If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Route 66 made a pit stop in Krugersdorp, Cowboy Town might be the answer. Tucked into the rugged West Rand terrain, this quirky little spot brings a dose of dusty Americana to Gauteng. Complete with rusted relics, barn-style signage, vintage memorabilia, and a market that feels like a cross between a car boot sale and a roadside treasure hunt.
We visited on Sunday, 13 April, when the market was in full swing. There was live music drifting across the grounds, lending the whole place a mellow, old-school fairground feel. No shootouts at high noon, no cowboys yelling “Howdy,” but the visual Wild West theme was definitely front and centre. Think wooden facades, saloon doors, wagon wheels, and the comforting smell of sizzling meat.
What You’ll Find
The heart of Cowboy Town is its Sunday market, a mix of bric-a-brac stalls, collectables, and antique shops that reward slow browsing. I spotted everything from classic enamelware and vintage signage to dusty LPs and cowboy boots that had definitely seen a few good dances in their day. The overall experience reminded me of the Boksburg and Bruma lake flea markets in their heyday, with music, food, and downright fun in all directions, or for those in the North, think Prison Break market with a very strong cowboy theme.
There’s a lot to see, a bit to do, and plenty to eat at Cowboy Town
You can expect to find craft workers (metal and leather), a bit of collectables for those into gaming, old toys and memorabilia, including vinyl and coke. but you will need to know where to look and, more importantly, the value of things. There were plenty of knock-offs with real deal prices, and plenty of valueables with dirt cheap price tags, for those in the know. I didn’t try to haggle, but it didn’t look like the place to try either. It was very what you see is what you get and if it has a price, that’s what it costs.
There was also an Instagram photobooth popup shoot area with different themes and stagings, but at R50 a person, we felt it wasn’t worth it, nor was it our reason for the visit, but it might interest some.
Facilities-wise,the bathrooms were clean, but gender-neutral, which was a little weird. Thankfully, some of the restaurants also had their own.
You won’t need a full day unless you’re the type to dig through every crate and ask every vendor a story — but a solid 3 to 5 hours will give you enough time to shop, eat, and wander without missing anything.
The Grub
We kicked things off with a nostalgic bite, Chip Stix, of all things. We haven’t seen these since high school (not to give away our age too much), and were pleasantly surprised to find them at R25 a pop.
Cowboy Town offers a massive variety of eateries, most doubling up as craft bars. To avoid the beer temptation, we chose to eat at The Blue Parrot, one of several food spots scattered throughout the grounds. We picked it mainly because it had a kids’ play area, and although we initially mistook it for a coffee shop, we weren’t disappointed in the slightest.
The burgers were solid, not life-changing, but definitely worth the sit-down. The menu had a broad selection ranging from breakfast plates to ribs, with South African favourites like steak, pulled pork sandwiches, and eisbein all making an appearance.
We wrapped things up with ice cream cones, in what we’re calling our daily contribution to the sugar tax.
Other Offerings
We spotted quite a few unexpected gems, like a vendor offering platters of samoosas and spring rolls(you pick, they bring), and another stand focusing exclusively on Tex-Mex. There was lot of the same by most of the resturants and vendors but you would be able to satisfy all you cravings if you start looking around.
Pricing was a bit of a mixed bag: some things felt reasonably priced, while others clearly came with a novelty tax. Overall, you can expect the usual Wild West-inspired fare: ribs, pulled pork, burgers, and a heavy emphasis on meat-based comfort food.
Vegetarians? Might want to pack a granola bar. We only found one stall focusing on this and they also happened to be selling pest control chemicals, which was just an absolute miss in my opinion.
Atmosphere & Ambience
Cowboy Town doesn’t try to be Disneyland. It leans into the kitsch, embraces the rust, and pulls it off with a kind of down-to-earth charm that works in the setting. It’s not polished, but it doesn’t need to be. This place feels like someone’s long-running passion project that grew a bit wild and weird in the best way.
Don’t expect actors or cowboy shootouts. This isn’t Gold Reef City. It’s more of a visual homage to Americana, filtered through a uniquely South African lens.
Need to Know
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Entry: Free, no parking cost – just tip your car guard, don’t be that guy.
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Hours: Most stalls wrap up by 14:30 — go early
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Best for: Vintage lovers, families, curious wanderers, antique collectors, and Instagrammers chasing texture and grit
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Not ideal for: High-end shoppers, minimalists, or people expecting a Wild West theme park
Our Ratings
Value for Money: ★★★☆☆
Some stalls offer bargains, others are clearly capitalizing on the niche. Food is decently priced, but not budget eats.
Experience & Service: ★★★★☆
Relaxed, unpretentious, friendly vendors. Don’t expect white gloves, this is boots and beer country.
Uniqueness & Atmosphere: ★★★★★
There’s nothing quite like it in Gauteng. It nails the Western aesthetic in a fun, laid-back way.
Convenience & Accessibility: ★★★☆☆
Easy to find, free parking, but closes early and could use better signage for first-timers.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, but with the right expectations.
Final Verdict: ★★ – A very good stop
If you’re in the area on a Sunday and want something completely different, maybe even borderline bizarre, Cowboy Town is well worth a few hours of your time. Come for the vibe, stay for the weird. Just don’t expect a full-on Western fantasy. It’s a little rough around the edges, a little nostalgic, and entirely its own thing, and honestly, that’s a big part of the charm.