The romance and history of the Old West is irresistibly rich. It's true that sorting one from the other can be a challenge, but for those who love both, a visit to some of the famous sites of the Old West makes for a fascinating vacation. You'll find storied small towns, battle sites and grave sites worth a visit -- from Texas to South Dakota, Kansas to Arizon
Tombstone, Arizona
- Tombstone, located in southern Arizona, has a storied history. It's the location of the O.K. Corral, where lawmen Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday gunned down a group of outlaw cowboys. It's also the location of one of the most famous Boot Hills, or cowboy graveyards, in the West, where those same outlaw cowboys were buried. The city of Tombstone offers guided tours of its historic points of interest, including tours via stagecoach, jeep or on horseback. Some of Tombstone's tourist attractions are a bit kitschy; you'll find plenty of places where you can dress up in an old-fashioned costume and get your picture taken, and there are shooting galleries galore.
The Alamo in Texas
- In 1836, during the Texas War for Independence, a small band of men held off a detachment of the Mexican Army for 13 days at this fortified Catholic mission. In the end, however, the Alamo fell and famous men such as Davy Crockett and James Bowie were killed. The battle became a symbol for Texas pride, and the phrase "Remember the Alamo!" became a rallying cry. The Alamo still stands near San Antonio, and much of its Old West character has been carefully preserved. Men are still asked to remove their hats as a sign of respect when entering the Alamo, and photography is not allowed within the complex.
Deadwood, South Dakota
- Deadwood's fame was revitalized by the HBO television series of the same name that was set in this South Dakota boomtown. The entire city is on the National Register of Historic Places, as it retains much of its original Victorian-era architecture. It's not just the buildings or television, though, that brought fame to Deadwood. Wild Bill Hickock was murdered and buried here. The famous markswoman Calamity Jane, too, is buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery next to Hickock. Gambling is legal within the city limits of Deadwood, providing another reason to visit: you can risk your money in one of more than 80 historic gaming halls.
Dodge City, Kansas
- Dodge City is named after nearby Fort Dodge, which was built to protect the northern end of the Santa Fe Trail. Dodge City grew rapidly in size and importance once the railroad arrived in 1872. Dodge has a famous, if small, Boot Hill cemetery, and the Boot Hill museum is also located here, filled with period artifacts. One must-see is the Trail of Fame, a self-guided walking tour through Dodge marked out by medallions embedded in the sidewalk. Its centerpiece is an 8-foot-tall bronze statue of Wyatt Earp. You'll also find a life-sized bronze statue of a longhorn cattle called El Capitan.
