Dodge City (Wichita, Kansas City, Hutchinson: hotels, getaway, home)

[jdavid93225]

I am heading east in about a week and am thinking about heading to Dodge City, before heading back to the west, while I'm on vacation. Does anyone have any thoughts on things to do or places to see that are considered worthwhile in the area?

[nm_photojournalist]

Dodge City has done its best to preserve some aspects of its rich heritage as a 19th Century "Cow-Town," at the end of the trails from Texas.
In that regard, you'd want to take in the old "Front Street" re-creation on (what else), Wyatt Earp Blvd. (The main drag West/East through downtown.) The "hotel" serves as a museum, and offers interesting insights into times past, including the coming of the railroad, trail herds, and unfortunately, the quick eradication of the bison herds. There is a saloon, merchantile, blacksmith, etc.
There is a small herd of Texas Longhorns that make for good picture opportunities out by the airport, on the eastern edge of town. US56/US50 East? At least once when passing through, I've seen some bison in with them. Eats? There is a relatively new Applebees, at the eastern edge of Front Street, as good as anyplace in D.C. Maybe you have sufficient-bucks while traveling, if so there are many major chain motor hotels along (mostly on the western half) Wyatt Earp Blvd. If you're traveling in the summer tourist season, get reservations early. If on the other hand, you're often a Motel 6 seeker like me, there is no Motel 6, but I recommend the Thunderbird Motel on west Wyatt Earp. I've stayed there four times in the past six years, and it is clean, and comfortable, and the owner/managers go overboard to provide information, and assistance.
If you're going east/west through Central Kansas...also try to take in the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. If you like space history, this is the place for a couple hours of well-spent entertainment. I-Max shows, and my favorite exhibit, the "original" Apollo-13 capsul that barely made it back from the moon.
Enjoy your trip! A displaced, Native Kansan.

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by nm_photojournalist

Dodge City has done its best to preserve some aspects of its rich heritage as a 19th Century "Cow-Town," at the end of the trails from Texas.
In that regard, you'd want to take in the old "Front Street" re-creation on (what else), Wyatt Earp Blvd. (The main drag West/East through downtown.) The "hotel" serves as a museum, and offers interesting insights into times past, including the coming of the railroad, trail herds, and unfortunately, the quick eradication of the bison herds. There is a saloon, merchantile, blacksmith, etc.
There is a small herd of Texas Longhorns that make for good picture opportunities out by the airport, on the eastern edge of town. US56/US50 East? At least once when passing through, I've seen some bison in with them. Eats? There is a relatively new Applebees, at the eastern edge of Front Street, as good as anyplace in D.C. Maybe you have sufficient-bucks while traveling, if so there are many major chain motor hotels along (mostly on the western half) Wyatt Earp Blvd. If you're traveling in the summer tourist season, get reservations early. If on the other hand, you're often a Motel 6 seeker like me, there is no Motel 6, but I recommend the Thunderbird Motel on west Wyatt Earp. I've stayed there four times in the past six years, and it is clean, and comfortable, and the owner/managers go overboard to provide information, and assistance.
If you're going east/west through Central Kansas...also try to take in the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. If you like space history, this is the place for a couple hours of well-spent entertainment. I-Max shows, and my favorite exhibit, the "original" Apollo-13 capsul that barely made it back from the moon.
Enjoy your trip! A displaced, Native Kansan.

nm_photojournalist,
Thanks for the info. I've seen some stuff on the web about DC, but never thought at all about heading all the way to Hutchinson. What you mention sounds interesting, but at about 120 miles further east than I was planning to go, I think it will have to wait until the next time I head that way. I am considering it for this trip, though, so I may go that way if time allows. On my current plan, D.C. is about as far east as I was planning to go, coming up from Oklahoma, then heading west to Denver. I'll have to go back to my maps and check out the alternatives.

[KevK]

You might wanna stop in the Longbranch Saloon and see Kitty, Matt, Festus and Doc!

[KevK]

Do you know why it is called "Dodge City"? Well it has nothing to do with the car. It is called "Dodge City" because of the frequent gun battles there. When you were in Dodge you had to "dodge" to keep from getting shot. And if you didn't dodge fast enough, they took you to Garden City and planted your ass!

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by KevK

Do you know why it is called "Dodge City"? Well it has nothing to do with the car. It is called "Dodge City" because of the frequent gun battles there. When you were in Dodge you had to "dodge" to keep from getting shot. And if you didn't dodge fast enough, they took you to Garden City and planted your ass!

I am pretty familiar with the town's history, which is part of the reason I would like to visit. It seems like a place that would be rich in history, so that's my reason for wanting to visit.

[eddie gein]

I think Dodge City was named after Fort Dodge........................

which was named after General Dodge.

Good try though.

[nm_photojournalist]

Edie is right about General Dodge, but I think KevK's tongue was stuck firmly in his cheek when he made his statements. :-)

If you like history jdavid, don't miss Georgetown, and Central City...just west of Denver. Great old mining towns!

I didn't know of course DC was your "easternmost" destination when I recommended the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. Save that then for a trip to the Kansas City area sometime. The "Old West" town in Wichita is also worth seeing on that trip. Enjoy your "getaway!"

[jdavid93225]

Originally Posted by KevK

You might wanna stop in the Longbranch Saloon and see Kitty, Matt, Festus and Doc!

I just returned home from my trip, and I did manage to see the show at the Longbranch Saloon. It was well worth the price and the time to see it. I also had the dinner that was part of the package deal. The food was the best I had on my trip, as far as I'm concerned, and we had good food in several places, so that is saying something good about it. My kids also enjoyed the food and the show, so it was worth our while. Thanks to everyone who pitched in to offer their ideas!

[Torn2pieces]

I just moved out of Dodge City - I never was fazed by what it offered and I lived there many years. You should of waited til now, Dodge City Days is going on - concerts, rodeo's, other activities. It's the only time I actually enjoyed the town.....I still have inlaws there - It was more properous years ago, as my Hubby grew up there.

Did you notice the street names? Matt Dillon, Wyatt Earp? I thought that was kinda cool.