Dodge City

Visit during the summer months to watch exhilarating gunfight reenactments, children’s events such as can-can dance lesson and cowboy lessons, and the longest running seasonal theatrical show in the nation, the Long Branch Saloon Variety Show.

Memorialize your visit to Dodge City by stopping by the Old West Photo Parlor located in Boot Hill Museum. Adults and children will love dressing up as prairie women, gunslingers, saloon girls, and gamblers. They’ll leave with a 1800s-style portrait of their western persona.

The museum isn’t the only attraction on the former Boot Hill Cemetery site. Climb to the top and stop by Boot Hill Distillery. Legend has it that Dodge City had its start in the spring of 1872 when George M. Hoover set up a tent-covered bar and a few whiskey barrels five miles west from Fort Dodge. Boot Hill Distillery’s story began in 2014 when western Kansas farmers; Roger Kelman, Hayes Kelman, and Chris Holovach began the first-ever craft distillery in western Kansas with a true soil to sip process. Today, small batches of spirits are made with ingredients from these local farms.

Visitors and residents can get up close and personal with some of the legends of Dodge City at the Gunfighters Wax Museum near Boot Hill Museum. Wyatt Earp, Sitting Bull, and Jesse James are just a few of the figures that you’ll encounter here.

The Wild West ambiance isn’t limited to the Boot Hill district. The Dodge City Roundup Rodeo hosts numerous events throughout the year and showcases today’s cowboys and cowgirls performing feats such as bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, and calf roping. The PRCA Rodeo marks the culmination of Dodge City Days, the second largest annual community festival in Kansas, which celebrates the town’s rich history and western heritage.

Dodge City Raceway Park features a remarkable dirt track racing schedule, too. Even though racing cars is a little more modern than racing horses, people still praise their visits to this dirt-track raceway as a classic American good time.

Get the most out of a Dodge City visit by checking out the Boot Hill Casino and Resort. Designed with luxury in mind, the casino takes guests into the atmosphere of Old West elegance, which isn’t too far from the boisterous environment of a saloon. Today, visitors can enjoy more than 600 electronic gaming machines and sleep at a nearby hotel with all of the modern amenities.

The town blends old with new while keeping with the character of its legendary history. Hit up Dodge City Brewing if you prefer beer to whiskey. Dodge City Brewing, the first craft-brewery in western Kansas, opened its doors in 2017 and features brick-oven pizza along with hand-crafted brews.

During the growing season, local farmers sell their wares at the downtown Dodge City Farmer’s Market. This is a great way to enjoy the fruits of modern farming, homemade baked goods, and handcrafted arts and crafts, all while appreciating the historic town.

When you’re ready to enjoy the rolling bluegrass hills, you might want to head out to Mariah Hills Golf Course. Dodge City features a municipal 18-hole golf course that’s as challenging as it is enjoyable. It’s open throughout the year and offers discounted twilight rates as well as all-day green fees.

In the summer months, cool off at Long Branch Lagoon Water Park. Even this modern marvel retains a western theme with features including; Doc’s Plunge (Boomerango slide), Gunslinger (slide), Cowboy Creek (720-foot lazy river), Wrangler Rapids (wave pool), Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole (lap pool), and Fort Splash (shallow water pool) are fun for kids of all ages.