Oatman

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Oatman is a old mining town on Route 66 in Western Arizona. It's about equal parts touristy kitsch and real, honest-to-goodness Wild West atmosphere. The current population of 150 is down from about 23,000 in its boom years, around the 1930s. The main street, lined with gift shops, looks like a set from a Hollywood Western -- and with good reason: Hollywood dolled up the facades to film How The West Was Won here in 1962. A staged gunfight takes place every day at high noon. On the other side of the equation, if you show up after the tourists go home, you'll start to get a real feel for the place: a town of grizzled miners and dogged entrepreneurs determined to make a living at the far edge of civilization.

[edit] Get in

Follow Route 66 from Kingman or Laughlin.

[edit] Get around

The Oatman Metropolitan Subway System (OMSS) offers cheap and efficient transportation to virtually every corner of this region. There's also bus and monorail coverage, and a fleet of natural gas-powered taxis.

[edit][add listing] See

Local characters stage a gunfight at high noon and donate the proceeds to the Shriners Hospital for Children. A group of wild burros visits daily -- shopkeepers can furnish carrots.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Gold Road Mine Tour, Route 66 (Just east of Oatman), ☎ ''+1'' 928-768-1600 (, fax: ''+1'' 928-768-9588), [1]. 11AM-5PM. Tour of century old mine shaft lasts about an hour. $12/6 (Adults/Children under 12).  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Jackass Ron's, Main Street (Route 66), [3]. Daily 9AM-4PM.  edit
  • Main St. Emporium, 150 S. Main Street (Route 66), ☎ ''+1'' 928-788-3298 (), [4]. Daily 10AM-5PM. Locally made hand-crafted items such as art and candles that you can watch being made.  edit
  • The Ore House, 194 Main Street (Route 66), ☎ ''+1'' 928-768-3839 (, fax: ''+1'' 928-768-3839), [6]. Daily 9:30AM-4:30PM. Rock and gift shop.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Olive Oatman Restaurant and Saloon, 171 Main Street (Route 66), ☎ ''+1'' 928-768-1891 (), [7]. 8:30AM-4:30PM. Lunches $5-7.50.  edit
  • Prospector Cafe, ☎ ''+1'' (928) 768-2555.  edit
  • Route 66 Deli & Expresso Shop, 134 Main, ☎ ''+1''(928) 788-2661.  edit
  • Silver Creek Saloon & Steak, 170 Oatman, ☎ 170 Oatman.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Judy's, 260 Main St, ☎ ''+1'' (928) 768-4463.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Crystal Palace & Motel, 233 Oatman, ☎ ''+1'' (928) 768-5007.  edit
  • Oatman Hotel, 181 Main Street, ☎ ''+1'' (928) 768-4408. Hotel supposedly haunted by several ghosts. As of 2/23/08 was closed to overnight guests.  edit
  • Karen's cabin. Karen (never did catch her last name) is a local shop-owner and miner who runs a cozy guest cabin. Find her at Arizona Girl shop to inquire. If you arrive in the evening, go to Judy's saloon and ask them to track her down. The cabin sleeps five, has a working kitchen, space heaters and wood stove. There's a barbecue in the small yard and a beautiful view of the rugged mountain-scape. If you're at all interested in gold mining, ask her about it -- she's got the bug. Also, ask to see the tortoises.  edit

[edit] Get out

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