Cowboy Core: Your Next Arizona Adventure
There is something about the American West that never leaves you. As a native of Arizona, I grew up with desert sunsets, saguaro silhouettes, and an unspoken connection to the spirit of the Wild West. Cowboy hats weren’t just for rodeos; they were pretty commonplace. The ruggedness and romanticism have always been interesting, even if we didn’t necessarily appreciate it growing up. Thankfully, the Cowboy Core aesthetic is here.
From fashion runways to travel itineraries, Cowboy Core is a trend that blends nostalgia with adventure, and vintage Americana with experiential escapes. It’s not just about wearing boots but immersing yourself in the lifestyle. From dusty trails and horses to starlit skies and iconic Western hospitality. And honestly, there is no better place to dive into the trend than Arizona.
Scottsdale, with its blend of luxury and heritage, is the perfect gateway to the Cowboy Core experience. From its historic saloons and Cowboy College to scenic desert landscapes and dude ranches, it offers an authentic taste of the West with a stylish twist. If you’re looking to live out your Western daydreams, here are a few places to say and things to do in Arizona that deliver on charm, comfort, and the signature Cowboy Core aesthetic.
Grab your hat, hit the trail, and embrace the Wild West - stylishly of course.
Places to Stay
The Hermosa Inn
Paradise Valley
Tucked away in the foothills of Camelback Mountain, The Hermosa Inn is a former Western artist’s home turned boutique hideaway. This historic inn has nothing but Southwestern charm with adobe casitas, desert gardens, and wood-beamed ceilings. Perfect for visitors who want a cowboy-inspired stay without sacrificing luxury. Dine fireside at LON’s, lounge under the stars, or explore nearby trails for a refined take on the rugged Old West.
Rancho de los Caballeros Dude Ranch
Wickenburg
Saddle up to an iconic 20,000-acre dude ranch that has been welcoming guests since 1948. Rancho de los Caballeros Dude Ranch offers horseback riding, trap shooting, spa service, and a real sense of the Old West. With ranch-style meals and casitas,it’s perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers wanting a classic cowboy experience with upscale comfort.
Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch
Yucca
Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch offers a more off-the-grid escape in the Mojave Desert. It’s family-run and friendly, offering inclusive Western experiences of all ages and abilities. Ride through the desert, roast marshmallows by the fire, and soak in views of the Hualapai Mountains. The best place to disconnect, slow down, and live the cowboy life the way it used to be.
Kay El Bar Guest Ranch
Wickenburg
Rustic, relaxed, and full of heritage, Kay El Bar is one of Arizona’s most beloved guest ranches. Dating back to the 1920s, it blends Western traditions with the cozier comforts like home-cooked meals and classic adobe architecture. There are just a handful of rooms and intimate riding excursions, making it ideal for anyone wanting a quiet, authentic, and more down-to-earth ranch experience.
Tombstone Monument Ranch
Tombstone
Live out your wildest Old West fantasies at a themed ranch just outside historic Tombstone. The entire property is designed like an 1880s Western town complete with a saloon, jailhouse, and all. Guests stay in rooms styled like the sheriff’s office or post office and can take part in trail rides, shooting lessons, and historic reenactments. It’s the most immersive and theatrical of the places to stay in this guide.
What to Visit
Cowboy College
Yes, Cowboy College is a real thing! This hands-on crash course in cowboy skills includes everything from roping and riding to ranch life essentials. Whether you’re a beginner or just curious, it’s a unique chance to walk or ride in cowboy boots for a day or two.
Boothill Graveyard
Located in Tombstone, Boothill Graveyard is a famous Old West cemetery that is home to the final resting place of outlaws and lawmen from the town’s heyday. The epitaphs alone are worth the visit to see something both eerie and poetic. Some of the most famous residents include Wyatt Earp and “Doc” Holliday.
Scottsdale Historical Museum
Located in the Little Red Schoolhouse in Old Town Scottsdale, this small but mighty museum kicks off the walking tour of historical sites around Old Town and offers a look into the very early days of the town. The best way to begin understanding the local roots behind all its Western flair.
Old Tombstone Western Town
An iconic Arizona destination, Tombstone allows visitors to step back into the wild, wild West with staged gunfights and saloon shows, all wrapped up in a classic Western town box. Visit the site of the O.K. Corral and even Wyatt Earp’s home which is now a museum. It’s kitschy in all the best ways and perfect for a day trip to get photos galore for the gram.
Rancher Hat Bar & Boot Junky
No Cowboy Core visit or wardrobe is complete without a custom hat and a killer pair of boots. Rancher Hat Bar and Boot Junky are two of the hottest places to get styled up today. At Rancher Hat Bar you can take part in a personalized fitting and customize the hat to your liking. Over at Boot Junky, spend time browsing the vintage and modern Western boots that are definitely made for walkin.
Trail Dust Down
If you find yourself near Tucson, visit Trail Dust Town, a quirky Western-themed spot with a steakhouse, stunt shows, and an old-time carousel. It’s like a mini amusement park with a cowboy twist. A place great for families or anyone who wants a dose of kitsch with their cowboy vibes.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
While not the Buffalo Museum of my youth, Western Spirit is a must-visit for cowboy lovers. This beautifully curated museum explores the art, culture, and history of the American West with rotating exhibits, classic cowboy artifacts, and incredible photography.
Rawhide Western Town
This iconic attraction is legendary for anyone who grew up here. Now relocated to Chandler, this recreation of a frontier town has live entertainment, stunt shows, stagecoach rides, and all kinds of Western fare. It’s family-friendly and fun, but even adults can appreciate the vintage vibes and reenactments or at least chickens playing pianos.
Apacheland Movie Ranch
Out in Apache Junction is Apacheland Movie Ranch, famous for filming countless westerns. Part of the Superstition Mountain Museum, visitors can stroll the grounds, visit the chapel and barn, and soak in the good ol’ Hollywood cowboy nostalgia. The ranch experienced a fire in 1969 and was restored but over a 45-year period, they filmed a variety of movies and shows including Charro! starring Elvis, Kenny Rogers as the Gambler: The Adventure Continues and the TV series Wanted Dead or Alive.
Goldfield Ghost Town
While in Apache Junction, visit an actual ghost town turned tourist spot, Goldfield. Full of mining history, old-timey shops, and quirky attractions like gold panning and Arizona’s only narrow gauge train. Back in the 1890s, Goldfield boasted 3 saloons, a boarding house, a general store, a blacksmith, a brewery, a meat market, and a schoolhouse. Eventually, the town died a slow death despite several attempts to reopen the mines in the early 1900s, but after more than 115 years, the town is more popular than ever.
Pioneer Living History Museum
This open-air museum recreates life in 1800s Arizona, with original buildings, live reenactments, and old-school trades like blacksmithing. Guests can visit the original homes of those who tamed the Wild West and even a log cabin where the first senator of Arizona grew up. Admire antiques in the carpenter shop, dress shop, and more. Plus there is the occasional chuckwagon dinner experience to take part in!
Where to Eat and Drink
Rusty Spur Saloon
A true Old Town icon, the Rusty Spur is Scottsdale’s oldest bar, housed in a former bank building from 1921. Live country music plays daily, and the walls are lined with dollar bills and decades of cowboy stories. Grab a cold drink, enjoy the tunes, and soak up the no-frills charm of this beloved local watering hole.
The Chuckbox
This hole-in-the-wall burger joint near ASU is an icon and very old-school Arizona. Wooden walls, open-flame grills, and paper napkins are all part of its charm. The mesquite-grilled burgers are legendary, especially the Big One with cheese. Saddle up to a picnic bench and enjoy the smoky, unfussy goodness.
Paul and Jerry’s
Up in the historic ghost town of Jerome, Paul and Jerry’s is the oldest family-owned bar in Arizona. Stepping inside is like traveling back in time. The bar is gritty, colorful, and full of local character. Grab a whiskey, play some pool, and chat with the regulars who just might have a mining-era ghost story or two.
Not My First Rodeo
If something more modern is your style, this Western bar in Old Town brings a little honky-tonk energy to the heart of Scottsdale. Leather booths, neon signs, strong drinks, and the occasional mechanical bull. It’s lively, a little cheeky, and the perfect place to kick off (or end) a night of two-steppin’ and people watching.
The Stockyards Restaurant & 1889 Saloon
Dubbed ‘Arizona’s Original Steakhouse,’ the Stockyards is a legendary dining spot that dates back to 1947, when it served hungry cowboys and cattlemen from the nearby stockyards. Today, it channels the same Old West Spirit with dark wood interiors, pressed-tin ceilings, and vintage Western art lining the walls. Known for its hand-cut steaks, classic cocktails, and timeless ambiance, it’s the perfect place to channel your inner ranch boss - boots and bolo tie encouraged.
Rustler’s Rooste
Built on a hill overlooking the city, Rustler’s Rooste is. a classic Western steakhouse with live music, a tin slide inside the dining room, and kitschy decor galore. It’s part dinner, part experience serving steaks, rattlesnakes, and mountain views all in one. It’s a popular spot for families to anyone chasing a big, bold, Arizona dining adventure.
The Clinkscale
This one isn’t exactly a cowboy dining experience, however, located in a historic mining ghost town of Jerome qualifies it for this guide. The Clinkscale offers upscale American fare in a historic building from the 1890s. It blends old-world charm with a touch of elegance giving you a post-ghost town refresh or place to have a nice date night.
