Dodge City

In 1865 Fort Dodge was constructed along the Santa Fe Trail to help protect travelers from Indians. Dodge City was formed near the fort in the years that followed. In the 1870s it exemplified the spirit of the Wild West portrayed in American television and movies, most notably in the American television show "Gunsmoke," which was set in Dodge City and popularized the phrase "Get the hell out of Dodge."
The town had its heyday during the cattle drives of the late 1800s as quarantines made it one of the few places along the railroad where Texas ranchers could bring their cattle. This quarantine, created to protect other breeds of cattle from a parasitic tick carried by longhorns, was extended to Dodge City in 1885, essentially ending the town's run as the "Queen of the Cow Towns". By 1886 the gambling saloons, brothels, and other notorious establishments that had built the town's reputation had mostly closed.

By car

The most common way of getting to Dodge City is by car, and is a worthwhile stop for anyone road-tripping along the US-50.

By plane

• Dodge City Regional AirportPenAir has nonstop service to Denver.

By train

Arriving by rail is less common, but fully possible via Amtrak and its daily Chicago - Los Angeles Southwest Chief train. Notice that trains arrives at rather inconvenient times, east-bound trains arrive just before midnight while west-bound ones arrives early morning around 5:30AM.

• Dodge City station

  address: E Wyatt Earp Blvd
  While the station might look impressive from the outside, notice that there are few amenities and no ticket office or machines.

• Boot Hill Museum

  phone: +1 620 227-8188
  address: Front St
  The Boot Hill Museum contains a reconstruction of 1876 Dodge City and Boot Hill Cemetery, so named because most of the deceased were buried with their boots on. Between Memorial Day and the end of August, visitors can see gunfight re-enactments, a variety show, and have a chuckwagon dinner.

• Depot Theater Co.

  phone: +1 620 225-1001
  address: 201 E. Wyatt Earp
  A historic Santa Fe Depot theater with dinner theater productions.

• Carnegie Art Center

  phone: +1 620 225-6388
  address: 701 2nd Ave.
  Art gallery in the historic Carnegie Library building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

• Coronado Cross

  phone: +1 620 227-6791
  address: East Highway 400
  38-ft tall cross marking the spot where Spanish explorer Francisco Vasques de Coronado crossed the Arkansas River in search of the fabled "Seven Cities of Gold" in 1541.

• Dodge City Cowboy Band

  address: Wright Park
  Tuesday nights in June and July only. The oldest municipal band west of the Mississippi River.

• Dodge City LegendSemi-pro basketball team.

• Fort Dodge

  phone: +1 620 227-2121
  address: East Highway 400
  Fort Dodge served as a supply depot and a base of operation while fighting the Indians from 1865-1882.

• Mueller-Schmidt House

  phone: +1 620 227-6791
  address: 112 E Vine St
  The 1881 house of a bootmaker with original furnishings and a gallery dedicated to local pioneer women.

• Dodge City DaysDodge City Days will occur from July 28 - August 6, 2006. Events include a barbeque contest, the Dodge City Days Rodeo, an arts and crafts show, a parade, and a classic car show.

• Boot Hill Casino & Resort

  address: 4000 West Comanche

• Dodge City LawUnited Wireless Arena in West Dodge City is home to the town's professional indoor football team, the Dodge City Law. The team competes in the CIF.

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

• Guymon Petro Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 620-371-7500
  address: 301 4th Ave

• Budget Host Inn

  phone: +1 620-227-8146
  address: 2200 West Wyatt Earp Blvd

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Dodge City

  phone: +1 620-225-1000
  address: 201 4th Ave

• Wyatt Earp Inn

  phone: +1 620-225-2654
  address: 2110 East Wyatt Earp Blvd

• Wichita, the largest city anchored in Kansas, is about 150 miles east of Dodge City.