to buy work from nationally acclaimed artists, enjoy live entertainment and savor culinary creations from leading restaurants. (450) 994-ARTS or scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

Best Music Festival

Aspen Music Festival, Colorado This internationally renowned classical music fest presents world-class concerts in a small-town setting. The nine-week festival offers a sampling of some of the world’s finest musicians and includes orchestral concerts, chamber music concerts, opera, contemporary music, master classes and lectures. (970) 925-9042 aspenmusicfestival.com.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Colorado Considered one of the country’s premier music events, this festival now embraces a blend of music schools, including jazz, rock, country, folk, pop, Celtic and newgrass. (800) 624-2422 or planetbluegrass.com.

Park City Jazz Festival, Utah This August festival showcases some of the best jazz headliners in the business. Three days and two stages of favorite artists from past festivals as well as emerging regional and national talent. (435) 940-1362 or parkcityjazz.com.

Santa Fe Opera, New Mexico After you’ve seen this world-renowned company perform on its open amphitheatre stage, no other summer opera will compare. Set in the hills just outside of Santa Fe, the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains provide the most dazzling set design around.  (800) 280-4654 or santafeopera.org.

OTHER FAVORITES: High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy, California; Strings in the Mountains, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 

Editor’s Pick

Best Place to Watch Storms
Wickinninnish Inn, Tofino, BC, Canada - You can watch 20-foot waves pound into Vancouver Island’s west coast from the comfort and luxury of  your fireplace-warmed room or sitting in your two-person soaker tub. Great views also from the award-winning restaurant. Slickers are provided if you want to walk the local beaches or forest trails. (250) 725-3100 or wickinn.com.

Best Place to Learn to Cook
Beringer Winery, St. Helena, California - This is the ultimate fantasy camp for foodies. Wine-pairing and cooking classes taught by such well-knowns as Thomas Keller and Gary Danko and visits to local winemakers’ homes are the big draw. Special holiday classes are held before Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. (707) 967-4451 or beringer.com.