Western towns are steeped in history and culture, offering visitors a firsthand experience of the Old West. We explore 18 US towns that still feel like the Old West, from historic buildings and museums to rodeos and gunfights.
Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone, Arizona, is a town in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, founded in 1879 by prospector Ed Schieffelin. It became one of the last boomtowns in the American frontier. It is best known as the site of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and presently draws most of its revenue from tourism.
Cody, Wyoming
Cody, Wyoming, is a town in Park County, Wyoming, United States. It was founded in 1896 by William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and is named after him. Cody is a popular tourist destination known for its Wild West history and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City, Kansas, is in Ford County, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1872 and was once a significant cattle town on the Chisholm Trail. Dodge City was known for its lawlessness, many saloons, and gambling halls. It was also home to some of the most famous gunslingers of the Wild West, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.
Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a popular tourist destination known for its Wild West history and many historical attractions. The town’s historic district is a National Historic Landmark District. Visitors can explore the Adams Museum, which tells the story of the town’s Wild West past; the Mount Moriah Cemetery, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried; and the Broken Boot Gold Mine, where visitors can learn about the town’s gold mining history.
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City, Nevada, is a town in Storey County, Nevada, United States. It was founded in 1859 as a silver mining town and was once one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the American West. Today, Virginia City is a popular tourist destination known for its Wild West history and many historical attractions. The town’s historic district is a National Historic Landmark District. Visitors can explore the Mark Twain Museum, where Mark Twain lived and wrote for several years.
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene, Kansas, is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. It was founded in 1869 as a cattle town on the Chisholm Trail. Abilene was once one of the largest cattle towns in the American West and was known for its lawlessness and many saloons and gambling halls. Today, Abilene is a popular tourist destination known for its Wild West history and many historical attractions. The town’s historic district is a National Historic Landmark District.
Buffalo Bill, Wyoming
Buffalo Bill, Wyoming, is a popular tourist destination known for its Wild West history and its proximity to Yellowstone National Park. The town is home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a museum complex that tells the story of the American West. The center includes five museums: the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Draper Natural History Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum.
Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth Stockyards District is a historic district that was once a significant center for the cattle industry. Today, it is a popular tourist destination with shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the Stockyards Cattle Drive and Billy Bob’s Texas honky-tonk.
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott was founded in 1864 as a gold and silver mining town. The city increased in the early years and was the capital of the Arizona Territory from 1864 to 1889. Prescott is known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and its many historical attractions.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a town in Teton County, Wyoming, United States. It is located in the Rocky Mountains, about 10 miles north of Grand Teton National Park and 50 miles south of Yellowstone National Park. Jackson Hole is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and many festivals and events. The town also has several art galleries, museums, and shops.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is a city in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States. It is the capital of the state and the fourth-largest city in New Mexico. Santa Fe is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about 60 miles north of Albuquerque.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a town in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. It is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about 100 miles north of Santa Fe. Taos is known for its Pueblo-style architecture, art galleries and museums, and its proximity to Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage Site.
Bandera, Texas
Bandera is known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” The town is home to several dude ranches, which offer visitors the opportunity to experience the Old West. Bandera has several other attractions, including the Bandera Western Heritage Museum, the Medina River, and the Lost Maples State Natural Area.
Marfa, Texas
Marfa is a small town in Presidio County, Texas, United States. It is located in the Trans-Pecos region of the state, about 200 miles southeast of El Paso. Marfa is known for its arts and culture scene, mysterious Marfa Lights, and proximity to Big Bend National Park.
Terlingua, Texas
Terlingua is a small town in Brewster County, Texas, United States. It is located in the Big Bend region of the state, about 80 miles from Alpine. Terlingua is known for its ghost town history, proximity to Big Bend National Park, and annual chili cook-off.
Oatman, Arizona
Oatman, Arizona, is a small town in Mohave County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the Black Mountains, about 15 miles south of Kingman. Oatman is known for its Wild West history, donkeys, and many shops and attractions.
Jerome, Arizona
Jerome was founded in 1876 as a copper mining town. The town increased in the late 19th century and early 20th century and was once the fourth-largest city in Arizona. However, the copper mines closed in the 1950s, and the town declined rapidly. In the 1960s, Jerome began to be revived as a tourist destination. The town’s historic buildings were restored, and art galleries and shops began to open.
Goldfield, Nevada
Goldfield, Nevada, is a town in Esmeralda County, Nevada, United States. It is located in the Goldfield Mountains, about 20 miles west of Tonopah. Goldfield is known for its gold mining history, ghost town atmosphere, and many historic buildings.
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