Going to Dodge City, Kansas
 

We are passing through Dodge City, Kansas in late September. Husband has read many novels about the area back in "the days of the old West". Are there any places of interest that would relate historically to those days? How about in a 50 mile radius?

Thanks, Margo

Here is one source of ideas: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ty_Kansas.html

HTtY

check out this website http://www.kansastravel.org/kansastravel.htm -- created by a fodorite that lives in Kansas.

Thank you, Diane.

Dodge City has the Boot Hill Museum, but overall, Dodge has less to offer than most of the state. The Dalton Gang Hideout and escape tunnel, 40 miles away in Meade is worth visiting.

Most of the places that I think would appeal to your husband are further east in towns like Coffeyville, Abeline or Wichita.

I don't know much about it, but Pawnee rock is a little over an hour away. I suspect it has been the background in a few westerns.

Dodge city now has a casino, for what that is worth.

your welcome, Keith. I think your website is pretty amazing and hope to use it to plan some day trips. I might not even wait for visitors.

Thanks, all, for the informative websites. I agree that the one on Kansas travel is outstanding. I know we will use it as we pass through Kansas. Hope to eat at some of those unusual restaurants that are listed. Seems like the Kansans eat a lot of chicken fried steak!!
Now we are planning to stay in Kansas about a week, visiting Dodge City, Abilene, and the Tallgrass Praire National Preserve. Anyone been to Tallgrass or the Flint Hills?
Margo

Didn't know about the casino in DC...wouldn't you know. Yeah, not a lot there...Boot Hill is about it. Several have posted excellent web sites. Used to live in El Dorado at the foot of the Flint Hills and son is in Wichita.

Flint Hills is mostly just waves of pasture...and very little civilization. Scenic in its own way maybe like Illinois fields of corn. Well, I should mention also El Dorado Lake for boating, fishing.

Sounds like Margo may have heard of Chicken Annies outside Pittsburg...good greasy chicken for sure. Good eateries in Old Town in Wichita.

We made a stop at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve a couple of years ago--you will get a good feel for the Flint Hills and the history of the area if you have the time--I would recommend it.

It's not far from there to Hutchinson, home of the Cosmosphere and the Salt Museum--not really the "Old West" but definitely interesting.

When you go to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, there are some great litle communites to visit.

Council Grove has many small bits of history and a few bigger ones. The Santa Fe Trail went right down the main street. Hays House better known, but Trial Days is a wonderful combination of restaurant and museum.

Strong City is right by the the headquarters of the Preserve and has a wonederful year old restaurant which hasn't made that site yet, Ad Astra is open only Friday through Sunday, they serve innovative dishes with food from local providers.

Two miles away in Cottonwood Falls, you have the oldest & most beautiful courthouse in the state, a couple of museums and live music in the street on Friday nights.

The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson is a world class museum. If space or aviation interest you at all, you should go. The Salt mine museum is also pretty cool.

I think there was a recent thread that discussed Abilene. Of course, it has the Eisenhower memorial/museum. It also has a greyhound hall of fame and a telephony museum, both of which are kind of odd.

We ate at the Kirby house a year or two back, but I think it has been damaged by fire.

The Brookfield hotel on I-70 at Abilene is a home style chicken place that is popular.