Western Adventures Arizona: Old West Comes Alive
Arizona travel stories
The Old West comes alive at the Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, Arizona – one of the best Western Adventures in Arizona! Just 90 minutes North of Phoenix and 20 minutes from Sedona, this historic family ranch tucked along the banks of the Verde River, features a delicious chuck wagon dinner and hour-long Western stage production. Immerse yourself in the exciting activities and attractions before the dinner bell and you’ll know why this is one of the top-rated Western experiences in all of Arizona, making it the perfect complement to any daytime activity you might partake in while visiting the beautiful Verde Valley in North-Central Arizona.
When the gates open at 5:00PM, enjoy some down-home hospitality as the Mabery family, who have owned the ranch for more than 50 years, invite guests to stroll along the boardwalk and browse through five unique western shops. Hop-aboard the classic tractor ride, featuring a vintage John Deere, and be introduced to the friendly farm animals and learn a bit about the interesting history of the ranch along the way. Rope a stationary steer or try your hand at target shooting with a real Colt .45 with wax bullets, or visit the one-of-a-kind in the world Wood ‘n’ West Gallery, featuring hand-carved wooden miniature characters carved and mechanized by a master woodcarver. Immortalize the evening in an Old-Tyme photo dressed as a gunslinger or fancy saloon gal ensemble and take home a digital memory of your visit. Belly up to the bar in the Copper Spur Saloon for the latest local micro-brew or Verde Valley wine.
When the dinner bell rings at 6:30PM hungry cowpokes enter the 5,000 square foot dining barn which seats 280 guests, and queue up to feast on a terrific, all-you-can-eat chuck wagon menu including fall-off-the bone barbecued chicken and ribs, cowboy pinto beans, foil-wrapped potato, prickly pear coleslaw, buttermilk biscuits (the flyin’ kind) with butter and honey, and homemade caramel-apple crisp for dessert. Top it all off with a choice of lemonade, iced tea or coffee.
After dessert, tummy-filled guests are invited to sit back, relax and enjoy award winning entertainers with the soothing sounds and knee-slappin’ comedy of the Blazin’ M Cowboys. Jim & Jeanne Martin, six-time harmony yodeling and harmony duo champions of the Western Music Association, emcee and steel-guitar player extraordinaire, Bill Bassett and Tom Jepperson, whose blend of baritone melodies, cowboy poetry and slapstick humor, create a memorable mix providing an hour-long stage production that will amaze and entertain groups of all sizes and ages.