This place has been on my bucket list and I am far from being happy on finally visiting…read more I have seen videos and pictures on travel blogs and knew I had to visit. Just 40 minutes from Laughlin, you will be transported from the desert to the Wild, Wild West! When we got closer to the town, we were greeted by the four-legged locals that make Oatman so popular--DONKEYS!!!! I was in awe seeing them walk up to our car and just stare us down. As you continue to drive up the road into the tourist area, there are shops and quick bites to enjoy while visiting. At high noon, there is a shootout with locals so beware! Truly something out of this world and back in time! Don't forget to pick up some cool souvenirs in the shops since you will want to remember this trip. Also, take it easy going up. The donkeys roam around and will sometimes stop in the middle of the road. Take in the nature and cool vibes while exploring. Tip: many of the stores sell donkey treats. To capture great videos and pics, I highly recommend feeding them.

Oatman, Arizona -- Where the Donkeys Run the Town!…read more Heading out of Vegas for a road trip to Laughlin, we decided to make a little detour to a place we'd heard about called Oatman, Arizona. We were told there were donkeys roaming the streets... and, well, that was enough to convince us to check it out! It's roughly a 2 1/2-hour drive from Las Vegas, but we actually really enjoyed the journey. The desert scenery is beautiful, and the last 30 minutes or so is where the drive gets interesting. You wind your way through a scenic canyon until suddenly you arrive in what feels like a little time capsule from the Old West. Oatman is an old mining town that has been transformed into a quirky Western tourist town. The main street is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, Western wear, antiques and all sorts of fun stuff. And then there are the donkeys. They wander up and down the street like they own the place -- and honestly, they probably do. You can buy bags of donkey food for about a dollar at the shops, and there are signs reminding visitors to feed them only the food sold there. The donkeys are incredibly friendly, curious and just a little bit nosy. Feed one and it may decide you're its new best friend... at least until it spots someone else with a bag of food! And these donkeys aren't shy. Some of them even wander right into the stores, casually browsing the merchandise like they're looking for a new pair of cowboy boots. The shops are packed with souvenirs, Western clothing, antiques and plenty of Oatman memorabilia. The shopkeepers we met were all incredibly friendly, and we thought the prices were actually pretty reasonable. One thing we would definitely recommend: bring water and some snacks, especially if you're visiting during the hotter months. We were there around the end of August/beginning of September, and it was HOT. They do sell drinks and snacks in town, but coming prepared is a good idea. There's also plenty of free parking, although it can get pretty busy with visitors. All in all, Oatman was a fun little stop that definitely felt like we had wandered off the beaten path and straight into the Old West -- with a bunch of four-legged locals waiting to greet us. If you're in the Laughlin area and looking for something a little different, Oatman is definitely worth the drive. Just remember... you're not really visiting Oatman. The donkeys are visiting you