Wyoming

Wyoming is a pretty wild Western state. It has the fewest people of any state in the U.S., but a high proportion of mountains, rivers, and parklands. A visit to Jackson’s National Elk Refuge, where wapiti stay in the winter, can include a sleigh ride. If you want to stare at animals that don’t move, visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art and check out works by Bierstadt, Rungius, Remington, and Russell. If you appreciate waterfalls, don’t miss the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You can hike around the rims and get fantastic views from scenic overlooks such as Artist Point. Old Faithful isn’t actually the most frequent geyser in the park or the one that spouts the most, but apparently it is indeed predictable and certainly a household name. Grand Teton is an alluring destination, but a tough climb. If you’re going to do it, come prepared. Rappelling is involved!

Typical menu items in Wyoming include game, fish, and burgers. Mexican cuisine, mushroom dishes, and pizza are also pretty common, but you can actually find local free-range beef and organic polenta cakes at a restaurant in Grand Teton National Park, strong vegetarian options and tempting baked goods in Jackson, and creative salads alongside great drink deals in Laramie. Try stuffed potatoes or sweet potatoes; wraps, panini, or portobello burgers; Thai food, raw food, gluten-free bread, or cold-pressed organic fresh juices. Hang out at a microbrewery at a ski area. There’s some real local flavor there!