Brand USA - Great American West - Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains

Denver perfectly combines natural beauty and the charm of a big city. It was one of the first cities in the United States to embrace the craft beer movement. To honor this tradition, grab a pint and take part in one of the Denver Beer Trail tours, which includes 20 craft breweries, including the city's oldest microbrewery, Wynkoop Brewing Company. Larimer Square, now a vibrant hub of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs, was the city's first block, founded before the birth of Colorado. LoDo (short for "Lower Downtown") is Denver's oldest neighborhood. Here you'll find the Colorado Rockies baseball stadium, numerous art galleries and boutiques, and dozens of restaurants and bars. Denver's art scene is remarkable: start by exploring the Denver Art Museum, one of the largest in the West, which houses an important collection of Native American art. Don't forget to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver with its cutting-edge works in a wide range of materials and mediums, or take a stroll through the numerous galleries in the Mile High City. The Santa Fe Art District, with its approximately 60 galleries, offers a monthly art walk every first Friday of the month; a similar tour is held in the Golden Triangle Museum District with over 50 galleries. As you wander through Denver, take note of the city's collection of over 300 public artworks, including sculptures, murals, and sound and light installations.,

Make a stop in Colorado Springs at the Garden of the Gods Park, where you can admire extraordinary sandstone formations set against the breathtaking backdrop of Pikes Peak. Another must-see stop is Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls over 55 meters high cascading into a deep canyon. For lunch, stop at the fabulous luxury resort Broadmoor before continuing on to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park just outside our evening destination, Canon City. In addition to admiring one of the highest suspension bridges in the world, take in the exceptional panorama and try thrilling attractions such as the Cloudscraper Zip Line and the Royal Rush Skycoaster.,

Start from Canon City with the Gold Belt Byway and don't miss the spectacular views of deep canyons and lush green areas. Stop for lunch in the delightful ski resort of Breckenridge, once a mining village and now a center of exclusive boutiques and restaurants housed in characteristic historic buildings. Continue to Vail, where you will spend the night in the tourist town at the foot of Vail Mountain. It is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Guests can choose from numerous spa hotels and luxury restaurants. In the summer, the town is crowded with cyclists, hikers, and golf enthusiasts. Vail hosts the annual Hot Summer Nights Concert, as well as a lively farmers market and Sunday summer performances. Get ready to explore the pedestrian-friendly town with hundreds of boutiques and galleries. The shops sell everything from cowboy and ski equipment to jewelry, artwork, and clothing.,

Drive west for an hour towards the scenic Glenwood Springs, known for its hot springs and caves. Springs like the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and the Iron Mountain Hot Springs are considered healing. For the more adventurous, there's an adrenaline rush with rafting on the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers. Tour agencies offer options for both experienced individuals and families looking for a more tranquil experience. Continue to have fun at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, where you'll find cave tours, thrilling rides (including the longest roller coaster in Colorado), and many restaurants. Drive west for an hour to Grand Junction, where you'll spend the night and can indulge in an authentic gastronomic experience. Since the late 1800s, Grand Junction has been the center of Colorado's fruit-growing industry. Take a stroll through the local vineyards and stop for a wine tasting at places like the beautiful Grande River Vineyards and Plum Creek Winery in Palisade. In the summer and early fall, grab a basket and take a tour of the farmers market to buy the freshest produce and ready-to-eat food. Just a few minutes from the city, enjoy the breathtaking views of the red rock canyons of the Colorado National Monument by driving along the 37 km long Rim Rock Drive. You may also spot wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep or collared lizards.,

Head north and make a stop at Dinosaur National Monument, where you can visit the quarries and admire the dinosaur bones and fossils embedded in the rock. Take advantage of the opportunity to go hiking in the mountains and canyons, where you might encounter elk and mule deer or admire the ancient rock carvings at McKee Springs. Continue northwest and make a stop at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, where numerous scenic viewpoints offer spectacular views of artificial lakes with crystal-clear waters and red rocks. Your destination for tonight is the historic mining town of Rock Springs. You will arrive in time to visit the Bureau of Land Management area and see the wild horses. If you have an SUV or a four-wheel drive vehicle, you can take the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop.,

Continue north to the Jackson Hole Valley and stop for lunch in the small town of Jackson, an icon of pioneer spirit, as evidenced by the stagecoach tours, rodeos, and visits to the historical heritage. Town Square is famous for its four large arches built with elk antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge. In winter, you can observe these majestic animals by reaching them in a sleigh in the reserve. Continue from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park along the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Highway. No trip to the West would be complete without a visit to Yellowstone National Park, the most important in the United States. The enormous park, over 90% of which is located in Wyoming, with some small extensions in Montana and Idaho, extends over a volcanic area with intense geothermal activity.,

Take a whole day to explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park. While waiting to admire the next eruption of Old Faithful, a geyser that sprays a high column of hot water all day, you can treat yourself to a tasty picnic. Don't forget to visit the historic Old Faithful Inn, built in 1904 with local materials. It is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. During your visit to the park, stay on the marked trails to observe natural wonders such as hot springs, geysers, and natural pools. Yellowstone Park is home to a wide variety of animal species, including wolves, bison, bears, and various types of elk, some of which can be easily encountered during a walk or a mountain bike ride on one of the park's many internal trails.,

Head north, leaving behind Yellowstone Park through Gardiner towards the quaint railroad town of Livingston. Make a stop in this picturesque place to have lunch, browse through art galleries, and visit the Livingston Depot Center, a museum that will allow you to learn about the history of the railroad. Follow the Yellowstone River Valley east until you reach Billings, the largest city in the state. Surrounded by seven mountain ranges, it offers the opportunity to explore the wild lands of Montana and discover numerous wildlife species. There are many museums to explore that trace the history and culture of the Old West. Don't miss the chance to visit the Moss Mansion, designed by the same architect responsible for the Waldorf Astoria and Plaza hotels in New York. Experience the thrilling rodeo.,

On the road that leads east to Medora, make a short detour to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the site of the famous 1876 battle led by General George Custer. Explore the visitor center and the Custer National Cemetery. Continue your journey northeast to North Dakota until you reach Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Take the Scenic Loop Drive to admire the Northern Great Plains and the Badlands, where bison still roam freely.,

Head east towards the Painted Canyon Visitors Center to admire the spectacular panorama of the Badlands from this exceptional viewpoint before heading south to reach South Dakota. Cross Spearfish Canyon and then reach the historic mining town of Deadwood, where one of the most famous gold rushes of the Old West took place. Don't forget to make a stop at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok are buried. Continue through the breathtaking landscape of the Black Hills to Sturgis, home of the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. The final stop of today's journey is Rapid City. Visit Main Street Square, where you can admire life-size bronze statues of former US presidents, explore galleries and museums, and discover numerous restaurants.,

For an exceptional experience, avoiding meeting too many tourists, leave early for Keystone to admire the sunrise over the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The monument, hand-carved in the granite of the Black Hills, depicts the faces of the US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. During your visit, make a stop at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to learn more about the construction of the monument. Continue towards another wonder of South Dakota, the Crazy Horse Memorial, a large rock sculpture still under construction, dedicated to the famous Lakota Indian chief. After a 15-minute drive, reach Custer State Park, famous for its buffalo herds and scenic roads. Explore the history, nature, and absolute beauty of this park, the largest in the entire state. After a day of exploring and driving, a place not to be missed is the town of Hot Springs, with its oldest attraction, the Evans Plunge Mineral Springs water park. Don't forget to visit the Mammoth Site, an ancient karst sinkhole where the fossilized remains of over 61 mammoths have been discovered.,

Head south towards Nebraska, where your first stop is Chadron to visit the Museum of the Fur Trade at the James Bordeaux Trading Post. Continue on to Fort Robinson State Park, where Crazy Horse died in 1877 and where the famous Cheyenne Breakout occurred in 1879. The spectacular scenery and herds of buffalo make this destination worthy of further exploration. Once you reach Scotts Bluff National Monument, walk along some sections of the original Oregon Trail. Drive up to the top of the bluff to admire the breathtaking view of the North Platte River valley.,

Starting from Scotts Bluff and traveling south, you will reach Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, a place rich in characteristic Old West charm. Visit the Cheyenne Depot, a 19th-century train station that now houses a visitor center and an interactive museum. Continue with a stroll through the city center and don't forget to stop at one of the Far West clothing stores to try on cowboy boots and hats. After lunch, head to Estes Park, a stopover for the Rocky Mountain National Park.,

Enter Rocky Mountain National Park and explore its wild lands. In the summer months, you can take the Trail Ridge Road. Starting from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, follow the trail towards the Alpine Visitor Center. Along the way, don't miss the spectacular landscapes of Sundance Mountain and Tombstone Ridge. Continue to Grand Lake to have lunch on the historic boardwalk overlooking the pristine mountain lake. The journey will continue along the shores of Lake Granby. Reach the wonderful Winter Park Resort and walk the trails that cross the blooming meadows. In the evening, return to Denver to discover everything you missed at the beginning of the trip.,

End of the tour.,