Four communities in Kansas got together and created something new for visitors to enjoy. Abilene, Hays, Dodge City, and Wichita created the Gunsmoke Tral to entice visitors to enjoy the bygone days of westerns, specifically Gunsmoke, a television show from 1955 to 1975. Gunsmoke was set in the 1870s. The show followed the adventures of lawman Matt Dillon as sheriff of Dodge City, Kansas. I was a fan of the show all those years ago, so it was a perfect fit for me to follow the trail.
Full disclosure: I visited Abilene and Wichita twice before embarking on the Gunsmoke Trail, so I knew a little about what to expect. Here is a link to my previous post on my trip to Kansas in 2023.
Each city has lots to offer visitors, from great food to exciting sites. The people I meet, the restaurant and shop owners, and fellow travelers make any journey enjoyable. But the cornflower blue skies I enjoyed along the Gunsmoke Trail made it even better.
Abilene
Abilene began as a ‘cow town’ because it was the end of the Chilsom Trail, which existed between 1867 and 1871. While the town’s economy no longer depends on the cow trail, you will still find many cowboys there.
The World’s Largest Belt Buckle stands in Abilene near the fairgrounds. It is impressive. I also found some highly decorated cowboy boots and several murals around town. The first America 250 mural in Kansas is in Abilene!
President Dwight Eisenhower is a son of Abilene, and his presence looms large over the town—not just because his presidential library is there, but also because of the large I LIKE IKE button that sits just steps from Little Ike Park downtown. The park is adjacent to Rackets Tap House and pays tribute to the young Eisenhower who grew up here.
Rackets Tap House. I got a peek inside the new Rackets Tap House with the owner, Trevor Witt, also a city commissioner. It is in the heart of downtown Abilene, adjacent to the Abilene Kansas mural and behind Little Ike Park. While still under construction, the space was open and welcoming. Multiple taps will let you choose your brew. It opens on October 12. I wish I could be there to lift a glass!
Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum was established in Abilene in 1921, over 103 years ago, by the Jeffcoat family, who were dedicated to preserving the history of their town through photography. Today, it’s a museum dedicated to the photography of Abilene through the decades.
On the day of my visit, the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad was not taking passengers, but I did get to see the train.
Greyhound Hall of Fame. Is it unusual to see dogs running through the museum lobby? Not here. Here, they are the main attraction. I was happy to see happy tail wags and give my hosts some much-appreciated head pats. I was surprised to discover the fascinating history of the greyhound breed. While we had a greyhound track in my hometown, I had never been to a race. The museum gives visitors an in-depth look at the breed’s history and racing history and hosts a Hall of Fame for those dogs that outshone themselves—a worthwhile visit in Abilene.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel is a well-appointed mid-range hotel. A new high-rise version is under construction next door. I hope the staff continues with the new location because they care for the visitors, which is always appreciated.
Hays
Hays is a small, vibrant community that is history—and art-minded. We began with breakfast at Breaks with Brulee Oatmeal, a beautiful restaurant with outstanding food and service.
Downtown historical walking tour is a wonderful way to discover Hay’s heritage. The historical markers on Fort St dive into the past, from saloons to celebrities of the era found here. Along the way, you will see several downtown murals. They seem to be on every corner in downtown Hays. They are beautiful and good landmarks.
Boot Hill Cemetery is where the saying, ‘They died with their boots on,” originated.
We stopped at Paisley Pear Wine Bar and Bistro in the heart of downtown for lunch. The Mayor of Hays, Shaun Musil, owns the restaurant and served us. The wine slushies were tasty!
I toured sculptor Pete Felten’s sculpture garden behind the historical society. It is an incredible life’s work—stunning! You can find all his sculptures here.
The Ellis County Historical Society is undergoing some renovations. The building is an old Presbyterian church that is converting the main sanctuary into an exhibit space. The harness shop and homestead remind visitors of what it was like to live in the 1870s.
Exploring the Hays Art Center was a treat. It is just across the street from LB’s Brewery and Gella’s Diner. The Art Center featured a large exhibit called Elemental, featuring ceramics and metal.
A quick ride to Fort Hays to see the Pete Felton Bison Sculpture was a windy undertaking on the plains. I also saw the real thing across the street. You don’t want to get up close and personal with these massive animals.
A beautiful drive through Fort Hays State University, constructed in Kansas Limestone, showed what could be done to encourage education.
My host hotel was the Hampton Inn. It was comfortable and clean, and an IHOP was adjacent to the hotel. That made dinner plans simple after a long day on the road.
Dodge City
Mueller Schmidt House. I met Erin for a tour of the home. She is an elementary school teacher with a passion for history. It is the oldest house in Dodge City, the “House of Stone,” built in 1882 and served two families: Mueller, who built the house, and Schmidt, who bought the house in 1890, and where the family remained until 1960.
The Boot Hill Museum is vast. Make sure to have some time to spend here during your visit; there is a lot to see. My favorite space was the Gunsmoke area, which had some artifacts from the show, and you could watch a bit of an episode, too. The Long Branch Saloon has two paintings by Buck Taylor, “Newley,” of the Gunsmoke cast. It is a real walk back into the 1870s heyday of Dodge City.
Central Station Restaurant: I had the pleasure of dining there twice: first, for tacos for dinner and second, for lunch, and then for a club sandwich for lunch the next day. The service and food were terrific.
Santa Fe Depot opened in October 1897. The 256-foot-long depot is constructed of stone from Colorado. Over the years, it expanded and was renovated to include a Harvey Hotel in 1914. The Harvey Hotel has 42 hotel rooms. Today, because of generous benefactors, one restored hotel home remains. The rest of the depot houses offices and meeting spaces.
The Depot Theater Company outgrew its space, and in 2004, after fundraising, grants, and restoration, it staged its first production at the depot.
At the Boot Hill Distillery, I felt a little like Matt Dillion at the Long Branch. But a little day drinking was welcome after a long day in Dodge City. It sits above the Boot Hill Museum. The bar is well stocked with a variety of spirits, and the barkeeps are friendly. My Gin Fizz was just the thing to keep me going.
Murals are plentiful in Dodge City. Seek them out.
The Carnegie Library opened in 1907 and was placed on the National Historic Register in 1979. Today, it serves as the Carnegie Center for the Arts, hosting exhibitions and workshops. Six other Carnegie libraries were built in Kansas.
My host hotel was the Best Western Plus. It was comfortable and clean, and the desk clerk was courteous, kind, and helpful.
Wichita
The Sedgwick County Historical Museum is housed in a beautiful building, the once-dubbed “Palace of the Plains,” built in 1892. The interior details are exquisite. The building was the city’s office and was renovated in 1912, 1940, and the 1950s. Today, the museum has some 80,000 artifacts to wow visitors with the story of Wichita.
A couple of blocks from the historical museum is Niche, a food hall run by Wichita State University. Culinary students can intern there before pursuing careers in the culinary arts. The food was unique and tasty.
Doc B29 is a piece of World War II history; the volunteer run staff is energetic and busy. The 79-year-old plane was constructed in Wichita in 1945, served in non-combat roles in the 1950s, and languished in the desert for years. She was brought back to Wichita in 2000, where the restoration plan was implemented. In 2019, Doc was accepting visitors in Wichita. Aviation enthusiasts will relish an up-close look at Doc. She still flies regularly. There are plenty of exhibits to see here. It’s a must-see in Wichita. Here is a quick video of Doc.
Here is the link for my trip to Wichita in the fall of last year. Such fun!
My host hotel was the Doubletree Hotel at the airport. Nicely appointed and adjacent to the airport, it is an excellent place for business-minded travelers. The desk clerk, McKenzie, checked me in and happened to be from just north of my hometown of Mobile.
My week following the Gunsmoke Trail in Kansas showed me how far Matt Dillion must have ridden his horse to get to all these cities. It was a lot of miles, but it was also beautiful. Pro tip: You might want to go from Wichita to Dodge City, to Hays, then to Abilene, then back to Wichita. That last leg would be shorter.
Having traveled to Kansas several times, I find it a welcoming state. Midwestern nice is a thing that is much appreciated. There is still much for me to explore in Kansas, so I hope I will be able to make more trips there. I may need to drive 1-70 and see what I can find.
Did I mention I detoured through Lyons, KS, to see the world’s largest saltshaker? How could any Jimmy Buffett fan refuse that? A quick video.
I sincerely thank VisitWichita, VisitAbilene, VisitHays, and VisitDodgecity for hosting the trip. It was great fun! When traveling, always start at the local visitor’s center. They know all the best places to go! I am happy to say that I did find Matt Dillion. He is always bigger in real life.
Be sure to check out my YouTube site for more fun videos!
