Trail Dust Town was built in 1961 and Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse in 1962. Located at 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd Tucson, AZ 85715 United States next to the cross streets E Tanque Verde Rd and Grant, this tourist attraction has been a family business for decades. In 1971 the steakhouse burned to the ground, but was rebuilt in another location on Trail Dust Town which is where it still stands today. In the 1990s shops were added to the town, a carousel and C.P. Huntington Railroad, as well as a ferris wheel, and PolyAnna Park in the 2010s to encourage more customers and various events.
Shopping:
There is a huge variety of shops at Trail Dust Town. In the gift shop called The General Store, you can pick up souvenirs and gifts like hats, toys, and exotic gifts. The Chocolate Depot is locally owned and home to handmade chocolates and fudge, as well as a full supply of scooped ice cream and various candies. The Trail Dust Trading Company sells wooden nickels and wristbands to participate in attractions, as well as themed and unique t-shirts and gifts. The Magic Shop contains comical and magical sets and toys, as well as familial magicians that will present tricks within the store, or sometimes travel to the restaurant. Families can take western themed photographs at Barking Iron Old-Time Photo Studio or get professional photos done at Silhouette Photography. For more business focused individuals, CS Design Studios which is partnered with Google, can help projects regarding web design and digital marketing. In addition to photography and novelty gifts, Sage Inspirations Artisan Jewelry contains luxurious gems and pieces for any type of occasion, and Peak of Perfection can pamper guests at the full service day spa located on the property.
Entertainment:
IMG_5048.jpeg IMG_5047.jpeg outlaws 3.webp
The Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros is a family owned and operated western themed stunt show occurring Friday through Sunday at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. In a thirty to forty-five minute show, the actors perform risky stunts and defy gravity flipping through the air and have been written and run by the same actor, Jerry Woods for over twenty six years. With regular changing shows, Trail Dust Town fans keep coming back to witness fiery gunfights, fist fights, and explosions for $9.50-$11.50 a ticket in an arena right next to Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse.
Restaurants:
Trail Dust Town's restaurants are a must-visit. They are the perfect setting for family time, birthday parties, or just your average Tuesday night. There is nothing better than a themed restaurant and Pinnacle Peak sets a high bar for the old west. This is the home of the original cowboy steak and cowboy beans in Tucson, which is a staple in the community. These steaks are cooked over an open fire of mesquite wood giving its signature smoky flavor. Don't like steak? No problem. Pinnacle Peak offers a diverse menu of chicken, ribs, vegetarian options, and a kid's menu. At the Silver Dollar Saloon located within the restaurant, order specialty western themed cocktails like “I’m Your Huckleberry Margarita” and the “Gun Smoke” that uses wood chips and fire to put smoke within the glass of their take on an Old Fashioned. The restaurant and bar offer authentic decor and history of the wild west with a special rule of “No Ties Allowed” where customers wearing ties will have them cut off by servers and hung on the wall. Overall, the restaurant is worth a visit, whether it is drinking date night, or family weekend.
Millie's Pancake House opened in 1982, is a 'made from scratch' kitchen that offers the best pancakes in town! Millie's was started on the idea of having a breakfast place that you can escape the real world in. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 6:30 AM to 2 PM, the vibe and service of this restaurant makes you feel like you're right at home and could stay for hours. You can get soups, crepes, breakfast platters, and buttermilk hotcakes, and they even do catering for groups of up to fifty people.
Amusement Rides:
The C.P. Huntington train, Allan Herschell Carousel, and ‘Circle-the-Wagons’ Ferris Wheel operate Thursday through Sunday from 5 pm to 9pm. The miniature train runs through the Old West's scenes' featuring Native American artifacts, skeletons, and an abandoned town. The train is suitable for all ages and fun for the whole family. The Carousel and Ferris wheel in PollyAnne Park are great for children and host many events like book fairs and birthday parties with petting zoos and horse riding. The Carousel has vintage animals, and the ferris wheel resembles western wagons made of wood that you can ride on by purchasing wooden nickels from the Trail Dust Trading Company.
Events:
Savoy Opera House venue hosts various events including weddings, quinceañeras, memorials, Country Music Nights, Oktoberfest etc… The venue is a large western themed theater with ample space, able to host large events throughout the day or night. The best way to get into contact with event planners is to call (520) 886-5012 or make an appointment Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Some packages include different levels of host bars with a variety of pricing, food packages that include: appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The site fees and extra packages include silverware and glassware, tables and chairs, and the best part: set up and break down. They make it easy to throw any event and take the stress off of party planning.
Overall, Trail Dust Town is a must-see location full of family fun. Since opening, this place is a Tucson gem and is treasured among the community. Whether you are looking for a leisurely day window shopping or maybe buying some cigars, the shopping center in this town will keep you occupied for hours. Or go see a show with an unbeatable cast and crew that brings the wild west to life! Want Tucson's signature steak? Stop by Pinnacle Peak and feast like a cowboy. You can stop by Millie's Pancake House for breakfast, brunch, and lunch for the best pancakes in town. If that wasn't enough of a reason to visit Trail Dust Town, the amusement rides seal the deal. There is nothing better than learning about Tucson's history while having fun riding the miniature train through the Native American sanctuary and old town sets. Come on down and enjoy endless fun at Trail Dust Town!
My Experience:
After Visiting Trail Dust Town, I have told all of my friends that they need to come to visit! Everyone in Tucson should come at least once to experience Wild West culture and eat delicious food at Pinnacle Peak and Millie's Pancake House. I stumbled among this little town when I was driving around the streets of Tucson and I am confident to say that this location is a hidden gem. It is like you step on a movie set and you are transported into a different world. The architecture features bright colors, covered wagons, and an incredible set for their live-action shows. I saw their 7:00 pm show and I was blown away with the fire effects and guns used. It was just incredible! The crew and cast work hard to put on these shows and their efforts stand out immensely. After the show, I found the amusement park center and it is perfect for children. The miniature train ride took us through a Native American display that had statues in traditional garments standing next to teepees and hunting artifacts. The train also took us through what looks like a set of a horror movie! It was an abandoned town with skulls and run-down buildings. This town is rich in western culture and I recommend that everyone in the Tucson community make a stop here!
Photos Taken by Katie Carlson, Trail Dust Town, Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros
Trail Dust Town Website: https://www.traildusttown.com
Location: 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715
References:
Trail Dust Town, www.traildusttown.com/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023
“Action: Pistoleros Wild West Show: Arizona.” Wildweststuntshow, www.wildweststuntshow.com/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.
“Gallery.” Savoy Opera House, 25 Apr. 2019, www.savoyoperahouse.com/gallery/. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023
