Falling somewhere between John Elway and Coors beer on the list of Denver legends, the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Brown Palace Hotel has long been a source of pride for the Mile High City. Host to U.S. presidents (every one since Teddy Roosevelt — with the exception of Calvin Coolidge and Barack Obama — has reportedly visited) and celebrities (The Beatles stayed and got a suite named after them), the historic hotel is as regal as its name suggests. But it also has a Wild West heritage that comes to light every January during the National Western Stock Show, when you’ll find the show’s grand champion steer in the hotel lobby.
On January 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., watch the steer walk the red carpet into The Brown Palace Hotel atrium to hold court under the lobby’s stained-glass canopy and 25-foot chandelier. During the meet and greet, guests and visitors can take complimentary photos with the champ. And forget what they say about bulls and china; since the steer’s visit coincides with the hotel’s afternoon tea service, you can enjoy your cuppa and scones (with Devonshire cream shipped straight from England) while the resident harpist or pianist is accompanied by a moo or two. The stock show’s rodeo queens will also be on hand for autographs.
The 107th annual National Western Stock Show is under way through January 27 at the National Western Complex in Denver. Each year, more than 600,000 attendees turn out for stock and horse shows, rodeos, music and a kickoff parade. Besides horses and cattle, you’ll see sheep, pigs, goats, llamas, alpacas and yaks — but there’s only one grand champion steer, and only one place to meet him for a spot of tea.
Photos Courtesy of The Brown Palace Hotel
