Visit Abilene Kansas

01/31/2025

📸 Help Us Choose! 📸

We need your help picking the perfect photo to represent Abilene in a special project! There are so many great options, and we just can’t decide. Comment below with the number of your favorite and let us know which one captures the spirit of our community best. ⬇️

Thanks for your input—we can’t wait to see what you pick!

01/31/2025

Thanks for visiting!

"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene" is our favorite quote, too! ;)

Become a member!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TravelwithaWiseguyYouTube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqr2K0ug5ceswCi1nTAxrw/joinFollow/su...

01/31/2025

📢 Our 2024 Annual Report is Here! 🚀

This year, momentum wasn’t just a theme—it was a driving force behind Abilene’s success! 🌟 Our community made waves across the Midwest, earning awards, recognition, and national attention. We didn’t just maintain progress; we amplified it, achieving incredible milestones that set the stage for an even brighter future.

🔎 Inside the Report:
✅ Marketing Success:
📌 Earned – Media coverage, blogger features, influencer collaborations
📌 Owned – Website optimization, blog development, in-house content creation
📌 Shared – Social media engagement, word-of-mouth promotion, referrals
📌 Paid – Strategic advertising expanding our reach

🏆 Big Wins, Big Projects, and Bigger Momentum!
🥇 Awards & Recognitions:
🏅 Top 10 True Western Town – True West Magazine
🏅 #3 Best Historic Small Town – USA TODAY
🏅 Best Promotion of a Historic Place – True West Magazine
🏅 Best Collaboration – Kansas Gunsmoke Trail (TIAK Marketing Awards)
🏅 Best Community Awareness Campaign – World’s Largest “I Like Ike” Button (TIAK Marketing Awards)

🚧 Notable Projects & Campaigns:
📍 Kansas Gunsmoke Trail Digital Passport – A new way to experience the Wild West!
📍 “See Abilene” Exhibit – Bringing our story to life for visitors.
📍 Love Abilene Campaign – Celebrating what makes Abilene a great place to visit & live!
📍 World’s Largest “I Like Ike” Button – A new downtown icon.
📍 Abilene Celebrates America 250! Mural – Kansas’ first America 250 mural!
📍 Sunflower Summer Promotion – Engaging families in state-supported travel.
📍 New Holiday Inn Express – Elevating accommodations for visitors.

📖 Read the full report & see why Abilene’s momentum is unstoppable!
➡️https://issuu.com/visitabilene/docs/abilene_convention_visitors_bureau_-_2024_annual?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

01/30/2025

Yes, we still like Ike!

Ike lived in Kansas as a youth

A two-hour jaunt west on I-70 from Kansas City brings you to the small town of Abilene, Kansas, which thrives off its Dwight D. Eisenhower tourism. Abilene is the town where Ike came home to host his first presidential rally during the 1952 campaign, and pretty much everyone from the town came out to see him. Life Magazine came to Abilene to interview former teachers, friends and other Ike acquaintances. It was clear that Abilene liked Ike! In my two visits to Abilene, it was like walking back in time.

Ike’s boyhood home is located within feet of his museum, which also just underwent a massive renovation to keep up with the digital age. Inside you can see the table where the D-Day strategy was worked out, be a part of the 1952 campaign and listen to his legendary farewell address to the nation. Outside is a large statue of Ike that provides a great photo opportunity. His burial site is a place of meditation, a chapel-like building where Ike, Mamie and their young son are buried, a breathtaking place.

https://www.pinalcentral.com/trivalley_dispatch/news/babbage-hometowns-enjoy-link-to-legacy-of-presidents/article_bc087a9e-d998-11ef-a7e1-67944b3476d3.html

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

Some of our presidents have come from major metropolitan areas while others were from small towns. While lately it seems most of our presidents have come from the larger areas,

01/30/2025

Can you guess which Abilene restaurant made this list? 🐔

Sometimes you just can't beat an old-school restaurant. Here we reveal the best retro joint in every state.

01/30/2025

We all need a good laugh, and Great Plains Theatre is offering an evening of fun and laughter with its Post-Valentine's Comedy Show featuring Scott Shaffer!

Learn more at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/post-valentines-comedy-show-great-plains-theatre-with-scott-shaffer-tickets-1223842338379

01/29/2025

Happy Kansas Day! ❤️🌻

01/25/2025

Thanks for visiting!

01/24/2025

Today, we hosted the North Central Kansas Tourism Coalition at the NEW Holiday Inn Express & Suites! The conference room worked perfectly for our meeting.

Guests also enjoyed a walk next door for a delicious lunch from Legacy Kansas: Munson's Prime & Brookville Hotel.
❤️🐔

01/23/2025

🌻Kansas Day is Almost Here!

Kansas Tourism is inspiring kids in grades 4-6 to fall in love with our amazing state with a special edition of KANSAS! Magazine—KANSAS! Kids! This engaging magazine is being distributed to schools across Kansas, encouraging young readers to discover what makes the Sunflower State so special.

Bonus: Abilene's World's Largest Belt Buckle is proudly featured in this special edition! 🎉

Learn more, explore the digital magazine, or request a copy at: https://www.travelks.com/kansas-magazine/about-kansas/kansas-kids/

01/23/2025

Statehood Ball attendees, take note!

01/22/2025

Celebrate Romance on the Rails: Valentine's Prime Rib Dinner Train

All aboard for an unforgettable evening of love, music, and fine dining! Celebrate this Valentine’s season with a romantic two-hour journey on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad’s Valentine’s Smoky Valley Limited Dinner Train.

📅 Date: Saturday, February 15

⏰ Time: 5:00 PM

📍 Location: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, 200 SE 5th Street, Abilene, Kansas

🎟️ Tickets: $100/person (plus taxes and fees). Tickets are limited to just 160 guests and are on sale now!

A Night to Remember
Step aboard the beautifully restored passenger coaches—the Enterprise, Chicago, and Eveland Creek—and feel the warm, nostalgic glow as you embark on a two-hour journey through the picturesque Smoky Hill River Valley to Enterprise, Kansas.

Your evening begins at Abilene’s historic Rock Island Depot, where the train departs at 5:00 PM. As you glide through the countryside, you and your special someone will enjoy:

A delectable prime rib dinner, masterfully prepared by Chef Amanda Collins of Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro in Abilene.
Romantic serenades performed by the talented Abilene High School Select Choir, featuring your favorite love songs.
Optional indulgences, including chocolate, wine, and beer available for purchase.

This annual salute to love is an enchanting way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Reserve Your Spot
With only 160 tickets available, this exclusive experience is expected to sell out quickly. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this romantic adventure on the official State Heritage Railroad of Kansas. Secure your tickets starting January 14 at www.asvrr.org.

Make it a Valentine’s Day to remember with romance on the rails—delight in fine dining, live music, and the scenic charm of the Smoky Hill River Valley aboard the Smoky Valley Limited. Celebrate love, history, and Abilene’s unique charm with your special valentine!

Learn more at https://asvrr.org/event/2025-valentines-prime-rib-smoky-valley-limited-dinner/abilene-smoky-valley-railroad/

01/22/2025

Thanks for visiting and supporting the Iron Horse Trail! 🌻

While visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum last week, we had lunch with and heard an update from local officials and volunteers who have been continuing work on the Iron Horse Trail, a public trail along Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad land between Abilene and Enterprise in Dickinson County.

Support from Sunflower Foundation assisted with phase 1 of the project, which now is nearing completion of phase 3. This third phase includes work from Bridge Street in Enterprise to across the Smoky Hill River bridge just west of Enterprise.

We want to thank Julie Roller Weeks, director of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Elizabeth Weese, executive director of the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, and local trail volunteer Joe Minnick for taking time to share their exciting news about the Iron Horse Trail.

While the snow prevented us from walking the trail, some of us did venture down to the Iron Horse trailhead for a quick group picture!

01/21/2025

Thanks for visiting!

01/14/2025

Abilene Antique Stores Host Big Winter Sale Event - January 17 - February 2

Bargain hunters and treasure seekers, mark your calendars! Abilene, proudly named Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY, is kicking off 2025 with an exciting Winter Sale Event featuring all of its popular antique stores.

From January 17 to February 2, shoppers can enjoy incredible deals at some of the most beloved antique destinations in Kansas.

Participating stores include:

📍Abilene Downtown Antique Mall, 313 N Buckeye Ave
📍Mud Creek Antique Mall, 319 N Buckeye Ave
📍Buckeye Antique Mall, 310 N Buckeye Ave
📍Countrypolitan, 317 N Broadway Ave
📍Vintage Bling & Antique Things, 300 N Broadway Ave
📍Yesterday's Rose Antique Mall, 101 NE 21st St

This sale is a unique opportunity to explore Abilene’s rich charm while discovering one-of-a-kind treasures. Whether you're hunting for vintage furniture, retro decor, or collectibles with stories to tell, each participating store offers a vast selection of unique items at discounted prices.

Abilene’s history and commitment to preserving its heritage make it a destination for both tourists and collectors alike. Named the Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY, Abilene continues to delight visitors with its welcoming atmosphere, vibrant downtown, and dedication to showcasing the past in creative and memorable ways.

“This Winter Sale is the perfect excuse to bundle up and explore Abilene’s charming antique scene,” said Julie Roller Weeks, director of Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With so many treasures waiting to be uncovered, it’s no wonder Abilene is celebrated as a must-visit destination for antique lovers and history enthusiasts alike.”

Plan your trip today and take advantage of these limited-time deals! For more information on Abilene’s antique stores, attractions, and accommodations, visit www.AbileneKansas.org/shop.

01/09/2025

Thanks to FOX 43 News for sharing our good news from HGTV!

"According to the list, HGTV named Abilene, Kansas as the most charming small town in the Sunflower State and Hannibal, Missouri, as the most charming small town in the Show Me State."

Small towns can offer a refreshing escape from the hustle of everyday life. Two small towns near St. Louis recently earned national recognition as standout destinations.

01/09/2025

Thanks, HGTV! We're very proud of our charming small-town downtown!

Explore the history, culture, attractions and beauty of charming small-town downtowns across America.