Looking for a fun experience to make the most out of summer vacation? We spent an afternoon at Wild West City in Stanhope, and if you haven't been, keep reading for our detailed review!
My oldest is almost 14, a boy, and quite frankly I'm surprised that we have never before ventured to this slice of the old west right in our backyard! It is the type of place that should be a rite of passage for any kid living in northern New Jersey. After sharing some details with others who had already been, it sounds like this near replica of Dodge City, Kansas, which has been around since 1956, hasn't changed much over the years, making it a place you'll take your kids, they'll take their kids, and so on.
From the minute you step into the admission shack, you're transported back in time. Memorabilia covers the walls, facilities are constructed true to the time period, and the staff are all in character. The town is set up in a "U" shape, anchored by the Golden Nugget Saloon. Each business is a museum of sorts, where you'll be able to read about the history from the 1880's, learn unique facts and then see for yourself up close and personal, how things looked. Do you know the history of the barber shop pole, and how the colors of red, white and blue were chosen? You might be surprised by the answer, we certainly were! We also learned that at the saloon, you could obtain a bath for 25 cents! In addition to the saloon and barber shop, you can visit the dressmaker, the general store, the post office, the blacksmith (complete with live demonstrations) and my personal favorite, the jail (yes, I did enjoy photographing my kids in the cells!). Every 15-20 minutes there is a live show going on in the center of town, you're sure to catch several re-enactments while walking through and you'll also receive a schedule of events when you enter the park, so you can time your visit to Main Street according to the ones that most interest you.
After meandering through the town rich with history, you can hop on the stagecoach which will take you outside of Main Street. Here you'll have a view of the one-room schoolhouse and the old chapel. Be careful to hide your silver and gold while aboard, bandits are known to roam the outskirts of town and you just might find yourselves held up!
Wild West City forest, which lies beyond the school and chapel, is accessible by train ride. Catch a glimpse of Arapaho Territory, Dan Tucker's camp and Vulture Valley as the train travels along a 3/4 mile track.
By this point, surely you'll be getting hungry! Wild West City offers several scenic picnic areas and you are welcome to bring in your own vittles. Should packing a picnic not suit you, the Golden Nugget Saloon offers plenty of food options as well as a full bar. As we sat outside and ate lunch, we were able to enjoy watching a reenactment of a stage coach hold up, which offered full visitor participation. SPOILER ALERT: We helped shoot the bad guys and they went to jail.
Wild West City also offers a panning for gold experience, a small barnyard of animals, a 9-hole mini golf course and pony rides. We took time to do each of these activities, and panning for gold was definitely a favorite! The golf course could use some updating and didn't interest the adults and older kids - my four year old however insisted on finishing every single hole (with style I might add!). The pony rides have a weight limit of 90lbs, so while not for everyone, Ella was in heaven!
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All-in-all we spent about 3 hours at the park, and it was plenty of time to see and do everything. The park wasn't crowded, so social distancing was easy.
If you're looking for a unique experience, get out your Wild West gear and spend a few hours immersing your family in history. I'm not entirely sure each of my kids appreciated the visit at the time, but I'm certain they will look back on it fondly, and likely make WWC an outing for their kids one day.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Parking is free
- You are welcome to bring your own food
- Get your kids small toy guns at the dollar store before you go - they will want to participate in the shows!
Wild West City is located in Stanhope, NJ. As of June 19th, they are open 7 days a week.
Admission and Ride Ticket Prices
| Adults | $29.00 | |
| Children (Age 2-12) | $24.00 | |
| Senior Citizens | $24.00 | |
| Ride Tickets (Train, Pony, Miniature Golf) | $5.00 each | |
| Stagecoach Ride | $7.00 each |
