Wild West City in Stanhope, New Jersey, feels like you’ve stumbled into a time capsule, instantly transported back to the 1800s in Dodge City, Kansas. So when I told my kids we were taking a day trip “out west,” they were curious and excited to be at this one-of-a-kind Western experience on the East Coast. This Sussex County attraction opened its gates in 1957 and still provides authentic Western historical, educational, and entertaining experiences today. During our visit, my kids helped the town Marshall find the “bad guys,” they visited the animals at the corral and even took a train ride into outlaw territory. But mostly, my family enjoyed disconnecting from the modern world to experience the historical American West. Here’s why we loved it and why Wild West City is one of our must-see NJ attractions. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
The Wild West City on the East Coast
Wild West City looks like a typical town from the 1800s, and it includes everything a town would need, from a bank to Town Hall. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Going back to the Wild West
Walking through Wild West City feels like stepping into an authentic Western film. With authentic details like the dusty dirt road, 19th-century buildings like the Post Office, Bank, and General Store, and actors dressed in cowboy hats and prairie clothes, my kids were in awe, having never seen anything like it before. We were glad that we brought our own cowboy hats (there are hats for purchase, too) because Wild West City encourages dressing up, which adds to the fun. In town, there were many unique places to immerse yourselves in the past, like the Saddle Shop, Silver Dollar Saloon, and the Opera House, where the Can-Can Dancers perform daily. The blacksmith even had a fire revved up and ready to go, typical of a working Western town.
The saloon looks exactly how you would expect, from the dark wood tones to the wagon wheel decor. Grab a bite or cold drink while you’re there. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Exploring the town
As we walked through the town, we couldn’t help but notice all the realistic details. The Golden Nugget Saloon has a frontier-inspired exterior, a dark-paneled brown wood bar (go ahead and belly up to the bar for an icy cold brew or root beer), the lighting made from wagon wheels, and a few animal skulls. The Bank looked authentic with the hardwood floors, wood-paneled teller booths, and historical artifacts laid out for viewing. There are museums and living history artifacts throughout the city, some dating back to the 1800s. It was fun to compare the past to the present when we looked over everything. My kids were surprised to see the one-room schoolhouse (my son asked how they fit everyone in it!), and there’s also a tiny chapel where they host weddings.
Live entertainment is available all day long at Wild West City. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Experiencing the live shows
There are daily live shows almost every 10-15 minutes on the main street of Wild West City. Catch the Pony Express Show, the Can-Can Dancers, or The Big Bank Hold-up (with child participation). It almost felt like we were watching a Western movie play out as the actors mixed suspense, action, and even some comedy into their routines. Yes, there were horses, gunfights, stand-offs, and everything that you would expect to see in the Old West, but as quickly as the actors and actresses fell to the ground, they got right back up to show you that their scenes were not all real and all in good fun. You can view the shows right behind standing posts so you don’t get too close, and many of the actors will involve the crowd to keep the excitement going all day long.
Don’t miss out on the stagecoach rides through Wild West City, and get ready for some surprises along the way. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Take a train, pony, or stagecoach ride
Besides the live-action shows and history, there are a few rides, too. My kids loved saddling up to go on a real pony merry-go-round ride. Next, we took the train ride, also known as the Ol’ 97, right into the badlands of Wild West City. This train ride was unlike anything we’d ever been on—we rode right into outlaw territory. The ten-minute train ride went through a tunnel, and we saw an exciting show right from our seats. The excitement continued up until we departed from the train. We then boarded a stagecoach ride on the Wild West City Stage Line. Two horses pulled the stagecoach, and it traveled to the outskirts of town, but don’t expect it to be a quick ride—there are some surprises on the way. The pony, train, and stagecoach rides are all available for an extra fee.
Did you know that both male and female goats have beards? Learn fun facts while visiting the animals at Wild West City barnyard. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Visit a frontier farm
One of my kids’ favorite parts was getting to see the animals. You can visit a pig, chickens, a rabbit, goats, a cow, and, of course, horses all over Wild West City. The animals are typical of what you would find on a frontier farm. Interesting facts about the animals are posted above each fenced-in area, and there are lots of animals all around. My kids were thrilled to see chickens and goats so close and remarked that the rabbit was the largest they’d ever seen.
One of the highlights is panning for gold at Egan’s Mine. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Pan for gold or score a hole-in-one
Of course, no Wild West town is complete without a mine to pan for gold, and Wild West City has one. For as little as $5 or up to $100, you can get a bag of mining ore enriched with gems and fossils. We purchased the $5 bags to see what surprises we would discover. My kids placed everything from their bag on the screen bottom box, and they dipped it into the sluice. They found an arrowhead, colorful gemstones, and even some gold as the dirt washed away. They could take home everything they found, and Egan’s Mine was one of the highlights of their visit. Next to the mine was Lancaster Greens, a newly remodeled mini-golf course. The course includes everything from a mailbox to a squirrel to a loop that will take your golf ball for a ride.
“Bailey’s Boys” 27th Regt. NJ Company F was set up at Wild West City during our visit. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Stay for the special events
Wild West City has a bunch of special events throughout the season to add to the excitement. We saw a Civil War Encampment set up by “Bailey’s Boys” 27th Regt, giving us a glimpse into what soldiers did in the past. Other upcoming events include The Spring Bonanza, Summer Stampede, and Scouts Weekend. This fall, they will host the Fall Fest and the Haunted Wild West Fest, which will have Halloween-themed activities during the day, as well as the Spooky Wild West Fest After Dark events.
Don’t worry if you need a break. Wild West City has plenty of places to purchase food, drinks, and desserts. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
What to know before you go
I recommend wearing closed-toe shoes and sneakers since most areas are dirt roads. If your child is sensitive to loud noises, you may want to be a bit further back from the action or bring headphones when experiencing the performances because they can get noisy. Parking is free, adult ticket prices are $34, children (2-12) are $29, and seniors (62+) are $29 (pricing discounts may be available online from time to time, so check ahead). The train, mini golf, Egan’s Mine, pony ride, and stagecoach ride are available for an extra fee. Want to plan a birthday party here? You can host special events at Wild West City for kids or adults, such as a wedding, party, or bachelorette. Wild West City is open for the 2024 season on weekends from May 4 to June 9 and daily from June 15-September 2. After September 2, they are open on weekends only through October 27. This season, the park has new mini skits, remastered shows, and re-enactments. There is also a new food and beverage menu with seasonal items and Western-inspired fare.
Wild West City
50 Lackawanna Drive
Stanhope, NJ 07874
Learn more about Wild West City on the website, Instagram, and Facebook.
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