Exploring the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail in Hays

As we explored the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, we noticed several names in common in each of the cities…names like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody. In Hays, the third of four cities we visited, those names popped up again. It isn’t surprising, since lawmen and others commonly moved from cowtown to cowtown in the mid- to late 1800s. Four cities make up the trail: Hays, Dodge City, Wichita, and Abilene. The old Gunsmoke television and radio series mentioned these cities often. As we visited each of the cities, we focused on Old West attractions. Here is our experience on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail in Hays.

This is Part 3 of a 4-Part Series on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail.

Exploring the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail in Dodge City

Connie Attractions & Events, Kansas May 23, 2024May 24, 2024Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City Trail of Fame, Dodge City Trolley Tour, Feedlot Overlook, Fort Dodge, Gunfighters Wax Museum, Kansas attractions, Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, Longhorn Park, Mueller-Schmidt House, Santa Fe Trail Rut Site 1 Comment

Four cities make up the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail: Dodge City, Wichita, Abilene and Hays. These cities were mentioned often in the old Gunsmoke series, which began on the radio and transitioned to a popular television series. In 2023, Skip and I visited all four cities and focused on Old West attractions. Our first stop on the Gunsmoke Trail was Wichita. (See Part 1 of the 4-part series.) In this segment, we’re exploring the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail in Dodge City.

Dodge City is the epicenter of Gunsmoke. It exudes Old West, from the statues of Gunsmoke characters throughout town to still-existent feedlots. Yes, still today, Dodge City is a cattle town.

This is Part 2 of a 4-part series on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail.

Exploring the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail in Wichita

Connie Attractions & Events, Kansas May 23, 2024May 24, 2024Kansas attractions, Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, Keeper of the Plains, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Museum of World Treasures, Old Cowtown Museum, Old Town Wichita, What to do in Wichita, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum 0 Comment

In 2023, Kansas introduced the Gunsmoke Trail. Four cities largely make up the trail: Dodge City, Wichita, Abilene, and Hays. Those cities were often mentioned in the old television and radio Gunsmoke series. Since we had a planned Wichita visit last year, Skip and I decided to take that opportunity to visit all four main cities on the trail. Specifically, we visited attractions that focus on the Old West. What fun we had doing that! Here are the attractions we visited while exploring the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail in Wichita.

This is Part 1 of a 4-part series on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail.

Greyhound Hall of Fame Highlights Greyhound Racing Industry

Connie Attractions & Events, Kansas August 22, 2023February 2, 2024Abilene Kansas museums, Greyhound Hall of Fame, National Greyhound Hall of Fame, Things to do in Abilene KS 2 Comments

We used to enjoy an occasional afternoon at a greyhound racetrack. Over a nice lunch in the climate-controlled clubhouse, we’d place our two-dollar bets on the races. We each used our own “scientific method” of determining the winning dogs. Our methods rarely worked, but we had fun. So, when we saw that Abilene, Kansas, is home to the Greyhound Hall of Fame museum, we had to visit. The Hall of Fame highlights the history of the greyhound racing industry and pays tribute to both humans and dogs who impacted the industry.

Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Abilene KS: Experience the Wild West

Connie Attractions & Events, Kansas July 11, 2023July 22, 2024Abilene Kansas, Abilene Kansas Wild bill Hickok Rodeo, Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo Show 2 Comments

Last summer we visited Old Abilene Town in Abilene, Kansas, as part of a media event. That evening, our hosts treated us to a cattle drive featuring Texas Longhorn cattle, a ride on the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, and a museum tour. In the museum we learned about Wild Bill Hickok’s time in Abilene. So, we were excited when we were also invited to attend the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, where we could see real cowboys and cowgirls in competitive action.

The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo is an annual event, named multiple times as one of the top five professional outdoor rodeos in America. What was the rodeo like?

Midwest Wanderer Newsletter – September 1, 2022

Connie Attractions & Events, History, Illinois, Kansas, Midwest Wanderer Newsletter September 4, 2022April 4, 2023Abilene Kansas, Old Town Abilene, Wild Bill Hickok, Wizard of Oz 0 Comment

More often than not, we travel the back roads on our road trips. It beats dealing with heavy traffic on interstate highways, saves on gas mileage since we drive slower, and we see more of real America, passing through small towns.