It’s a grand celebration of Western poetry, music and film, with workshops, exhibits, food and more from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, when the 30th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering rides into town in Elko, Nev. This year’s keynote will be delivered by renowned animal welfare advocate Dr. Temple Grandin, while musical performers will include GRAMMY nominated singer-guitarist Don Edwards,  yodeler Wylie Gustafsonand and Gary Allegretto, who will also conduct his award-winning harmonica workshop. Among the slew of featured star poets are Doris Daley, Walter James Cheney II, John Dofflemyer, Richard Elloyan, D.W. Groethe and Carolyn Dufurrena.

Pack your boots and get a sense of place by lodging at an area guest ranch. Located in historic O’Neil Basin, Cottonwood Ranch is a working horse and cattle ranch owned and run by the fifth generation of the same Nevada family. In the nearby Ruby Mountains, Red’s Ranch is also a working cattle ranch, with onsite conference and meeting facilities, located in a renovated barn. Chef Anne Wiles specializes on fresh, local Nevada ingredients. While you’re there, you can schedule a private or group cooking class.

You may also like:

High Voltage Vegas

Golf: The Wolf Course, Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Las Vegas, Nev.