Dodge City: Walk the Streets of Gunsmoke

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The streets of Dodge City weren’t always a backdrop for television’s Gunsmoke. They were once a real battleground of the Wild West. Lawmen faced down outlaws, and every saloon held a story. It was this rugged history that inspired Gunsmoke, television’s longest-running western, making Dodge City the heartbeat of a legend that still draws visitors eager to walk where history and the fictional character of Matt Dillon came alive.

Today, you can walk the same streets that shaped legends. I walked the streets of Dodge City this summer with my husband as we followed the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail.

My visit to Dodge City was hosted. All opinions are my own.

Boot Hill Museum: Where History Lives

A longhorn in the Boot Hill Museum. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

Located on the original Boot Hill Cemetery site, the Boot Hill Museum is an extensive museum complex that showcases Dodge City’s glory days as “Queen of the Cowtowns.” The recent expansion includes incredible interactive exhibits and over 60,000 artifacts from early Dodge City residents.

Front Street Replica: Just Like Gunsmoke

The Long Branch Saloon, which is part of the Boot Hill Museum, a stop on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail — The Long Branch Saloon, which is part of the Boot Hill Museum. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

The Front Street replica creates an authentic 1870s atmosphere. The Long Branch Saloon provides the perfect setting for sarsaparilla, old-time music and frontier storytelling. Talented musicians from the Variety Show perform throughout the day.

If you get there at the right time, you can become deputized. I received my deputy certificate during our visit.

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Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!

I was deputized by the marshal. This is my badge. — I was deputized by the marshal. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

Gunfight: Realistic Reenactment

The staged gunfight at the Boot Hill Museum is pure Wild West fun. It’s a lively reenactment of Dodge City’s rowdy past.

Actors bring the Old West to life with dramatic flair. Gunshots echo and tempers flare in this thrilling show.

The performance is family-friendly and packed with action. Set against the backdrop of Boot Hill’s historic street, it feels authentic. The costumes, props and storytelling are top-notch.

This staged gunfight is a must-see for anyone visiting Dodge City. It’s history with a bang!

Long Branch Variety Show: Lively Entertainment

Dancers During the Long Branch Variety Show. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

The Long Branch Variety Show is a lively and entertaining tribute to the Old West. The show is family-friendly. It features a delightful mix of music, comedy and dance, performed by actors in authentic period costumes. Miss Kitty in the show resembles Amanda Blake from Gunsmoke.

Guests are transported back to the days of saloon girls and gunslingers as they enjoy toe-tapping tunes, hilarious skits and engaging storytelling.

After the show, actors welcome guests to the stage for photos with the characters and dancers.

Walk the Trail of Fame

A woman standing beside the Matt Dillon statue, a stop on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail — The author beside the Matt Dillon statue. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

The Dodge City Trail of Fame celebrates both historical figures and “Gunsmoke” cast members through sidewalk medallions and impressive statues. James Arness, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis and Milburn Stone are honored alongside authentic frontier legends like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson.

The life-size James Arness statue outside the Visitor Information Center provides an essential photo opportunity. Standing beside this towering tribute to Matt Dillon, I truly understood the commanding presence that made the character so memorable.

El Capitan, the statue commemorating the Longhorn. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

El Capitan, the bronze longhorn bull, represents the thousands of Texas cattle that built Dodge City’s prosperity.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon if taking photos, for the best lighting on statues and murals.

Historic Trolley Tour

The inside of a trolley on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail — The inside of the climate-controlled trolley. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

The climate-controlled trolley provides comfortable exploration of Dodge City’s historic sites while expert guides share colorful stories about the town’s frontier days. The tour includes Fort Dodge and Santa Fe Trail sites, offering a comprehensive historical context that enhances your entire visit.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Take the trolley tour early in your visit. It provides a historical perspective and ideas for the rest of your time in Dodge City.

Boot Hill Distillery

Dodge City was born from the whiskey barrel of George M. Hoover. The Boot Hill Distillery carries on the legacy with handcrafted spirits that are sourced, milled, distilled and bottled locally. They have a great tour and a lovely tasting room on top of Boot Hill.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The Distillery is not part of the Boot Hill Museum or Front Street. You have to exit and go up a block to the distillery.

Mueller-Schmidt House Museum

The “Home of Stone” stands as Dodge City’s oldest building remaining on its original site. The Mueller-Schmidt House, built of limestone in 1882, represents the elegant homes that prosperous residents constructed as the frontier town evolved into a permanent community.

The unique architecture and period furnishings provide insight into domestic life during Dodge City’s boom years.

Sante Fe Depot

Santa Fe Depot. Photo credit Robin O'Neal Smith — Santa Fe Depot. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

The Santa Fe Depot, built in 1898, is the largest historic train depot still standing in Kansas.

This depot is part of the Wild West history and was once a bustling hub for travelers and goods. Cowboys and settlers passed through its doors. Part of the building still serves as a train station. The Depot Theater is also housed in the building.

Visitors can explore its rich heritage and admire its timeless design. Outside lie historic twin sundials that display both Central and Mountain time.

Other Dodge City Sites

Fort Dodge. Photo credit: Robin O’Neal Smith

Fort Dodge: Established in 1865, Fort Dodge is a historic military post built to protect travelers and settlers along the Santa Fe Trail. There are still some original buildings at the site.
Longhorn Park: The park features a herd of Texas Longhorn cattle, a nod to the cattle drives that shaped the town’s history.
Gunfighters Wax Museum: This unique museum in Dodge City, Kansas, brings the Old West to life with lifelike wax figures of famous gunslingers, lawmen, and outlaws.
Santa Fe Trail Rut Site: The deep wagon ruts left by pioneers traveling the Santa Fe Trail are a reminder of the thousands of wagons that once crossed the plains.