25 Destinations where the wild west lives on

Best Places to Experience the Wild West
Despite having long since ridden into the sunset, the Wild West era continues to fascinate Americans and international travelers alike. There’s just something magical about visiting a former Wild West town and walking in the same place where outlaws, lawmen and cowboys once roamed. The best Wild West destinations are scattered across the West, ranging from towns you probably already know to places whose role in the history of Western culture is lesser-known—but just as important. While no two Wild West towns are alike, the following list is full of great destinations where you can get in touch with the spirit of the Wild West—and all are perfect for a summer vacation.

Tombstone, Arizona
Known far and wide as the town where the “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” went off, Tombstone revels in its made-for-Hollywood name and connection to the most famous shootout in the history of the Wild West. Amble down Allen Street to the Tombstone Theater or the O.K. Corral to see the famous battle reenacted or pay a visit to Wyat Earp’s former home, which is now a museum and gallery. Oh, and no trip here is complete without a stop at Big Nose Kate’s Saloon for a frosty refreshment.

Durango, Colorado
Home to rich mining and railroad heritage in addition to streets full of handsome Western facades, Durango is the place where the Wild West meets the Southwest. Take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad, which passes through the stunning San Juan National Forest to catch a glimpse of both natural features and snapshots of the region’s fascinating history. Before or after your journey, make sure to tour the D&S Roundhouse Museum which explores all aspects of Durango’s past. Then, make for one of the city’s excellent eateries or take a spin around town in a Wild West stagecoach.

Deadwood, South Dakota
When gold was found in the Black Hills in the 1870s, sketchy folks from all over the country streamed into Deadwood, bringing with them the wild and woolly shenanigans forever associated with the Wild West. Wet your whistle at Saloon No. 10—the place where “Wild Bill” Hickok was shot while gambling— before taking in a historical reenactment and visiting the Mount Moriah Cemetery to see where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane were laid to rest. The town is also the perfect base for exploring Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower and the Crazy Horse Monument.

Virginia City, Nevada
Located around 20 miles from Reno, Virginia City was the epicenter of the most famous silver strike in the history of the West: The Comstock Lode. Visit to stroll down wooden sidewalks, stay at a haunted hotel and ride on the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad all while following in the footsteps of the characters from the famous Western TV show Bonanza.

Dodge City, Kansas
Arguably the most famous Wild West town on the list, get yourself into Dodge to be taken back in time. What was once called “The Wickedest Little Town in America” is behaving better these days, but a trip to the Boot Hill Museum—located on the site of the town’s famous cemetery—Long Branch Saloon or the Gunfighters Wax Museum will bring the good old “bad” days back to life.

Bandera, Texas
In the late 1800s, this town served as the starting point for some of the last great Western cattle drives, earning it the nickname “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. Swing by to learn the full story about this fascinating town’s history, which includes a unique mix of Native American, Polish, Mexican and Western heritage. For the best experience, stay on a local ranch to get a taste of true cowboy culture.

Jerome, Arizona
Following a familiar pattern, when copper was found in the area, colorful characters from all over the country poured into Jerome, earning it the nickname “The Wickedest Town in the West”. Visit to hear Wild West tales of mining and haunted houses before perusing the impressive modern art galleries.

Fort Worth, Texas
This Texas city’s Stockyards National Historic District is a treasure trove of Wild West culture and attractions. Most famously, the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive takes place twice a day (11:30 a.m. & 4 p.m.) and offers visitors the chance to see a historically accurate cattle drive of Texas Longhorns march down Exchange Avenue. After you’ve seen that, head for the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Billy Bob’s—the world’s largest honky tonk—or one of the many Western wear shops.

Abilene, Kansas
For years, this town was the end of the line for the cattle drives that got their start deep in the heart of Texas. Suffice to say when the cowboys got paid for their two-month-long trek, the party was on in Abilene and as a result, the town gained a solid reputation for ill-repute. Visit Old Abilene Town for a taste of the past at seasonal gunfight & Can-can shows or check out the world-record-holding Big Spur—the largest in the world.

Prescott, Arizona
Former territorial capital of Arizona and one-time residence of Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday, Prescott’s Western culture runs deep. Spend a day at the impressive Sharlot Hall Museum—home to thousands of relics from the Wild West era—before bouncing between saloons on Whiskey Row.

St. Joseph, Missouri
As they say, St. Joe is where the Pony Express began and where Jesse James ended. Visit the Pony Express National Museum to learn all about this legendary messenger service that revolutionized communications across the West before checking out the Jesse James Museum—located in the home where the legendary outlaw met his maker.

Palo Duro Canyon, Texas
Not only is this Western wonder the second grandest canyon in the country, but the surrounding state park also plays host to a Texas-themed Western musical show under the stars at its delightful Pioneer Amphitheater. After exploring the canyon and taking in the show (every Tuesday through Sunday during the summer months), head to nearby Amarillo for dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a venue famous for serving up meals fit for a cowboy.

Cimarron, New Mexico
Names like Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley and the James Brothers all made their way to this town in northern New Mexico and some left a permanent reminder of their stay. Most famously at the St. James Hotel, which still sports dozens of bullet holes in its ceiling from shootouts in the saloon and is said to be haunted by Wild West-era guests.

Cody, Wyoming
Founded by showman Buffalo Bill Cody, this Wyoming town has dubbed itself the “Rodeo Capital of the World”—and there’s no better place to take in the official sport of the cowboy. The town comes alive each summer during the Cody Nite Rodeo and iconic Cody Stampede, the latter established way back in 1919. Another way to get in touch with the spirit of the Wild West here is to visit the enlightening Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which showcases Native American cultures, Western art and cowboy culture.

Oatman, Arizona
One of the most beloved Route 66 pitstops in Arizona, Oatman is home to more wild burros than residents, and that suits visitors just fine. Stop to say hi to these descendants of four-legged mining assistants and pick up a kitschy souvenir or two. Or, better yet, stay a night at the Oatman Hotel, home to legends of hauntings and tales of Western characters.

Telluride, Colorado
Like many mining towns of its era, Telluride boomed and then went bust, but it has been designated a National Historic Landmark due to the important legacy its mining heritage left behind. The town was also the place where Butch Cassidy made his first high-profile robbery, cleaning out the San Miguel Valley Bank in 1889. Learn all about the town’s role in the tales of the Wild West at the Telluride Historical Museum.

Las Vegas, New Mexico
According to some historians, this Las Vegas rivaled Dodge City for the title of “Sin City” of the Wild West. Home to a motley crew of outlaws, hustlers, con men and cattle rustlers, anything used to go here, and if you go here today, you’ll be surrounded by Wild West heritage at every turn. None more so than at the Plaza Hotel, which has stood sentry over the town since 1882 and owns its share of scintillating Wild West tales.

Cripple Creek, Colorado
This former mining settlement near the base of Pikes Peak was once dubbed the “World’s Greatest Gold Camp” and you’re guaranteed to strike it rich with Wild West fun during your stay. Take a ride on a narrow-gauge railroad, tour a historic mine and say hi to the local donkeys who roam town from mid-May to mid-October. You never know, you might come up a winner at the town’s casinos, too.

Sacramento, California
Listed as a national historic landmark, Old Sacramento is home to woolly and wild museums, historic railroad trips, old school riverboat cruises and scores of other attractions that will redefine what you thought you know about California’s capital.

Bisbee, Arizona
The Copper Queen Mine made Bisbee rich and today you can tour this historic attraction to see where all the magic happened. In the years since its mining heydey, the town has become a magnet for creative folks and today Bisbee boasts scores of galleries and great eateries. Stay at the Copper Queen Hotel to embrace the past and maybe even bump into a Wild West-era ghost or two.

San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is one of the birthplaces of cowboy culture and home to the Alamo, where one of the most famous events in the history of the West took place. After you’ve toured the legendary mission and learned all about its heroic defense, make your way to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum—the oldest saloon in the Lone Star State—for interactive education on the city’s role in the Wild West.

Virginia City, Montana
Virginia City sprung to life overnight in 1863 when gold was discovered nearby, making it so important that it was named the territorial capital of Montana. The gold dried up and everybody moved on but the town stands today as a testament to the tales of the Wild West. Neighboring Nevada City is actually made up of old buildings from other ghost towns, which makes it an enthralling stop, too. Between the two great Wild West towns, you can expect to see authentic buildings and storefronts, wooden boardwalks, a penny arcade, music machines and even a two-story outhouse.

Laramie, Wyoming
Laramie was founded as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad and quickly gained a reputation for lawlessness due to a group of unsavory early residents. After a group of local vigilantes ran them out of town, Laramie blossomed to become a byline for “The West” as it starred in a film (The Man from Laramie) and television series (Laramie) during the 1950 and 60s. Make sure to take a day trip to Fort Laramie, a former fur trading center turned military post that become an iconic address on the Northern Plains during the days of the Wild West.

Leadville, Colorado
Home to 70 square blocks of Victorian facades and a large historic mining district, Leadville offers a thrilling snapshot of an authentic Western mining town. Walk the streets of this “Cloud City”—at one point the “highest incorporated city” in the country—admiring the ornamental architecture before visiting the famed Matchless Mine and learning the tales of the Doc Holliday and other characters who called Leadville.

Monument Valley, Utah
You’ve seen it a million times on the silver screen and on television, but there’s nothing like gazing upon Monument Valley in person. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported directly into a Western movie and perhaps no other landscape in the West possesses quite the same power.