Dodge City

Dodge City is a town of about 27,000 people in western Kansas, famous for its Old West heritage and cattle drive history. Founded near Fort Dodge, which was built in 1865 along the Santa Fe Trail, the city became a legendary cattle town in the 1870s when it was one of the few places along the railroad where Texas ranchers could bring their longhorn cattle. The town's heyday as the "Queen of the Cow Towns" inspired the TV show Gunsmoke and popularized the phrase "Get the hell out of Dodge." Today, nearly two-thirds of residents are Latino, reflecting the city's continued connection to the cattle and meatpacking industry.

The Arkansas River meanders through the southern half of the city — note that within Kansas, the river is pronounced "Arr-KAN-sas" to match the state name. Summers are hot and dry; winters are cold with occasional snow. The town sits at the crossroads of US-50 and US-56, with most hotels and services clustered along US Highway 50 on the western side of town.

By Plane

Dodge City Regional Airport (DDC IATA). United Airlines has nonstop service on a regional jet to Denver through partner SkyWest Airlines, with one or two flights daily.

By Train

Amtrak's daily Southwest Chief (Chicago–Los Angeles) stops in Dodge City. Eastbound trains (next major stop: Kansas City) arrive just before midnight; westbound trains (next major stop: Albuquerque) arrive around 5:30AM. The station is at E Wyatt Earp Blvd — while it looks impressive from outside, there are few amenities and no ticket office or machines. Buy tickets online or at another station.

By Car / Road

Dodge City is a worthwhile stop on a US-50 road trip, which runs from Garden City in the west through Dodge City and Emporia before angling up to Kansas City in the east. The town is about 150 miles west of Wichita (roughly 2 hours) and 270 miles southwest of Kansas City (roughly 4 hours). Greyhound bus service is also available.

The town is spread out but manageable by car. Most attractions are concentrated along the Wyatt Earp Boulevard corridor and downtown Front Street area. Parking is plentiful and generally free.

• Boot Hill Museum — Front St, +1 620-227-8188. Memorial Day–Labor Day: 8AM–8PM daily. Off-season: M-Sa 9AM–5PM, Su 1–5PM. A reconstruction of 1876 Dodge City and Boot Hill Cemetery (named because most deceased were buried with their boots on). Summertime: gunfight re-enactments, variety show, and chuckwagon dinner. Admission: $8 adults, $7.50 seniors/students, under 6 free (50 cents less off-season).

• Carnegie Art Center — 701 2nd Ave, +1 620-225-6388. Tu-F 1:30–5PM, Sa 9:30AM–noon. Art gallery in the historic Carnegie Library building, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

• Coronado Cross — 11666 E US Hwy 400 (east of the city, near Fort Dodge), +1 620-227-6791. A 38-ft-tall cross marking where Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado crossed the Arkansas River in 1541 searching for the fabled "Seven Cities of Gold."

• Fort Dodge — East Highway 400 (5 miles east), +1 620-227-2121. A supply depot and base of operations during Indian conflicts from 1865–1882.

• Mueller-Schmidt House (Home of Stone) — 112 E Vine St, +1 620-227-6791. An 1881 house of a bootmaker with original furnishings and a gallery dedicated to local pioneer women.

• Dodge City Days — Held late July to early August. Events include a barbecue contest, Dodge City Days Rodeo, arts and crafts show, parade, and classic car show.

• Boot Hill Casino & Resort — 4000 West Comanche, toll-free +1-877-906-0777. Open 24 hours. Run by the Kansas Lottery. Adults only (21+).

• Depot Theater Co. — 201 E. Wyatt Earp, +1 620-225-1001. A historic Santa Fe Depot theater with dinner theater productions. Typically five shows a year, each running three weekends. Dinner tickets must be bought 24 hours in advance; $60 ($30 show only).

• Long Branch Lagoon Water Park — 111 4th Ave (in Wright Park), +1 620-225-8156. Slides, lazy river, and shaded areas. Open daily in summer, weekends until early September. $6 adults, $4 kids.

• Dodge City Cowboy Band — Wright Park, toll-free +1-800-653-9378. Tuesday nights in June and July only. The oldest municipal band west of the Mississippi.

• Southwest Kansas Storm — Professional indoor football at United Wireless Arena in West Dodge City.

• The Cowboy Capital Saloon & Grill — 301 4th Ave, +1 620-413-6012.
• > TODO: additional restaurant recommendations not sourced

• Boot Hill Distillery Tasting Room — 501 W Spruce St, +1 620-371-6309, [email protected]. W-Sa 3PM–11PM.

Hotel options tend to be large chains, with a few budget motels along US Highway 50. Home stay rentals (about $150/night, two or three beds) are also available. There are four RV parks.

• Mid-range: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dodge City, 201 4th Ave, +1 620-225-1000. Executive Inn, 2200 West Wyatt Earp Blvd, +1 620-227-8146.
• Budget: Gunsmoke RV Park, 11070 108th Rd, +1 620-227-8247. Full hookups, gravel lots, wifi, outdoor pool in summer, coin-operated laundry. $48/night.

While the cowboy-era downtown buildings were torn down in the 1970s, the "new" downtown maintains a frontier feel with dozens of shops ranging from vintage photos and art galleries to utilitarian stores.

• Village Square Mall — 2601 Central Ave, +1 620-227-8196.

• Garden City (115 miles west, ~1 hr 30 min) — Finney County Historical Museum and Lee Richardson Zoo.
• Wichita (150 miles east, ~2 hrs) — Kansas's largest city with museums and Old Town district.
• Hutchinson (100 miles east, ~1 hr 30 min) — Kansas Cosmosphere and Underground Salt Museum.
• Larned (60 miles northeast, ~1 hr) — Fort Larned National Historic Site.
• Liberal (170 miles southwest, ~2 hr 30 min) — Dorothy's House and Land of Oz.