Looking for a day trip idea just a short drive from Phoenix? Head to Goldfield Ghost Town!
Just 45 minutes east of downtown Phoenix, you can catch a glimpse of what life was like back in the 1890's here in the valley! Goldfield Ghost Town is known for its historic buildings and an illustration of Arizona's wild west--when you visit, it can feel like you've been transported back in time to the days of rowdy cowboys and rambunctious saloons!
Today, the town of Goldfield stands as a restored replica of the original town from the late 19th century with a stunning backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. Its ghost town reputation comes directly from its history--it's said that Lost Dutchman's gold mine was depleted and the mine was no longer of any value, the town of Goldfield emptied out almost overnight leaving only a few prospectors behind. When you visit Goldfield today, you'll find a charming replica of what was once a booming town filled with multiple saloons, a general store, brewery, blacksmith shop, butcher, and a school for the families of this mining population.
During your visit to Goldfield Ghost Town, you can expect to see a street filled with authentic-looking buildings from the late 19th century, mine tours, eclectic wild west-inspired shops and restaurants, a saloon, and many people walking around in period costume often accompanied by horses and wagons (and if you're lucky, you'll stumble upon a lively gunslinger reenactment in the town square!)
During your visit to Goldfield Ghost Town, you can expect to see a street filled with authentic-looking buildings from the late 19th century, mine tours, eclectic wild west-inspired shops and restaurants, a saloon, and many people walking around in period costume often accompanied by horses and wagons (and if you're lucky, you'll stumble upon a lively gunslinger reenactment in the town square!)
Adam and I took to the road this week to check out Goldfield Ghost Town for the very first time. Our friends at Toyota invited us to test drive the new 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid, so we thought what better way to enjoy our time with a new ride than by taking a day trip to the outskirts of the valley. We plugged in the directions into our GPS, opened the moonroof, turned on some 90's throwback hits on Pandora with the Toyota Entune™ App Suite, and we were on our way!
We enjoyed the day exploring Goldfield Ghost Town -- we spent most of our time walking around and checking out all of the different shops, trying snacks from the different restaurants, and talking to some of the locals and hearing about the area. Perhaps our favorite spot in all of Goldfield was "The Mudslinger," the pottery marketplace towards the back near the chapel. We spent a lot of time talking to 'the mudslinger' himself, and he gave us a little tour of his workspace.
We enjoyed the day exploring Goldfield Ghost Town -- we spent most of our time walking around and checking out all of the different shops, trying snacks from the different restaurants, and talking to some of the locals and hearing about the area. Perhaps our favorite spot in all of Goldfield was "The Mudslinger," the pottery marketplace towards the back near the chapel. We spent a lot of time talking to 'the mudslinger' himself, and he gave us a little tour of his workspace.
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Totally going to share this post! Friends of ours are moving to Arizona the end of July so they will be looking for new places to explore. The scenery is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun! We might be in the area in a few months, and if we get there, we are SO going to see this!
ReplyDeleteThey have been there a few times and it was a lot of fun. They do a really good job of keeping it feel like an old Western city. Great review you have some wonderful pictures there.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place to visit! I love visiting old towns so this would be really cool! You took some great photos!
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like such a fun place to visit! I would love to visit someday.
ReplyDeleteHow did I not know this place existed? We go to Old Tucson whenever we are in Arizona, but I've never been to Goldfield Ghost Town. This is definitely a place that I would love to check out the next time we are there. ~Sarah
ReplyDeleteI would truly enjoy a trip like this! I have only been to Arizona once as a child but I have great memories of it and would love to return!
ReplyDeleteI think ghost towns are so cool!! I would love the opportunity to explore one!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place to visit. I have never visited a ghost town. I think it's totally cool. I would love to go one day.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome place to explore! Our entire family would get a real kick out of a ghost town adventure. I am loving those gorgeous wind chimes as well.
ReplyDeleteThis town looks pretty interesting! I would love to visit it soon! A fun vacation spot.
ReplyDeleteThose photos are amazing. Makes me want to take a trip right now to check it out! So cool and neat!!!
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a ghost town. I don't have one near me..probably not one even in my state of Florida. But now I want to travel and find one. Your pics are great
ReplyDeleteHa! what a great place to explore in with the kiddos! I'll have to keep that in mind... it looks super charming and full of history : )
ReplyDeleteThis places looks super cool. My first thought was photo shoot. How could you not capture all of this towns beauty.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a neat place to visit!!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! What a beautiful church! Thanks for sharing the cowboy commandments, and, of course, what trip is complete without outhouse pics.
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous place to visit! Those wind chimes look beautiful! That ice cream looks delicious! Yum!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like so much fun. We'll have to day trip to Goldfield some time. We live in Tucson.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like such a cool place to visit! I would love to check it out someday.
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