Vacations and history usually only mix in Europe’s galleries and palaces. However, there is one place that is often over-looked that combines both a getaway and a love of the nostalgic: dude ranch vacations. In few other places can one find a resort so peaceful and interesting–even for those who don’t think the Wild West is their cup of tea.

They have several different types of ranches. Some that cater to the more historical ‘what life was really like’ aspect, some that cater to the outdoorsy, horse-riding, camping, adventure aspect, and some that cater to hunters.

This allows for a lot of choice in deciding on a ranch, especially when one considers how large the area is that offers ranches. It can go from Kentucky all the way to California, from Canada, down to Mexico. You will be able to plan your vacation at any time of the year and still be able to pick any climate you’d like to visit. You will also have a large range of prices and activities.

These vacations are not mutually exclusive as an ‘adult’ vacation or a ‘child’ vacation. Everyone can enjoy them and they can be subtly geared toward the right age group. To ensure the best quality of ranch, go through the Dude Ranchers’ Association, a group which speaks for the one hundred best ranches. They have many quality, safety, a legal regulations that must be filled and work closely with Federal groups.

There has been some debate regarding the hunting portion of some dude ranches, especially when non-native species are imported purely for the purpose of hunting. Booking a vacation through the Dude Ranchers’ Association might help squash any qualms on that front, since the hunting at those ranches is done in accordance with the strictest of laws.

Dude ranches are peaceful retreats but still provide a lot of life and experience for their guests. Lodging is inexpensive and, on average, can be under a thousand dollars for a family trip lasting a week. That can include activities and food–not just lodging!