Travel Tips

From Kansas to Andalucia: Where to Love Your Inner Cowboy

Locations in this article:  Buenos Aires, Argentina

buck taylorWhen you think of cowboys, you might think of classic Western movies and the American Wild West. But cowboy culture actually traces its roots to the Spanish, who originally brought horses to the New World. The original vaqueros became the influence for cowboys throughout North and South America, which has led to a proud tradition of rodeos and horsemanship. On a quest to discover more, family travel expert Kerri Zane found four family-friendly events for cowboys in North America, South America, and Spain. 

One of the most popular childhood dreams is the fantasy of growing up to become a famous rodeo cowboy or cowgirl. Roping steer, bravely facing feisty bulls, letting the wind whip through your hair as you race around a set of barrels at lightening fast speed, then…reality sets in. The best you get to do is kick up your Tony Lama’s on the seat of a NYC subway. However, there are places where city dwellers can live out that childhood dream, even if it is just for a couple days and from the spectator stands.

Kansas, USA

For the past 54 years, Dodge City, Kansas comes alive for the Dodge City Days celebration at the end of summer every year. Hundreds of thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage for this ten-day tribute to the glory of the Wild West. This year’s honored guests included Buck Taylor, star of Gunsmoke, Johnny Crawford from The Rifleman, and John Lehr and his co-producer Nancy Hower, of Hulu’s original series Quickdraw. With that good company, I donned my best cowgirl regalia (covered in rhinestones, of course) to join in the fun.

We tasted the best of all worlds, as Boot Hill Casino & Resort, the host and cornerstone of this event, mixed the modern fun of a casino with stellar servings of steer-sized steaks (naturally) and full participation in a classic Longhorn Cattle drive down Wyatt Earp Boulevard. The people of Dodge City have not witnessed that kind of sight for over 100 years. Of course, the centerpiece of the celebration is the Dodge City Round-up Rodeo, organized every year by Dr. R.C. Trotter.

doc trotterI can honestly say this was my “first rodeo,” and for a family adventure the experience was unparalleled. The whole event is uber patriotic, from honoring returning serviceman to the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by local songstress luminaries. It makes you proud to be an American.

You and your family will be amazed, watching the fearless cowboys mount the bulls and ride them into the ring, staying atop the bucking broncos, and roping cattle. The female trick riders execute moves with ballet-like grace, while their horses race around the arena, and the girls who navigate the barrels appear to move faster than the speed of light. It is exhilarating.

Kids will love watching the local little ones hang on for dear life as they ride sheep bareback and laugh at the long-time Dodge City rodeo clown. The only downside to the event is announcer, Boyd Polhamus, who endlessly drones on throughout the program.

After the rodeo, you can put your kids down for the night and head back to Boot Hill Casino to try your luck at the slots or blackjack tables. Or, go dance until the wee hours at Central Station, where the best live country western takes to the outdoor stage (we were inches away from Frankie Ballard and his band) and performs nightly during the celebration.

Stay at the Hampton Inn next door to the Casino or The Towne Place Suites by Marriott, a short drive to the rodeo grounds. If you want the true cowboy experience, stay at Moore Longhorn Ranch, 45 miles southeast of Dodge. There, you and your family can experience a day in the life of a working cowboy.

hacienda 2Andalucia, Spain

However, if you REALLY want the authentic cowboy experience, you must go back to where it all began in Andalucia, Spain.

Cowboy is literally an American translation of the Spanish word vaquero. It is a style of herding cattle born out of the hacienda system of medieval Spain. First in Service, a premier travel company, suggests you stay at The Hacienda de San Rafael, situated between Seville and Jerez de la Fontera. It’s an 18th century olive estate that has been restored and converted into a luxury hideaway.

You and your family can visit the famous Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre for a traditional 18th century equestrian ballet performed to classical flamenco guitar. Then, visit La Yeguada de la Cartuja, where you’ll find Jerezano horses. Campo Abierto, Finca los Albujeros, breeds renowned bullfighting horses. Three times a week the venue offers classical dressage performances. You can also take private jumping classes at the Pineda Club, or take a two-hour ride at the home of the Colonel in Chief of the old cavalry regiment based in Seville.

The Vaquero life predominated in Central and South America as well. So, if you want to get out of Dodge but don’t want to travel to Europe, there are plenty of opportunities South of the Equator. Here are two of my favorites.

San Antonio de Areco, Argentina

This year, visit San Antonio de Areco, Argentina November 1 through 9 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Fiesta de la Tradición. Gauchos from all over the country, representing particular regions or estancias, gather for the one-week festival ready to show off the equestrian acrobatics they’ve been honing all year.

Much like the U.S. rodeo circuit, the Gaucho Games include Jineteada, Argentine’s version of bronco riding. Then there is Corrida de sortija, the ring race, which dates back to the 17th century. In this competition, the horseman rides at breakneck speed to thread a needle through a circle no larger than a wedding ring, which is loosely hanging between two posts.

Pato is the National sport of Argentina, and consists of horseback riding with combined elements of polo and basketball. The festival also includes folk music, dances, and exhibitions of local craft work. You can head to the Parque Criollo for lunch. Not to be missed is Dia de la Tradición, the finale of the event and last day of the festival. Hundreds of gauchos, in their best traditional dress, parade on the cobblestone streets through the center of town.

bamba 2Consider booking your stay at one of the oldest estancias in Argentina, La Bamba de Areco. It’s located in the midst of the Pampas, just an hour and 15 minutes from Buenos Aires, and it’s less than eight miles from the festival. While there, you’ll be treated to many gaucho traditions such as asados (Argentine barbecues), mate tasting (a special tea), and shows of equestrian skills like horse whispering. You can ride horses in the Pampas, go mountain biking, fly-fishing, enjoy traditional cuisine, and study the Southern Constellation through a state-of-the-art telescope.

Santiago, Mexico

Wealthy Spanish conquistadors from the sixteenth century conscripted Native American vaqueros to herd their cattle. Three hundred years later, these same vaqueros taught the inexperienced settlers of the American West how to round up cattle, bring down a steer, and break a wild bronco.

Every year in mid-July the Fiestas de Santiago is held in the small town of Santiago, just outside of Manzanillo. There’s a carnival, nightly dances in the bullring, and the charreada.

A charreada is basically a rodeo, with rope tricking, horsemanship, bull riding, bronco riding, and steer roping. These events are held as team competitions as opposed to solo showmanships, and both men and women participate. During the intermissions (while the next bull and rider are getting ready), you’ll be entertained with banda music, while couples dance Mexican salsa in the aisles. If you’re planning to visit this Fiesta, stay at The Latit Real Hacienda De Santiago or Las Palomas de Santiago.

For more family-friendly trip inspiration from Kerri Zane, check out:

By Kerri Zane for PeterGreenberg.com. Kerri Zane is a family travel expert and author of It Takes All 5: A Single Mom’s Guide to Finding the REAL One, on sale now. For more advice on health, parenting or Kerri’s exclusive MomEscapes, visit her at KerriZane.com.