It’s not every day you get to see what it was like to be a cowboy on the frontier, but at Wild West City in Stanhope, New Jersey, my kids did when we were transported back to the 1800s in Dodge City, Kansas (really, Sussex County, NJ). This one-of-a-kind attraction on the East Coast 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
Going back to the Wild West
When you walk through Wild West City, it feels like you’re 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 we brought our cowboy hats (there are hats for purchase, too) because Wild West City encourages dressing up, which adds to the fun. In town, we went in and out of the buildings housing authentic Western-style places you’d find in a typical working Western town, like the Saddle Shop, Silver Dollar Saloon, and the Opera House, where the Can-Can Dancers perform daily. The blacksmith had a fire revved and ready to go, waiting to forge metal for horseshoes.
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 smattering of animal skulls displayed on the walls. 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.
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 (and helps kids understand it’s pretend). 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.
Take a train, pony, or stagecoach ride
Besides the live-action shows and history, there are a few rides. 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.
Visit a frontier farm
One of my kids’ favorite parts was getting to see the animals. We got to see a pig, chickens, a rabbit, goats, a cow, and, of course, horses, all typical of what you would find on a frontier farm. They posted signs with cool facts about the animals above each fenced-in area, and the animals are all within the areas. My kids were thrilled to see chickens and goats so close and were in awe of the rabbit, claiming it was the largest they’d ever seen.
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 an extra fee, you can get a bag of mining ore enriched with gems and fossils. We purchased a bag 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.
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 and Summer Stampede. This fall, they will host the Fall Fest and the Haunted Wild West Fest, which will have Halloween-themed activities during the day and the Spooky Wild West Fest After Dark events.
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 $37 ($45 at the door), and children (2-12) are $32 ($39 at the door). 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 2025 season from May 3 to June 15 and daily from June 19-September 1. After September 1, they are open on weekends only through October 26. Look out for their newer mini-skits, remastered shows, and re-enactments.
Learn more about Wild West City on the website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Wild West City
50 Lackawanna Drive
Stanhope, NJ 07874
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