Editor’s Note: This story was written by Portia Smith for the magazine, boca.
So, you want to channel your inner cowboy/cowgirl, but you’d rather not rough it in the wild? Westgate River Ranch & Resort awaits.
This dude (or dudette) ranch is on 1,700 lush acres in River Ranch, Fla., approximately 90 miles south of Orlando and 80 miles east of Tampa. Built on one of the old trails where Florida cowboys herded cattle and moved them into market, Westgate offers visitors a piece of the state’s cowboy history and is a unique experience that can be shared with the whole family or with your friends (it’s a great destination for a girls’ glamping-in-style weekend.)
As you arrive, you are greeted by the concierge, with your itinerary and a smile, and you soon realize you’re not in [enter big city name here] anymore! In fact, you are asked to order your breakfast for your upcoming stay, so they pretty much had me at hello. But, speaking of your itinerary, be advised to schedule your activities in advance before your trip to ensure a spot (especially on the weekends). Activities that require a reservation include trap shooting, air boat rides, horseback riding and the swamp buggy.
Although you and your family can be as active as you like, the overall vibe here on this expansive ranch is tranquil, with a soundtrack of chirping birds worlds away from the bustle of city life. You are surrounded by rustic wooden buildings and cabins — a time warp of the Old West, when life was a lot simpler.
Cows, horses, donkeys and buffalo roam — and there’s even a mechanical bull. In fact, being in the great outdoors was more than just peaceful; it actually became somewhat miraculous as we watched our kids give their streaming services a rest for the weekend.
When it comes to accommodations, Westgate provides everything from cabins, glamping tents and cottages to comfortable campgrounds. However, if you are looking for the ultimate glamping experience, our family (and my inner diva) opted for a Luxe Tipi, a luxurious tricked-out tipi which includes a personal concierge, access to all resort activities, VIP rodeo tickets and seating at the Saturday night rodeo, golf cart transportation, morning coffee service and pastry delivery, and a nightly campfire prepared for your indulgence.
Accommodating up to four guests, the tipis are uniquely themed in Native American style with such comforts as a double-sided stone rock hearth fireplace, a screened private patio deck, microwave, mini refrigerator, leather chairs, king bed and full sleeper sofa. Worried about air conditioning and heating? They have both.
My favorite perk was the heated seat bidet with a drying feature. Before you ask why, just think of it as solace, an instant escape from your kids’ thousands of question — with a five-star upgrade. My fellow moms can appreciate this hidden treasure and will thank me later.
Each tipi comes with a personal golf cart, and though this vehicle is not your noble steed, it will take you where you need to go throughout the property. For kicks and giggles, we continued to call our golf-cart “noble steed” throughout our stay.
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