Day One - Dodge City

Day One

  • 9:30 a.m.
  • Find yourself in historic downtown Dodge City at the Visitors Center located at 400 W. Wyatt Earp Boulevard to start your day

Trail of Fame

The Trail of Fame Walking Tour winds its way through the Dodge City historic district from the newly restored Santa Fe Depot, Sundial Park, and railroad caboose east of the Visitors Center and west of the Boot Hill Museum. Famous and historic western figures memorialized include Wyatt Earp, “Bat” Masterson, “Doc” Holliday, General George A. Custer, and “Big Nose” Kate Elder, to name just a few. Many of the main cast members of “Gunsmoke” including James Arness, Amanda Blake, Milburn Stone, Ken Curtis, and Buck Taylor are also installed. The Dodge City Trail of Fame includes several larger-than-life bronze statues such as, “Wyatt Earp, Famous Dodge City Lawman.” In front of the Boot Hill complex, is a life-size statue of "Doc" Holliday sitting at the gambling table. Come and sit down and have your picture taken!! On July 30, 2017, there was an unveiling of the newest larger than life-size statue of James Arness as the Gunsmoke character, Matt Dillon.

Statue in front of Visitor Information building

Dodge City Trolley Tour 

An old west historical site tour is offered four times daily beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The hour-long tour includes historical sites in Dodge City, our past and present cattle industry, and Fort Dodge. The trolley is a 24-passenger, air conditioned, motorized trolley. Four tours a day are scheduled at:

  • 9:00 am
  • 10:30 am
  • 1:30 pm
  • 3:00 pm

The tour does not stop at each attraction for visits, but it provides an overview of what visitors can experience during their stay in Dodge City.

Lunch Break: Check out the many dining options available in Dodge City.

Home of Stone

Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, this three-story home was constructed with native limestone and features the original furniture shipped to the frontier in the 1880s by its builder John Mueller. One room is filled with memorabilia of pioneer mothers who lived in Ford County, Dodge City, and the surrounding territory. Open June through August, Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Admission can be made by appointment the rest of the year.

Carnegie Center for the Arts

The Carnegie Center for the Arts stands as a noble tribute to art in architecture. This local landmark, with turn-of-the-century flair, began as a community gift. It is one of the 1,679 public libraries constructed through the assistance of steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie.

Today, the two-story brick building continues a tradition of education and community service as a gallery for traveling exhibits and local art. The Carnegie Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hours of operation are:

June - September:

  • Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
  • Sunday and Monday: Closed

October - December 22 & January 22 - May:

  • Tuesday - Saturday: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Sunday and Monday: Closed

The center is closed for the month of January. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated.

Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame

The Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame, the first of its kind in the United States, is dedicated to early and present day teachers who have devoted their lives to this fine profession. Visitors may view the Hall of Fame gallery, including pictures and information about each inductee since 1977. The museum showcases books, desks, and other items from early classrooms. 

Summer Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day):

  • Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

September Hours: 

  • Friday and Saturday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday and Monday: by appointment only, call (620) 225-8186.

Off-Season Hours: 

  • By appointment only, call (620) 225-8186. 

Gunfighters Wax Museum

Located just upstairs from the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame is the Gunfighters Wax Museum. It features the likeness of such famous people as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Davey Crockett, Sitting Bull, and former President John F. Kennedy, to name a few. An exhibit of members of the “Gunsmoke” television series is also featured. 

Summer Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day):

  • Monday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

September Hours:

  • Friday and Saturday: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday and Monday: by appointment only, call (620) 225-8186.

Off-Season Hours:

  • By appointment only, call (620) 225-8186.

Historic Front Street and Boot Hill Museum 

Old Dodge City, which includes Boot Hill Museum and Historic Front Street, is a Western History village museum located on the original site of Boot Hill Cemetery in downtown Dodge City. Life in the 19th century is interpreted through audio-visual programs, exhibits, a reconstruction of Dodge City in 1876, and living history demonstrations. Exhibits in the Boot Hill Museum include an extensive old west gun collection, Boot Hill Cemetery (where unfortunate victims of the early days of lawlessness were buried), Fort Dodge jail (one of several original buildings at the Fort still in existence), a one-room school, and the 1878 Hardesty House (a restoration of a Victorian era cattleman’s home). Other 19th century business exhibits include a general store, cigar store, dry goods store, barber shop, two saloons, drug store and doctor’s office, hardware store and saddlery, gunsmith, printing office, railroad depot, and blacksmith.

Entertainment at the museum is daily during the summer season. Some of the summer activities include first-person interpretations, gunfights, and the Long Branch Saloon Variety Show featuring Miss Kitty and the can-can dancers.

From Memorial Day to mid-August, visitors can enjoy two gunfight re-enactments each day at high noon and 7:00 pm.

Tour the Boot Hill Museum and then enjoy a chuck wagon dinner, a gunfight re-enactment, and the Long Branch Variety Show.

Summer Hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day):

  • Daily: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Off-Season Hours:

  • Monday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Boot Hill Casino

The Boot Hill Casino and Resort is designed to recreate the world famous 1870s and 1880s experience at the historic destination of Dodge City. Sit at the tables and feel the excitement of the gamblers of old. Have great fun in the best atmosphere!

Head back to the bunkhouse to rest up for another day! Looking for a place to stay? Check out the many hotels available in Dodge City.