Superstition Springs Museum and Goldfield Ghost Town with Kids

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Perfect for a near-to-home day trip, the Superstition Springs Museum and Goldfield Ghost Town with kids is a fun, historical outing great for elementary kids. 

Most of both experiences are outdoors (and with little shade), so it’s more of a fall/winter/early spring destination.

Superstition Springs Museum and Goldfield Ghost Town with Kids

This is also a really fun outing with out of town visitors (grandparents love it with all the Elvis memorabilia). 

Be sure to stop by Tortilla Flats on the way home for prickly pear ice cream, too!

XO,

East Valley Moms

Superstation Springs Mountain Museum with Kids

If you’re looking for a fun, family day trip look no further than the Superstition Springs Mountain Museum. (Budget hack: get two free tickets from the Mesa Library’s culture pass program.)

Located in Apache Junction on the Apache Trail, the museum is a quick trip from the East Valley and very kid friendly.    

Visit the gallows, hang out in “jail,” sit in a stagecoach, and visit the Elvis Memorial Chapel. That’s right, you’ll be standing in a movie set where Elvis himself once stood.

Part of the Superstition Springs Museum is the Apacheland Movie Ranch. The original ranch burned down, but the Elvis Memorial Chapel and the Audie Murphy Barn {built in 1960 and used in the films “Arizona Raiders” and “Time for Dying”} both survived and were moved to the museum, piece by piece. 

Apacheland has been the host to many western movies and television shows since 1959 when it was known as “The Western Movie Capital of the World.”

The Superstition Springs Museum and the Apacheland Movie Ranch offer some fun family photo opportunities and give your kids a look at what life in the old west was like!

Goldfield Ghost Town with Kids

After the Superstition Mountain Musuem, head up Apache Trail a bit to the Goldfield Ghost Town (three minute drive between the attractions).

Shop, ride the train and watch an old west gun fight {performed by the Goldfield Gunfighters.}

Mom tip: If you have small children, or children with sensitive ears, the gun fight might be a little scary for them. If that’s the case, while the gun fight is happening it may be a good time to hit the old-fashioned candy store!

The Goldfield Ghost Town is also a great place for some fun photo opportunities and offers a beautiful view of the Superstition Mountains.

Visiting the museum and ghost town are free, however any activities such as riding the train will cost you a few bucks. 

Budget hacks for families visiting 

Pack a lunch: you may want to pack a lunch for the little ones, or plan your trip so it doesn’t coincide with lunch time as there aren’t a lot of restaurants in the area. The Goldfield Ghost Town does have a Saloon offering appetizers, sandwiches, and if you’re really hungry, nice big steaks (but pricey)!  For the kids, there is the usual fare of grilled cheese and chicken strips, but they also offer BBQ beef, grilled chicken breast and chopped sirloin.  The full menu is available online.

Use a culture pass for free tickets: Using your library card, redeem two free passes to the Superstition Mountain Museum using the culture pass program. Offered at Chandler, Tempe and Mesa Libraries, this can save you a few buckets on admissions. Culture passes are good for one week after you “check them out” from the library. 

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