old west places to visit

Ghost Towns

20 Wild West Towns Where You Can Still Experience the Frontier

By Joseph A. Williams Last updated October 20, 2023

When it comes to Old West towns, most people think of empty dirt streets filled with tumbleweeds and burnt out buildings. But there are plenty of towns and cities from the Old West that are not only inhabited, but still thriving.

Old West towns were often founded for similar reasons. Many were started as mining towns, including infamous places like Deadwood, Tombstone, and Virginia City, and most Arizona ghost towns . Other towns started as an outgrowth from the development of railroads, such as Dodge City, where the famous Long Branch Saloon served wild patrons.

Here are 20 of the best Wild West towns that are still inhabited today and worth adding to your American West travel bucket list. Some are famous in popular culture, while others you may not have heard of. They are, however, all great places to consider visiting when planning your Old West-themed travels. 

Related read : 7 California Ghost Towns that Capture the Golden State’s Rich Mining History

1. Tombstone, Arizona

There are few cities that scream out “Wild West” as much as Tombstone, Arizona. This town became famous through the famous feud between the Clantons and Earps, including Chief of Police Virgil Earp , leading to the infamous showdown at the O.K. Corral in 1881. Tombstone’s reputation as a town of violence and disorder was cemented ever since.

Tombstone was a very new settlement at the time of the showdown. It was founded after a prospector named Ed Schlieffelin struck silver in the area of the Dragoon Mountains in 1877.

Since Schieffelin had been warned by army soldiers that he’d find nothing there but his tombstone, the prospector ironically named his mine “Tombstone,” and it was from that the town took its name. A different account of the town’s name comes from Britannica which says it may have been named after the nearby granite cliffs.

Tombstone is very representative of many Old West towns: it was a boomtown founded on the quick money made from precious metal rushes. And as easy money was made, easy money was spent in a general spirit of rowdiness.

This boom ended with a flooding of the mines in 1911. Within a few decades, Tombstone pivoted to an economy based on tourist dollars. The town offers several museums , restored buildings, mine tours, and live shootout reenactments .

Related reads : 7 Facts about Johnny Ringo You Won’t Learn from Movies ; 29 Most Iconic Quotes from Tombstone

2. Dodge City, Kansas

Dodge City , Kansas was founded in 1872 on an economy based upon buffalo hunting. After the connection of the Santa Fe Railroad came to town, it soon became a major cattle destination.

This peaked in 1884 with the passage of eight million cattle through Dodge City. During those years, Dodge City became known for the stereotypes that Wild West towns are known for: prostitution, liquor, gambling, and lawlessness.

In fact, all these vices were encouraged by the town’s business interests which controlled the city. Why? They’d rather pay a legal penalty of $5,000 for serving liquor illegally or running prostitution outfits as a cost of doing business since the profits they were making were so great.

Dodge City became known as the “Cowboy Capital” and “Queen of the Cowtowns.” There were a number of famous lawmen in Dodge such as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday , and Bat Masterson among others.

Their efforts helped fill up the nearby Boothill Cemetery. The town spent decades trying to live down its violent cartoonishly cattletown reputation. However, by the 20th century it began to embrace its dark past. Now tourism is a core economic activity of this town of nearly 28,000 residents.

The motto now is “Get the heck INTO Dodge.”

Related read : Skeleton Cave: Exploring the Salt River Cave Massacre Site

3. Deadwood, South Dakota

In 1874, a prospector named John B. Pearson discovered gold nuggets in Deadwood Gulch, so-named because of blackened trees that dominated that area of the Black Hills.

The subsequent goldrush saw prospectors swarm into and illegally squat on Lakota lands. This would lead to the Great Sioux War and the tragic expulsion of the Lakota.  It also led to the spasmodic birth of one of the most lawless towns of the Old West, Deadwood .

By 1876, Deadwood’s population boomed to 10,000 souls. While some signs of order were established such as a school, the town also overflowed with illegal gambling, prostitution, drunkenness, and violence. Women were very rare in Deadwood so prostitution was a very lucrative business.

In fact, it is estimated that 90% of the female population in Deadwood during the boom years were soiled doves . Murders averaged about one per day. Entertainments such as the Gem Theater reportedly drew ticket sales of $10,000 a night, making it perhaps the most profitable theater in the country.

The town was also the site where Wild Bill Hickok met his end in murder on August 2, 1876 by the gun of Jack McCall. The town also had an angel in Calamity Jane who gave care to smallpox victims. Both Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried next to one another in Deadwood’s cemetery, and Seth Bullock is buried there too.

Deadwood continued to be a center of gold mining, although early on it switched from panning to deep mining. In fact, mines continued to operate around Deadwood until 2001.

Deadwood also became diverse as a large population of Chinese immigrants moved to the town to work the mines. However, over the years restrictions on gambling and prostitution nearly brought the city to an end.

It was only after the legalization of gambling simultaneous to naming of the entire city as a national landmark, coupled with efforts at historic preservation that turned the city into the tourist destination that it is today.

Nowadays, Deadwood is booming again, but with more vacationers and less murder.

Related read : 7 Facts You May Not Know About the Conestoga Wagon

4. Oatman, Arizona

The mountain country of Mohave County in Arizona has always drawn the interest of prospectors. The first mines were developed in the 1860s, with one of them being named Oatman, after Olive Oatman , a girl who had been kidnapped by Yavapai and released by the Mojave.

Subsequent gold findings drew in thousands so that by 1909 Oatman had become a boomtown. The town had enough clout by the 1920s to successfully petition the building of Route 66 near the town. 

After this heyday, the mines closed and Oatman began to fall on hard times. However, the town eked by due to the many travelers on Route 66. Route 66 was rerouted in 1953 since the way to Oatman was windy and treacherous and almost overnight, Oatman nearly died. 

It then turned into a tourist magnet with some 500,000 visitors drawn yearly to this near-ghost town. Only about 100 people call this place their full time residence.

You can even see the Oatman Hotel where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed after their wedding in 1939. The hotel is reputed to be haunted. So while Oatman is nice to visit, you may think twice about living there.

Related read : The Battle of Cibecue Creek & the Tragedy of Nockaydelklinne

5. Cody, Wyoming

Cody, Wyoming today is a bustling town of about 10,000 inhabitants which has a deep connection with the Old West, starting with its name.

In 1894, the famous William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was visiting Sheridan when he reconnoitered the top of the Big Horn Mountains looking west. Seeing its proximity to Yellowstone and its potential to capitalize on the great natural resources of the region, he with other businessmen founded a town in 1896 which was named in his honor. 

Cody itself never had the notoriety of a town like Deadwood or Dodge City, but it became a go-to place for people who toured the West, particularly those who sought to see the natural beauty of Yellowstone which is only about an hour’s drive away.

Cody became a welcome place that held a frontier spirit and culture. One event are rodeos, which early on became a centerpiece in Cody’s culture. The Rodeo Stampede has been an integral event at Cody since 1920 and is why Cody claims to be the “ rodeo capital of the world .” Between the rodeo and Yellowstone, Cody’s primary economic activity is therefore tourism.

Related read : Register Cliff: Where Pioneer Graffiti Becomes an Historic Time Capsule

6. Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo, Texas is the economic heart of the Texas panhandle. The town was founded in 1897 in response to the building of the Fort Worth and Denver City railway. The land was developed about the Wild Horse Lake, also called the Amarillo Lake.

Thus, the town, which was originally called Oneida, was renamed to Amarillo, a Spanish term that refers to either the yellow wildflowers of the region or the yellow soil of the nearby creek. The first houses were painted yellow in recognition of the name change. The town by 1890 had become a major shipping point for cattle.

 Other railroads soon connected to Amarillo and by 1910 the population had grown to nearly 10,000. Subsequent discoveries of helium and oil diversified the economy.

Today, cattle, oil, and helium are still the mainstays of the Amarillo economy which is thriving with a population of over 200,000 . For a tourist of the Old West, visiting to a larger city like Amarillo may at first blush seem against the grain, but the city holds several historic attractions which provide a glimpse into its Old West past such as the Amarillo Railroad Museum and the Panhandle Plains Historic Museum .

Related read : 10 Facts You May Not Know About Quanah Parker, the “Last Chief of the Comanche”

7. Pendleton, Oregon

Pendleton, Oregon, located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, styles itself as “ The Real West. ”

It was laid out in 1868 and became incorporated 12 years later. The city, which today has a population of about 17,000 has ranching and agricultural roots. It served as a railhead for the shipment of wool from many of the regions sheep farms.

Its mills also produced blankets which were traded with nearby Native Americans. Yet early in its history, it quickly diversified with a substantial Chinese railway worker population who were purported to set up illegal underground gambling halls and opium dens.

These now feature as part of a popular but historically dubious tour . Pendleton also has a very strong connection to rodeo. In 1910, an attorney named Roy Raley organized a rodeo event that proved so popular that it became an annual tradition. The Pendleton Round Up is one of the most popular rodeos in the world, usually drawing 50,000 people.

Related read : Oregon Trail Stories: True & Inspiring Tales of Prairie Pioneers

8. Virginia City, Nevada

Nevada as a state only came into being because of mining. In 1859, a vast deposit of silver was discovered and dubbed the Comstock Lode after Henry Comstock, one of the owners of the land.

Almost overnight, mining boomtowns sprung up. By 1864, there were enough people in Nevada that it received statehood and helped President Lincoln get reelected with its three electoral votes. While many of these mining boomtowns are now ghost towns, one of the most important, Virginia City , is still populated today.

The city itself was named after one of the first prospectors in the region, a man who went by the name “ Ol Virginny .” It was situated on cliffs of Mount Davidson and had virtually no resources.

Everything had to be brought into the town. Virginia City’s peak years were in the 1870s when it and its immediate neighbor Gold Hill had a combined population of about 25,000.

It was during this time that the town suffered a major fire in 1875 which nearly destroyed the town, but because of the inherent wealth of the mines, it was quickly rebuilt even boasting multi-story buildings like the six-story International Hotel which had the first elevator in Nevada. At one point there were more than 100 saloons in Virginia City.

As with many of these mining towns, the supply of ore eventually ran out or demand for it collapsed. By the end of the 1880s, the population of Virginia City imploded.

However, the town managed to hang on. Today it has a population that hovers around 700 with an economy based almost entirely on tourism. Virginia City is worth visiting with preserved buildings/museums such as the Mackay Mansion , Piper’s Opera House , and the Way It Was Museum .

Related read : 7 Ghost Towns in Nevada and the History Behind Their Rise and Fall

9. Sheridan, Wyoming

The region of Sheridan first gained prominence as the staging area for General Crook’s campaigns in the Great Sioux War. In 1882, the region was surveyed for a townsite to be named after Philip Sheridan , the Union general whom John Loucks, its first mayor, served under when he was in the army.

The town itself gained regional prominence in the region when the Burlington & Missouri Railroad connected the town. Coal mines along the Goose Creek and Tongue River Valley turned Sheridan into a boom town.

Early Sheridan, like other Old West towns, was dominated by the shady side of life. It saw colorful characters such as William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody who was an investor in the Sheridan Inn . He used the place as his headquarters during tryouts for his Wild West show.

The population grew steadily so that by 1910 it was 8,408. By this time, the population had become diverse for Wyoming including immigrants from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, African Americans and Latinos.

After the boom years Sheridan’s economy went through ups and downs but it found stability in tourism, dude ranches, and with the coming of Sheridan College in 1948.

Today, Sheridan is the economic center for the region and has a deep connection to its historic past. Some come for its famous rodeos , others come for the views of the Big Horn mountains, while still others come to see the unique art of Native Americans found at the Brinton Museum .

Related read : 7 of Wyoming’s Best Ghost Towns to Explore Today

10. Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth today dubs itself the “ City Where the West Begins .”

Certainly this Texas city has a long history associated with the Old West. In 1849 in the aftermath of the Mexican-American war, General William Jenkins Worth set up a small encampment at the site. This outpost developed into a proper fort which the War Department named after the general.

The fort was meant to defend settlers from Native Americans, but on the whole it proved to be a sleepy billet. The fort was abandoned in 1853, but the area had become a place of settlement which eventually named itself after the old fort.

It developed as a typical rough frontier town that was connected to the rest of the world only through the U.S. postal service and later the Butterfield Overland mail stage.

The true development of Fort Worth into a city began with the connection of the Texas Pacific Railway in 1876. This connection allowed the city to become central to the cattle industry as a major shipping point. Drives of longhorn cattle starting in the 1860s to Fort Worth were so important that the town was nicknamed “Cowtown.”

As the town developed into a city the accoutrements of civilization came with it. Yet simultaneously it was also known as a place of lawlessness. For example, its most notorious neighborhood was “Hell’s Half Acre” which was its red light district.

It also became a place of racial controversy with untold lynchings occurring throughout the Jim Crow period. Today, Fort Worth is a large well-known city with a population approaching one million.

Related read : Big Jim Courtright: 9 Things 1883 Didn’t Tell Us about the Old West Lawman

11. Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming, and as the capital of the smallest state by population, its modest size of 60,000 people is unsurprising. Cheyenne , despite its small size, is a gritty site worthy of any tour of the Old West.

Cheyenne’s beginnings were in 1867, when the Union Pacific Railroad built its route to the West Coast. It was originally pitched to name the new town Iron City, but instead General Grenville Dodge and other founders decided to name it after the Cheyenne.

It became a quintessential railroad town, its traders supplying goods all along the railroad that stretched ever farther west. It eventually took on the nickname, “The Magic City of the Great Plains.”

Even today, the railroad is a major economic force in Cheyenne with many employed by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Union Pacific. Cheyenne tries to promote its real connection to the Old West through such sites as the Wyoming State Museum , the Cheyenne Depot Museum , and the Cheyenne Frontier Old West Museum . 

Related read : 43 Western Boy Names that Pay Homage to the Wild West

12. Bandera, Texas

Bandera, Texas was founded in 1853, mainly by Polish immigrants who were recruited by lumber mills who exploited the cypress along the Medina River. These workers were originally from Upper Silesia but at the time of their coming to Bandera in 1855, were already established in Karnes County.

It became a major staging area of the great 19th century cattle drives. These were the town’s boom years and it was from this activity that the town took on the nickname, “Cowboy Capital of the World.” Perhaps to emphasize its connection to the Old West’s history, it has a small Frontier Times Museum .

The imprint of Polish culture is very evident in Bandera from place names such as the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church to the surnames of the roughly 900 people who still live in the town. Bandera is truly a unique town to visit in the Old West.

Related read : 8 Murderous Facts about John Wesley Hardin

13. Silverton, Colorado

 Even though the Colorado Gold Rush began in 1858, most prospectors eschewed the San Juan Mountains because they were so removed and rugged.

However, in 1860, Charles Baker discovered gold in a valley where the Mineral Creek and Cement Creek joined into the Animas River. Baker built a toll road, expecting a gold rush. However, after initial interest not much gold was found. Also prospectors were attacked by the Ute.  This, plus the harsh, raw conditions let settlement die.

 However, the situation changed in the 1870s when whites were able to force the Ute to cede rights to the region. Thus, in 1874 Silverton began its life as a mining camp.

Yet even so it was not especially profitable at first, only extracting $15,000 in ore in 1874. Also the costs of removing the ore was high because of its remoteness. This was made easier in 1881 when the railroad finally connected to Silverton.

This led to a long boom. The population increased to 2,000 and between 1882 to 1918, as the mining district extracted $65 million in ore. 

The boom slowly ended and while other towns in San Juan county became ghosts, Silverton remained — its only town. Gradually, tourism replaced mining as Silverton’s economic centerpiece supporting today’s 600 residents.

Mining has scarred the region, with some of the mines becoming federal Superfund sites. Nevertheless its natural beauty has attracted tourists to Silverton as well as an opportunity to connect with mining history such as the Old Hundred Gold Mine tour.

Related read : Molly Brown’s Unsinkable Wild West Rags-to-Riches Story

14. San Angelo, Texas

In 1867, the U.S. Army built a fort in west Texas along the Concho River. This fort, Fort Concho, was one of the bases of the famous African American Buffalo soldiers and meant to defend the frontier.

As an after effect, Fort Concho spawned the town of San Angelo, right across the river. The town began as a trading post founded by Bart J. DeWitt who saw the potential profit in servicing the fort. Also, San Angelo was plotted on an excellent location.

Not only did it have the fort nearby but also ample water and good soil. It also grew economically by being an area for longhorn cattle and a shipping point for the Santa Fe Railroad. Later, gas and oil would become important. Thus, San Angelo managed to thrive and today it is a city of about 100,000 .

The town’s name itself started as San Angela , supposedly named after DeWitt’s sister-in-law who was a nun, although other version of the story exist. Apparently when the town applied to establish a post office, it was forced to change its name to San Angelo to be grammatically correct — the other correct option as Santa Angela.

San Angelo was in its early years characterized by the usual suspects of Old West vice: drink, prostitution, gambling, and violence.  It slowly cleaned up and its geographic position allowed it to have a diverse enough economy to not turn into a ghost town.

The town also caters to tourists who aside from visiting Fort Concho can get in touch with the town’s notorious past by visiting Miss Hattie’s Bordello , a museum for the more licentious side of the Old West.

Related read: Judge Roy Bean: The Controversial “Law West of the Pecos”

15. Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek, located near Pikes Peak, the impressive mountain named after Zebulon Pike , was the nexus of the last great Colorado mining boom .

Settlement in the area began in 1874 mainly for ranching. However, in 1890 a new gold rush started in the area which led to the formation of the mining district and hence the town of Cripple Creek through the unification of Fremont and Hayden Placer. The creek itself is likely named after Cripple Creek, Virginia although there are legends about numerous accidents on the creek that gave it the name, too. 

By 1892, the town had boomed to 3,500 and had become a fully functional municipality with electricity and telephone connections. The town itself burned in two devastating fires in 1896 but was rebuilt quickly from wood to brick and stone. Cripple Creek reached its peak years in the very early 1900s with perhaps 30 to 50,000 people living in the district.

From there, it slowly declined in the 20th century although mining is still an element in Cripple Creek’s economy today. Yet its real reliance is on tourism which was encouraged in 1991 through the legalization of gambling.

Currently Cripple Creek has twelve casinos (some in historic buildings) that generate a revenue of $10 million in taxes. This has met with criticism that gambling has changed the character and indeed shape of the town forever.

Related read: 10 Native American Mythical Creatures, from Thunderbirds to Skinwalkers

16. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe’s history stretches centuries before the days of the Old West. This city was founded in 1610 by the Spanish as part of its New World Empire.

As such, it is the third oldest still-inhabited city in the modern United States after St. Augustine, Florida and Jamestown, Virginia. The city acted as a regional capital for the sprawling Spanish frontier as well as for Mexico after it gained independence from Spain in 1821.

It then developed a wagon train trade over the famous Santa Fe Trail which connected the city to Independence, Missouri. This route proved to be a highway not just for commerce, but for settlement. These connections increased American interest in the region and helped contribute to the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1848.

As a result of the war, the city then changed hands to the United States. The city, as it had been under Spain and Mexico, remained a regional center, even after the connection of railroad in 1880 which proved the demise of the Santa Fe Trail. Santa Fe today with its large Spanish American population is a growing cultural center of the southwest.

Related read : Charles Kennedy: The Serial Killer of the Taos Trail

17. Central City, Colorado

Central City and adjacent Black Hawk were great boomtowns of the Colorado gold rush. Founded in 1859 Central City exploded in population as prospectors flooded the region.

This growth was somewhat slowed by the Civil War and then later by the fact that most of the easy ore had been extracted. However, in 1868, a chemist invented a new smelting extracting process that was able to increase metal production in ore where it once was infeasible.

Between smelting and the connection of the railroad in 1870, Central City became the most important city in Colorado reaching a population of about 15,000. The city ballooned in buildings.

Unfortunately, many of the original buildings of Central City no longer survive, having been consumed in an 1874 fire which razed 150 buildings. However, the city rebuilt back bigger including the Central City Opera House which became the number one theater in the state.

Central City fell into decline for a few reasons. First, after Colorado’s statehood, the nearby capital, Denver began to exert more influence and pulled Central City’s leading citizens away.

Second, mining in general fell into decline. By the 1930s, the town was nearly abandoned but a revival occurred with a renovation of the Opera House. Slowly, tourism took over the economy which was bolstered by legalized gambling.

The taxes from gambling help to fund the state’s historic preservation office. There are today just over 700 residents of Central City.

Related read : Chuckwagon Chow: 8 Cattle-Drive Foods Cowboys Ate on the Trail

18. Victor, Colorado

Victor, Colorado is another mining town from Colorado’s history that was closely tied with Cripple Creek. Victor, founded in 1891, was named after the nearby Victor Mine and the town was where the working miners lived.

After the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad connected itself to Victor, it became an important shipping center for ore. By 1900, it  reached a population of 12,000. Victor features in labor history, being the site of some notable labor strikes by miners in 1903 and 1904.

Fighting between labor and management resulted in several deaths including a bombing on June 6, 1904 that led to thirteen deaths by nonunionized miners. 

Eventually it became harder and harder to extract ore from the mines. Through the twentieth century, tourism instead began to take hold. One of the first prominent sites became the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum , which was built in an original 1899 building.

The town became a national historic district in 1985 and holds annual celebrations such as “ Gold Rush Days ” which glimpse into the town’s history. Limited stake gambling has also kept the town and its roughly 400 residents, going into the 21st century.

Related read : 10 Facts About John Moses Browning, the “Father of Modern Firearms”

19. Prescott, Arizona

Interestingly, Prescott is the only Old West Town that was named after a historian. In 1864, when a town was first laid out to support the miners swarming into west-central Arizona, there was a question of what it was to be named.

Some suggested naming it Audubon. Others, Aztlan. However, Prescott was adopted at the suggestion of the territorial secretary, Richard McCormick, who admired the historian William H. Prescott , who wrote the History of the Conquest of Mexico.

Prescott was originally the capital of the Arizona Territory until 1867, when it was moved to Tucson and then again from 1877 to 1889, when it was relocated to Phoenix.

The fortunes of the town waxed and waned throughout its development, but at its heart, Prescott was built on an economy of ranching and mining. In some ways, Prescott was more preferable than other locations in Arizona. Its mile-high elevation gives it a pleasant, Mediterranean-like climate.

Today, this Old West city is relatively prosperous, with roughly 130,000 people in the area. Prescott remains in touch with its Old West roots, featuring a popular rodeo which has been held annually since 1888, as well as historical sites such as the Sharlot Hall Museum which holds several restored buildings from the period.

Prescott is also home to the Phippen Museum which specialized in the art of the American West. The list of things to do in Prescott is longer than you might expect for an Old West town of its size.

Related read : 15 Native American Ruins in Arizona that Offer a Historic Glimpse into the Past

20. Laramie, Wyoming

Laramie was established as a railroad town upon the high plains by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1868. It quickly grew into a violent frontier settlement. While the town initially boomed, growing to over 3,000 residents, most of the citizenry was transient since (at that time) Laramie was the end of the railroad.

This introduced a troubled element into the town whose initial government ignominiously collapsed due to corruption. Laramie was then taken over by roughnecks and louts.

Three in particular, half brothers who owned a saloon called the “Bucket of Blood,” were extorting settlers to deed their lands to them. As a result, vigilante groups formed to try to bring some semblance of order to Laramie. It worked, but only after four lynchings and lots of injuries.

After the railroad continued its construction to the west the population dropped to about 800. The small town then became a center for ranchers and farmers. It later saw growth as the Union Pacific placed a mill near the town which recycled iron rails. In fact, Laramie became  a rail center so it survived after ranching as an industry generally collapsed in the late 1880s. 

But what really kept the town going was the establishment of the University of Wyoming in the city in 1887, which employed thousands of citizens. The University is still the town’s largest employer but there is also a tourist industry with several museums including the Laramie Plains Museum .

The town also has a dark side, being the place where gay student Matthew Shepard was murdered in 1998, thus sparking calls for nationwide laws against hate crimes.

Want to read more about Old West people and places?

• 8 Famous (and Infamous) Sheriffs of the Old West
• The Short, Tragic Life of Mattie Blaylock, Wyatt Earp’s Second Wife
• 10 Blood Meridian Quotes That Define Cormac McCarthy’s West
• Lost Treasure in California: True Stories of the Golden State’s Hidden Riches
• Curly Bill Brocius: Was He Really Shot and Killed by Wyatt Earp?

References & Further Reading

• Austin, N. (2020). Arizona Ghost Towns: 50 of the State’s Best Places to Get a Glimpse of the Old West . Arizona Highways Books.
• Paher, S. W., Murbarger, N., & Cirac, P. (2009). Nevada Ghost Towns & Desert Atlas, Vol. 2 Southern Nevada-Death Valley . Nevada Publications.
• Schieffelin, E., & Craig, R. B. (2017). Portrait of a Prospector: Edward Schieffelin’s Own Story . University of Oklahoma Press.
• Speck, G. B. (2020). Ghost Towns . Publications International, Ltd.
• Stansfield, C. A. (2010). Haunted Arizona: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Grand Canyon State . Stackpole Books.
• Varney, P. (2017). Ghost Towns of the West . Quarto Publishing Group USA.
• Varney, P., Drew, J., & Drew, S. (2001). Ghost Towns of Northern California . Voyageur Press.

by Joseph A. Williams

Joseph A. Williams is an author, historian, and librarian based in Connecticut. He has authored three books: The Sunken Gold , Seventeen Fathoms Deep , and Four Years Before the Mast .

Discussion (6)

6 responses to “20 wild west towns where you can still experience the frontier”.

Think about Leadville, Colorado too…… which is also the highest community of its size In altitude.

What about Wichita Kansas as an old west town ? Or Fort Scott Kansas lot’s of history in both of these towns. When I was driving truck’s I visited many old west towns that have a history of the Old West it’s very interesting to visit these towns with western cowboy history.

Telluride, Colorado? Park City, Utah? Butte, Montana? Bodie, California? Wallace, Idaho?

virginia city wyoming was left out… the only original western town not ravaged by a fire…

What about Lincoln New Mexico?

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The Top Wild West Towns You Can Visit Today

Many former wild west boomtowns across america remain proud of their pioneer past and work to conserve it. here are 8 us destinations that have kept their frontier feel..

Nick Funnell

10 jan 2022.

One thing is watching cowboys in the movies; another is visiting the Old West towns where they lived and died, and getting a sense of the history that shaped them.

In frontier towns such as Deadwood, South Dakota, and Dodge City, Kansas, fortunes were won, lives were lost and the reputations of legends such as Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane were made.

Here are 8 US destinations that still retain their Wild West flavour. Saddle up and ride out to pan for gold, watch gunslingers in action, or experience life on the open range.

1. Deadwood, South Dakota

The 1870s gold-rush town where Wild Bill Hickok died preserves much of its Old West history. There’s even a replica of the chair in which Hickok was shot in the Saloon #10 bar. Pay your respects to the famous outlaw at the Mount Moriah Cemetery where he’s buried alongside fellow sharpshooter Calamity Jane.

During the summer you can watch reenactments of some of its former residents’ gun battles. Alternatively, visit the Broken Boot Gold Mine to pan for gold or the Days of ’76 Museum to admire vintage stagecoaches. One thing’s for sure: it’s all a lot more charming now than in the boomtown days.

2. Dodge City, Kansas

The cowtown once patrolled by Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday has cleaned up its act since the days when it was known as the wildest and wickedest place in America. Back then it was bursting with saloons, brothels and outlaws attracted by the wealth generated by the huge numbers of cattle driven through here.

See how things once looked at the Boot Hill Museum, where you can stroll down a replica of the city’s main street from 1876 and knock back a beer at the notorious Long Branch Saloon. Or discover a slice of the past by hopping on the Historic Trolley Tour or walking the Dodge City Trail of Fame. The summer Dodge City Days festival features a longhorn cattle drive through the streets, plus rodeoing events.

3. Tombstone, Arizona

Thirty seconds was all it took to immortalise Tombstone. That’s how long the legendary Gunfight at the OK Corral – which pitted the Earp brothers (Virgil, Morgan and Wyatt) and Doc Holliday against outlaw gang The Cowboys – lasted in 1881. Today you can witness daily recreations of the infamous shootout on the exact spot it took place.

There are more gunfight shows to witness at the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park, while over at notorious 1880s nightspot the Bird Cage Theater, 140 bullet holes in the walls also bear testament to this former silver-mining town’s lawless past.

4. Oatman, Arizona

On the other side of the state, this resurrected ghost town holds on to a living, breathing vestige of its Old West past in the form of the wild donkeys that roam its streets. They’re the descendants of the pack animals that worked its once-booming gold mines and give a distinct olde world feel to the place.

This continues with the wooden sidewalks, gunfight recreations and Oatman Jail and Museum, where you can see the old sheriff’s office and cells.

5. Bandera, Texas

In the 19th century, Bandera sat at the southern end of the Great Western Cattle Trail, along which ranchers would move their livestock to markets in the east and north. Today, in the 21st century, the so-called ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’ continues to keep its ranching traditions alive.

In Bandera, you can saddle up for some modern-day cowboying at a working ranch, watch blacksmiths in action or visit a honky-tonk bar. A host of annual festivals also keep the frontier flame burning. But there’s plenty of history to discover, too: check out the Wild West exhibits at the Frontier Times Museum or visit the original jail and courthouse.

6. Cody, Wyoming

This Old West town was co-founded by an Old West hero: Buffalo Bill Cody , whose Wild West shows helped popularise rodeoing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today every summer Cody earns its reputation as ‘Rodeo Capital of the World’ by hosting the two-month-long Nite Rodeo.

You can learn about Cody’s famous founder at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which houses five museums under one roof, or Old Trail Town, which features replicas of historic buildings, including a hideout used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

7. Virginia City, Nevada

Virginia City exploded into existence in 1859 with the discovery of the Comstock Lode – the first major deposit of silver ore unearthed in the US. The find sent ripples through money markets and helped build modern-day San Francisco. Tens of thousands descended on the city, including the young Mark Twain, who worked here as a reporter.

Now all the silver, gold and prospectors are long gone but the town retains a strong Wild West feel with wooden sidewalks, tours of the old Chollar Mine and Comstock Gold Mill, steam train rides on the V&T railway, 17 museums and the Ponderosa Saloon, which features an 1860s walk-in bank vault and an abandoned mine shaft beneath its bar.

8. Silverton, Colorado

Located 2,800m up in a pass in the San Juan Mountains, Silverton was another silver-mining boomtown. Its glory days were in the 1870s and 1880s when it gained infamy for its notorious Blair Street red-light district. But mining continued here until 1992, existing alongside the burgeoning Wild West tourism industry.

Check out the One Hundred Gold Mine tour, which takes you on an electric train journey into the heart of the mountain, and the nearby ghost town of Animas Forks. Don’t miss a steam train ride on the vertiginous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad 45 miles down to Durango, where you’ll find more Old West heritage.

20 Real Old Wild West Attractions You Have to See to Believe

From the exciting gunfights between daring outlaws and the courageous lawmen who fought them to the card sharks and pioneers that made the West great; the stories and histories of the Old West still capture the imaginations of all who hear them. It was a time of lawlessness and perseverance, of incredible heartbreak and amazing opportunities for thousands of families. While that time might be long gone, the tales of those who lived are still lingering on in various attractions and locations. Whether you're a huge Wild West buff or simply interested in learning about America's most wild years, these 20 attractions just have to be seen to be believed.

Take a trip back to the wild, wild West with these exciting historical attractions. A day full of cowboys, culture, and the best of the Old West combine at these great locations. 

Tombstone, AZ

The OK Corral will always be remembered for one of the most famous gunfights in the West. On October 26, 1881, Wyatt Earp and the Clantons fought for dominance ending in several tragic deaths and lifelong injuries. Today, three gun fights take place every day which mimic the original gun fight as closely as possible. History buffs can take a buggy ride of the entire town where history comes to life or check out the many other attractions in the area.

San Xavier Mission Church

The Moorish-inspired white structure is the oldest Catholic Church in the United States, which is still active after 300 years. The awe-inspiring building is erected in the middle of San Xavier Indian Reservation Area 10 miles outside of Tucson, Arizona. Appropriately named, “White Dove in the Desert”, the building is mainly crafted in limestone. Overall, the site is visited by more than 200,000 visitors every year.

Boothill Graveyard

Also known as Tombstone Graveyard, the Boothill Graveyard is one of the most famous resting places for many who died during the Old Wild West. From regular citizens to outlaws, many of the people who made Tombstone the city it is today are buried in the cemetery. The graveyard has a few who died at the famous OK Corral as well as many other residents.

The Birdcage Theatre

This old saloon is buzzing with history as numerous gun fights took place inside the building. In its heyday, the Birdcage Theatre was one of the most popular places in the Old West where gambling, prostitution and drinking were allowed. The bullet holes on walls are stark reminder of its dirty history. Six recently renovated underground rooms offer a more fascinating experience for those who don’t mind confrontations with the ghosts that supposedly roam the premises.

Old Trail Town

Old Trail Town, located in Cody, WY, has been meticulously restored to resemble the town during its heyday between 1880 and 1900. Named after the legendary showman, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, this town boasts thousands of Old West artifacts and the grave of mountain man John Johnson, on whom the popular movie "Jeremiah Johnson" was based. This site is an absolute must-see when journeying through the Old West.

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

This historic park is designed to educate visitors on the history of Tombstone, one of the most famous Wild West towns. The main attraction is the courthouse which was built in 1882 and houses one of the finest collections of historical artifacts from the Old West. Visitors can even see a recreated gallows much like the kind often used to hang criminals in the Old West.

Buckhorn Exchange

While Denver is full of excellent restaurants, few can compare with delicacies and history served at Buckhorn Exchange. Located just 5 miles outside Denver, the restaurant is the holder of liquor license No. 1 in Colorado and originally opened in 1893, serving cattlemen, gamblers, miners, railroad workers and even more famous figures like Chief Red Cloud and Theodore Roosevelt. The restaurant serves some of the finest steaks and game in the state and features plenty of museum-quality memorabilia from its nearly two centuries of operation.

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum

San Antonio, TX

This museum is home to one of the most fascinating collections of the American wilderness. The first owner collected items in exchange for beer and food but the collection has since grown to include a 1,056 pound black marlin and pre-historic Irish elk. The original saloon is also the place where Mexican Revolution was planned. In addition to the saloon, there is a museum, a shooting gallery, gift shops, a Texas Ranger gallery and a cafe. While in the area, you should also try to catch out a show at the Majestic Theatre [1] , less than a half mile away.

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Fort Worth, TX

While everyone thinks about cowboys in the Wild West, they weren't the only ones roaming the prairie. The National Cowgirl Museum provides a historical perspective on the achievements of the most daring cowgirls in the nation. Originally nothing more than a small room in the basement, the museum has continuously grown since 1975. It now takes up an entire 33,000 square foot building and is filled with more than 4,000 artifacts as well as the stories and histories of the sometimes overlooked American cowgirls. If you get hungry while in the area, check out the Kimbell Art Museum [2] which is only a short distance away features tons of artwork and is really unique place to eat, which locals love.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

These 500 acres are home to a replica of the historic Wooden Mill that sparked the Gold Rush in California and completely altered  the history of Wild West. Visitors can visit many restored structures to learn about the history and try their luck digging for gold. The park also offers great outdoor opportunities for hiking and adventure.

Old Sacramento Historic Landmark

Sacramento, CA

Located on the eastern bank of Sacramento River, Old Sacramento is an important from a historical and architectural standpoint. Here, the history of Gold Rush is preserved as many original buildings from that time are still intact. Visitors can take rides in period carriages and wagons which will take them around multiple iconic landmarks in the area to learn more about the history of the area in the Wild West. There are numerous museums, tours and attractions all focused on the Old West.

Mission Concepción

The church is located in the center of San Antonio, but the building and its grounds transport visitors into a bygone era. Mission Concepci ó n is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. The original building from 1755 featured colorful designs and frescoes, some of which can still be seen inside the church.

Billy the Kid's Grave

Fort Sumner, NM

This small grave in Fort Sumner continues to draw crowds interested in paying their respects to Billy the Kid, one of the most famous outlaws in American history . The nearby museum  is dedicated to showcase original equipment used by Billy the Kid and provides historical narratives of how he fearlessly roamed the Old West until a county sheriff brought him down at the age of 21.

Deadwood, SD

There are few Wild West buffs who haven't heard of Deadwood, SD, and this town remains one of the true wonders of Old Wild West. It was once home to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, famous gunfighters and gamblers of the West. Several gambling halls in the town keep Deadwood alive and there is plenty for visitors to do including touring several historical buildings which have been restored to their original western splendor.

Calico Ghost Town

Calico, located in the middle of Mojave Desert, is one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the United States. Restored in 1950 to its former glory, this mining town is designed to look similar to what the site might have been during its heyday in 1880. Visitors can take guided tours of the town including a mine tour aboard Calico & Odessa Railroad. Then once you've worked up an appetite be sure to stop by Peggy Sue's diner [3] , a local favorite restaurant with a fun 50's theme.

Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood, SD

Saloon No. 10 is easily the most famous eatery in Deadwood. The original building gained its fame from being the place where Wild Bill Hickok was killed. Interestingly, the Saloon has been in continuous operation since that day. Experience a slice of the Wild West with the tasty meals and Western cowboy style menu, cooked to perfection every day. You can even see a recreation of Wild Bill's death and try your hand at a game of authentic "Deadwood style" gaming.

Bent's Fort National Historic Site

La Junta, CO

This converted adobe historic site is one of the best places for families to take their kids to learn about the Old West. The building was erected during the pioneering days to designate a safe place for traders, travelers and trappers to conduct deals with native Indian tribes in a peaceful environment. Now, children can participate in a roleplay by selecting their favorite character and learning about how life in the Old West worked. The main event takes place in June when children can continue to learn history by taking part in activities spanning five days. If you can't make it in June, then Otero Museum [4] , only a few minutes away, is also definitely worth a visit for more Old West experience and a fun Chuck Wagon Dinner.

South Park City Museum

Fairplay, CO

Visitors can experience the history and economy of a gold mining town from 18th century by touring more than 30 structures at South Park City Museum which holds around 60,000 artifacts and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum has been in continuous operation since 1959 when the original buildings were renovated. Visitors can see firsthand the economy, industry and profession of the era and learn more about the Gold Rush and the American West.

Buffalo Bill Grave & Museum

One of the most famous cowboys, hunters and showmen of the West, the grave site of the true American icon Buffalo Bill is located on Lookout Mountain near Denver. Buffalo Bill was a showmen, hunter, fighter and adventurer in 19th century America. His exploits offer an insight into the life in 19th century and how the White Man and Red Indians fared against each other.

San Antonio TX

Last but not least, the Alamo is perhaps the most famous building in Texas. During the legendary battle with Mexican troops, heroic Texans stood their ground for almost 13 days against a vastly superior force. The building has been restored to its former glory, providing visitors a glimpse into the past. The site features a large amount of memorabilia from the battle as well. You can even quench your thirst at the Biergarten Riverwalk [5] nearby.

So, which of these famous sites do you want to visit? Do you have any Old Wild West locations on your list that we should add? Let us know in the comments, and share with all of your friends!

The Open Road Travel

• Sep 10, 2022

The 10 Best Wild West Towns To Visit In America

Updated: Dec 5, 2022

The old west is one of the most iconic periods in the history of the United States. A unique time of lawlessness when pioneers and frontiersmen pushed west in search of a better life, it has been frequently documented and romanticised in books, movies, and TV shows for decades.

For true fans though, this won’t be enough, and they will want to experience the era first hand. This will inevitably lead to them searching for the best wild west towns to visit in America, to ensure they have the best experience possible. This isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem though.

As many of the top towns of the old west became ghost towns long ago, working out which offer the perfect combo of activities and atmosphere can be a challenge. So, if you want to see the old west in the best way possible, our list of the 10 best wild west towns to visit in America is sure to be of use.

Deadwood, South Dakota

Hidden away in western South Dakota, near Rapid City, Black Hills National Forest , and a collection of famed attractions like Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Wind Cave National Park, Deadwood is one of the largest wild west towns still in existence anywhere in America.

Established in 1876, at the height of the Black Hills Gold Rush, Deadwood was a boom town named after the dead trees found in a gulch that surrounds it. Like many old west mining towns, its heyday was short lived, as a fire destroyed most of the town after only three years, in September 1879.

Despite a short time at the top though, Deadwood managed to develop a lasting reputation for being at the centre of countless historical events and being the home of several wild west legends, with the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, and Calamity Jane all having lived there.

Deadwood was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1961 and its gold mining industry continued until 2002, both of which have helped with its preservation. As a result, it is comfortably one of the very best wild west towns to visit in America.

With museums, historic markers and buildings, graveyards, and statues littering the town, you can get an in depth education on this wild west hotspot. Then, attractions like re-enactments of historic events, stagecoach rides, and gold mine tours will allow you to experience it for yourself.

Tombstone, Arizona

Found in south Arizona, near the United States – Mexico Border, Tombstone is the largest old west town to still exist. Established in 1877 as a silver mining town by prospector Ed Schieffelin, it was one of the most prominent boomtowns in the nation, thanks to the huge number of mines around it.

Like many mining towns, Tombstone’s star burned bright and fast. Its population exploded from 100 to 14,000 in just seven years, then dwindled to virtually nothing only 8 years after that, when it was declared a ghost town in 1892.

Tombstone’s history and importance never wavered though, and almost 40 years later, in 1930, efforts began to renovate the town. This included restoring famous buildings and locations, as well as establishing wild west attractions to draw in visitors and help them to embrace its history.

Throughout Tombstone you will find legendary sights, like the O.K. Corral, where you can see a recreation of its infamous gunfight, cemeteries where old west legends are buried, and a collection of buildings like saloons and brothels, many of which are alleged to be haunted.

There are even plenty of buildings that have been converted into museums dedicated to the history of Tombstone and the mining industry. This has all helped Tombstone to establish a reputation as one of the most popular ghost towns and best wild west towns to visit in America.

Dodge City, Kansas

Dodge City is one of the most legendary wild west towns in history. Located in the heart of the old west frontier, on the path of both the Arkansas River and the fabled Santa Fe Trail, the first buildings of the town were erected in 1871, to the west of the fort it was named after, Fort Dodge.

While businesses were established in Dodge City fairly quickly, it was the birth of the railroad and institution of quarantine lines in Kansas that really turned it into a boomtown. It soon became a prime destination for cattle drives, earning it the nickname the “Queen Of The Cow Towns”.

Eventually causing the creation of the Great Western Cattle Trail, an offshoot of the Chisholm Trail, it earned a reputation as a frontier powerhouse. This drew countless wild west legends to Dodge City, with gunfighters, bullfighters, frontiersmen, lawmen, cowboys, and outlaws all arriving.

Before long, Dodge City’s collection of brothels, gambling halls, hotels, and saloons was legendary, as was its bullring. The city still features many of these original buildings and locations to this day, as well as others that have been reconstructed in their original style.

This includes the Boot Hill Cemetery, China Doll Brothel, Long Branch Saloon, and Saratoga Saloon, while you’ll also find the Kansas Cowboy Hall Of Fame. For those wanting to learn more about Dodge City, the Boot Hill museum is full of artefacts and exhibits to educate you on the town in the 1800’s.

If you want to dive headfirst into the wild west experience, there is a wide range of western themed events and festivals held each year. Dodge City Days and the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, as well as countless other smaller events are frequently running, to ensure you always have an incredible time.

Inarguably one of the best wild west towns to visit in America, there is no chance you’ll want to “get the heck out of dodge” anytime soon after arriving, which shows how far the city has comes from its lawless past when the legendary phrase was coined.

Cody, Wyoming

Settled in 1896 by legendary frontiersman William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the town of Cody, Wyoming is among the more lived in old west towns in the United States, having almost 10,000 residents.

Wild west enthusiasts will be hard pushed to find a better place to indulge their interest than at the Buffalo Bill Center Of The West. Recognised among the most remarkable museum complexes in the U.S, it houses the most comprehensive display of old west exhibits and artefacts on Earth.

The displays are spread across 5 separate museums, which are the Buffalo Bill Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Plains Indians Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, and Draper Natural History Museum. This ensures even those highly educated on the old west will still learn plenty here.

Nicknamed “The Rodeo Capital Of The World”, Cody is best known for hosting the largest rodeo in the United States every 4th of July weekend, the Stampede Rodeo. The town then also hosts the Cody Nite Rodeo every night between June and September.

With additional attractions in Cody like the Historic Cody Mural & Museum, Old Town Trail, and parts of the town recreated to look how they would have done in the late 1800s, those seeking the best wild west towns to visit in America simply can’t pass up a trip to Cody.

With Wyoming being known as the “Cowboy State”, those able to dedicate more time to their trip will surely find plenty of other attractions dedicated to the old west spread across it as well, adding even more value to a trip to Cody.

Oatman, Arizona

One of the youngest towns on our list, Oatman was settled in about 1910, in the dying days of the old west. However, it still deserves its spot on our list of the best wild west towns to visit in America as the town’s population exploded in 1915, when miners discovered over $10 million worth of gold.

Oatman was extremely prosperous for about 50 years, before the mines largely dried up most of the residents deserted their homes. While a population of around 100 people have prevented it from becoming a ghost town, it hasn’t quite caught on as a tourist attraction like other similar towns.

This makes Oatman one of the best wild west towns to visit in America for those who want a really authentic experience. Its collection of historic buildings, wooden sidewalks, and open sections of mines allow visitors to explore Oatman’s past, without being surrounded by mobs of tourists.

You then also have attractions like staged gunfights and an infamous population of wild burros that roam the town to transport you back in time for an entertaining, immersive experience like no other.

Themed gift shops sell handmade souvenirs to help you remember your trip, while being located along Historic Route 66 means Oatman can be a great stop on a much larger historic road trip.

Virginia City, Nevada

One of the lesser known destinations on the list, Virginia City holds incredible historic significance as the site where the Comstock Lode, the first major silver deposit in the United States, was found in 1859. As a result, Virginia City was named a National Historic Landmark District in 1961.

Another of its major claims to fame is that Virginia City was the home of writer Samuel Clemens, before he changed his name to Mark Twain and became one of the world’s most successful authors.

While it may not hold the kind of old west history that some of the more notorious towns on this list do, it features enough attractions to still make it one of the best wild west towns to visit in America.

Beautifully restored buildings, wooden sidewalks, and sites like Piper’s Opera House, the Bucket Of Blood Saloon, Brass Rail Saloon, Delta Saloon, Ponderosa Saloon, Red Dog Saloon, Silver Queen, and the Washoe Club create an authentic atmosphere.

You even have a number of historic cemeteries and churches to explore, as well as 17 museums, like the Fourth Ward School Museum, Way It Was Museum, Silver State Police Officers’ Museum, and Fireman’s Museum, all filled with incredible artefacts and exhibits.

You can spend the day exploring Virginia City or the Comstock Historic Walking Trail on your own or get a guide and make sure you don’t miss a thing. These include options like horse drawn carriage tours, trolley tours, and walking tours, as well as tours of the town’s various mines.

Those staying for a little longer may even enjoy hopping on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, which goes from Virginia City to Carson City via Gold Hill, to help you explore all of the area’s historic mining towns.

Bandera, Texas

As a town located in the heart of Texas, on the Medina River, and known as the “Cowboy Capital Of The World”, Bandera is a place that simply has to be included on any list of the best wild west towns to visit in America.

It is thought to have been settled in the late 1800s due to its location on the Great Western Cattle Trail. Locations like the Dixie Dude Ranch and Mayan Dude Ranch are both more than 50 years old and are great places to learn about this part of the town’s history.

Cattle drives aren’t the only notable historic events to have taken place here though. Vicious battles between Native American tribes, Spanish settlers, and cowboys also occurred, and the Frontier Times Museum details the entire history of the town, so you can delve into these darker events.

With attractions like chuckwagon cookouts, honky tonks, and saloons, and regular festivals, such as the Bandera ProRodeo, Cowboy Capital Christmas Night Parade, Cowboy Mardi Gras, Mayhem On The Medina, Spring Fling, and Wild Hog Explosion, Bandera is a great, highly overlooked destination.

Bodie, California

Settled in 1876, Bodie is a gold mining boomtown in central California, near Yosemite National Park and the Nevada border. One of the largest and longest running mining towns in the old west, it was active for almost 40 years, until it began to decline in 1912 and was declared a ghost town in 1915.

Designated both a California Historical Landmark and United States National Historic Landmark due to its importance, the Bodie State Historic Park was created in 1962. It was also listed as California’s “Official State Gold Rush Town”.

An incredibly popular attraction for history fans, about 170 buildings remain in Bodie, most of which are preserved to look almost how they would have during the town’s heyday. This includes a church, stamp mill, various homes complete with contents, and even a museum full of local artefacts.

With both guided and self-guided tours of the town permitted, it provides one of the most authentic old west experiences you will find, helping it to easily deserve its spot on our list of the best wild west towns to visit in America.

Calico, California

A former colemanite and silver mining town located in the hills roughly halfway between Las Vegas and Los Angeles , Calico was originally founded in 1881. While it thrived for the first 9 years of its existence, a drop in silver prices sent Calico into decline beginning in 1890.

By 1900 most residents had left, and it was completely abandoned by 1909. Despite being left to the elements, its location and climate helped preserve much of the town and in the 1950s it was bought by local farmer Walter Knott, best known for his Knotts Berry Farm haunted amusement park .

After taking ownership, he restored most of the buildings to appear just as they would historically have looked in the 1880s. This includes locations like a jail, miners’ cabins, a saloon, railroad office, and a variety of shops, such as a blacksmith and general store.

Between them, they give you the chance to ride a train down into the mine, see demonstrations of how the historic stores functioned and produced goods, enjoy an old-fashioned sarsaparilla, snap some unique photos, and buy handmade products.

Visible from the highway, which is a stretch of the Historic Route 66, due to its name being marked on the side of the hill with white rocks, Calico is one of the best, most overlooked wild west towns in America.

As governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger declared it “California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town”.

Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek was established in October 1890 by Robert Womack and was the site of the “last great Colorado Gold Rush”. 18 months later, in June 1892, its population had reached almost 1,000 people and the camp and all surrounding settlements were renamed the Cripple Creek Mining District.

From then, thousands of prospectors travelled to Cripple Creek from across the globe and its population quickly eclipsed 5,000 people. Before long, the Independence Lode, one of the world’s largest gold deposits, was discovered.

Cripple Creek peaked around 1905, at which point it had 35,000 residents, making it the 4th most populous settlement in Colorado. By this point, 22.4 million ounces of gold had been extracted from the mines, worth roughly $500 million.

In order to accommodate this huge population, vast infrastructure including assay offices, barbers, brothels, casinos, churches, doctors, department stores, grocery stores, hotels, lawyers, newspapers, restaurants, saloons, schools, stockbrokers, and even a college had been established.

However, by 1910, many of the mines had started to dry up and people began leaving in their droves. While the town was never completely deserted and mining continued there until the early 2000s, its population dropped as low as just a few hundred people.

Declared a United States National Historic Landmark in 1961, it remained a semi-ghost town until 1991, with just a few facilities open for tourists visiting the iconic location. It was then that the state legalised gambling in the town and it entered a renaissance.

Many of the historic stores and buildings were quickly turned into casinos and gambling halls, which drew back those seeking an authentic wild west experience. With other attractions like the Cripple Creek Heritage Center and Butte Opera House, the town offers the complete old west experience.

You even have the Cripple Creek And Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. A 4 mile (6.5 km) circular track that runs historic steam trains, trips will pass multiple ghost towns, glory holes, and gold mines, some of which offer tours, helping you to see the entire region how it once was.

That concludes our list of the 10 best wild west towns to visit in America. From big, famous locations like Deadwood and Tombstone to lesser known destinations like Calico, and from mining hot spots to cow towns, you should now have plenty of places to go and experience the old west for yourself.

For those who really want to soak in the culture, you could even go on a road trip between two of the towns, through the “Cowboy State”, for an immersive wild west expedition. However you choose to see it though, all that’s left to do is to make the leap and get things booked.

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8 Legendary Wild West Towns: Then and Now

You ride into town, sliding down off your horse, dust rising, spurs jingling at your heels. Somewhere glass breaks and a woman laughs. A lawman eyes you warily as he crosses the street. You tip your hat and an ace of hearts falls out. You hastily stuff it back inside.

You've heard there's gold in them hills and you're aiming to make some of it yours. But you'd be just as happy with a bottle of whiskey and a good draw at poker.

You're in the Old West .

Sometimes a name is all it takes to evoke the image and feel of a place. Deadwood. Tombstone. Dodge City. These places are larger than life, or at least were, once upon a time. What were they like back then, and what are they like now? We're talking the real deal, not Donley's Wild West Town amusement park outside of Chicago, Illinois (although it is pretty cool you get to pan for gold at the Sweet Phyllis gold mine).

Read on for a journey back in time and find out more about what these 8 wild west towns are like today.

8. Deadwood, South Dakota

Located in the stunning Black Hills, there may be no name more evocative of the Wild West than Deadwood.

What was like back then: People got gunned down over hands of poker (aces and eights, the dead man's hand, is from here).

Public Domain

What it's like now: Watch daily Wild West Show shootouts on Main Street or re-enactments of Wild Bill Hickok's slaying. You can even visit Calamity Jane's grave. It's safe to say that Deadwood has embraced its wild west past. And with good reason. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark. If you're feeling like some action — wild west style — Deadwood's your place.

Sign Commemorating the Shooting of Wild Bill Hickok at historic Saloon Number 10 in Deadwood, South Dakota. (Photo by: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Photo by: Universal Images Group via Getty Images

7. Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek was the home to the last great Colorado gold rush ( the place for gold-panning) and one of the largest gold strikes in history.

What it was like back then: Cripple Creek was flooded with prospectors looking to strike it rich and burning down pretty much everything in the process. (The city was destroyed twice by fire in 1896. In a period of four months.)

What it's like now: Cripple Creek, which is roughly 100 miles from Denver, has legalized gambling and is home to casinos in many of the town's historic buildings. It is also being hummed by just about everyone who is reading this right now: " Up on Cripple Creek/she sends me ..."

6. Tombstone, Arizona

Just the name is enough to conjure up visions of cowboys, cattle drives, stagecoaches and the OK Corral. 

What it was like back then: The mines at Tombstone pumped out somewhere around $50 million of silver bullion in a little more than 10 years at the end of the 19th century. The Earp brothers tried to keep the drinking, prostitution, gambling and carousing at bay. 

What it's like now: Tombstone remains a bit of a curiosity of a town with a population of just over 1,000. Its dependent upon its tourism trade. It's also, surprisingly, home to the world's largest rose bush.

Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images

5. Dodge City, Kansas

If you've ever had to "get out of Dodge," you may understand what this wildest of wild west towns was like back when Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson were patrolling the streets. Sounded like a real roller coaster ride.

What it was like back then: Dodge City served as a railhead for longhorns coming up from Texas to be put on a trail and shipped west. It also boasted an alarmingly high number of gunfighters, brothels and all other manner of wild west shenanigans. It's still home to the historic Long Branch Saloon .

What it's like now: Dodge City's economy is centered around meatpacking, not too far from its Queen of the Cowtowns origins. Though there is a healthy historic district and tourism trade, the number of brothels and gunfights has plummeted.

4. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Founded in 1610 by a Spanish Don as a capital of the area, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the United States. For hundreds of years, it served as the seat of the province and region.

What it was like back then: Santa Fe was an important government and trade center and destination of the Santa Fe Trail.

What it's like now: Santa Fe has preserved much of its unique cultural heritage and is a UNESCO Creative City, earning the award for its support of the arts. It is a popular tourist destination and consistently ranks as being one of the U.S.'s best places to live. It even has its own world-renowned opera house.

3. Virginia City, Nevada

You might not have heard of Virginia City, Nevada before, but it's one of the most iconic Old West mining towns. The single richest deposit of silver and gold ever struck in the continental U.S. was found here in 1859.

What it was like back then: Virginia City was a mining boom town. People came to make fortunes and they did. They also lost fortunes and many tragically lost their lives in the mines. Even Samuel Clemens (we know him as Mark Twain) found his way to Virginia City.

What it's like now: A whopping 800 or so people live there. Though somewhat of a ghost town, it is nearly entirely devoted to tourism and preserves its historic character. It is also a National Historic Landmark.

2. Sheridan, Wyoming

Sheridan, Wyoming lies smack dab in the middle of traditional Sioux and Crow hunting grounds on the Bloody Bozeman Trail. The area was home to such legends as Red Cloud, Sitting Bull,and Crazy Horse. And gold seekers flocked to the area.

What it was like back then: Home to the Sheridan Inn , a National Historic Landmark that's still open to visitors today. 

What it's like now: Sheridan is home to over 17,000 residents with 10 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2017, it was named among True West's Top Western Towns .

While you're in Wyoming, take a 3 hour drive west to Cody, Wyoming, the Rodeo Capital of the World, and visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Flickr/Kevin Dooley

1. San Francisco

San Francisco. What is there to say about San Francisco? The California gold rush turned what was a town of 1,000 into a metropolis of over 25,000 in less than a year in 1849.

What it was like back then: The Barbary Coast, near Portsmouth Square, was a lawless shanty presided over by criminals and vigilante justice. Shipfuls of British convicts meant for the Australian penal colonies landed and set fire to San Francisco six times in four years to distract residents while they looted and pillaged.

What it's like now: Portsmouth Square is now a pleasant plaza and San Fran is a commercial and cultural hub in the Golden State.

F lickr/Greg Poulos

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2018.

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Top 20 Old Western Towns You Can Still Visit

Cheapism / DALL-E 3

Calling All Cowpokes

Tales of the lawless West have always been a hit with tourists. Plenty of the "Old West" towns across the U.S. are more than happy to embrace their history and help visitors travel back in time  to the 1800s, cowboy hat in hand.

If you can't get enough of gun-slinging outlaws, booze-fueled saloon brawls, or grizzled prospectors looking to strike it rich, we've rounded up 20 Old Western towns where you can spend a weekend reliving how the West was won.

1. Cody, Wyoming

As its name suggests, Cody was founded by "Buffalo Bill" Cody himself. The discovery of oil fields and the founding of nearby Yellowstone National Park have ensured the town has always stayed lively. 

Today's visitors won't want to miss the Buffalo Bill Center of the West , which traces not only Cody's life but the development of the region and the culture of the American cowboy. At Old Trail Town , old frontier buildings including outlaws' cabins, a school, a blacksmith shop, and a saloon have been meticulously reassembled for visitors to explore.

2. Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo's Wild West roots lie not in gold or silver but cattle, as the wide, open spaces attracted ranchers to the area in the late 1800s. The city is still surrounded by ranches and proudly promotes its cowboy history. 

Go for a horseback ride at Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West , and be sure to catch "Texas,"  an outdoor musical drama that traces the state's settlement in the 1800s and has been performed in Palo Duro Canyon State Park for more than 50 seasons.

3. Bandera, Texas

Nicknamed the "Cowboy Capital of the World," this Wild West town in southern Texas was a staging ground for the last cattle drives of the 1800s. The town's cowboy roots are very much on display today, with plenty of nearby ranches  and museums  that have immortalized Bandera's history. A highlight for country music fans will be Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Bar , the longest-running honkytonk in the Lone Star State.

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4. Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone became a boomtown after a silver-mining strike in the late 1870s. It's most infamous for a shootout at the O.K. Corral , a gunfight that involved Wyatt Earp, Earp's brothers, Doc Holliday, and a gang of unscrupulous cowboys. The 30-second bloodbath is recreated three times a day; visitors can also check out the Birdcage Theater , where more than 140 bullet holes offer ample proof of the building's violent past.

Related:  30 Stunning Photos of Iconic Landscapes in the American West

5. Bodie, California

Sandwiched between Yosemite National Park and the Nevada border, Bodie offers a very different way to immerse yourself in the Wild West. An authentic mining ghost town that hosted more than 60 saloons and dance halls at its peak , its decay has been frozen by park authorities. Visitors are free to explore its spooky remains, but there are no kitschy reenactments, restaurants, or shops selling souvenirs — just you and the ghosts of an old, gold-rush town.

Related: 19 Spooky Ghost Towns Across America

6. Pendleton, Oregon

This Oregon city where "the West is still wild" began as a western trading post. It later became home to immigrant rail workers as well as the Pendleton Woolen Mills, which is still cranking out its iconic wool blankets after 150 years . 

Tour the mills or join one of the Pendleton Underground Tours  for a look at the city's turn-of-the-century red-light district. See another side of the Old West at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute , which gives visitors a Native American perspective on western expansion in the United States.

Related:  The 40 Best Places in America to Travel Back in Time

7. Bisbee, Arizona

After a civilian tracker discovered deposits of lead, copper, and silver  in Arizona's mule mountains in the late 1800s, speculators flooded the area and the "Queen of the Copper Camps" was born. In 1902, that camp became Bisbee, Arizona, a quintessential old west mining town. 

Today, Wild West enthusiasts can take guided walking tours  throughout Bisbee, where there were once bustling saloons, brothels, and breweries. If you're willing to don a hardhat, yellow slicker, and miner's lamp, then you should also tour the Copper Queen Mine .

8. Virginia City, Nevada

The discovery of the Comstock Lode made Virginia City a 19th-century mining boomtown the likes of which were unmatched in the rest of the West. Get a firsthand look during a tour of the Chollar Mine , where miners extracted millions in gold and silver. For some kitschy Wild West theater, check out the Virginia City Outlaws , or hop aboard the V&T Railway  for a ride to Carson City aboard an old steam train.

9. Idaho City, Idaho

This once-booming mining town northeast of Boise was the birthplace of vigilante law , and while it's but a shadow of its former self, what remains is an atmospheric stop for strolling along planked boardwalks and drinking sarsaparilla at the local saloon. The Boise Basin Museum  offers a look at the town's past, and the Pioneer Cemetery is a spooky, forested spot with graves dating from the 1860s.

10. Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, which bills itself as "where the West begins," was established as an Army outpost in the middle of the 19th century, later becoming a major livestock center. Today, you can head to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District  to see massive steers amble down the street in a twice-daily cattle drive, take in reenactments of gun battles, explore the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame , and much more.

11. Virginia and Nevada City, Montana

Virginia City and its smaller counterpart, Nevada City, are just northwest of Yellowstone National Park. Both were mining boom towns starting in the 1860s thanks to nearby gold strikes, and Virginia City even became the territorial capital. Today, visitors can stroll down the boardwalk, pan for gold, take a short open-air train ride between towns, and interact with reenactors at the Nevada City Living History Museum .

12. Fort Smith, Arkansas

The easternmost town on our list still claims plenty of western heritage. In the 1840s, this was a staging ground for miners before they headed west to seek their fortune; it would later play an important role in Civil War history, too. 

Visitors can explore "life on the edge of Indian Territory" at Fort Smith National Historic Site , including its grisly past as the spot where dozens of criminals were executed in the late 1800s. At Miss Laura's Visitor Center , check out a fully restored bordello that was one of several of the town's "houses of ill repute."

13. Sacramento, California

Don't let the California capital's reputation as bland and boring fool you — it's one of the best places in the state to get a feel for the Wild West spirit. Visit the Old Sacramento Waterfront, a National Historic Landmark boasting 19th century buildings that now host museums, restaurants, and shops. 

Train buffs won't want to miss the California State Railroad Museum , and the Sacramento History Museum's  popular underground tours show visitors how the city saved itself from persistent flooding during the Gold Rush era.

14. Cripple Creek, Colorado

The "world's greatest gold camp" yielded millions of ounces of the shiny stuff beginning in 1890, and visitors today can descend 1,000 feet to check out the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine , which offers the country's only vertical shaft gold-mine tour. Above ground, catch a show at the Butte Theater , which has been entertaining guests since the 1890s with old-fashioned Victorian melodrama.

15. Sidney, Nebraska

Sidney was a supply depot at the beginning of the Sidney-Blackhills Trail, which led straight to gold-rich South Dakota. It was also the site of frequent clashes between settlers and Native Americans, and later became a major farming and ranching center. Today, visit the graves of some colorful characters at Boot Hill Cemetery. You can also follow some of the nearby Pony Express National Historic Trail , which includes landmarks such as Chimney Rock.

16. Oatman, Arizona

This popular Route 66 pit stop  once had thousands of residents in its turn-of-the-century mining heyday; today, it's barely a blip on the map. Still, its historic buildings and roaming wild burros, descendants of the animals brought to town by miners, give it plenty of appeal. You'll find kitschy shops and restaurants, gunfight reenactments at high noon, and the historic adobe Oatman Hotel , where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned in 1939.

17. Durango, Colorado

Durango's colorful history includes clashes between miners and Native Americans, westward railroad expansion, cattle rustling, and much more. The picturesque town has even served as a backdrop for many a Western, including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Visitors can take a carriage ride through the historic downtown, hop aboard the scenic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad , or use their own wheels to explore the breathtaking but hair-raising Million Dollar Highway .

18. Deadwood, South Dakota

The discovery of a gold-filled creek  in the 1870s was all it took to transform Deadwood from a small camp to a booming town that hosted the likes of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. The town's origins are well-preserved at sites such as the Days of 76 Museum  and the Broken Boot Gold Mine . The latter offers spooky Candlelight Tours every evening to give visitors a taste of how miners had to search for gold in the olden days.

19. Dodge City, Kansas

The "wickedest little city in the West"  sprang up as a trading center near the Santa Fe Trail, which connected Missouri and New Mexico for much of the 1800s. Today, the experience is best memorialized at the Boot Hill Museum , which boasts more than 60,000 artifacts and a replica of Dodge City's infamous, lawless Front Street as it looked in the 1870s. Summer also means twice-daily gunfights and a nightly variety show at the Long Branch Saloon.

20. Abilene, Kansas

Perhaps better known as President Dwight D. Eisenhower's boyhood home, this "queen of the Kansas cowtowns" was first settled in the mid-1800s, growing as it became a rail hub and cattle market. It was also a place where Wild Bill Hickok like to kick back at the saloon during his stint as town marshal . 

Visitors can get a sense for the town's lawless history at Old Abilene Town, where you can see gun fights and can-can dancers at Hickok's favorite saloon. For a fun photo op, go see the world's largest spur (and maybe buy yourself a pair of boots, too) at Rittel's Western Wear.

Tumbleweeds blowing down deserted streets, boarded-up and burnt-out buildings ... these things might come to mind when you think about towns of the Old West. And while there are plenty of ghost towns to be found across the country, many of the places founded during the heyday of cattle ranching and gold mining are still alive and well, and rolling out the welcome mat to visitors looking for a little nostalgia. Here are six towns that will have you feeling like you’ve stepped straight into a classic Western.

Fairplay, Colorado

Fans of a certain animated show might know it as “South Park City,” but Fairplay is so much more than the cartoon named after it. In 1859, gold was discovered in South Park, a 900-square-mile basin surrounded by Colorado's majestic Rocky Mountains, and boom towns sprang up to serve the needs of the gold-seekers who rushed to the region. Seven of the buildings from that era are preserved on their original sites in Fairplay, along with 37 others that were relocated from ghost towns and abandoned camps, including a trapper's cabin, saloon, general store, and blacksmith shop. Together with 60,000 artifacts they comprise the South Park City Museum , where visitors can walk through historic structures and get a true feel for life in a 19th-century mining town.

Walking through history isn't the only activity you'll find here. Fairplay is located on the Middle Branch of the South Platte River, and is the Trout Fishing Capital of Colorado. You can get a permit and pan for gold, or experience world-class hiking and mountain biking, as well. After exploring, enjoy a beer and a meal at one of the atmospheric modern-day saloons , and rest your head at the historic Hand Hotel .

Deadwood, South Dakota

One of the Old West’s most lawless towns is still open for business. In the late 1870s, the Gold Rush-era Black Hills boom town of Deadwood boasted a high murder rate and plenty of seedy activities. But today, the activities are a bit more wholesome and historic. Deadwood is the final resting place of both sharpshooter and celebrity Calamity Jane and showman-slash-gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok . (The two are buried next to one another in Deadwood’s Mount Mariah cemetery.) Historic preservation (the entire city is now a National Historic Landmark ), the legalization of gambling, and the popular HBO series have turned the city into the tourist destination. Belly up to the bar where Wild Bill played his last hand or outfit yourself like a fancy woman at Madame Peacock’s ... which sells beer in addition to bling.

Cody, Wyoming

Scout, soldier, and showman William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was visiting Sheridan in 1894 when he encountered the gorgeous area in the Big Horn Mountains and two years later he founded the town that bears his name. Unlike notorious towns like Deadwood and Dodge City, Cody attracted visitors touring the West, especially those on their way to enjoy the natural wonders of Yellowstone . Founded in 1872, the nation’s first national park is only about an hour away.

Cody claims to be the “rodeo capital of the world,” with live rodeo every night from June 1st through August 31st. The Stampede Rodeo has been a centerpiece of the city since 1919, bringing in thousands of visitors each Fourth of July weekend. For an authentic taste of the Old West, attend a real chuckwagon dinner at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West ... and don’t miss visiting the center’s five museums before you tuck into your steak, cowboy beans and cobbler. If ghost towns are your thing, be sure to visit the Old Trail Town Museum , which has the original cabins used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, along with other historic buildings.

Tombstone, Arizona

Billing itself as “The Town Too Tough To Die,” historic Tombstone makes the most of its violent past. This spot high in the Sonoran desert sprang to life as a silver mining metropolis after Ed Schieffelin discovered ore in the hills in 1877, but it achieved lasting renown as the site of the most famous gunfight in the American West. Walk the streets with the ghosts of the gunslingers who met their end at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881 when lawman and gambler Wyatt Earp , his brothers Virgil and Morgan, their friend “Doc” Holliday killed three members of the Clanton gang .

Despite the shootout, Tombstone was a largely prosperous and modern town whose fortunes rose and fell with the price of silver. Today it’s the tourists who bring in the gold, flocking for gunfight reenactments at the famous corral and queuing for stagecoach rides and ghost tours through Boothill Cemetery. Visitors can enjoy sweet dreams (and pie!) in an 1880s hotel , admire the world’s largest rosebush, and explore the museum of Arizona's oldest continuously published newspaper, the Tombstone Epitaph. At the end of the day, throw back a beer at Big Nose Kate’s or the Crystal Palace, two authentic Old West saloons.

Elko, Nevada

More than a quarter million pioneers hoping for a better life in the West endured months of grueling travel along the California Trail , which stretched nearly 2,000 miles from the Midwest to the Pacific Ocean. Explore the hardships and hostilities at the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, which lies along the route. Representatives of the Central Pacific Railroad founded the town in 1868, but the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians had lived in the region for centuries. A display at the interpretive center allows visitors to explore a full Shoshone village.

With the railroad came mining and ranching, both drawing migrants from the Basque region of Spain, which straddles the border of France. Basque culture is still strong in Elko, which is home to the enormous National Basque Festival held each summer over the Fourth of July weekend. In any season, visitors can enjoy traditional Basque food at one of the local restaurants, along with outdoor recreation and scenic drives in the gorgeous Ruby Mountains.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Centuries before there was an “Old West” there was Spain’s empire in the “New World.” Spain founded Santa Fe in 1610, makine it the third-oldest still-inhabited city in the modern United States. This gorgeous state capital oozes history from its Spanish colonial origins to its role as a center of wagon trail trade along the Santa Fe Trail to its continued importance first as a railroad hub.

Today Santa Fe is a prominent cultural capital in the Southwest, attracting visitors with its world-class museums such as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum , the astonishing Museum of International Folk Art , and an array of galleries. Food is an artform here, too, and Santa Fe's award-winning culinary scene make the city a food lover's paradise. (Pro tip: When your server asks “Red or green?” answer “Christmas” to sample two kinds of delicious chiles.) The hotel offerings are outstanding as well: choose from a historic downtown adobe abode at La Fonda on the Plaza or head to the Sangre de Cristo foothills and luxuriate at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado .

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Legends of America

Traveling through american history, destinations & legends since 2003., old west destinations.

Dodge City in 1874, courtesy of Ford County Historical Society.

Old West Photographs and Prints

Oregon Trail Ruts at Rock Creek, Nebraska, by Kathy Alexander.

Old West Trails

The California Trail – Rush to Gold

The Cherokee Trail of Tears

The Chisholm Trail – Herding the Cattle

Corps of Discovery – The Lewis & Clark Expedition

The Goodnight-Loving Trail

Oregon Trail – Pathway to the West

Overland Trails of Nebraska

Pathways To the West – a 1918 Account

Pony Express – Fasted Mail Across the West

Route 66 – The Mother Road

Santa Fe Trail – Highway to the Southwest

Old West Destinations by State

Gunfight recreation in Oatman by Kathy Alexander.

Bent’s Fort, Colorado, by Kathy Alexander.

Bumble Bee Just Never Made It

Canyon Diablo – Meaner Than Tombstone

Cerbat – Ghost Town

Chloride – Preserving the Past

Courtland – Ghost Town

Duquesne – Ghost Town

Fairbank – Dead in the Desert

Fort Bowie National Historic Site

Gleeson – Ghost Town

Harshaw – Ghost Town

Holbrook – Too Tough For Women or Churches

Jerome – Copper Queen on the Hill

Lochiel – Ghost Town

Mineral Park – Ghost Town

Mowry – Ghost Town

Oatman – A Living Ghost Town

Parks – Ghost Town

Pearce – Ghost Town

Ruby – Mining and Murder

Sunnyside – A Different Kind of Ghost Town

Tombstone – The Town Too Tough to Die

Washington Camp – Ghost Town

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Prairie Grove Battlefield Rich in History

Ballarat – Death Valley Ghost Town

Bodie – A Ghostly Ghost Town

Calico – Revived From A Desert Grave

Coloma – Gold Town to Ghost Town

Fort Alcatraz – Defending the Western Coast

Fort Point – Standing Guard at the Golden Gate

Old Sacramento – Walking on History

Placerville – Hub of the Mother Lode

Bent’s Fort National Historic Site

Central City – Boom & Bust

Cripple Creek – World’s Greatest Gold Camp

Fort Garland – Frontier Outpost on the Colorado Plains

Leadville – Cloud City USA

St Elmo – Haunted Ghost Town

Victor – The City of Mines

Old Abilene Town, Kansas, by Kathy Alexander.

Shakespeare, New Mexico, by Kathy Alexander.

Abilene – Queen of the Kansas Cowtowns

Baxter Springs – First Kansas Cow Town

Caldwell, Kansas – The Wicked Border Queen

Dodge City – A Wicked Little Town

Ellsworth – Another Wicked Kansas Cowtown

Haunted Hollenberg Pony Express Station in Hanover

Kansas Cowtowns – Lawlessness on the Prairie

Kansas Forts

Leavenworth – Oldest Military Post West of the Mississippi

Nicodemus – A Black Pioneer Town

White Cloud – Not Quite Ghostly

St. Joseph, Missouri – Jumping Off To the West

Weston – The Town That Refused to Die

Bannack – From Gold to Ghosts

Virginia City – Heart of the Comstock Lode

The First Homestead

Old Fort Atkinson

Rock Creek Station

Delamar – The Widow Maker

Eldorado Canyon – Lawlessness on the Colorado River

Goldfield – Queen of the Mining Camps

Gold Point – Waxing & Waning Through Time

Rhyolite – Little More Than a Memory

Tybo – Plight of the Chinese in a Nevada Goldcamp

Albuquerque – 300 Year Old Duke City

Cimarron – Wild and Baudy Boomtown

Elizabethtown – Gone But Not Forgotten

Fort Sumner, New Mexico – Pride of the Pecos

Golden, New Mexico Has Seen Better Days

Las Vegas, New Mexico – More Wicked Than Dodge City

Los Cerrillos – Two Thousand Years of History

Madrid – A Ghost Town Reborn

Santa Fe – The City Different

Shakespeare – Born Again and Again

Steins – A Railroad Ghost Town

North Dakota

Fort Union Trading Post

Deadwood, South Dakota, by Kathy Alexander.

The Alamo, by Kathy Alexander.

Chandler –  Last Gunfight of the Old West

El Reno -Home of the Oklahoma Land Rush

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

Shaniko – Wool Capitol of the World

Sumpter – Queen City Ghost Town

South Dakota

Deadwood – Rough & Tumble Old West Town

Okaton – A Prairie Ghost Town

Amarillo, Texas – Panhandle Cowtown

Fort Griffin – Lawlessness on the Brazos

Fort Phantom Ghosts

Old Mobeetie – Panhandle Mother City

Remember the Alamo

San Antonio – A Mecca For History Buffs

Frisco – A Ten-Year High

Fort Laramie – Crossroads to the West

©Kathy Alexander / Legends of America , updated March 2023.

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Cows are herded along a highway near Johnson Mesa.

Authentic Old West Road Trip

From the May/June 2011 issue of National Geographic Traveler

There are few places where the Old West remains free from the T-shirt stores and other detritus of modern-day tourism, but northeastern New Mexico is one of them. A harsh, starkly beautiful landscape marked by prairies, volcanoes, pioneer homesteads, and villages straight out of a Western movie set, this is where cowboys walk the streets and artists weary of tourist towns like Santa Fe move to for peace and inspiration. The landscape has changed little since settlers, miners, and railroad workers passed through on the Santa Fe Trail, and a 400-mile driving route looping east from Taos makes a classic American road trip. Here, empty desert highways stretch to the horizon, views sprawl across the plains and Rockies, and ghost towns serve as poetic reminders of the country’s not so distant frontier past.

From Taos, wind 55 miles east along NM 64 as it drops through deep gorges of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the edge of the plains and the village of Cimarron, just outside Philmont Scout Ranch, the country’s largest Boy Scout high adventure base. The sleepy town itself was once a hub on the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail. More than a dozen historic buildings survive, including an old stone jail, courthouse, and gristmill, and local shops stock free historic walking tour maps. Don’t miss the St. James Hotel (from $70), once a wild hangout for unruly cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen. Characters like Jesse James and Wyatt Earp slept in the Victorian-era rooms, which are now refurbished with period wallpaper and four-poster beds. On the other side of town, several art galleries have moved into the Western-style storefronts. Peruse ceramics and Zuni jewelry at Blue Moon Eclectics, then wander next door for a root beer float at the Cimarron Art Gallery, which doubles as a soda fountain, originally installed in 1937 for visiting Boy Scouts.

As NM 64 pushes 40 miles east to Raton, the mountains peter out into the high plains but not without some fanfare: Dark rock formations rise out of pastures where cattle, buffalo, and pronghorn graze. Raton, once a flourishing railroad town along the Santa Fe Trail, hasn’t changed much in the past century. Walk around the historic district, where locals have refurbished two old theaters. Collectors sell antiques from historic storefronts, and an art gallery moved into the 1910 Wells Fargo Express building. For good Mexican food, head to Sands Restaurant, a dive diner.

Sugarite Canyon State Park, six miles north of Raton on NM 72 and 526, protects the remains of a 1912 coal-mining town once inhabited by hundreds of fortune-seeking immigrants. A trail with signs leads past the old stone post office and weed-choked ruins of a school, shops, and homes—all a testament to how quickly a working town could go bust in the Old West. Nearby, stroll through wildflowers and up onto a mesa for views over the canyon on some of the park’s 14-plus miles of hiking trails, then picnic on the shore of Lake Maloya.

Drive 36 miles east on 72 over the sprawling Johnson Mesa and past a pioneer church, old homesteads, and views of the Rocky Mountains. Folsom, a loose collection of ranches and abandoned storefronts, is more famous than it looks: In 1908, a local ranch hand discovered ancient bison bones and man-made projectiles that helped archaeologists prove humans walked the continent some 10,000 years ago, far earlier than previously thought. The Folsom Museum, housed in an 1896 merchant building, exhibits historical memorabilia, such as notes by the archaeologists and replicas of the stone tools.

Drive nine miles south on NM 325 to reach Capulin Volcano National Monument, one of the nation’s best preserved cinder cone volcanoes. A trail leads around the rim of the crater and offers views over the 8,000-square-mile Raton-Clayton volcano field, dotted with craters and hardened lava flows. On a clear day, visitors can see four states from the tallest point on the rim.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

Backtrack up 325, then take NM 456 east through mesas, canyons, and valleys frequented by elk and bear, then turn right on NM 370 to Clayton Lake State Park. A half-mile path leads to a trove of dinosaur tracks with about 500 footprints from some six species. The low light of late afternoon is the best time to see the 100-million-year-old outlines of their toes.

Traveling 150 miles southwest along 370, 412/56, and I-25, drivers see the Rockies as pioneers would have seen them—with no modern intrusions. Along the way to Fort Union, stop to see the Eklund Hotel in Clayton and the Santa Fe Trail Museum in Springer; both are sleepy farm towns spattered with historic buildings. Fort Union was first established in 1851 as a garrison for soldiers defending the Santa Fe Trail from Indian attacks. Today, visitors can see the fort’s adobe ruins and the largest visible network of ruts from the famed wagon route.

Las Vegas, about 30 miles south on I-25, rivaled Denver in size and prestige in the mid-1800s. Founded in 1835, it was the last Spanish colony to be formed in North America. Over the years it became a stop on the Santa Fe Trail, a railroad boomtown, and a movie set for silent filmmakers. A long depression helped save downtown’s historic architecture from renovation, and now some 900 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk around the plaza and Bridge Street to view examples of mid-19th-century adobes and Italianate Victorian storefronts. Estella’s Café serves classic New Mexican fare like chiles rellenos.

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• Inspiration

Top 10 Wild West towns in America

Read time: 9 mins

The world’s love affair with America’s Wild West has always burned bright, and nothing in the country’s history compares to the period from 1865 to 1895 when prospectors and pioneers pushed their way towards better lives and scrambled for pots of gold. We travel to these former frontier boomtowns, most of which still embrace their Wild West past (gun-slinging cowboys, dastardly outlaws, swinging saloon doors, one-room jailhouses, liquor-fuelled shootouts over hands of poker) and show America as it once was.

Oatman, Arizona

Claim to fame: Named for Illinois-born Olive Oatman who was kidnapped for slavery by an Apache tribe and then sold to Mohave Indians (she was eventually set free and became a  celebrity), this small mining camp had all the markings of a gold rush boomtown. For a decade, the Oatman mines were among the largest gold producers in America’s West, but in later years the place become another tourist town for visitors passing through the ancient part of Route 66. Nowadays, it’s packed with wild burros (an old Spanish term for donkeys) who roam the streets waiting for their burro chow (hay cubes), which can be purchased in the town. Oatman is also proud of its Hollywood connections; the Oscar-winning How the West Was Won was filmed here and it’s also where Clark Gable and Carol Lombard reportedly spent their wedding night in 1939 (the refurbed honeymoon suite at the Oatman Hotel is one of the town’s key attractions).

See and do: Check out the Gable/Lombard Room at the Oatman Hotel (it no longer takes guests, but functions as a restaurant and museum), stroll along the town’s wooden sidewalks, browse in the kitsch Americana shops, take selfies with the impossibly cute burros, and visit the Oatman Jail and Museum to see its holding pens and sheriff’s office. Don’t miss the Ghostrider Gunfighters spectacular Wild West shootouts and comedy performances taking place daily in the middle of town at 1:30pm and 3:30pm (for $100 you can even stage your shotgun wedding here).

Amarillo, Texas

Claim to fame: The quintessential land of cowboys and cattle situated at the crossroads of America, Amarillo was established in 1887 when Abilene developer J.I. Berry selected this well-watered spot along the way of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad (FW&DC). Known as Oneida (this later changed to Amarillo - Spanish for yellow - for the colour of the soil on the banks of the nearby Amarillo Creek), it grew from a 500-strong tent camp for railroad workers to a hard-nosed cattle town complete with big skies, big steaks, big barbeque joints, and big quantities of oil. It now hosts a number of famous rodeos (including the Coors Cowboy Club Ranch Rodeo, Working Ranch Cowboy Association, and World Championship Ranch Rodeo), as well as the annual Polk Street Cattle Drive where the streets of downtown Amarillo are filled with around 60 Texas longhorns making their way to the Tri-State Fairgrounds.

See and do: Watch a performance of the outdoor musical drama TEXAS at the Pioneer Amphitheatre in the nearby Palo Duro Canyon State Park (it’s been performed here virtually every year since 1966), spend time at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum to learn about this incredible breed, and watch the dance troupe perform at the Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian. Also try to sneak in a visit to the Big Texan Steak Ranch for a 72-ounce steak - it is free-of-charge if you manage to finish the whole thing (including the sides) in an hour.

Suggested holiday : Self-Drive Route 66 – half way between Oklamoma City and Albuquerque, Amarillo is a great overnight stop on Route 66.

Tombstone, Arizona

Claim to fame: Nicknamed “The Town Too Tough To Die”, the entire town of Tombstone was awarded National Historic Landmark District status in 1961 for being "one of the best preserved specimens of the rugged frontier of the 1870's and 1880's”. Founded by prospector Ed Schieffelin who discovered a wealth of silver in this area in 1877 (he was warned that he would find nothing here other than his own tombstone), the town was the setting of the Wild West’s most notorious events - the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. This 30-second shootout on 26 October 1881 pitted the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan) and their sharp-shooting sidekick Doc Holliday against Billy Claiborne, Ike and Billy Clanton, and Tom and Frank McLaury. Though only 30 shots were fired in total, Billy Clanton and the McLaury brothers were dead, and Virgil and Morgan Earp and Doc Holliday were wounded (Ike Clanton and Claiborne had run for the hills).

See and do: Check out St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Rose Tree Museum & Bookstore, and the Tombstone Epitaph building in the historic area bounded by Fremont, 6th, Toughnut, and 3rd Streets, visit the 1882 Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, and take a guided tour of the Bird Cage Theatre - a drinking-gambling-performance venue that operated from 1881 to 1889. Other essential stops include the O.K. Corral for its re-enactments of the West's most famous shootout, and the Old Tombstone Wild West Theme Park for its daily gunfight shows.

Suggested holiday : Exhilarating Western USA - Family Self-Drive – we’ve set up this itinerary with families in mind, but its an equally brilliant trip for adults-only and it will all be tailormade for you. Tombstone is just an hours drive from Tucson, so you can visit before, after or during your stay in Tucson.

Dodge City, Kansas

Claim to fame: Founded in June 1872, just three months before the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad, the Queen of the Cowtowns (named for the herds of longhorns that were shipped west) was patrolled by the likes of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and gone-to-seed dentist John Henry “Doc” Holliday. Attracting an alarmingly high number of gunfighters and brothel-owners (the phrase "Get the heck out of Dodge " was coined for good reason), its reputation for being the wickedest town in the Old West later made it great fodder for Hollywood’s filmmakers. Nowadays, this formerly lawless place is less about shootouts and ladies of the night and more about meatpacking (it is home to not one but two large beef processing plants). It also famously hosts the 10-day annual festival Dodge City Days where the highlight is a longhorn cattle drive down Wyatt Earp Boulevard to kick off the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo.

See and do: Take the Historic Trolley tour to visit the original locations of the Longbranch Saloon, Gospel Hill, and the “Deadline”, take a stroll along the Dodge City Trail of Fame in the National Historic District, and visit the legendary Boot Hill Museum to experience the recreated Front Street, circa 1876. Further highlights include swigging a real Sarsaparilla at Miss Kitty's Long Branch Saloon, admiring the remnants of 1865 Fort Dodge (five miles east of the city), and spotting the wagon tracks that are still in existence on the 19th century Santa Fe Trail.

Suggested holiday : One of the reasons Dodge was such an wild frontier town was its location bang in the middle of the country, so it’s not the easiest of locations to reach on a road trip. But you could take a detour from Route 66 or we could tailormake your own adventure taking in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Kansas.

Virginia City, Nevada

Claim to fame: As one of the largest and most iconic mining magnets between Denver and San Francisco (much of the latter was built with the treasure dug up from the soil here), Virginia City sprang up as a boomtown in 1859 during the discovery of Comstock Lode - the first major silver deposit discovery in the United States. Named by Virginian miner James "Old Virginny" Finney (rumour has it that he got drunk, smashed his bottle of whiskey, and used the remains to baptise the ground after his home state), the town peaked during the 1860's - and remained a stronghold for silver and gold barons until 1878 when things were pretty much over. Nowadays, what was once nicknamed “Queen of the Comstock” feels rather like a frontier theme park complete with historic saloons, wooden boardwalks, restored 19th century buildings, and 850 residents who are mighty proud of their town which was “the richest place on earth” in its heyday.

See and do: Take the Trolley Tour for the lowdown on the major landmarks, spend the afternoon museum-hopping (there’s 17 in total, including the Way It Was Museum for lessons in mining, milling and blacksmithing), and ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad from Virginia City to Gold Hill. Also be sure to stop for a drink at Ponderosa Saloon - a beloved watering that has a walk-in 1964 bank vault as well as an abandoned gold mine beneath its bar (the 25-minute tour that guides you through the shaft has been one of the town’s biggest draws since the 1900's).

Suggested holiday : Virginia City is in Nevada close to the California border and is an easy trip from beautiful Lake Tahoe. Take a day out to visit whilst enjoying this tailormade road trip Experience San Francisco, Yosemite & Lake Tahoe Self-Drive .

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Claim to fame: Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe is the third-oldest permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi. Established in 1608 by the Spanish who came up from the south, the city has long served as the capital of the Kingdom of New Mexico, the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, the American territory of New Mexico (which contained what is today Arizona and New Mexico) and, since 1912, the state of New Mexico. Now a designated UNESCO Creative City for its flourishing arts scene, it has earned its place in history as somewhere where northern traders and trappers could trade with the southern Mexican Indians, and where western silver could be exchanged for artisanal products and local turquoise. It was also where outlaw and federal fugitive Billy the Kid spent his teen years (he was famously captured by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1880 and locked up in the old Santa Fe jail).

See and do: Spend time at the Museum of International Folk Art, The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the Museum of Indian Art and Culture, and swoon over the amazing art installations at Meow Wolf - an arts collective part-funded by Game of Thrones author and Santa Fe resident George R.R. Martin. Don’t miss the San Miguel Mission, the Loretto Chapel, and the nearly 400-year-old Santa Fe Plaza - a National Historic Landmark most famous for its Indian and Spanish markets and lovely central park lined with grass, trees, and benches.

Suggested holidays : A fabulous escorted tour which highlights superb historic locations and glorious national parks is The Magnificent Southwest, on which you’ll spend two nights in Santa Fe. This great city also features as a day trip on one of our most popular flydrive itineraries Self-Drive Route 66 or this fabulous route which takes in Yellowstone - Self-Drive American Grandeurs . Or you can spend two nights in Santa Fe with this superb itinerary travelling through the spectacular scenery of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico - Self-Drive Four-Squared.

Deadwood, South Dakota

Claim to fame: The discovery of riches in the southern Black Hills in 1874 kicked off one of the greatest gold rushes in America. Two years later, a slew of fortune-seekers made their move on this gulch of dead trees, turning Deadwood into a rough-and-ready boomtown that steadily lured bands of outlaws, gamblers, and gunslingers. Most famously, it was the stomping ground of the trigger-happy Calamity Jane, Potato Creek Johnny, Seth Bullock, and Wild Bill Hickok (who was shot in the back by Jack McCall while holding a poker hand of aces and eights, known thereafter as the Dead Man’s Hand) - all of whom were celebrated in the far-from-fictional HBO series Deadwood. Nowadays, this charming town (a National Historic Landmark since 1961) keeps its loud and lusty heritage alive with a wealth of Wild West-inspired attractions; from museums and parades to lively Vegas-style casinos (gambling was eventually legalised here in 1989).

See and do: Pay your respects to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane at Mount Moriah Cemetery (they are buried next to each other), check out historical artifacts at the Queen Anne-style Adams Museum, pan for gold at the Lost Boot Mine, and marvel at the wagons, stagecoaches and carriages at the Days of 76 Museum. Don’t leave without watching the daily shootouts on Main Street, attending the nightly trial of Jack McCall at the Masonic Temple, and nursing a whiskey or two at the rowdy Saloon #10, in sight of the (replica) chair Hickok sat in on the night he died.

Suggested holidays : To enjoy a superb Wild West experience, visiting not only Deadwood and Cody, but also staying at the renowned Ranch at Ucross and visiting the iconic sights of Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower, then look no further than this tour American Parks Trail . Or if you’re looking for a truly epic road trip which features Deadwood plus a dizzying number of “must-sees” then check out this holiday The Great American Road Trip .

Bandera, Texas

Claim to fame: Deserving of its “Cowboy Capital of the World” moniker, this Texas Hill Country site that hosted many a bloody battle between Apache and Comanche Indians and the Spanish Conquistadors was named for its red bandera (meaning banner or flag) that was flown to define the boundary between hunting grounds. Most famous as the staging area for the last great cattle drives of the late 1800’s, life here is as much about the cowboy heritage (honky-tonks, chuck wagon dinners, saloons, dude ranches) as the 120-mile Medina River that thread through the town and into the backcountry. And then, of course, there’s the annual festivals that keep the spirit of the Wild West alive, including the Cowboy Mardi Gras, Wild Hog Explosion, Spring Fling, Bandera ProRodeo, Cowboy Capital Christmas NIGHT Parade, and Mayhem on the Medina.

See and do: Spend time at a dude ranch, marvel at 40,000-plus Wild West relics at the Frontier Times Museum, take a walking tour to see the original jail and county courthouse, wander along historic Eleventh Street, and visit the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (the second-oldest Polish Catholic Church in the USA). Equally visit-worthy is the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, the Town Mountain Miniatures Museum, and Polly's Chapel - the picturesque church hand-built in 1882 by Mexican-born scout turned minister Jose Policarpio ”Polly” Rodriguez.

Suggested holidays : Self-Drive Talkin' Texas – takes you from Dallas Fort Worth to Austin, with two nights in Bandera and then onto San Antonio finishing in Houston. Following a similar route Saddle Up to Texas - Family Self-Drive , has a three night stay at a ranch near Bandera.

Silverton, Colorado

Claim to fame: At an elevation of 9,180-feet in the heart of the Million Dollar Highway, and nestled between two rugged San Juan Mountain passes, Colorado 's so-called “Mining Town That Never Quit" grew tenfold following 1873’s Brunot Treaty that gave up more than four million acres of the San Juan Mountains (it was previously held as a Ute reservation). As more settlers flooded into Silverton spurred by the promise of riches around the rivers and creeks, it became a hub for the many small towns accumulating around the biggest mines: Gladstone, Eureka, Animas Forks, Howardsville, Red Mountain, Chattanooga, and more. During this time, it was as famous for its “Notorious Blair Street” (the four-block seedy red light district lined with a vast number of dance halls, saloons, and bordellos) as for its Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - the narrow-gauge railroad laid in 1882 that travels over 45 miles of track between Silverton and Durango.

See and do: Board the northern terminus on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad tour, visit the San Juan County Historical Society Mining Heritage Centre housed in the old Silverton jail, and hang out in the lobby of the Victorian-era Grand Imperial. An absolute must is the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour - a one-hour guided tour where you’ll get ride an electric mine train one-third of a mile deep into the heart of the Galena Mountain and also watch mining demos using air-powered drills, slushers, and mucking machines dating as far back as the 1930's.

Suggested holiday : The Magnificent Southwest - This tour has already had a mention, but it really does tick so many boxes if you’re looking to discover the history of America whilst exploring spectacular landscapes.

Cody, Wyoming

Claim to fame: Much more than just a gateway for Yellowstone National Park, this self-proclaimed “Rodeo Capital of the World” was named in honour of William Frederick Cody – the charismatic American showman known by local folk as Buffalo Bill (or sometimes The Colonel). Anyone wanting to get to grips with the buckaroo spirit of the Wild West will be rewarded with a dizzying amount of attractions that serve as a reminder of the town’s past; not least in the downtown area that teems with cowboy apparel shops, atmospheric saloons, and wallet-friendly steakhouses. It’s also home to the Old Trail Town - an awesome collection of artifacts such as the grave of mountain man John Johnson, the original cabins used by Wild West outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a saloon frequented by the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, and the home of Curley - the Crow Indian scout who famously survived the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

See and do: Visit the giant Buffalo Bill Centre of the West for its five themed museums (Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indians Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, and Cody Firearms Museum), book a ranch tour to learn how to safely shoot a rifle, and take a drive on Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway - the road connecting Cody to Yellowstone’s east entrance. If you’re here between June and August, the nightly Cody Nite Rodeo is a must-do for its bucking broncos, lasso-swinging cowboys, fearless horse riders, and audience sing-a-longs.

Suggested holidays : To spend time in Cody and experience a slice of the Real America then this is the road trip for you - Self-Drive Wyoming's Wind River Country . Cody also features on our epic Great American Road Trip and also on this brilliant motorhome holiday Cowboy Country and Yellowstone by Motorhome

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Places to Visit in the USA if You Love The Wild West

If you are looking for the best Wild West towns and activities, then this article will give you some great tips!

The American Wild West is featured so often in Hollywood films and on TV that many of us feel like we know it very well – the cowboys, the gun fights, the drinking establishments, the horses and wagons…

The Wild West was so named for the lawlessness of the untamed territories west of the Mississippi River in the late 19th century.

The ‘Old West’ was famous for cowboys, native Indians, pioneers, gamblers, outlaws, gangs and gunfighters .

Famous people of the Wild West include Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Frank and Jesse James, and the Clanton gang.

And until this day the obsession with the Wild West remains strong. For many international travelers, it is an important reason for wanting to travel to the USA, and Americans look for authentic Old West vacations closer to home.

Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah receive countless tourists each year looking for Wild West attractions.

So, if you thought your childhood dreams of being a cowboy were now impossible, then think again!

These are five places you need to add to your bucket list if you love the idea of experiencing the Wild, Wild West.

Where to Go for the Best Wild West Vacations

1. grand canyon national park.

Exploring the Grand Canyon in Arizona will make you feel like you’re an actual cowboy or cowgirl, as it’s an iconic spot used heavily in the western movie genre.

Hiking through Grand Canyon’s massive expanse of gorges, ridges and rock formations is definitely something you will remember forever.

Whilst there, you can live your Old West dream and try your hand at horse riding.

Visit nearby Horseshoe Bend , one of the most photographed areas on the Colorado River, and an absolutely incredible sight.

Or travel east to take a backroads tour of Monument Valley with a Navajo guide.

Drive north into Utah to find the towering stone structures in Arches National Park which are so incredibly photogenic.

Tip: if you want to stay somewhere unique, check out the Grand Canyon Western Ranch . Set on an active ranch and offering horseback riding and wagon rides, this Old West-style resort was once owned by a notorious 19th-century gunfighter. You can choose to stay in Old West-style cottages or glamping tents.

2. New Mexico

Don your best cowboy boots and visit the Old West towns in New Mexico .

With plenty of hiking opportunities, picturesque foothills, and old mining pits, any Wild West enthusiast could spend days exploring this part of the USA.

Its past reputation as a lawless state means that many notorious Wild West legends lived and died in New Mexico: Billy the Kid was killed and buried in Fort Sumner and train robber Black Jack Ketchum was accidentally decapitated in a hanging-gone-wrong in Clayton.

Other Old West towns to visit in New Mexico:

• Las Vegas – the filming location of tens of movies and completely different from its namesake in Nevada.
• Lincoln – site of the violent Lincoln County War.
• Mesilla – where Billy the Kid was sentenced to death.
• White Oaks – once a booming mining town and now a ghost town.

And while you are in New Mexico the famous Route 66 of course can’t be missed!

3. Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Located in Cody, Wyoming, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a complex of five museums and a research library filled with artwork and artifacts of the American West.

You could spend days exploring all the collections, stories and exhibitions that work hard to truly bring the Wild West to life for its visitors– giving you a real taste of what it was like in those times.

And while you are in the area, visit nearby Old Trail Town , which is a re-created frontier town with 1800s log cabins and a saloon.

Spend the night at the Irma Hotel . This Old West hotel was built by ”Buffalo Bill” William F. Cody, who named the hotel after his youngest daughter, Irma.

Buffalo Bill was arguably the most famous American in the world during his lifetime and has been involved in many events that shaped the American West.

If you’re looking for a Wild West vacation, this is without a doubt one of the most interesting hotels to stay in.

4. Grand Canyon Railway

 Take a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway for a trip back in time.

The lovingly restored rail cars ooze 1920s grandeur and the scenery you can admire during the ride is unrivaled.

When you board this impressive Old West train, you get to experience the same journey people from all over the world have taken since the 1900s.

This is without a doubt one of the best Wild West attractions!

The Grand Canyon Railway operates between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.

5. Goldfield Ghost Town

The Goldfield Ghost Town in Arizona is much like the set of a spaghetti western. Film buffs will definitely be in their element on a visit here!

The Goldfield Ghost Town is a reconstructed 1890s town including gold-mine tours, Old West gunfights, and a history museum.

From the historic buildings, shooting gallery, antique train, and goldmines to the staged gunfights by the Goldfield Gunfighters, you can live out your cowboy or cowgirl dream here!

You can even enjoy a delicious steak in the local saloon, complete with authentic décor that harks back to your favorite era.

If you were looking for Old West towns to visit then you should definitely add Goldfield Ghost Town to your list.

Enjoy Your Authentic Old West Vacation!

If you want to experience the gun-slinging showdowns and the sprawling landscapes associated with the Wild West, make sure you add these top 5 places to your bucket list for a trip back in time to the Old West!

• 3 American States You Might Not Have Thought of Visiting
• The Prettiest Cities to Visit in the USA
• The 5 Most Important Things to Look for When Booking a Hotel Room

Like this article about places to visit for the best Wild West vacations? Pin it!

This post about authentic Old West vacations contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.

1 thought on “Places to Visit in the USA if You Love The Wild West”

USA is such a beautiful place, especially the wild west! The images that you shared are amazing. one should definitely visit the USA once.

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Travel Guide

Relive the Wild West in Kansas’ colorful cattle towns bustling with stagecoaches, shootouts, and ice-cold sarsaparilla. Our unique heritage includes famous forts and trails  along with museums devoted to Native American  history, pioneer heritage, the American Civil War, as well as the rapid development of industry and railroads in the 19th century. Plan your step back in time in Kansas today! 

A Cowboy State

Explore the old west, you may also enjoy, native american heritage.

Kansas is home to indigenous populations whose history is embedded in the very soil of the state. Learn about the culture, traditions, and…

Forts + Trails

Visit historic forts and trails in Kansas to experience the story of the nation's westward expansion and the growth of commerce. 

Head ‘em up and move ‘em out!  Grab your hat and boots for a western adventure in Dodge City.

Named one of the top 20 “best small towns to visit” by Smithsonian Magazine, Abilene is the hometown of 5-Star General and 34th…

Enjoy... the natural geographic wonders of Mushroom Rock State Park or take a walk back in time through Faris Caves, with its story-telling…

Visit Historic Lecompton: Civil War Birthplace, Where Slavery Began to Die. Lecompton was the Territorial Capital of Kansas from 1854-1861.

Fort Leavenworth

Founded in 1827, Fort Leavenworth, known as the “Post that opened the West”, is the oldest fort west of the Mississippi River in…

If you’re looking for a unique getaway with hometown hospitality, Fort Scott, Kansas is the place for you! 

WANDER IN ARIZONA

ARIZONA TRAVEL BLOG

12 OLD WEST TOWNS IN ARIZONA YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT

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There are many old west towns in Arizona if you want to travel back in time to the days of the old Wild West when the Arizona Territory was home to some of the most feared outlaws, among homesteaders and cowboys.

From Arizona’s small towns packed with rich history and legends to quirky cities and villages that are no longer inhabited, there are a lot of fascinating things waiting to be discovered.

Do you know? Today there are about 130 known ghost town sites in Arizona .

While some are completely abandoned some are among the most visited destinations in the Grand Canyon State.

These old west towns in Arizona give us glimpses of the “wicked” past through the historic old towns lined with saloons, hotels, quaint shops, and interesting museums.

These Arizona old west towns are also perfect to plan an offbeat trip without crowds.

Read on to learn about planning a trip to old west towns in AZ.

If you are game for spooky experiences of haunted hotels and streets, check out my guide to the best ghost towns in Arizona for a thrilling trip .

Table of Contents

BEST OLD WEST TOWNS IN ARIZONA

Bisbee , located near the Mexican border only about 30 minutes from Tombstone, is one of the unique old western towns in Arizona that has gained popularity in recent years.

Located southeast of Tucson Bisbee in Cochise County, nestled in the rolling mountains, does not exude the typical charm of any Arizona ghost town, as the town is home to over 4000 residents.

But the rich past of Bisbee and its excellent location and all-year-round pleasant weather make it one of my favourite Arizona mining towns.

Bisbee was accidentally discovered in 1877 by a group of US Army scouts and cavalrymen who stumbled upon significant amounts of lead, copper, and silver. 

The word soon spread resulting in a large influx of migrants looking to make the most of these minerals.

In a few years, Bisbee became known as the “Queen of the Copper Camps,” with a mining settlement for over 20,000 miners, prospectors, and their families.

Bisbee became one of the richest mineral sites in the world, producing gold, copper, silver, and zinc, producing almost a quarter of the world’s copper.

It was the largest town in the Southwest between St. Louis and San Francisco.

BEST TOURS TO EXPLORE BISBEE

✅ Half-Day Arizona Wine Country Tasting Tour – I highly recommend this day tour for all wine lovers. Taking a wine tour from Bisbee or Sierra Vista to Arizona’s picturesque wine country of Sonoita-Elgin makes a fantastic day. Read more details here to book.

✅ Guided E-Bike Tour of Bisbee, Arizona (Rating – 🤩5/5, 30+ reviews) – Join a small group and ride around Old Bisbee to learn about the town’s history, art, and architecture with guides for 2 hours. Book here .

✅ 1-Hour Tour Old Bisbee City Cart (Rating – 🤩5/5, 40+ reviews) – This is an interactive 1-hour ride through Old Bisbee, highlighting the infamous and not-famous stories and sights that make Bisbee the charming beauty it is.  Find more details here.

✅ 3 Hour Private Bisbee Pub Crawl (Rating – 🤩5/5, 10+ reviews) – Find out more here to book .

After a century of a prosperous run, the mines gave away as the mineral reserves depleted, with the last mine being shut forever in 1975.

Today, most of the rich historic past of Bisbee is well-preserved, thanks to the efforts of the residents.

Walking through the old-fashioned downtown lined with whimsical art galleries, bustling shops, unique museums, cute cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Tour the museums of Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, and Bisbee Restoration Museum to get an in-depth look into the lives of miners and settlers back in the day.

Or better, join the world-famous Queen Mine Tour, which takes you 1,500 feet underground to explore one of the abandoned mines. 

Here you will get your hands dirty wearing mining hats and slickers and riding the train deep underground to search for precious metals.

Stop at Central School, and Lavender Pit, and for some spooky experiences, you can visit the Bisbee Seance Room, a Victoria parlour for the paranormal.

Join the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour strolling amidst ancient buildings and listening to the gory tales sending a chill down your spine.

Or spend overnight at the historic Copper Queen Hotel, dating back to 1902, which is rumoured to be haunted as well.

Halloween is one of the most popular times to visit Bisbee as the whole town comes alive with many themed parties, haunted tours, and markets.

WHERE TO STAY IN BISBEE?

✅ Letson Loft Hotel – Letson Loft Hotel 🏨 is one of the best hotels in the town. Rooms also offer a kitchenette with a fridge, a microwave and a toaster.

You can also enjoy activities in and around Bisbee, like hiking and cycling. Find more details to book here .

Located south of Flagstaff and in the dense Black Hills mountain s within the Verde Valley at over 5000 feet, Jerome is one of the top old west towns in Arizona. 

Nicknamed the most vertical city, Jerome is also the largest ghost town in the United States.

If you want to be introduced to the culture of Arizona ghost towns, Jerome is the best place to be as it is one of the best mining towns symbolising the Old Wild West.

Founded in 1876 with the discovery of gold and copper deposits in the area, Jerome attracted large numbers of migrants from everywhere, mainly miners, gamblers, and old-west bad boys. 

This large-scale migration brought a wide boom, leading to the construction of many saloons and brothels.

The mines near Jerome were rich in copper rather than silver, with the mines producing 3 million pounds of copper per month, and during its peak time, the town inhabited over 15000 people.

Jerome got rightly nicknamed ‘The Billion Dollar Copper Camp’.

Here are some of the best tours I recommend to explore Jerome conveniently:

✅ Historic Tour of Jerome from Sedona(Likely to sell out)(4.9/5 50+ reviews🤩) – Enjoy fantastic mining history, charming architecture, and desert scenery on an intimate small group tour running for 4.5 hours. Find more details here.

✅ Jerome History Walk (5/5 50+ reviews🤩)- If you are in the city, I highly recommend this top 1-hour tour that gives you the best highlights of the city. Check out more details here.

✅ Wild Wild West Tour of Jerome (4.9/5 50+ reviews🤩) – This 1.5-hours Wild Wild West Tour of Jerome takes you to historical spots. Check out more details here .

✅ Jerome Tour from Sedona (4.9/5 10+ reviews🤩) – Learn about Jerome’s history, and see the sights, explore, and have lunch. On the way, you’ll stop at the ruins of Tuzigoot National Monument, an ancient Sinagua pueblo. Check out more details here of this 5-hours tour .

✅ Pandora’s Box Ghost Adventure(4.7/5 60+ reviews🤩) – Increase your chances of experiencing paranormal activity during a ‘Pandora’s Box’ ghost tour that focuses on stories of murder, lust, and revenge on this 2-hours tour. Check out more details here.

It grew into one of the richest cities in the US at this time, and over 70 years, these copper mines in Jerome generated over a billion dollars worth of precious metal.

Eventually, in the 1950s, the mines began drying up.

As expected, the town’s population dwindled to less than a hundred, Jerome was designated a National Historic District in 1967, and artists began to flock to the town in the 60s and 70s. 

Today, Jerome is home to 450 residents, making it the largest populated ghost town. 

It is a vibrant community with old buildings of the 1800s renovated into art galleries, museums, coffee shops, antique shops, craft stores, gift and curios shops, and wine bars.

Join one of the guided tours to cover the highlights of Jerome, where you will also hear many eerie and interesting tales of this mining town and its past inhabitants.

For history lovers, I recommend this excellent walking tour with a local guide .

Do you know? Jerome is also one of the most haunted towns in Arizona.

There are many popular ghost tours(read my detailed guide) , and if you are here for the first time, I recommend you join one.

No time to read the review? this ghost tour is the one highly recommend if you only have time for one ghost tour in Jerome. Check out more here .

Some of the most haunted places with bizarre and sad histories include the Ghost City Inn, Mile High Grill & Inn, a former brothel, and the Conner Hotel . 

The tour guides will tell unbelievable stories and grim events in these spots.

If you are daring, stay overnight at the Jerome Grand Hotel, also rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of patients, dead miners, and staff.

Even if you’re not into the paranormal, there are many attractions worth visiting in Jerome.

Start from downtown Jerome, home to some galleries, restaurants and tasting rooms — and the famous “Haunted Hamburger” restaurant, worth stopping for lunch or dinner.

Visit the Jerome State Historic Park, home to Douglas Mansion, built in 1916 by a mining magnate.

Check out the unique Sliding Jail, a historic building and a museum constructed in the 1920s.

Over the years, the building has slid down the hill about 200 feet to where it rests now.

The mining museum contains many excellent artefacts, photographs, and ancient equipment belonging to the miners, giving glimpses of the past of the mining town.

If you are with kids, head to the nearby Audrey Head frame Park to admire stunning views of the mountainous landscapes from the glass viewing platform over a 1918 mine shaft. 

WHERE TO STAY IN JEROME?

✅ Connor Hotel 🏨 is one of my favourites I recommend for couples and families. Featuring a bar on site, this historic inn is 20 minutes’ walk from Jerome State Historic Park.

All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen cable TV with satellite channels. Free WiFi is available. Check prices here .

Nestled in the mountains 100 miles north of Phoenix, Prescott may be larger than the other old-west towns in Arizona.

But there are plenty of places to experience the small-town charm and the old-west history.

Among the popular attractions to reminisce about the old west past is Whiskey Row. 

Believed to be one of the haunted spots in Arizona, this comprises a series of buildings housing the oldest business in Arizona, many large historic saloons, the Palace Restaurant and Saloon. 

There are many tours to explore Whiskey Row and if you have time to visit only one historic spot to experience the old west history in Prescott, I would say this should be the one.

There are many fantastic things to do in Prescott no matter when you visit, so I recommend spending at least a week in this charming town.

The many pretty Prescott Lakes are the best respite from the heat, especially Watson Lake known for its spectacular views. 

It is a fantastic stop for a day trip to enjoy paddle board, kayak, or canoeing to explore hidden coves.

WHERE TO STAY?

Hampton Inn Prescott – Hampton Inn Prescott is minutes from Buckey Casino and historic Prescott town centre.

Popular attractions, including Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument are within driving distance of the Prescott Hampton Inn. This hotel has hundreds of excellent reviews. Find more details here to book.

One of the popular wide old west towns in Arizona, Tombstone is a pretty town close to Bisbee in Cochise County and shares a common past of the Wild West and origins, with Tombstone also being discovered in the 1880s.

Tombstone, famously nicknamed the “town too tough to die,” was one of the leading silver mines during the era.

Within two years of establishment, Tombstone became one of the primarily populated towns.

It was home to more than a hundred saloons, over a dozen gambling halls, a bowling alley, many brothels, four churches, theatres, and large public office buildings. 

Tombstone was a haven for lawless gunslingers, smugglers, cowboys, miners, and immigrants.

It was abandoned in 1892 when the mines dried up.

Today, Tombstone is one of the most popular ghost towns in Arizona, receiving 400,000 tourists visiting each year.

RECOMMENDED – 35 Fantastic Things To Do In Tombstone, The Ghost Town In Arizona

Another thing that made Tombstone attract tourists happened after being the filming venue showcasing the infamous gunfight at O.K. Corral in the 1993 movie  Tombstone . 

You can experience the old west architecture in Tombstone on one of the excellent guided tours .

Or hop on a horse-drawn wagon or stagecoach.

Or better, how about explore the town on this historic Tombstone Trolley bus ?

Admire the old-time saloons, restaurants, and shops lining the old town area, especially around East Allen Street, lined with boutique gift shops and eateries. 

Theatre enthusiasts should visit Schieffelin Hall. You can also attend one of the underground mining tours.

✅ Join mysterious tours to feel spooky at Boothill Cemetery . 

Check out the iconic Bird Cage Theatre on Allen Street, a raucous saloon littered with bullet holes thanks to the infamous fight, where they regularly reenact the gunfight.

If you plan to stay overnight, I highly recommend staying at Tombstone Monument Ranch.

WHERE TO STAY IN TOMBSTONE?

✅ Katie’s Cozy Cabins 🏨 – Located in historic Tombstone, this inn is 5 minutes’ walk from O.K. Corral and Big Nose Kate’s Saloon. This self check-in property features a porch with a swing with each bungalow.

There is a fully equipped kitchenette, a bathroom with a shower and a sofa bed in the living room of each accommodation at Katie’s Cozy Cabins. Find the reviews and book your details here .

If you want to return to the days of gold mining, head to Wickenburg on the Colorado River on the northern edge of the Sonoran Desert.

Established in 1863 as a mining town following the discovery of gold nearby, Wickenburg today is a small tourist town and one of the best places to experience the old Wild West culture and heritage.

Stroll the historic Pioneer Street checking out the many saloons, historic buildings, bars, restaurants, and boutique shops amidst the old preserved buildings.

One of the most popular activities for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure lovers is exploring adventurous trails in Wickenburg in a UTV! Check out more about it here .

Explore the area of Hassayampa River, known for its mining history, lined with heritage buildings today surrounded by the flowing river amidst several hiking trails available for outdoor lovers.

Do you know? the Hassayampa River Preserve is known for its abundant landscapes that attract wildlife, especially unique desert animals, and is a fantastic spot for bird watching.

Located   40 miles east of Phoenix, Goldfield is a beautiful hamlet and the gateway to the Superstition Mountains in the legendary Valley of the Sun. 

Only a short drive from Mesa and Apache Junction , Goldfield is one of the best old west towns in Arizona known for its well-preserved mining history, apart from its beautiful location.

Unlike some Arizona ghost towns, you will see that Goldfield is not abandoned but is well-preserved.

The Goldfield Ghost Town & Mine is one of the best day trips from Scottsdale you can plan, as it is only about 10 miles away.

Goldfield was founded in 1893 when gold was first discovered in the Superstition Mountains after prospectors struck gold here.

At the time of the founding of Goldfield, miners discovered massive amounts of gold worth at least three million dollars leading to a sudden frenzy and building of the town in a short span.

Goldfield colourfully expanded to include many saloons, brothels, offices, a hotel, a theatre, a general store, a schoolhouse, and a brewery.

However, this mega success did not long last.

BEST TOURS TO EXPLORE IN GOLDFIELD

(Best Combo Tour) Private Half-Day Apache Trail Tour with Pickup(5/5 20+ reviews🤩) – If you are in Scottsdale, join this private guide and hike through the Superstition Mountains, taking in the unique scenery and learning about the fauna and flora of the Sonoran Desert for 4 to 5 hours, also stopping at Goldfield. Check more details here.

Apache Trail Day Trip Including Dolly Steamboat(5/5 40+ reviews🤩) – Make the most of your trip by carving out time for this day tour of the Apache Trail from Phoenix.

Travel down the trail, and stop at Tortilla Flat, the Superstition Mountains, and Goldfield Ghost Town. Check out more here .

Goldfield was one of the shortest-lived mining towns as the mines dried up, leading to people abandoning it only five years after its founding.

Note that Goldfield may not be to your liking if you are not into touristy towns, but it is worth checking out for all the many activities, historic buildings and family-friendly events.

Check out the famous museum, an old train steamer, mine tours, daily gunfight reenactments, the historic schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and old-style saloons alongside horses and wagons.

The historic town offers many old-west attractions where you can pan for gold.

Try the period costume with your kids. Try zipline to take in the bird’s-eye view of Goldfield.

WHERE TO STAY IN GOLDFIELD?

✅ Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Mesa East 🏨 – Set in Ciela Grande Mobile Home Park, Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Mesa East features views of the pool with excellent reviews.

Each accommodation at the 3-star hotel has mountain views and free WiFi. Check out details here.

Cave Creek, located in Maricopa County in the Sonoran Desert, about 30 minutes northeast of Phoenix is one of the popular weekend getaways for families exploring Phoenix.

This old mining town gets its name from a cave next to the creek upon which it was built. 

For the Old West experience, Cave Creek is the best town as you get transported back in time strolling amidst streets filled with Western architecture in the iconic Frontier Town.

You can easily spend a few hours exploring the many hiking trails, picnic areas, or horseback riding at Cave Creek Regional Park.

Go John Trail and Slater Trail are the popular trails in this park. 

WHERE TO STAY IN CAVE CREEK?

✅ Hilton Vacation Club Rancho Manana 🏨 – Adjacent to Rancho Mañana Golf Club and Tonto Bar and Grill, Hilton Vacation Club Rancho Manana is located in the desert foothills of Cave Creek.

Rare Earth Gallery, Frontier Town Wild West Show and Cave Creek Museum are within a mile. Find more details here.

With a perfect blend of history and the charms of a small town, Globe, located in the foothills between the Apache and Pinal mountains along Pinal Creek, is a unique town worth visiting.

Globe, nestling amidst the dense Tonto Forest Region, is one of the former mining towns in Gila County.

Globe has a rich and dark past of the Wild West, with the town home to robberies, Apache raids, cowboys, and outlaws.

Stroll through downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s.

Stop at the Drift Inn Saloon, one of the iconic landmarks here that were a former brothel, also rumoured to be haunted.

Take a tour of the Gila County Courthouse and Jail, also home to the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts.

Visit the Gila County Historical Museum, the Old Dominion Historic Mine Park, and the Besh-Ba-Gowa Archeological Park and Museum to learn about Globe’s history dating back over 900 years.

Among the top activities enjoyed by families include driving to Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive which takes you through stunning landscapes around the town.

✅ If you are feeling adventurous in Globe, try this popular Salt River Kayaking Tour with hundreds of five-star reviews, for a fun day out on the water with kids!

You can combine your visit to Globe by adding a stop at Payson , also in the Tonto National Forest with many campground options if you wish to explore further.

WHERE TO STAY IN GLOBE?

✅ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Globe, an IHG Hotel – Offering an outdoor pool, this hotel is located in Globe.

Free WiFi access is available. Apache Gold Casino is 5 minutes’ drive from the hotel. A free breakfast is served to guests daily. Find more details here.

MORE OLD WEST TOWNS IN CHLORIDE

One of the unique old west towns in Arizona known for its glorious mining past is Chloride, located previously on Route 66. 

Chloride became a prominent silver mining town in 1862 and was home to more than 75 mines and up to 5,000 residents. 

Do you know? Chloride is the state’s oldest inhabited ghost town home to about 400 residents. 

Thanks to the Chloride residents, who have taken great care to restore and maintain the history, you can still experience its rich past today.

Tour the abandoned mines and Native American carvings into rocks near the main town.

Check out the unique and quirky art, including metal sculptures amidst the colourful murals painted onto a huge granite wall outside town that can be accessed on a 1.3-mile-long rough dirt road by foot or a high clearance vehicle.

Created in 1966 by a prospector named Roy Purcell, this colourful canvas across 2,000 square feet of cliffside granite is a masterpiece.

Watch all sorts of quirky characters ranging from a giant red snake to a fertility goddess and a pair of ostriches.

✅ Grand Canyon West Hotel Sheps Miners Inn 🏨 – Located in Chloride, Grand Canyon West Hotel Sheps Miners Inn features barbecue facilities.

With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel has a garden and a bar. The accommodation provides karaoke and room service. Check out more details here .

Also located in   Cochise County, Douglas located in that Sulpher Springs Valley is one of the old west towns in Arizona with a dark and prosperous mining history.

Lying close to Mexico, Douglas was infamous for being home to outlaws, smugglers, burglars, and cowboys that carried out illegal activities across the borders.

The Douglas area was first settled by the Spanish in the 18th century, and gets its name from a prospector Douglas, and was initially an American  smelter  town, to treat the copper ores of nearby Bisbee.

Today, you can visit the mines and historic locations including the infamous Cowboys Home Saloon, and other buildings, including heritage hotels, cafes, and souvenir shops in the old west area in Douglas.

WHERE TO STAY IN DOUGLAS?

✅ The Gadsden Hotel – Featuring a bar, The Gadsden Hotel is located in Douglas. With a terrace, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.

The accommodation provides room service, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage for guests. Find more details here.

Another 1880s boom town in southern Arizona, Benson is regarded as a living museum that showcases the history of the American Southwest.

Known for its railroad history, and a rustic filming location for many old-west and ghost-themed locations, Benson is worth a quick stop for including one of the offbeat old-west towns in Arizona.

Most people pass through Benson while accessing Kartchner Caverns, the magnificent huge underground caves, a popular tourist attraction. 

Still, I recommend also checking out Benson for a day as it has many things to offer.

Stop at the Benson Visitor Center for a quick introduction to the town, check out the famous Holy Trinity Monastery,.

Walk downtown to admire the historic buildings and taste delicious beer and food at one of the many restaurants and bars there.

WHERE TO STAY IN BENSON?

✅ Comfort Inn Benson near Kartchner Caverns – Just 10 miles from Katchner Caverns State Park, this Benson hotel offers a hot continental breakfast.

Guests can take a swim in the outdoor pool. Each Southwestern-themed room includes free Wi-Fi. Check out more details here.

Rawhide may not be your typical old west town in Arizona, but it comes very close. 

Rawhide is a Western-themed amusement park located south of Phoenix and is one of the fun getaways for kids to experience all things of the wild west.

There are many activities and games available, ranging from live gun shows, and gold panning, to riding horses and mechanical bulls.

Check out the iconic Rawhide Steakhouse and Saloon known for its delicious steaks, barbeque, and prime rib that go best with plenty of drinks at the saloon.

Watch old-time gunfights by The Six Gun Theatre and Rawhide Rough Riders.

To watch plenty of Western performances, head to the Spirit of the West Theatre. 

OLD WEST TOWNS IN ARIZONA MAP

Chief Editor and CEO

Veronica Samuels is a travel content creator from San Francisco, but calls Arizona her home as she moved to the Grand Canyon state after a series of trips made her fall in love with Arizona inspiring her to move.

She created Wander In Arizona to share first-hand information about traveling to the many fantastic cities, trails, national parks, monuments and more as she continues to explore.

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The Real Wild West: A Photographic Exploration of its Untold Stories

Posted: May 24, 2024 | Last updated: May 24, 2024

A King Of The Plains, Circa 1898

History books tell us a simple story about the old west. There are tales of cowboys, Native Americans, and law west of the Pecos... but it's not the whole story. These beautifully colorized photos tell the real story about the wild west.

These snapshots of gunslingers, lawmen, and '49ers on the search for gold will show you what the history books never could. Look closer... in each photo you'll find an entire life story full of ups and downs.

Each rare, colorized photo collected here has the ability to transport you back to one of the most beloved eras of America... when the west was still being won. Keep searching and discover the true story of the old west.

This fine cowboy is a piece of art first produced for a postcard in the late 1800's. Cowboys like this one have long been a popular subject in art, capturing the imaginations of artists throughout America.  One of the earliest depictions of cowboys in art can be found in the work of Frederic Remington, a renowned artist who specialized in capturing the rugged, adventurous spirit of the American West. His iconic sculptures and paintings of cowboys on horseback, often engaged in dangerous activities like roping or hunting, helped to define the image of the cowboy in popular culture.  Other notable cowboy artists include Charles M. Russell, who also created realistic portrayals of cowboys and their day-to-day lives, and Georgia O'Keeffe, who took a more abstract approach to capturing the essence of the West.

Brow's Palace

Known as Robert Brow's Palace Saloon, or simply "The Palace", this Prescott, AZ restaurant has been a staple of the Wild West for well over a century. It was first established in the late 1800s, during the height of the Wild West era. As a hub for cowboys, miners, and travelers, it quickly became known as a place where one could find good food, great drinks, and lively entertainment. And it wasn't long before the Palace became a favorite haunt of many famous Wild West personalities, such as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. When it was burned down in 1833, Robert Brow wasn't deterred, but rebuilt it bigger and grander - and so it remains till this day. For those who love the history, culture, and adventure of the Wild West, the Palace Restaurant and Saloon is a must-visit destination.

Getting Ready For A Cattle Drive

There are few things more symbolic of the Wild West than a cattle drive. Picture it: a long trail of dust rising from the hooves of hundreds of cattle, while cowboys on horseback herded them along, singing and hollering to keep them moving. Cattle drives were a huge part of the western - and American - economy in the late 1800s, as they helped transport cattle from ranches in Texas and other southern states to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. These long, arduous journeys could take months, and cowboys had to contend with extreme weather, dangerous terrain, and the constant threat of rustlers and bandits.

Olive Oatman was abducted and sold to the Mohave tribe who gave her a noticeable blue tattoo on her face.

After she was kidnapped by an unknown Native American tribe from her homestead in what we now know as Arizona in 1851, Olive Oatman was sold to the Mohave people. She spent five years living with them. During that time they tattooed her face with the blue ink that you can see clearly in the photo.

Oatman was released after half a decade and she immediately returned home. A book was written about her time with the Mohave, and she went on a tour that helped push sales to more than 30,000 copies. After the hubub died down she moved to Sherman, Texas where she became involved with charity work while wearing a veil over her tattoo.

Last Portrait Taken Of General George Armstrong Custer

Born in Ohio in 1839 and graduated from West Point in 1861, George Armstrong Custer quickly distinguished himself as a fearless leader during the Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general at the age of 23. After the war, Custer served on the western frontier, where he earned a reputation as a fierce and daring fighter.  Custer is perhaps best known for his final battle at Little Bighorn, where he and his troops were overwhelmed by a force of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The battle, also known as Custer's Last Stand, has become a symbol of the conflict between Native Americans and the U.S. government.

Lonely Men of the Old West

The Wild West was a land of adventure, danger, boundless possibility - and loneliness. While the frontier represented a chance to start anew, it could be an isolating place, far from family and friends. As the population of the West grew, so too did the number of single men and women who sought companionship and connection in a land where social conventions were often upended. Many turned to activities like gambling, drinking, and dancing as a means of easing their loneliness and connecting with others.

Cowboy In a Saloon Bar, Wyoming

Ah, the saloons of the old west! These watering holes were more than just places to grab a drink - they were the social centers of their communities. From cowboys to outlaws to plain old townsfolk, everyone would gather at the local saloon to share a drink, swap stories, and blow off some steam. Saloons were often the site of brawls and shootouts, but they were also places where friendships were made and deals were struck. They were where people could come to forget their troubles and have a good time. While often romanticized in movies and books, there's no denying that old west Saloons played an important role in the social fabric of their time. They were places where people could come together and find camaraderie on the lonely frontier.

Bass Reaves, the inspiration for the Lone Ranger

Believed to have inspired the Lone Ranger, Bass Reeves was one of the first African-American lawmen of the old west. Born a slave in Arkansas in 1838, he was conscripted to fight for the Confederate Army while living in Texas years later. During his time in the military he escaped to Oklahoma, then known as Native territory.

Following the ratification of the 13th Amendment Bass went on to have more than 10 children in Arkansas before returning to Oklahoma where he began taking down criminals who flocked to the territory. As the first Black U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi he arrested more than 3,000 outlaws all without suffering a single shot. Bass was one of the most well known and beloved lawmen of the era.

The mugshot of Goldie Williams after her arrest for vagrancy in Omaha, Nebraska in 1898

This may be the greatest mugshot ever taken. On January 29, 1898, the five foot tall and 110 pound Goldie Williams (aka Meg Murphy) was busted for "vagrancy" while in Omaha, Nebraska and she's more than willing to give the police a piece of her mind. It's not clear what "vagrancy" actually means but it looks like she'd been arrested before.

Take note of Goldie's feather hat and gorgeous overcoat, was she actually a vagrant or was she up to something else. Her arrest records sat that her left index finger was broken and she had a cut below her right wrist. Whatever happened that night, she wasn't happy about it.

Wild Bill Hickok before he was caught with a "deadman's hand"

The world knows him as "Wild Bill" Hickok, but he was born James Butler Hickok in 1837. In his short life (he didn't live to see 40-years-old) he was everything from an entertainer, to an infantryman, and a gunslinger - although he was known to add a little spice to his personal history from time to time. However, the strangest thing about Wild Bill is that most of his stories were true. Wild Bill was shot during a game of poker in Nuttal & Mann's Saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. At his time of death he was holding two pairs: aces and eights, all black. That hand soon became known as the "dead man's hand."

In A Deadwood Bar, South Dakota

Deadwood, South Dakota, founded in 1876 during the Black Hills Gold Rush, was named after the dead trees found in the surrounding gulch. The discovery of gold brought thousands of people, including prospectors, miners, gamblers, saloon owners, and sex workers, to the area in search of fortune and adventure. Deadwood quickly gained a reputation as a lawless and dangerous place, with shootouts, brawls, and robberies occurring on a regular basis. The notorious Wild Bill Hickok was even gunned down while playing poker in a town saloon like the one pictured here. 

A gold miner with his bounty, 1851

The biggest problem with goldmining was the fact that there was very little of it to go around. There were only so many gold deposits in the 19th century and once those started to go it was pretty much game over for people coming out west by the end of the rush. As the 1850s came to a close it was no longer feasible for one person to strike it rich with a gold discovery.

William Cody before he was "Buffalo Bill"

The same year as he worked as a scout for the Grand Duke he was awared the Medal of Honor for documented gallantry, and going beyond the call of duty as an Army scout. Sadly, that medal was revoked in 1917. However it was then restored in 1988 and it was given to Cody's grandson.

Butch Cassidy mugshot

Even though he lived a wild west criminal lifestyle, Cassidy was known to be a faitly friendly guy. Not only did he rarely use his sidearm during a robbery, but he was kind to his neighbors and reportedly went out of his way to be friendly to his victims. That's exactly the kind of attitude folks like to see in an outlaw.

The legend of the Wild West, Wyatt Earp

Earp is believed to arrested around a dozen major outlaws in his tenure as a marshall in Tombstone. However, he was also on the wrong end of a murder charge from criminals who claimed that Earp shot their friends who were attempting to surrender. None of those charges ever stuck.

One of the few photos of Billy The Kid

Not a clear cut and pure criminal, Billy was made a member of the Lincoln County Regulators, a deputized posse that went out in search of the men who killed ranch-owner John Tunstall. Word spread that he had 27 kills under his belt even though the number was likely much lower. He was only 21-years-old when he was taken out by the law in 1881.

Laura Bullion poses for a mug shot with Pinkertons

Bullion took park in Cassidy's Great Northern train robbery and earned herself five years in prison in 1901. After she was released from prison she moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she tried to live a simple life away from crime. She accomplished that feat, but she fell into poverty as the 20th century continued on.

Mugshot of James Collins, a 23-year-old tailor who was arrested for burglary in Omaha, Nebraska in 1897

It's unclear why Collins has his head bandaged in this photo. It's possible that he was bonked on the head during his arrest, or more likely during his recapture. Whatever the case, this mugshot is exactly the kind of look that you'd imagine seeing all the time in the old west.

Bull Chief of the Crow people

The life of Bull Chief is one of great adventure that was sadly cut short by western expansion. His early years as a warrior were spent raiding settlements with the Crow people, but that all changed as more and more settlers came to the area. Even though he lived well into his twilight years, the changing landscape of the American west left him with nowhere to go.

Jesse James, 1892

As his legend grew, James is alleged to have written in defense of his criminal actions, saying:

We are not thieves. We are bold robbers. I am proud of the name, for Alexander the Great was a bold robber, and Julius Caesar, and Napoleon Bonaparte.

"Bandit Queen" Belle Star in Fort Smith Arkansas

 After her husband passed away she went on to become a horse thief who had a knack for evading authorities. After a short marriage in 1882, she got back to her horse thieving ways and spent a little time in jail. After a few months she was released and then hooked back up with her crew. She went back to her life of crime before she was ambushed in Arkansas and passed away on the trail.

Miners Camp in Colorado

These men became trappers, traders, and business owners, and a few of them became extremely wealthy after discovering vast deposits of silver. The brief period of gold and silver mining that took the west by storm didn't just create an American mythology, it turned men into tall tales. After all, many miners believed that all one had to do was find the right plot of land to strike it rich.

Railroad Tracks In Green River Wyoming

By 1880, the transcontinental railroad was moving at least $50 million worth of goods and services per year. Everything from gold, to food, to raw materials was being transported by rail. Henry W. Brands, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin, explained :

Together they gave the United States the single largest market in the world, which provided the basis for the rapid expansion of American industry and agriculture to the point where the U.S. by the 1890s had the most powerful economy on the planet.

A covered wagon on the Oregon Trail

In this era there were multiple types of covered wagons, but it's the prarie schooner that's the most well known wagon. Because horses were so expensive in this era most covered wagons were pulled by a mule or oxen. These early vehicles were built strong and sturdy to make it all the way across the country.

Geronimo, photographed by the U.S. Army

This photo (or at least the pre-colorized version) was actually taken by the U.S. military to use as a part of their longterm propaganda plan for the leader. Aside from photos he appeared at Wild West shows and he even attended the inauguration of President Theodore Roosevelt. Geronimo passed away on February 17, 1909 while living at Fort Sill.

Railroad laborers pose for a rare photo

By 1882, anti-Asian sentiment grew so loud that Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. This law essentially slowed Chinese immigration to just a little over 100 peiple a year. It wasn't until 1965 that the ban was lifted by the U.S. government.

"Buffalo Bill" Cody

Not just an entertainer, Cody played a major part in founding the town of Cody, Wyoming. He traveled through that part of Wyoming in 1870 and ten years later he returned to found the town. He passed away in 1917 - his funeral was attended by a king, a kaiser, and a president.

Stick 'em up, a lawman watches over the wild west

While speaking about the history of African-Americans in the old west, William Loren Katz explained :

Right after the Civil War, being a cowboy was one of the few jobs open to men of color who wanted to not serve as elevator operators or delivery boys or other similar occupations.

Calamity Jane was one of the greatest sharpshooters of the old west

In 1876, Jane stuck around the town of Deadwood, South Dakota, where she helped nurse people through a massive smallpox outbreak. After leaving Deadwood she went back to working as a scout and began winning fans in the publishing world who started writing about her life. She was happy to tell the story of her life to anyone who wanted to put pen to paper.

California prospector, 1881

By the peak of the gold rush in 1852, some $2 billion in precious metal was taken from the surrounding area. With so many '49ers coming to California, gold mining towns popped up across the state. Because of the transient nature of the inhabitants these tows were often lawless - they were the wildest places in the wild west.

Black cowboys watching over Bonham, Texas

While history focuses on white cowboys, African-American cowboys played a major part in settling the wild west. Not only did they have the skills and know-how to get things done, but they shared a brotherhood that many people who stayed out east didn't. In his 1907 autobiography, cowboy Nat Love wrote :

A braver, truer set of men never lived than these wild sons of the plains whose home was in the saddle and their couch, mother earth, with the sky for a covering. They were always ready to share their blanket and their last ration with a less fortunate fellow companion and always assisted each other in the many trying situations that were continually coming up in a cowboy's life.

The Arltington Motel in Tombstone, Arizona

What's known as the gunfight at the O.K. Corral really only lasted about 30 seconds on October 26, 1881. The explosion of gunfire was the culmination of a feud between a group called The Cowboys and the Earp family. This battle didn't end the feud, it only exacerbated the tensions between the two groups.

Dodge City, Kansas

This colorized photo, taken in 1878, shows Dodge in its heyday. The hustle and bustle of horses and carts on the street often gave way to rowdy young men looking to make a name for themselves. As much as Dodge was a cattle town it was also a rough and tumble place that required lawmen to constantly patrol the area.

Trappers and hunters in the Four Peaks country of Brown's Basin, Arizona territory

There were a large amount of freelance trappers, but there were some hunters who worked for a specific company. Either way, these men lived in the mountains all year around to stay close to their prey. These trappers changed the landscape of North America and made fur a lifestyle.

Judge Roy Bean was the law in the Old West

Even though Bean is known for being quite ferocious, most of his judgements ended with him telling the criminals to get the heck out of his saloon. He tended to rule on misdemeanors while sitting in his rocking chair on the porch of his bar. He was definitely an old west character.

Everyone sought their fortunes in the wild west

During the 19th century the women who shaped the old west often had to be larger than life. Anyone who didn't do whatever they could to be as well known as possible was lost in the shadows. That's the way things went in the old west.

The Klondyke dance hall and saloon at the Alaska-Yulon-Pacific Exposition

There's very little said as to how the saloon became too realistic, but it's likely that things just got out of hand. Or maybe some cowboy holdovers took the whole thing to heart and started slamming sasparilla and throwing punches. You never know what's going to happen at a good ol' fashioned exposition.

Abductee Jimmy McKinn with the Apachee tribe

Abductions by indigenous peoples were believed to be common in the old west, but it's not clear exactly how many people were actually kidnapped as settlers moved west. It definitely happened, but it wasn't the epidemic that people at the time (and westerns of the early 20th century) made it out to be. Even so, people had to be vigilant with life on the plains.

A Navajo man in full ceremonial regalia, complete with mask and body paint, in 1904

In the late 1800s , U.S. Army leader Kit Carson led a scorched earth campaign against the Navajo people, leaving them decimated. Those who survived the brutal battles with the military were forced to walk a 350 mile trail to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. It was there than the Navajo Tribal Council was created. 

An elderly Wyatt Earp, 1920s

Later in his life, when asked about his decision to get into a vendetta with a group of cowboys at the O.K. Corrall, Earp stated that he had no regrets. He said :

For my handling of the situation at Tombstone, I have no regrets. Were it to be done over again, I would do exactly as I did at that time. If the outlaws and their friends and allies imagined that they could intimidate or exterminate the Earps by a process of murder, and then hide behind alibis and the technicalities of the law, they simply missed their guess. I want to call your particular attention again to one fact, which writers of Tombstone incidents and history apparently have overlooked: with the deaths of the McLaurys, the Clantons, Stillwell, Florentino Cruz, Curly Bill, and the rest, organized, politically protected crime and depredations in Cochise County ceased.

A picture of Portsmouth Square in San Francisco, California, 1851, during the Gold Rush

As soon as the gold rush hit, the square became the place to be. It was a meeting place for miners and panhandlers alike, as well as for folks just trying to hear the latest gossip. Portsmith Square is still going as strong as it was in the 19th century today.

Trappers in an old saloon

The earliest saloons catered to fur trappers and tradesmen in the early 1800s. By the 1880s there were multiple saloons per town vying for the attention of newcomers. No matter which saloon a cowpoke called home they rarely served anything but room temperature beer or straight whiskey. These fellows would have handed anyone their hat if they ordered a "skinny marg" or a cosmopolitan.

Immigrant laborers in the old west

The Los Angeles Times reports that many Chinese immigrants took on some of the most low paying and dangerous jobs to show just how hard they could work. on June 24, 1867, the whole of the Chinese laborers stopped working to demand the same pay as their white counterparts. After eight days their pay was raised although it's likely it wasn't paralleled with the pay of their fellow workers.

“The Interview,” taken after the Battle of Little Big Horn

Few members of the military survived, and many of the men is General Custer's family were wiped out. However, Evan S. Connell of the Son of the Morning Star reported that one member of Custer's crew survived:

Comanche was reputed to be the only survivor of the Little Bighorn, but quite a few Seventh Cavalry mounts survived, probably more than one hundred, and there was even a yellow bulldog. Comanche lived on another fifteen years, and when he died, he was stuffed and to this day remains in a glass case at the University of Kansas.  

A mountain of bison skulls

To go about their plan the U.S. Army was given the go ahead to indiscriminatly take out bison. Entire herds were wiped out, bringing the numbers of bison down from 60 million to something like 300(!) by the end of the 1800s. Thanks to Congress, bison numbers have risen to 200,000 today.

Teddy Roosevelt, 1907

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was famously fascinated with the Wild West and the rugged individualism of its people. His love for the region began in his youth, when he traveled to the Dakotas to hunt bison and other game.  As a young adult, Roosevelt became increasingly drawn to the region and the people who called it home. He spent time working as a rancher in the Dakota Badlands and even wrote a book about his experiences called "Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail."  Throughout his life, Roosevelt remained passionate about the West and its people. He championed conservation efforts in the region, helping to create national parks and wildlife refuges. He also continued to visit the West throughout his presidency, even inviting cowboy performers to the White House for a show.  Roosevelt's love for the Wild West was a significant part of his legacy, helping to shape his policies and his image as a rugged, independent leader.

The Wawona Tree

Located in Yosemite National Park, the Wawona Tree was a giant sequoia that stood over 200 feet tall and had a tunnel carved through its base, allowing visitors to drive their stagecoach, wagon, or car right through the tree.  But the Wawona Tree wasn't just a tourist attraction - it was a symbol of resilience and strength. Despite being carved into and driven through by wagon and car over the years, the tree continued to grow and thrive, standing tall and proud in the heart of the park.  Sadly, the Wawona Tree fell during a winter storm in 1969, but its legacy lives on. Today, visitors can still see the tree's massive stump and reminisce about the days when they walked through its towering trunk.

Traveling Medicine Show, 1800's

Back in the 1800s, traveling medicine shows were all the rage. These shows, which traveled from town to town across the country, were a spectacle to behold - part entertainment, part education, and part snake oil salesmanship. Often led by charismatic "doctors" who promised to cure any ailment with their miracle elixirs, these shows included music, comedy, and even acrobatics. But the main attraction was always the medicine, which was sold to the crowds at exorbitant prices.  Traveling medicine shows were extremely popular, as they were often the only form of entertainment in small western towns, and brought a sense of excitement to isolated communities

In the Wild West, stagecoaches were a primary mode of transportation. These iconic vehicles were the backbone of commerce and travel for small western communities, transporting people, mail, and goods across vast distances. But stagecoach travel was no easy feat. Passengers would have to endure bumpy rides, unpredictable weather, and the constant threat of bandits and outlaws. But stagecoach travel was an essential part of life - it brought people together, facilitated trade, and helped to shape the landscape of the American West.

Punishment at the Canon City State Penitentiary 1890

No, this isn't a scene from 50 Shades Of Grey, and this fellow is getting a bit more than a spanking. The captive pictured here is positioned over a disciplinary worktable known as the "Old Gray Mare," which restrains the individual and allows the guard unrestricted access to administer punishment without fear of the prisoner striking back. The "punishment", in this case, was a paddling with a large, hinged paddle to the captive's buttocks. The bucket of water seen on the ground was used to wet the paddle to maximize the pain of the impact. Cruel and curious punishments like this one were not uncommon in the Old West. 

Pike's Peak Prospector, 1890

This photo of a hardened prospected was taken in Pike's Peak, Colorado by photographer William Henry Jackson. In the mid-nineteenth century, thousands of prospectors like this one journeyed to the region in search of fortune and adventure - and gold. The influx of settlers and miners led to clashes with the indigenous population, and the environment was irreparably altered by the massive amounts of mining activity. Still, the legacy of the Colorado Gold Rush endures, a testament to the courage and determination of those who were willing to risk everything for a chance at success.

Parcel Delivery 1910

For many in the American West, receiving the mail was the highlight of their day. It was a chance to hear from loved ones, learn about the latest news, and get updates on the world outside their own community. And for the mail carriers themselves, it was a chance to connect with people in the places they visited, often forming close relationships with the families on their routes. Mail carriers traveled for miles and miles on horseback or in wagons to deliver mail to ranchers and families who lived far away from civilization. The job of a rural mail carrier was not an easy one, however. They often had to contend with harsh weather, rough terrain, and long hours on the road. But they were dedicated to their work, and took pride in ensuring that every letter and package reached its destination in a timely manner.

Ojibwe Man Spear Fishing, 1908

 From the shores of the Great Lakes to the forests of the Northwoods, the Ojibwe people have thrived in some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes on Earth, preserving their culture through countless challenges and hardships. Their traditions and values have been passed down from generation to generation, woven into the fabric of their daily lives and celebrated in their ceremonies and art. From birch bark canoes and wild rice harvesting to the intricate beadwork and storytelling of their elders, the Ojibwe have created a culture that is both unique and enduring. One such tradition is spearfishing:  The Ojibwe people have a special relationship with the waters of the Great Lakes, and their fishing practices reflect this deep connection. Spearfishing is a highly skilled and respected art form, requiring patience, strength, and an intimate understanding of the natural world.

The Cow Boy, 1887

 This photo taken near Sturgis, Dakota Territory, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the cowboys of the American West -  the rugged individuals who braved the harsh, unforgiving terrain of the wild frontier, living a life of adventure and danger that few could match.  From their signature Stetson hats to their worn-in boots and spurs, cowboys were known for their distinctive style. They were also skilled riders, able to tame even the wildest of horses, and expert marksmen, always ready for a showdown.  But cowboys were more than just rough and tumble cowhands. They were often poets, storytellers, and musicians, sharing their tales and songs around campfires under the stars. And while they were known for their independence and self-reliance, they also had a deep sense of loyalty to their fellow cowboys and to the land they roamed.

Miners During The California Gold Rush

 In the mid-1800s, the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada mountains drew people from all walks of life to the untamed frontier of California, seeking their fortunes in the wild and lawless goldfields. The gold rush created a unique and diverse community, with people from all over the world converging on the goldfields. Chinese immigrants, Mexican-Americans, and African Americans joined the throngs of fortune seekers, each bringing their own unique perspectives and cultures to the burgeoning boomtowns. But the gold rush was not without its challenges. Lawlessness and violence were rampant in the goldfields, and many prospectors fell victim to robbery and murder. Yet despite these dangers, the allure of riches and adventure kept people coming, with nothing more than a pickaxe and a dream. 

Portrait Of A Young Cowboy

This young cowboy is Earle Forrest, and he was more than just a cowboy! Forrest was also a renowned photographer of the wild west, having fallen in love with the frontier at a young age. He worked on various ranches throughout his youth, moving from state to state, and is famous for his photography of the Hopi people, their culture, ceremonies, and traditions. 

Texas Ranger Frontier Battalion

This photograph of Texas Rangers was taken in Rio Grande City, October 1887. Standing from left to right are J. Walter Durbin and James W. King, while seated are George Parker and Robert McNamar. The Texas Rangers Frontier Battalion was (and still is!) an iconic law enforcement organization that has become synonymous with the Wild West. Comprised of fearless men who risked their lives to protect the citizens of Texas, the Frontier Battalion was established in the late 1800s to combat lawlessness and enforce the law in the state's remote regions. They patrolled the vast expanses of Texas, often on horseback, and tracked down notorious outlaws, rustlers, and other criminals who roamed the frontier. Their legendary exploits and daring raids against notorious criminals have been the stuff of Wild West lore.

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9 Places to Experience the Old West in Metro Phoenix

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Yes, Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the country. But that doesn’t mean it's lost touch with its Wild West heritage, horse ranches, ghost towns, and saloons.

We’ve traveled to every corner of the Valley and found iconic places to experience the Old West across town – from the Vulture Mine in Wickenburg to the Queen Creek Horseshoe Park to the Heard Museum in Central Phoenix.

Here are 10 spots carrying over the spirit of the Arizona territory. Just prepare to get a little dusty.

Buffalo Chip Saloon Located in Cave Creek (an Old West destination in and of itself), Buffalo Chip Saloon is where the Old West meets the honky-tonk, according to owner Larry Wendt. Wendt was always into chuck-wagon cook-offs and Western culture, but once he retired from law enforcement, he fully immersed himself in the Old West.  Buffalo Chip is known for its events, including live music (usually from the Pick o' the Litter band) and dancing, food cooked in Dutch ovens, and weekly bull riding. Wendt guarantees authenticity to patrons at Buffalo Chip, 6811 East Cave Creek Road. There are horse amenities in case you travel by steed, a buffet of briskets, cowboy beans, and honey butter biscuits, and “a lot of boots and hats.” Call 480-488-9118 or see www.buffalochipsaloon.com .

Heard Museum A staple in central Phoenix since 1929, the Heard Museum focuses on American Indian art and history with living exhibits on American Indian heritage. Located at 2301 North Central Avenue, the institute is also a well-known host of annual events like the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, the El Mercado de Las Artes, and the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. Starting April 9, 2016, the Heard Museum will feature a highly anticipated Old West exhibit – "Over the Edge: Fred Harvey at the Grand Canyon and in the Great Southwest." Diana Pardue, curator of collections at the Heard Museum, says the story they tell couples the Santa Fe Railway with “Fred Harvey’s promotion of travel on the railway using Native American imagery, both of people and of objects,” she says, “And in addition to that we look at a lot of the Native American individuals who worked with the Fred Harvey Company.” Call 602-252-8840 or visit www.heard.org .

Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre Set in the Town of Queen Creek at the site of the former Desert Wells Stage Stop of the 1800s and early 1900s,  Queen Creek Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre has embraced the area’s equestrian heritage since opening in 2008. Scoot your boots over to the park at 20464 East Riggs Road, as the center hosts (often-free) events such as the Roots N’ Boots Rodeo and Extreme Mustang Makeover, and organizations including the Arizona Cutting Horse Association and Cowboy Mounted Shooting. According to center representative Constance Halonen-Wilson, “Patrons can experience the Old West lifestyle at the 4-H County Finals or the Chandler Vaqueros Saddle Club.” Which is to say, this is “agritainment” at its best. For details, call 480-358-3710 or see www.queencreek.org/departments/horseshoe-park-equestrian-centre .

Lost Dutchman State Park If you’re not from the East Valley, you’ll recognize the familiar backdrop of Lost Dutchman State Park if you’ve ever headed east – and we mean east – on U.S. Route 60. Found along the famed Apache Trail at 6109 North Apache Trail, the park doesn’t have Old West structures or artifacts, but what it does have is this: authentic scenery of the authentic West (heck, further back than that). What it also has is the "Old West lure of the fabled Lost Dutchman Mine for visitors to experience," says park manager Tim Kristof in an email. "Of course, some of it is based upon the visitor's vivid imagination." Try to find the famous mine yourself, but watch your footing. “Scattered at the foot of the Superstition Mountainous area are ‘holes’ (known as prospects) dug into the earth by desperate miners called ‘prospectors’ searching for that oh-so-rare yellow metal we know as gold,” says Kristof. “Gold fever was rampant in the Old West and somewhat for a few souls today.” Call 480-982-4485 or visit www.azstateparks.com/parks/lodu.

MacDonald’s Ranch Spanning 1,280 acres, the entrance to MacDonald’s Ranch , which features a horse painted as the Arizona flag, can’t be missed along the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive in north Scottsdale. “This is still the Old West,” says owner and founder’s son, Robert “Robbie” Richardson. “This is one of the last little places in Scottsdale to a get Western experience.” Originating as Old MacDonald Farm in the 1950s, the ranch, located 26540 North Scottsdale Road, offers horseback rides, cookouts, and a frontier town. The ranch only charges admission in October for its annual pumpkin patch (horses and wagons are still used to serve about 30,000 attendees). MacDonald’s Ranch has close to 100 homegrown horses. “I can tell you all their names, but I can’t give you a number,” says Richardson. But, “I know when one’s missing.” Call 480-585-0239 or see www.macdonaldsranch.com .

Pioneer Living History Museum Found up Interstate 17 at the appropriate Pioneer Road exit, the Pioneer Living History Museum showcases the spirit of a late 1800s pioneer village in just 90 acres at 3901 West Pioneer Road. Here you’ll find authentic to historically accurate structures like a stone corral, sheriff’s office, church, bank, blacksmith, carpenter, and the opera house. You also can’t miss the helpful interpreters dressed as “cowboys, lawmen, and lovely Victorian ladies.” The neighboring Ben Avery Shooting Facility adds a little bit of authenticity, as shots can be heard in the distance – just like the Wild West. Call 623-465-1052 or see www.pioneeraz.org .

Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse This one may be obvious, but it's still relevant. Chandler's  Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse – locally referred to as just “Rawhide” – evokes thoughts of Michael Crichton’s 1973 film Westworld . Open to the public Friday through Sunday, Rawhide does a lot as a Western-themed destination at 5700 West North Loop Road. See live-action stunt shows at Six Gun Theater, paw through 1880s souvenirs at the General Store, dress up in old-timey costumes at Photo Emporium, and hit the popular Rawhide Steakhouse. Other attractions in this here town range from the Barnyard Express Kiddie Train to a mechanical bull simply called “The Widowmaker.” For more information, call 480-502-5600 or see www.rawhide.com .

Vulture Mine Out in Wickenburg, the  Vulture Mine was “to date, the largest gold-producing mine in Arizona,” according to tour assistant Carrie Smith. Henry Wickenburg discovered the mine around 1863, and by 1866, a settlement formed. “At one time 5,000 people were living in what was called Vulture City,” Smith says. The mining camp had it all: a schoolhouse, saloon, brothel, and “they even had a tennis court.” The mine operated until 1942, and Vulture City was eventually abandoned. It is now known as Vulture City Ghost Town, 36610 North 355th Avenue, and it is said to be haunted. Today, two-hour guided tours are offered Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Along a half-mile dirt path you’ll see Henry Wickenburg’s cabin and the iconic Hanging Tree. Smith describes this excursion as a “very rustic experience” and “an off-the-grid, raw tour” – so, truly Old West. For more info, call the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce at 928-684-5479 or visit  www.vultureminetours.com . 

Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West A recent addition to the Valley’s many Western spots also holds some of the most iconic and influential Western artifacts and artwork in ... we want to say, the world. Western Spirit – otherwise known as the Scottsdale Museum of the West – opened in January 2015 at 3830 North Marshall Way, and has since been certified as a Smithsonian Affiliate museum, and awarded the 2016 “Best Western Museum” by True West Magazine (headquartered in Cave Creek). The museum currently houses the Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection and "Courage and Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the Early American West." The latter features Kit Carson’s actual pistol. The museum also offers works by all 77 Cowboy Artists of America and an interactive Lewis and Clark exhibition. For more information, call 480-686-9539 or see www.scottsdalemuseumwest.org .

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From Baja to British Columbia, these are the 101 best West Coast experiences

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Walk the vast salt flats of Death Valley. Enter a den of magic and mystery on a Hollywood hilltop. Sidle up to a whale in a Baja lagoon. Tiptoe above a misty forest in Vancouver. Page through rare books under an open sky in Ojai. Though it rises, falls and sprawls for thousands of miles, this is our backyard. We’ll help you explore it. Here in these stories, find out what makes the West Coast, well, the absolute best coast.

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9 Things to See in Moscow's Red Square

 Sir Francis Canker/Getty Images

In most cases, you'll be entering Red Square from the north, passing landmarks such as the Bolshoi Theatre and Duma parliament building as you make your way southward. Although you don't necessarily have to pass through the Voskresensky (or Resurrection in English) Gates in order to gain access to the square these days, they definitely provide a sense of arrival, to say nothing of the way their left arch frame's St. Basil's Cathedral if you look from just the right angle.

An interesting fact is that while a gate of some kind has stood here since the mid-16th century, the one you currently see wasn't built until 1994, having been destroyed in 1931 so that tanks could enter and exit Red Square during military parades.

St. Basil's Cathedral

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson 

Few sights are as iconic not only of Moscow and Red Square but indeed of Russia than St. Basil's Cathedral, whose colorful, onion-shaped domes are a symbol of the country around the world. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, this church has stood since 1561, which is quite miraculous when you consider all the turbulent history that has transpired since then.

Among other things, religion was severely prohibited during the Soviet period , which led some to believe that this emblem of the Russian Orthodox church might not withstand the tenure of the USSR. 

An interesting fact is that St. Basil's is the so-called "Kilometer Zero" of Russia; all of Moscow's main roads (which can take you anywhere in Russia) begin at the exits to Red Square. In this way, St. Basil's iconic status also has an extremely tangible element.

The Kremlin

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

When you think of The Kremlin, it's unlikely that positive images enter your mind. The fact that simply saying the word "Kremlin" is too vague a descriptor (most Russian cities have their own Kremlin complexes; you should say "Moscow Kremlin") notwithstanding, this misunderstood place is incredibly beautiful, even if you don't like the policy that comes out of it.

Senate Square

In spite of its name, which refers to the role the building that rises above the square played during Imperial Russia, Senate Square is actually home to Russia's presidential administration, currently helmed by Vladimir Putin. In order to see where Russia's legislature operates from, walk just outside Red Square to the Duma parliament building.

Dormition Cathedral

Dating back to the year 1479, the gold-domed Dormition Cathedral pays homage to an Orthodox religious feast that commemorates the death of the Virgin Mary . As is the case with St. Basil's, it is curious that such a conspicuously religious structure was able to survive through the Soviet period.

Armoury Chamber

Though it takes its name from the fact that it housed Russia's royal arsenal when it was built in the 16th century, the most notable resident of the Kremlin's Armoury Chamber today is the Russian Diamond Fund.

Notable Kremlin Towers

Robert Schrader

The interior of the Moscow Kremlin is more beautiful and inviting than you'd expect, but the walls and towers that rise around it better live up to the intimidation with which the complex is associated. 

Borovitskaya Tower

Named to commemorate the dense forest that once stood atop the mount where it's built, this tower is extremely picturesque. Built in the late 15th century, it's visible from most places in the square, and also as you walk along the Moskva River.

Nikolskaya Tower

Also built in the year 1491, this tower currently suffered destruction at the hands of Napoleon's army in the 19th century. What you see now is the result of an 1816 re-design and renovation, though artillery fire during the Russian Revolution also caused superficial damage to the tower, named to honor St. Nikolas of Mozhaysk , so it's difficult to know which elements of it are original.

Spasskaya Tower

Known in English as the "Savior's Tower," this iconic, star-topped tower is perhaps the best-known of all the Kremlin's towers. Built in 1491 like the other two towers on this list, it's certainly the most photographed. As a result of its proximity to St. Basil's, it often makes its way into tourists' pictures.

Mausoleum of Lenin

Just as it's strange to learn how many religious monuments survived through the Soviet period, it's a bit odd to think that Lenin's preserved body still sits in a mausoleum just beneath the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square, given the lack of consensus about the ultimate impact of his Revolution, even in Russia.

It's not guaranteed that you'll be able to see the body (which, believe it or not, seems to be improving with age ) when you go, and if you do you will likely have to wait in line, but even strolling past the outside of the Lenin Mausoleum, flanked by stone-faced guards that almost look like statues, illuminates the gravity of his body still being here.

GUM Shopping Center

You might cringe, at least initially, when you realize that one of the most iconic stops on a tour of Red Square is a department store—until you see said department store, that is. Built in 1893 and known during Soviet times as the State Department Store, GUM  ( Glávnyj Universáľnyj Magazín​ or Main Universal Store in English) hearkens back to the grandeur of the late 19th century, both seen from the outside (especially, when lit up at night) and the interior, which might have you feeling like you're further west in Europe.

A trip inside GUM is a particularly good idea during winter, when frigid temperatures outside will have you savoring the heat, the quality of souvenirs, confections and other goods sold inside notwithstanding. Also, make sure not to confuse GUM with CDM, which sits near the Bolshoi Theatre, even though both are stunning and iconic in their own right.

State Historical Museum

The Russian State Historical Museum is located near Voskresensky Gates, though you should wait until after you've seen the first few attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin to head back there and go inside. To be sure, as you pass by its facade (whose late-19th century grandeur somewhat obscures that fact that it's currently a museum accessible to the public) you might not even think to try and gain entry.

Once inside the museum, you can plan to spend at least a couple of hours, given that artifacts here date back to the very beginning of the Russian state in the ninth century. As is the case with GUM, this will be a particularly alluring prospect if you visit in winter, when Moscow is arguably at its most beautiful, but certainly at its least tolerable. 

Minin-Pozharsky Monument

It's somewhat easy to disregard this monument, which pays homage to the two Russian princes who ended the so-called "Time of Troubles" in the mid-16th century, during which Polish-Lithuanian forces occupied Russia, among other awful things including a famine. That's because the statue currently sits just at the base of St. Basil's Cathedral, which makes it very difficult to photograph or even see without being overwhelmed by that much more famous edifice.

Though the statue originally sat at the very center of Red Square, it came to be an obstacle to the movement of tanks during the Soviet period, much like the Voskresensky Gates. As a result, authorities moved it during that time, and it's stayed where you currently find it ever since.

Kazan Cathedral

Taken by itself, the smokey-pink Kazan Cathedral is an architectural marvel; originally built in the 17th century, the church you find here today, located just north of the GUM department store, dates back only to 1993.

Unfortunately, since it sits not only in the shadow of GUM, but also in the shadow St. Basil's and the Towers of the Kremlin, it's easy to miss entirely if you aren't looking. As a result, you might wait until you've seen just about everything else in Red Square before coming here to take photos, and to appreciate the understated beauty of this oft-overlooked cathedral.

Moskva River

As you head south from St. Basil's Cathedral to exit Red Square, make sure to walk onto Bolshoy Moskvoretskiy Bridge, which crosses the Moskva River. If you look due north, you can get an excellent shot of the church framed, on the left, by the towers of the Kremlin. Directing your gaze a bit to the west allows you to see the skyscrapers of Moscow City as they rise above the Kremlin's walls.

Walking westward along the riverbank is also a worthwhile excursion, for the views it provides of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as the fact that doing so takes you to other iconic Moscow attractions, including Gorky Park and the Pushkin Museum. The views you enjoy from the river and the bridge are particularly stunning at night, though you should make sure you bring a tripod if you want to get a clear picture, given how strong winds over and near the river can be.

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25 Places to Visit in Moscow you Can’t Miss

25 Places to Visit in Moscow

Do you know what the most populous city in Europe is? Most people wouldn’t guess that it is actually Moscow. There are approximately 13 million people in the Moscow metro area, which amounts to approximately 1/10th of all Russians.

This former capitol of the Soviet Union is still the political and financial center of Russia. Just because it is a current business and government city, in no way means that it is boring and not worth a visit. Assuming the political tensions get solved, Moscow is a fascinating city you need to visit.

While lots of people can’t explain the nuances of Russian architecture, most can spot and appreciate it immediately. One of the best ways to see the historic sites is by taking a boat tour down the Moskva River that meanders through the city.

Overall, navigating the city isn’t difficult as there is phenomenal and cheap public transportation (roughly 30 rubles/35 cents per ride). You can also use a cheap Uber on the three ring roads that circle the city at various distances from the center.

Still wondering why you should visit this historic masterpiece of a city? Read on to see the top 25 things you need to see in Moscow.

The House with Animals

This former church is famous for the terracotta reliefs of animals that adorn the front of the building. It is a favorite of locals, and famous around the world. It was built in approximately 1900.

Resurrection Gate or Iberian Gate and Chapel

The Resurrection Gate is now one of the most common ways to enter Red Square. This gate is also the only standing part of the wall that was the entrance to to Kitai-Gorod, or Moscow’s historic central business district.

Book your tour: Moscow Kremlin Armory Chamber Entrance Ticket

St. Basils Cathedral

Probably the most famous of the Red Square attractions is St. Basil’s Cathedral. I don’t know if the legend is true or not, but supposedly Tsar Ivan IV poked the eyes of the architect out after completing it so nothing as pretty could be made again. What an awful boss!

Book your tour: Moscow: Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square Private Tour

Book your tour: St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square: Private Tour and Ticket

The State Historical Museum

If you are like me then you can’t help but find all the twists and turns of Russian history fascinating. The State Historical Museum at Red Square is a fantastic place to learn and study the Russian Relics.

Book your tour: Kremlin, Red Square, and Metro Tour with Pick-Up

Moscow River Cruise

The Moskva River cuts directly through the heart of Moscow. Want to see it all but rest your feet? One of the best things to do in Moscow at night is float along on a dinner cruise . The lights of the city are so beautiful. Of course, dinner in included.

Book your tour: Night lights Moscow Cruise (with Dinner option)

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

This is one of the most unique things to do in Moscow. If you know that many American video games paint the Russians as the bad guys, then it’s probably not surprising to learn that you can find an entirely different variety of video games in Russia. This isn’t a recent phenomenon; even historically the video games were different. If you are a video game buff then this stop is for you!

Main Church of the Armed Forces in Park Patriot near Kubinka

This church attempts to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as Russian military leader. Yes, it’s an awkward amalgamation. It caused quite a controversy when there were plans to create murals of Vladimir Putin and Joseph Stalin to go along with the ones of Jesus Christ (those plans were scrapped).

Bunker 42 (Cold War Museum)

Tunnel at Bunker-42, anti-nuclear underground facility built in 1956 as command post of strategic nuclear forces of Soviet Union.

Americans weren’t the only ones afraid during the Cold War! You can now discover the most secret and secure Bunker of the USSR, Bunker 42. Also known as the Cold War Museum . This former military communication center is now a museum. I recommend this tour that will take you on a private two hour visit of Bunker 42.

If you aren’t interested in a guided tour you can book your tickets in advance here.

Get your tickets: Bunker 42 Admission Ticket and Cold War Tour

Tank Excursion and Bazooka Shooting in Moscow

For real – you can book this tour and actually ride in a tank and shoot off military grade weapons. While that’s not my cup of tea, I know tons of guys would absolutely love to shoot a bazooka!

Book your tour here .

Dormition Cathedral

This is another Russian Orthodox cathedral that is located inside the Moscow Kremlin. It is another famous landmark of Moscow. The inside is decorated with ancient frescoes.

The Cathedral of the icon of the Mother of God “Sign”

This cathedral is located in Zaryadye Park (adjacent to Red Square). It is also on the Moskva River. The Cathedral of the icon of the Mother of God “Sign” previously was a monastery.

Komsomolskaya Metro station 

So many of the metro stations are breathtaking works of art. The idea was to create something beautiful that all the regular people could enjoy, or if you are more cynical you could say it was to attempt to show off how well they were doing.

Book your tour: Moscow: Small Group Metro Tour

The Round houses at Dovzhenko Stree t

The Round houses at Dovzhenko Street look super cool and futuristic, except like many communist projects didn’t actually work that well. They were supposed to be something new and different from the standard “Soviet Blocks.”

There are a number of problems with this design. Supposedly the acoustics are awful making the apartments perpetually noisy. The inner circle becomes a wind chamber even when it’s not that windy. My favorite weakness is that the trapezoid shape of apartments is hard to decorate and even harder to do maintenance on.

Izmailovo District and Izmailovo Kremlin

This area has to be one of the coolest places to visit in Moscow. It features a park in the middle of Moscow that is over 3x the size of New York City’s Central Park. The Kremlin in Izmailovo is a complex located in the Eastern Administrative District of Moscow that is known as the center of culture and entertainment. The wooden buildings are in Russian architecture of the XVI-XVII centuries (not original).

Izmailovo Kremlin on Google Maps .

Tretyakov Gallery

For those that appreciate fine art this is where you have to go. The State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow Russia is the best collection of Russian fine art in the world. The museum previously hosted worldwide chess tournaments (I can’t help be think of the Queen’s Gambit).

Book your tickets in advance here. Tickets cost about $13 per person.

Kolomenskoe Estate

This reconstruction of a former royal estate is just a few miles southeast of the Moscow city center. Supposedly really detailed historical plans survived, so the reconstruction and current museum is incredibly authentic. It was completed in 2010.

Old buildings of Arbat

Arbat is an old street, and was previously the “nicest place to live in Moscow. Even though it fell into disrepair, it’s location, it’s historical buildings, and the fact that it is a pedestrian street are quickly making it a top place to live again.

The Melnikov House

Located on Arbat street, the Famous house of architect Melnikov designed this house (and Lenin’s sarcophagus). Melnikov designed it at a time when private ownership was outlawed, but got around this restriction by saying it was an experimental design to maximize space. Even though others weren’t built, he was able to keep it.

The New Maiden Convent

The New Maiden Convent, built was built to resemble a mini-Kremlin. It stands out to me because this “convent” was the place where women who were no longer welcome in the royal court were banished to.

Monument to the Conquerors of Space at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in the Cosmopark

The Americans may have made it to the moon first, but the Russian cosmonauts were first in a number of other achievements. This gigantic obelisk pays homage to their accomplishments.

Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve

This royal estate was founded by Catherine the Great. She was Russia’s longest serving female leader. It is now a gorgeous museum!

Stalinist Skyscraper tour

This group of seven skyscrapers are called the Seven Sisters. They were all made in the Stalinist style, and one was previously the tallest building in Europe. If you want to tour them all while learning about their history book here .

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

It’s ironic that a country that was so anti-religion for so long has so many great churches. The Cathedral for Christ the Savior was made to thank Jesus for saving Russia. If you are interested in visiting this and so many other cathedrals in Moscow I recommend this tour that will take you to The Cathedral of Christ the Savior many other popular churches in Moscow.

Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

This church on Red Square is reconstruction of what was previously there but ordered to be destroy by Joseph Stalin. It is a travesty thinking of all the beautiful things that Stalin destroyed to attempt to implement his vision.

Zaryade Park

Zaryadye Park is one of the main tourist attractions in Moscow. It is located directly next to the Kremlin, and offers truly amazing views. It is also famous for its “floating bridge” and the fact that there are so many unique features underneath it.

Church of Sign of Blessed Virgin in Dubrovitsy Znamenskaya

The Church of the Theotokos of the Sign (Dubrovitsy), or The Church of the Holy Sign of the Mother of God is located in a village amed Dubrovitsy about 20 miles south of Moscow. It is another Russian Orthodox church, but what makes this one unique is that we aren’t 100% sure who made it, or why is has a style that is completely different than other churches of the time.

The Church of Nicholas The Wonderworker

I love the unique style of the Russian Orthodox churches in Moscow. The golden onion domes stand out across the globe. This church dates back to 1657, though it has been partially destroyed a few times since then.

Moscow University

Moscow University is one of the Seven Sisters that are the “Stalin Skyscrapers.” Previously it was the tallest building in Europe. Though it has lost that title, it is still the tallest “educational building” in the world.

So what do you think? Next trip to Moscow?

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Moscow

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Moscow is one of Europe's most enigmatic destinations, home to a fascinating history and colorful, awe-inspiring architecture you won't find anywhere else in the world. Moscow might be one of the most populous cities in the world with over 11 million inhabitants, but this hasn't changed its strong cultural and social traditions.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the Red Square or the banks of the Moskva River early in the morning, and it's hard to tell what century you're in.

Tsarist architecture, must-see churches, and glamorous shopping opportunities blend together for a visual experience you won't forget. For ideas on what to see and do while visiting Russia, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Moscow.

1. Marvel at the Size of the Kremlin

2. catch a performance at the bolshoi theatre, 3. shop at the luxurious gum, 4. make your way into lenin's mausoleum, 5. spend an hour (or three) at red square, 6. discover history at the museum of cosmonautics, 7. ride the stunning moscow metro, 8. explore the moscow state integrated museum-reserve, 9. spend a rainy day at the tretyakov gallery, 10. walk up and down arbat street, 11. stop by the vdnkh all-russian exhibition centre, 12. wander around gorky park, where to stay in moscow for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in moscow.

Moscow's most recognizable structure is without a doubt the Kremlin, a 15th-century fortified complex that covers an area of 275,000 square meters surrounded by walls built in the 1400s.

The Grand Kremlin Palace -which has over 700 rooms- was once home to the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation, although most heads of state choose to reside elsewhere.

The massive complex also includes many other buildings, some of which are open to the public and can be visited regularly. Aside from three cathedrals (including one where the Tsars were once crowned) and a number of towers, the Kremlin is also home to the Armory building, a museum holding everything from the royal crown and imperial carriages to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Fabergé eggs.

The Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world . While the theater has undergone several major renovations over the past century-including a recent one in 2011 to restore some of the imperial architectural details-it still retains all of its Neoclassical grandeur.

The Bolshoi Theater you see today opened in 1824, after several older versions burned down. Inside, red velvet, a three-tiered crystal chandelier, and gilt moldings give the place a Byzantine-Renassaince grandiose feel like no other.

Catching a show from the resident ballet and opera troupes is a treat, as the theater often presents a number of classic performances, such as Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa and Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini, both of which originally premiered here.

Moscow's oldest and most upscale shopping center is an architectural marvel. GUM (short for Glávnyj Universálnyj Magazín or "Main Universal Store") was built in the late 1800s in neo-Russian style to showcase a beautiful mix of a steel skeleton and 20,000 panels of glass forming an arched roof.

This was a unique construction at the time, since the glass had to be strong enough to support the snow-heavy Russian winters. The building is just as impressive outside, with all three levels covered in marble and granite.

While GUM is no longer the largest shopping center in Moscow, it's still by far the most beautiful. Home to brands like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik, this might not be the ideal destination for most budget-conscious visitors, but the beauty of the building itself is worth a visit.

On the third floor, there are also great dining options, including a Soviet-style canteen that serves traditional Russian food, and a stand selling ice cream made by hand using an original 1954 recipe originally approved by the Soviet government.

Lenin's Mausoleum, the final resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, occupies a central spot in Red Square. His body has been in the mausoleum since his death in 1924-and although the original plan was for him to be buried after a short period of public display for mourning, the plan quickly changed.

After over 100,000 visited the tomb over a period of six weeks, it was decided that a new sarcophagus and a more permanent display space could actually preserve Lenin's body for much longer than expected-and Lenin's Mausoleum was built.

Over the years, the mausoleum and its marble stairs also became the main spot from where Soviet leaders would watch parades and events happening in Red Square.

Lenin's embalmed body can still be seen today, lying down in a bulletproof glass sarcophagus as if he's sleeping. While a visit to the mausoleum is certainly unusual, it has become a must-do for history buffs looking to understand how Lenin's legacy truly changed the nation. Come ready to wait, though -there are usually lines to get in.

All of Moscow's main streets start at Red Square, so it's easy to see why this is considered the heart of the city. A massive space of 330 meters by 70 meters, the square is flanked by the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, two cathedrals, and the State Historical Museum.

In 1945, a massive Victory Parade was held here to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Soviet Armed Forces.

St. Basil's Cathedral , one of the most recognizable buildings on the square, was built in 1555. The unique cathedral has architectural details inspired by Byzantine and Asian design, as well as details that resemble those found in famous mosques. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colorful mural art.

Both the square itself and the Kremlin are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . On weekends, there are sometimes stalls selling souvenirs and traditional items here, such as matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls), at the entrance of the square.

At one point, Russia and the US were toe-to-toe when it came to space exploration. While that might no longer be the case, the museum's amazing collection-which includes over 85,000 items-is still awe-inspiring.

Main exhibits include the space capsule used by Yuri Gagarin , the first human to travel into outer space; a USSR flag with moon fragments; a Soviet spacesuit; and a rocket propulsion unit from the 1960s. A special two-story hall showcases sections of the Mir space station interior, and there are also models of the first sputniks and a replica miniature spaceship.

English-language tours are available, and there's also a Cinema Hall showing subtitled short films about the history of space exploration programs and the first manned space flight.

The museum is located inside the base of the monument to the Conquerors of Space, which was built almost 20 years before the museum opened.

Riding the Moscow metro is an experience all in itself, but even just heading underground to walk through the stations is something no visitor should miss. With 223 stations and 12 metro lines crosscutting through Moscow, however, this can be tricky, so visiting at least a few of the most impressive ones is a good start.

Arbatskaya station was designed by a skyscraper architect, so it's no surprise that it features multicolored granite slabs and impressive bronze chandeliers.

Park Kultury station , located next to Gorky Park, is covered in marble and features reliefs of people involved in sports, while Teatralnaya station is decorated with porcelain figures dancing and wearing traditional Russian costumes.

The metro is open between 5:30am and 1:00am but it's very crowded in the early morning and after 4pm, so it's better to visit in the late morning or early afternoon to really appreciate the architecture without the crowds.

The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve is a cultural open-air museum complex comprised of four different historical sites.

The most important site, the Kolomenskoye Estate, was once the summer residence of Tsars as far back as the 14 th century. The complex, which covers almost 300 hectares, is home to fairy-tale wooden palaces; a tent-roof stone church built in the 1500s; a water tower; fort towers and structures; and the 24-room Museum of Wooden Architecture , which includes the restored dining room of Tsar Alexei I.

Beautiful manicured gardens , riverside picnic areas, and a massive collection of both artifacts and structures make this a great destination to help you see what medieval Russia looked like. English-language tours are available, but you're also free to wander the grounds on your own.

The largest collection of Russian art in the world sits here, with over 180,000 paintings, sculptures, and religious art dating back to over a millennia ago. The gallery, built using beautiful red and white colors from classical Russian architecture, is located near the Kremlin and it was built in the early 20 th century.

Significant art pieces include the Vladimir Mother of God; a Byzantine icon of the Virgin and child dating back to the 1100s; Andrei Rublev's The Trinity icon from the 15 th century; and several works by Ilya Repin, the most famous realist painter in Russia.

On the grounds of the museum, there is also an 86-meter-tall statue of Peter the Great, as well as a number of Socialist Realism sculptures.

Moscow's one-kilometer-long pedestrian street has been around since the 15 th century. Originally a trade route in the outskirts of the city, Arbat Street is now very centrally located, home to posh buildings and lots of places to eat and shop.

Beautiful street lamps and two significant statues-one of Princess Turandot (from Puccini's last opera) and one of Soviet-era poet Bulat Okudzhava-adorn the street, which fills up with both locals and tourists on evenings and weekends.

A great place to pick up souvenirs or sit down at an outdoor café, Arbat Street also offers a chance to visit the former home of poet Alexander Pushkin and the café both Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy used to visit.

Although it was originally designed as a general-purpose trade show venue, this park complex now houses amusement rides , ice rinks , and a number of galleries and other attractions for all ages.

The park's most famous landmarks are the Moskvarium, a marine biology center home to over 8000 species of marine animals, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and a shopping center selling traditional products from former Soviet countries.

There's even a film museum showing Soviet cartoons or even a full-length film (for an extra fee) and an education center offering masterclasses on everything from becoming a barista to video montage (call or write in advance to find out which ones are English-friendly).

Soviet-era pavilions, sculptures, and fountains abound here as well, including the famous Friendship of the Peoples Fountain, which features statues of women dressed in costumes from different former Soviet countries.

Named after the famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky (who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times but never won it) and sitting right across the Moskva River, Gorky Park covers 120 hectares of beautiful ponds and green spaces.

Popular with both locals and tourists, the park offers a variety of things to enjoy-from sunbeds, hammocks, and drinking fountains to free yoga classes and children's playgrounds. There's free Wi-Fi and sockets for charging your phone, as well as many food stands and plenty of wild animals, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

Visitors can rent paddle boats and bicycles to explore the park-and from May to October, there is also an open-air movie theater, as well as scheduled presentations by street performers, musicians, and artists. Gorky Park attracts the young and old, so don't be surprised to see a mix of people exercising, playing chess, and sunbathing.

Luxury Hotels :

• Lotte Hotel Moscow is one of the top 5-star properties in Moscow offering the largest Royal Suite in Russia. The trendy rooms and suites here all have contemporary style and great city views. On-site amenities are plentiful. There are two restaurants: one serving contemporary Italian fare, and the other Japanese. There is an impressively lit indoor swimming pool, a well-known spa, and a state-of-the-art gym.
• Another excellent luxury hotel is the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow . The residential-style property is in the heart of Moscow just next to the Bolshoi Theatre and within walking distance of the Kremlin and Red Square. The rooms and suites have been opulently designed by Tony Chi. The on-site restaurant serves a mix of European and Armenian specialities. There is also a Japanese sushi bar and a rooftop lounge with fabulous city views.
• The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya also has a central location just a few minutes from the Kremlin and Red Square. The 5-star property has a mix of elegant rooms and suites, including interconnecting room options for families with kids. There are multiple restaurants on-site including an Italian bistro. Other amenities include the fabulous Iridium Spa, which does a full range of treatments and has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Palmira Business Club is a top mid-range choice. The contemporary lifestyle hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites, including options for families. Suites are quite spacious and have kitchenettes. Amenities here include a complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant, a hot tub, sauna, and spa. There is also a fitness center.
• The trendy Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya offers a mix of rooms and suites with contemporary decor. The mid-range hotel can arrange airport transportation and offers baggage storage. Other amenities include a restaurant and room service. The front desk is open 24 hours.
• Boutique Hotel Brighton is about 10 minutes from the city center in a leafy park area. It offers excellent value for money and has charming rooms and suites with sound-proof windows and doors, as well as blackout curtains. A complimentary breakfast is served, and there is also an indoor swimming pool.

Budget Hotels :

• Hotel Ibis Budget Moscow Panfilovskaya is about a 15-minute drive from Moscow's downtown, and it's within walking distance from a metro station that will take you there. The soundproof rooms at this budget property are clean, comfortable, and can sleep up to three people. The hotel is pet friendly, has paid parking available on-site, and also has a salon.
• If you just need a budget hotel near the airport then check out Aviator Hotel Sheremetyevo . Located right at the airport, it has soundproof rooms, including options for families. Amenities include an indoor play area for kids, a sauna and swimming pool, and a free breakfast.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Exploring Russia: Whether you are interested in history, nature, or architecture, there's much to see in Russia. For a good introduction to some of the most fascinating spots in the country, take a look at our article on the Best Places to Visit in Russia . For more on Russia's second-largest city and all it has to offer, check out our piece on the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg .

Looking for fun things to do this weekend May 24-26? Top 5 events in Palm Beach County

As spring barrels toward summer, there is still the time to venture outside to enjoy festivals and the area's incredible entertainment. This weekend get a heaping helping of Caribbean goodness during the Florida Jerk & Music Festival at John Prince Park, do a night hike at Riverbend Park or stretch and strengthen during yoga at CityPlace. Whatever it is, get outside and do it, while remembering to stay hydrated.

In addition to the top five events listed there's always something great happening at places like  The Norton Museum of Art  or the  Maltz Jupiter Theatre. On top of that you could always just enjoy a great meal with an equally great view at one of Palm Beach County's  waterfront restaurants  from Jupiter to Boca Raton. Plus, we've curated a list of the best things to do all year in the county, and here it is: your bucket list of 55 fun must-try things to do in Palm Beach County.

1. Florida Jerk & Music Festival

Dig into tasty jerk cuisine and be immersed in Caribbean culture during the 21st annual Florida Jerk & Music Festival at John Prince Park just outside Lake Worth Beach. Featured music artists include reggae singer Christopher Martin, dancehall legend Louie Culture, and soca sensation Mr. Killa. Expect multiple DJs as well. Also expect a kids zone with games.

The event is from 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 26. John Prince Park, 2700 Sixth Ave. S., Lake Worth Beach. Tickets start at $50, children 12 and under free. Information: floridajerkfestival.com

2. I (heart) the 90s Party at DAS Beer Garden

Bust out the plaid skirts, thigh-high stockings, grungy flannel shirts, Dr. Martens and butterfly clips and get ready to rock to the sounds of Mixtape Kids . Keep those 90s vibes flowing while enjoying seriously-fine craft beers like Cadillac Ranch West IPA, Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, Ayinger Celebrator and more.

The event is 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 25. 1203 Town Center Drive, Jupiter. Free. Information: dascraftbeer.com/calendar

3. Fast Forward — The Ultimate Kenny Chesney Tribute at Old School Square

Taking place at the Delray Beach Amphitheatre at Old School Square in Delray Beach, this show will feature Derek "Cowboy Kenny" Villegas performing with Fast Forward, playing all of Kenny Chesney's smash hits. Drinks and food will be available for purchase. Lawn chairs and dancing shoes encouraged. Though this is a free event, there is a VIP option that grants access to a lounge area with seating, dedicated bar and more for $50.

The event is 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 24. 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Free, VIP $50. Information: kennytribute.com/home ; delrayoldschoolsquare.com

More: Heading to Delray Beach? Here are 12 things for your bucket list

4. Night Hike at Riverbend Park

Learn why you fear the night and experience true terror on this stroll through the dark forest! Just kidding. This naturalist-led hike allows you to see all the cool animals that come out at night and even some that are just coming in to roost. Good walking shoes, water, a flashlight, and bug spray are recommended.

The event is 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 24. 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter. $5. RSVP required. Information: discover.pbcgov.org/parks ; 561-741-1359

More: New to Jupiter or a lifelong resident? These are the 10 best things for your to-do list

5. Yoga at CityPlace

Meeting at the Wishing Tree and held in front of True Food Kitchen (at CityPlace , no longer The Square), this all-levels Vinyasa class is taught by Natalie June. Set to a great playlist, this is a fabulous way to kick off your weekend. Bring yoga mat, towel and water. Spaces fill up fast.

The event is 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25. 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. Free ($10 donation suggested). Information: cityplace.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at  [email protected] . Help support our journalism.  Subscribe today .

Ukraine-Russia war: Latest updates

Scroll down to catch up on all the main developments and analysis of the war in Ukraine.

Friday 24 May 2024 14:44, UK

• Big picture: What you need to know this week

While we are not running our usual updates, here is a rundown of the main events:

Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a ceasefire that recognises current battlefield lines, four Russian sources have told the Reuters news agency.

Three of those sources claimed the Russian leader had expressed frustration about what he views as Western-backed attempts to hinder ceasefire negotiations.

"Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire - to freeze the war," a senior Russian source who has reportedly worked with Mr Putin and has knowledge of top-level conversations in the Kremlin, told Reuters.

Read more here...

Zelenskyy visits Kharkiv

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has travelled to the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which has been facing intensive Russian air attacks. 

The Ukrainian president met senior military leaders and travelled to the site of a major printing house - a day after it was destroyed in a Russian missile attack that killed at least seven people. 

Further developments :

• Russian forces have had partial success near the village of Ivanivka in the east of Kharkiv region, the Ukrainian military said. Ukraine's general staff said 10 battles took place, with one successfully repelled and more ongoing near the villages of Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Stelmakhivka, Nevske and Druzhelyubivka;
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Spain on Sunday, Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported. The Ukrainian president postponed visits to Madrid and Lisbon earlier this month because of intense fighting in Kharkiv;
• Vladimir Putin is planning to visit North Korea, Russian state news agency RIA said.

Our live coverage will remain paused today, but let's catch you up on where things stand and on any updates overnight.

• Russia said 35 rockets and three drones were fired into Belgorod and overnight, claiming to have destroyed all of them;
• Blasts were heard in Kherson as Russia shelled the city, said its regional governor Roman Mrochko;
• The leader of Russia's Chechnya region, Ramzan Kadyrov, met  Vladimir Putin and offered to send more fighters to the frontline;
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a fresh plea for upgraded defence systems to protect Ukraine's cities against guided bombs, which he described as the "the main instrument" now used by Moscow';
• A Russian airstrike on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv yesterday destroyed a cafe, damaged a nearby residential building and set a petrol station ablaze, with local officials saying ten people were wounded.

As we've not been providing rolling coverage of the war in Ukraine today, here is a quick update on what's been happening since this morning. 

One of the most significant new stories is the UK accusing China of providing or preparing to provide lethal aid to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. 

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told a news conference this morning that US and British defence intelligence had evidence "lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine".

He called this a "significant development".

We also heard from the Kremlin this morning, which said "in-depth dialogue" was needed to reduce rising tensions between Russia and the West - particularly with regards to nuclear issues. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the "collective West" of refusing to engage with Russia despite the potential dangers. 

Here are more of the top stories: 

• Russian forces have taken over the village of Klishchiivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, close to the city of Bakhmut, according to Russian news agencies 
• At least nine people have been injured in a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv
• Russia accused Ukraine of using a drone to attack a non-nuclear facility at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, causing no critical damage
• Moscow said it is bolstering its efforts to protect its energy infrastructure from drone attacks
• Six children were handed over to Ukraine by Russia and reunited with their families, after a deal was brokered by Qatar. 

We're pausing our coverage of the Ukraine war for the moment.

Scroll through the blog below to catch up on today's developments.

Vladimir Putin has praised the late president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, and said he was a "reliable partner".

Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash near the Azerbaijan border over the weekend along with his foreign minister and seven others.

Speaking on the leader, Mr Putin said he was "a man of his word" who carried out any agreements the pair made.

"He was truly a reliable partner, a man sure of himself, who acted in the national interest," Russian news agencies quoted Mr Putin as telling Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia's lower house of parliament.

"He was, of course, a man of his word and it was always good to work with him. What I mean is if we came to an agreement on something, you could be sure the agreement was carried out."

The Kremlin leader asked Mr Volodin, who will be attending memorial events in Iran, to pass on "words of our sincere condolences in connection with this tragedy".

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has strengthened political, trade and military ties with Iran in a deepening relationship that the US and Israel view with concern.

Heavy fighting in the Pokrovsk area in eastern Ukraine has forced Ukrainian troops to engage in "manoeuvres," the Ukrainian military's general staff have said.

Their report said Pokrovsk, northwest of the Russian-held city of Donetsk, remains the front's "hottest" sector.

"In some areas, the situation requires our troops to engage in manoeuvres," the general staff report reads.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has referred to the region and adjacent areas as "extraordinarily difficult" in his nightly video address.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said allies are taking too long when it comes to decisions on military support for Ukraine.

In an interview with Reuters, the Ukrainian leader said every decision which everyone came to was "late by around one year".

"But it is what it is: one big step forward, but before that two steps back. So we need to change the paradigm a little bit," he said.

"When we're quick, they fall behind. And then there's a gap - six, eight months of unpassed (aid) packages, and then two-three months of supplies - and a year goes by. We would like not to lose the advantage."

Mr Zelenskyy also said Ukraine had never used Western weapons on Russian territory.

A senior Russian diplomat has said that the EU plan to channel profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine would have "unpredictable" consequences, according to the TASS news agency.

According to TASS, Kirill Logvinov, Russia's acting permanent representative to the EU in Brussels, told Russia journalists: "The only predictable thing is that those in the EU will be obliged sooner or later to return to our country what has been stolen."

For context : In March the European Commission proposed transferring to Ukraine profits generated by Russian central bank assets frozen in Europe.

The plan would see 90% channeled through the European Peace Facility fund to buy weapons for Ukraine. 

The rest would be used for recovery and reconstruction.

Russia's defence ministry has said it has begun a round of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons. 

The exercises were announced by Russian authorities this month in response to remarks by senior Western officials about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.

It was the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, although its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.

According to the ministry's statement, the first stage of the new drills include nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles.

The maneuvers are taking place in the southern military district, which consists of Russian regions in the south.

A Moscow court has ordered a Russian journalist who covered the trials of the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny and other dissidents must  remain in custody pending an investigation and trial on charges of extremism.

Antonina Favorskaya was arrested in March. 

She is accused of collecting material, producing and editing videos and publications for Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which had been outlawed as extremist by Russian authorities, according to court officials.

Today, Moscow's Basmanny district court ordered that she remain in custody until at least 3 August.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said earlier that Ms Favorskaya did not publish anything on the foundation's platforms and suggested that Russian authorities have targeted her because she was doing her job as a journalist.

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Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe says there is a very good case for new stadium to be publicly funded

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to build 'Wembley of the North' for Man Utd; plans are already underway to regenerate Old Trafford and the surrounding area, with a task force in place; Ratcliffe: "If you look at the number of Champions Leagues the North West has won, it's 10. London has won two."

Sunday 19 May 2024 11:40, UK

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe says there is a "very good case" for Manchester United's new 'Wembley of the North' stadium to be publicly funded, adding the North West should have a national football arena due to the number of Champions League it has won.

Earlier this year, Ratcliffe - who acquired a 25 per cent stake of United for a fee of £1.2bn at the end of 2023 - revealed plans to regenerate Old Trafford by creating a stadium capable of rivalling the 90,000-seater Wembley in north London.

Trafford Council announced a 15-year plan to regenerate the area around Old Trafford in February, while Ratcliffe has also assembled the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, putting himself as chair. Other members of the task force include Lord Coe, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

Man Utd stadium plans: what we know so far

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Ratcliffe is continuing to push for public funds to regenerate Old Trafford and the surrounding areas despite no apparent political support being forthcoming. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was hosted at the stadium for the visit of Arsenal last week, just as heavy rain exposed the fragility of the ageing venue.

"There's a very good case, in my view, for having a stadium of the North, which would serve the northern part of the country in that arena of football," Ratcliffe told Sky News. "If you look at the number of Champions League the North West has won, it's 10. London has won two.

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"And yet everybody from the North has to get down to London to watch a big football match. And there should be one [a large stadium] in the North, in my view.

"But it's also important for the southern side of Manchester, you know, to regenerate. It's the sort of second capital of the country where the Industrial Revolution began.

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"But if you have a regeneration project, you need a nucleus or a regeneration project and having that world-class stadium there, I think would provide the impetus to regenerate that region."

Ten Hag: Man Utd is still an attractive club

Under-fire manager Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United are still an attractive club for players despite missing out on Champions League football for next season.

United are battling to qualify for Europe for next season, but will not feature in the Champions League in 2024/25.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ten Hag was adamant United will still be a place players will want to move to despite a lack of Champions League football.

He said: "I'm not thinking about a negative scenario. We have the opportunity [to qualify for the Europa League], and it is in our own hands so we need to go for it. I'm thinking positive. I'm a positive man and it's in our own hands, so we have to go for it."

When pressed on the impact of being out of the Champions League in terms of signing players, he added: "For every player Manchester United is a very attractive club.

"Of course, you want to play at the highest levels but if you want to go into a project at a club like Man Utd, I'm sure United are an attractive club for every player."

Despite their disappointing league performance this year, Ten Hag believes the club are in a better place 12 months on from the last campaign.

"I think we've developed some young players with high potentials which can add to quality levels of our squad with established, experienced players," he said.

"They can make for a very good mix and be a strong squad to compete at the highest levels. That is also what we showed this season against top teams. We have very good players who are very competitive."

When asked if he sees improvement, he added: "When you look at results, no, but we know the reasons behind it. We say yes. We have more high-quality players in the squad - from that perspective in a better position."

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Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy replaces special operations chief for second time in six months – as it happened

Move comes after deputy prime minister and agriculture minister dismissed by government

• 9 May 2024 Closing summary
• 9 May 2024 Zelenskiy replaces special operations chief for second time in six months
• 9 May 2024 Ukraine says attack drone flew 'record' 1,500km
• 9 May 2024 Cameron: UK must have the 'courage to act'
• 9 May 2024 Afternoon summary
• 9 May 2024 Western military trainers could go to Ukraine, Lithuania minister says
• 9 May 2024 Ukraine agriculture minister Mykola Solsky dismissed by parliament
• 9 May 2024 David Cameron: west has not learned lesson of Ukraine and must get tougher
• 9 May 2024 Putin accuses 'arrogant' west of risking global conflict and says forces are at 'combat readiness'
• 9 May 2024 Ukraine parliament votes to dismiss deputy prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov
• 9 May 2024 Ukraine air attack on Belgorod injures eight, governor says
• 9 May 2024 Russia to mark second world war Victory Day as relations with west spiral towards crisis

Zelenskiy replaces special operations chief for second time in six months

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy replaced the commander of his special forces on Thursday, the second time in half a year that he has changed the head of the unit which operates in Moscow-occupied territories.

The dismissal of colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk and appointment of brigadier general Oleksandr Trepak in his place was announced in two decrees on the president’s website that provided no explanation for the move, Reuters reported.

Since 2014, Trepak has been actively participating in defence operations in east Ukraine against Russian-backed separatists. He was engaged in leading the push to repel the Russian assault on Donetsk airport, one of the biggest operations back then.

The Ukrainian military’s chain of command has been changed at different levels since February when Zelenskiy replaced his top commander, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, with then-ground forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi in a major shake up.

At the time, Zelenskiy said a new military leadership was taking control of the armed forces and promised to “reboot” the system by bringing in experienced commanders who understood the daily needs of the troops.

Closing summary

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy replaced the commander of his special forces on Thursday, the second time in half a year that he has changed the head of the unit which operates in Moscow-occupied territories. The dismissal of colonel Serhiy Lupanchuk and appointment of brigadier general Oleksandr Trepak in his place was announced in two decrees on the president’s website that provided no explanation for the move, Reuters reported.

The West needs to undermine and expose “the malign networks that Russia uses to spread its lies,” according to Britain’s foreign secretary, David Cameron. In his first major speech since taking up the role, he said over the last five years Britain had invested in that project by backing free media and supporting independent journalism in places like Georgia and Moldova, “where Russia seeks to bully and manipulate politics.”

A Ukrainian attack drone struck a Russian oil processing plant in the Bashkiria region on Thursday after flying a “record” distance of 1,500 km (932.06 miles) in an operation conducted by the SBU security service, a Kyiv intelligence source told Reuters. The drone hit a catalytic cracking unit at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil processing, petrochemical and fertiliser complex, the source said. Russia confirmed the fact of damage at the plant earlier, but said the facility was functioning as usual.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that Ukraine could stop Russian forces advancing in the east if allied countries increased the supply of arms. The Ukrainian leader made the comments at a joint news conference in Kyiv with the European Parliament’s visiting president Roberta Metsola, more than two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said Russian and Belarus’ forces had started joint preparations for tactical nuclear weapons drills , Interfax news agency reported on Thursday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday appointed former army chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, who led Ukraine’s defence in the first two years of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, as Kyiv’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. The decree was published on the presidential website. Zaluzhnyi was earlier named a “Hero of Ukraine”, Reuters reported. Ukraine has not had an ambassador in London since Zelenskiy dismissed former envoy Vadym Prystaiko in July 2023 after he publicly criticised the president.

Russia president Vladimir Putin has accused the West of risking a global conflict and said no one would be allowed to threaten the world’s biggest nuclear power as Russia marked the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. As Russian troops advance against Ukraine’s Western-backed forces, Putin accused “arrogant” Western elites of forgetting the decisive role played by the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany, and of stoking conflicts across the world, Reuters reported.

A Ukrainian air attack on Russia’s Belgorod region injured eight people and damaged scores of residential buildings and cars, the governor of the region bordering with Ukraine said on Thursday. Among the wounded is an 11-year-old girl who was taken to a hospital, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor said on the Telegram messaging app, Reuters reported. About 34 flats in 19 apartment buildings were damaged, as well as three dozen cars in the city of Belgorod, the region’s administrative centre, Gladkov added.

Drones launched by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) struck two oil depots near the town of Anapa in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region causing large-scale fires, a Ukrainian intelligence source told Reuters on Thursday. The source said the oil depots were used as transshipment points to supply fuel to Russian troops in the nearby occupied peninsula of Crimea.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament has voted to dismiss deputy prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, a key government figure who has overseen the wartime reconstruction effort and championed efforts to set up a vital Black Sea shipping lane, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram. The 41-year-old’s dismissal comes amid plans to break up his powerful ministry into two separate government portfolios.

Ukraine’s parliament has dismissed agriculture minister Mykola Solsky who tendered his resignation in late April as he faces an investigation into alleged involvement in illegal acquisition of state-owned land, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram. Solsky, 44, has denied the allegations, Reuters reported.

Ukraine’s air defence systems destroyed 17 out of 20 attack drones that Russia launched targeting Ukraine’s territory, Ukraine’s air force said. The drones were destroyed over the Odesa region in Ukraine’s south, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app.

Lithuania’s foreign minister has raised the prospect of an ad hoc coalition of western countries sending military training personnel into Ukraine backed by ground-based air defence, days after Russia took an increasingly strident tone against what it sees as the threat of deeper western involvement in the war. Speaking to the Guardian after meeting his British counterpart, David Cameron, in London, Gabrielius Landsbergis also backed the British foreign secretary for saying that Ukraine could use British-made weapons against Russia; remarks that alongside Emmanuel Macron refusing to rule out western troops in Ukraine prompted the Kremlin to threaten UK assets and order a tactical nuclear training exercise.

Ukraine plans to double electricity imports on Thursday after a powerful Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy system, the energy ministry said. The imports are expected to rise to 16,699 megawatt hours (Mwh) versus 7,600 Mwh on Wednesday, the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app, Reuters reported. “Today, at Ukraine’s request, emergency electricity supplies have already been made from Poland, Romania and Slovakia,” the ministry said.

South Korea’s position remains it will not supply lethal weapons to any country, president Yoon Suk Yeol said on Thursday, when asked if Seoul was prepared to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia. Yoon also said his government intended to continue managing relations with Moscow to “pursue economic cooperation and mutual benefits” even though the two countries’ ties have become “uncomfortable” since the start of the war in Ukraine.

That’s it from the Ukraine live blog for today. Thanks for following along.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that Ukraine could stop Russian forces advancing in the east if allied countries increased the supply of arms.

The Ukrainian leader made the comments at a joint news conference in Kyiv with the European Parliament’s visiting president Roberta Metsola, more than two years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Russia has been making small but steady territorial gains in the east of the country since the start of the year, with Ukraine’s forces depleted and weapons and ammunition running perilously low.

“We are putting maximum pressure on our partners to increase weapon deliveries,” Zelenskiy said at an open air briefing in the centre of the capital.

“If the delivery of weapons is increased, we will be able to stop (Russian forces) in the east, where they have the initiative.”

As he spoke, air raid sirens started to blare, a reminder of the threat of Russian missile and drone attacks which have intensified across the country, causing power outages for hundreds of thousands of civilians.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday appointed former army chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, who led Ukraine’s defence in the first two years of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, as Kyiv’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.

The decree was published on the presidential website. Zaluzhnyi was earlier named a “Hero of Ukraine”, Reuters reported.

Ukraine has not had an ambassador in London since Zelenskiy dismissed former envoy Vadym Prystaiko in July 2023 after he publicly criticised the president.

Zaluzhnyi is very popular among many Ukrainians for leading the army in the first hours of Russia’s invasion and for planning a counteroffensive that helped liberate significant swathes of territory seized by Moscow.

Ukraine says attack drone flew 'record' 1,500km

A Ukrainian attack drone struck a Russian oil processing plant in the Bashkiria region on Thursday after flying a “record” distance of 1,500 km (932.06 miles) in an operation conducted by the SBU security service, a Kyiv intelligence source told Reuters.

The drone hit a catalytic cracking unit at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil processing, petrochemical and fertiliser complex, the source said. Russia confirmed the fact of damage at the plant earlier, but said the facility was functioning as usual.

More images and reports are coming in from Russia’s events to mark victory in the Second World War.

Although the US and UK ambassadors did not attend, AP reports that Vladimir Putin was joined by other dignitaries and presidents of several former Soviet nations along with a few other Moscow allies, including the leaders of Cuba, Guinea-Bissau and Laos.

Many observers see Putin’s focus on World War II as part of his efforts to revive the USSR’s clout and prestige and his reliance on Soviet practices, AP adds. “It’s the continuous self-identification with the USSR as the victor of Nazism and the lack of any other strong legitimacy that forced the Kremlin to declare ‘denazification’ as the goal of the war,” Nikolay Epplee said in a commentary for Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

Cameron said Britain had imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and was continuing to call on allies to maintain military support for Ukraine .

“To persuade we need to be active,” he added, referring to trips he had recently undertaken to central Asia, saying that potential partners all over the world needed to be told they could be helped to make a choice to “be more open, more independent”

Cameron also announced a new £1m programme for the British Council to teach English to Ukrainian civil servants, saying that Britain should also not hold back on championing the language around the world.

Some reaction and analysis is coming through from those who eager to pick up on policy nuances from the speech, which happened to go ahed with some embarrassing technical glitche s.

Lord Cameron explicitly linking foreign, immigration, and economic policy in his speech this morning - the whole country needs to share in the benefits of globalisation, foreign policy is about prosperity too pic.twitter.com/drfXjpCy5z — Olivia O'Sullivan (@LivJOSullivan) May 9, 2024

Cameron himself had also tweeted a ‘speed version’ of the speech

Cameron was one of the biggest champions behind overthrowing Gaddafi in Libya, resulting in it becoming a failed state. David Cameron’s foreign policy single handily led to a country reinstating slavery and more than 4 million refugees pouring into Europe. Shut up David. https://t.co/bTdSU4HfbT — Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) May 9, 2024

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Tons of towns have parades and ceremonies happening Monday.

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Kids and adults gather at a Memorial Day parade to honor and celebrate veterans in South Portland. Sofia Aldinio/ Staff Photographer

BATH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade begins at 200 Congress Ave. and concludes at Library Park and will be followed by a wreath-laying service at 11 a.m.

BERWICK 11 a.m. Monday. Parade begins at Berwick Town Hall/Sullivan Square and proceeds to Lord’s Cemetery by way of Wilson and Allen streets. After a ceremony there, the parade will continue down Saw Mill Hill Street with a pause at the Somersworth-Berwick Bridge for a brief memorial service for those lost at sea. The parade ends at Sullivan Square with a memorial service honoring area veterans.

BIDDEFORD-SACO Opening ceremony at 9:55 a.m. Monday at Saco City Hall. Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Saco City Hall and proceeds along Main Street and down York Hill into Biddeford, continues along Main Street, onto Alfred Street and finishes at Veteran’s Memorial Park with a closing ceremony at 10:45 a.m.

BRUNSWICK-TOPSHAM 9 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds from Topsham Town Hall, pauses for observances while crossing the Brunswick-Topsham bridge, and concludes at the Brunswick Mall.

CAPE ELIZABETH 9 a.m. Monday. Parade begins at the middle school parking lot, turns right on Scott Dyer Road, right onto Route 77 and ends at the village green adjacent to the town hall. A brief ceremony and laying of the wreath will be held at the Village Green after the parade.

CUMBERLAND 8 a.m. Monday. Kids run at Greely High School followed by 5K Run and Remember race at 8:30 a.m. Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Mabel I. Wilson School and ends at the veterans’ monument in Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland Center, where a ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Advertisement

FALMOUTH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds from 65 Depot Road (Falmouth American Legion) to Pine Grove Park, where a ceremony will be held.

FREEPORT 9:30 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds from Holbrook Street, heads north on Main and makes a right onto School Street, then right onto Park Street, ending in Memorial Park. There will be a small ceremony in Memorial Park starting at 10 a.m.

GORHAM 11 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Village School (12 Robie St.) and ends at Eastern Cemetery on Johnson Road.

GRAY 11:30 a.m. Monday. Parade leaves the Russell School (8 Gray Park), proceeds to Shaker Road and continues to the Soldiers Monument at the intersection of Routes 26 and 3 for a wreath-laying ceremony. Parade continues north to the American Legion Post (15 Lewiston Road) for a closing ceremony.

LYMAN 1 p.m. Monday. Parade starts at Waterhouse Road/Mill Pond in Goodwins Mills and ends at the Lyman Town Hall on South Waterboro Road.

NEW GLOUCESTER 9 a.m. Monday. Parade leaves from Memorial Elementary School (86 Intervale Road) and heads down Intervale Road to Route 100/202 to Veterans Park for a memorial service. The parade will reconvene and go down Peacock Hill Road, then take a left on Gilmore Road. Advertisement

OLD ORCHARD BEACH 1 p.m. Monday. Parade starts at the corner of Ballpark Way and E. Emerson Cumming Boulevard and proceeds down Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach Street to First Street and ends at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

PORTLAND 2 p.m. Monday. The procession starts at Longfellow School (432 Stevens Ave.) and ends at Evergreen Cemetery for a commemoration ceremony.

SANFORD 10 a.m. Monday. The parade starts at the Sanford Armory (88 William Oscar Emery Drive), proceeds up Gowen Park Drive and ends at Central Park.

SCARBOROUGH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Scarborough High School, turns onto Route 114 and then Route 1, past town offices to the Maine Veterans Home and concludes with a ceremony there.

SOUTH PORTLAND 10:30 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Southern Maine Community College parking lot, proceeds down Broadway to the Veterans Monument for a short Memorial Day recognition service.

WELLS 9 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Wells High School (200 Sanford Road) and proceeds to Ocean View Cemetery for a ceremony and musical performances. Advertisement

WESTBROOK 10 a.m. Monday. Parade proceeds down Main Street and will be followed by a ceremony in Riverbank Park.

WINDHAM 9 a.m. Monday. Parade starts at Windham Town Hall and proceeds onto Route 202 toward Windham High School. At 10 a.m., there will be a ceremony in front of Windham’s Veterans Memorial Flagpole at Windham High School.

YARMOUTH 10 a.m. Monday. Parade leaves from Yarmouth High School (286 West Elm St.) and proceeds to the Memorial Green at Town Hall for a ceremony.

YORK 10 a.m. Monday. Parade starts near St. Christopher’s Church (4 Barrell Lane) and proceeds down York Street to York Town Hall.

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