Exploring the Wild West towns of America
With money saved up for a potential getaway, why not consider exploring the Wild West towns of America? After all, America’s Wild West has always attracted holidaymakers, with history lovers, in particular, being fascinated by it.
(Image via https://twitter.com/TracesofTexas)
On the whole, the world has a strong interest in America’s Wild West. This love affair has led to the creation of a number of classic movies, such as The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and modern-day games like the adventures on offer in the Wild Wild West – The Great Train Heist game. While these entertaining offerings depict a period that took place between 1865 and 1895, you can’t beat venturing to some of these Wild West towns for yourself. In fact, while you might not be able to see gun-slinging cowboys and outlaws on the run, these popular locations ooze history.
So, with an increasing amount of people embarking on a variety of domestic vacations, below is a selection of America’s Wild West towns that are worth considering for your next trip away.
Amarillo, Texas
When most of the world thinks about the Wild West and the variety of things that are associated with it, Texas immediately springs to mind. Amarillo, in particular, is a location that has a number of stories around cowboy life attached to it. A town that was first established in 1887, Amarillo’s Wild West past can be felt today in the modern world. The former tent camp has now flourished to become a cowboy-themed favorite, with rodeos held there, Wild West-themed bars to frequent, and shops selling authentic clothing from the era. Also offering 72-ounce steaks to devour at much-loved spots like the Big Texan Steak Ranch, alongside interesting offerings like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, Amarillo is a Wild West town with plenty to offer.
Dodge City, Kansas
Kansas is another destination that has plenty of Wild West towns to assess. Arguably, the best of them all, though, is Dodge City, a town that was founded in 1872 and had large populations of gunslingers and conflicts associated with it. Hollywood’s finest have gained inspiration from Dodge City, with many of the movies people know and love containing a number of elements that are associated with this Kansas hotspot. A destination where lawless behavior was commonplace, modern-day attractions include the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, the Historic Trolley tour, Gospel Hill, and the intriguing Boot Hill Museum.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Established by the Spanish in 1608, Santa Fe is one of America’s most attractive destinations in this area. Not only is it a lovely location to explore, but its rich history, strong arts scene, and fascinating mix of cultures make it a unique location to spend a few days in. With the likes of Billy the Kid spending his younger years there, Santa Fe is absorbing. From the Museum of Indian Art and Culture to stunning national parks, Sante Fe is wonderful.
Oatman, Arizona
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A state that’s steeped in cowboy-related history, Oatman is one of Arizona’s Wild West towns that attracts thousands of visitors on a yearly basis. Named after Olive Oatman, who was kidnapped for slavery by an Apache tribe before being sold to Mohave Indians, Oatman is accessible via Route 66 and has seen a number of Hollywood blockbusters filmed there. A quintessential Wild West destination that is packed full of things to do, such as visiting the Oatman Jail and Museum and devouring some delicious dishes as you watch donkeys roam the streets like in an old classic, this well-liked historical town is definitely worth a visit.
