Boot Hill Museum

The Boot Hill Museum and Front Street is great way to spend a day! The title of the attraction is woefully inadequate to describe what they have to offer. Front Street was the avenue in old west Dodge City where all of the action happened in the 1870s. Here they have recreated a block’s worth of that street, complete with the Long Branch Saloon (Gunsmoke!) and a schoolhouse. There are gunfights a couple of times a day, plus a street show, featuring a snake oil salesman. On Front Street, a stagecoach can be had to take you on a ride around the near area of Dodge City.

The museum itself has several quality exhibits. My favorite was their gun exhibit, with many examples of firearms found in the last quarter of the 19th century. Other exhibits cover the railroad, Indians, the television show Gunsmoke, and other Dodge City subjects. Out in the back of the museum is a recreation of the old Boot Hill Cemetery. This is where the indigent or unclaimed were buried. The cemetery got its name because many of its occupants got there while still fully clothed, as opposed to nice comfortable death, in bed, at an old age.

Later in the evening a Chuckwagon Supper is offered. The menu while not varied is very delicious. It is served on authentic looking tin plates and cups. Finishing out the day is the Variety Show at Long Branch Saloon. This show with Can-Can dancers, and various skits is much more wholesome then it sounds and is very good.

Would I do it again? Yes, absolutely. I’ve been to Dodge City twice now, and I wouldn’t consider not stopping by if I am there again. Even if you have no interest in the Old West, the gunfights, snake oil show, stagecoach ride, chuckwagon supper, and variety show will keep you entertained.