Beltway Bambinos

This post is written by a friend, Julie Lobb who enjoys taking her two boys on adventures; this Summer they have done many exciting trips already. One was a road trip up to Lancaster County where they went to Dutch Wonderland and most recently they skipped the sand and surf while being in Ocean City one day and spent the day at Frontier Town. When I saw the videos and pictures Julie posted after this experience I asked her to write this to let everyone else know about it.

When I was six years old, I was lucky enough to visit Tombstone, AZ. It was one of my earliest vacation memories. I loved seeing the sandy, cactus-filled streets and exploring an old west town. Now that I have two little boys, I would love to take them there.

Well today, we got to do the next best thing! We visited Frontier Town in Berlin, MD. The park is just across the drawbridge from Ocean City, MD, and right on the way to Assateague Island. Frontier Town has 2 campgrounds, a water park, mini-golf, a high ropes adventure park, and a western theme park. We opted just to do the western theme park and spent 5 hours there. The cost of the western theme park is $14/adult and $12/child ages 4-10.

When you enter the front gates, you immediately walk onto Main Street. There you can explore a western bank, post office, a jail, a barber shop, an old chapel, general store, and the Golden Nugget Saloon. You are also immediately greeted by a character that directs you to the next show. Based on our experience, if you follow the show schedule, you will get the most out of your visit. The daily schedule has shows from 10 AM – 6 PM. 

When we arrived, a show was starting at the Native American Village. There we could throw tomahawks, shoot bow and arrows, and get our face painted (fees were $2 for each activity). We watched a Native American dance demonstration that had lots of audience participation. 

From there we explored Boot HIll (a graveyard) and an old mine. Next, they ushered us to a show on Main Street where we watched the Legend of Amos Cash, which was a gun duel. From the gun fight, guests were directed to the Golden Nugget Saloon for a can-can show. This show had some parts that brought up questions from the kids later. There is an actor who acts drunk and interrupts the show. My kids had some questions about alcohol and if the actors were really drinking. So just a heads up….

During the can-can show, most of the audience got lunch. The food options were limited (burgers, hot dogs, fries). My 8-year-old has never met a burger he doesn’t like…until Frontier Town. He thought it was pretty gross and didn’t finish it. There is a also a snack shop with pretzels and popcorn and an ice cream shop.

After lunch we saw more gun duels, a bank robbery, and a trial. We then rode a train and were robbed by outlaws. We had a stage coach ride; we were given gold, and then robbed by outlaws again. Pony rides were included with the price of admission.

Many of the kids at Frontier Town had toy western-style guns and were shooting at outlaws throughout the shows, train, and carriage rides. There was also quite a bit of jokes about drinking and cultural references that were used in the 1880’s, but may raise eyebrows now. That said, my kids loved the shows and being able to participate in them and it also spurred some research on famous cowboys.

Frontier Town lends itself to a day away from the beach and one that doesn’t involve all of the stimulation and noise of the arcade and rides on the boardwalk. It’s also a good way to schedule in a time to see the ponies at Assateague before or after Frontier Town. If you are a camping family be sure and check out the grounds for your next stop!

More from the Frontier Town website
Get yourself ready for a trip back into America’s Wild West with all its purdy nostalgia and tons of colorful characters! Visit the replica western town circa 1880 and enjoy a revamped Wild West Show, which features an all new Best of the West Exhibition, while still keeping in tradition with Bank Holdups, Native American Dancing, Can Can Shows, Gunfights, and Jailbreaks. Take the youngins to pan for gold, go for a ride on the pony swings, or take a turn in our stagecoach and steam train! Browse about the quaint western gift shops, chow down in the town’s eateries, or just rest your doggies a spell and let the youngins romp ’round while you lose yourself in the thick atmosphere of the Ol’ West.

Related post
Sea Rocket in Ocean City, MD