Visit Abilene Kansas

11/08/2024

Join us for the Heritage Homes Association of Abilene, Kansas' 47th Annual Homes for the Holidays Tours, December 7 & 8.

11/08/2024

🌟🎉 Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Terry Tietjens! 🎉🌟

In February 1982, Terry and his brother Jerry made a bold decision that forever changed Abilene's history: they purchased the Historic Seelye Mansion. Can you imagine what might have happened to this architectural marvel, its priceless contents, and the cherished stories without their passion and dedication?

💬 Fun Fact: Just a month before the sale, in January 1982, a fire threatened to derail their plans, but the mansion was saved, and so was a piece of Kansas history! By December 1985, they hosted their first tours, opening the doors to thousands of guests who continue to be amazed.

We owe so much to the Tietjens brothers for preserving this Kansas treasure and sharing it with the world. The Seelye Mansion has not only been recognized with a Midwest Travel Writers Association GEMmy Award but is also celebrated as an 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture winner by the Kansas Sampler Foundation!

Please join us in wishing Terry a wonderful birthday and thank him for his incredible contributions to Abilene’s legacy! 🎂🏛️💙

11/07/2024

Thanks, Wherever I May Roam Blog! We ❤ our new merch!

11/07/2024

On June 4, 1952, then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower announced in his hometown of Abilene that he was running for president of the United States. These images are from a TV ad promoting his candidacy. The presidential ad “I like Ike” was produced by Walt Disney’s brother Roy, using music by Irving Berlin. This was the first presidential election that incorporated television advertising.

These images are mounted on the east wall of the Sunflower Hotel. From this hotel’s balcony (since removed) Eisenhower watched a parade on June 6, 1952, in honor of his homecoming.

The art installation is a project of the Arts Council of Dickinson County.

11/05/2024

🩷 Celebrate Pink Friday in Abilene: Support Small Businesses on November 22! 🩷

Get ready to think pink and shop local! Pink Friday is a nationwide movement dedicated to celebrating the small and local businesses that make our community shine. Taking place on Friday, November 22—just one week before the holiday shopping frenzy of Black Friday—Pink Friday encourages all of us to invest in our local economy, support our neighbors, and discover all Abilene, Kansas has to offer.

🩷 Why Pink Friday Matters 🩷
Established in 2020, Pink Friday was created to uplift the small business community by reminding shoppers to prioritize local retailers for their holiday needs. By choosing to shop small first, you’re not just finding unique gifts—you’re supporting the vibrancy and diversity of our local economy. Every purchase you make helps sustain our community’s independent shops, create local jobs, and keep Abilene a thriving, exciting place to visit and live.

🩷 Abilene’s Pink Friday Shopping Guide 🩷
From one-of-a-kind home decor to handmade candles, trendy apparel, Western wear, and one-of-a-kind antiques, Abilene's small businesses are ready to make your holiday shopping memorable. Head downtown or browse the locally-owned stores scattered around our town, and discover items you won’t find anywhere else!

Make a list, bring your friends, and be ready to shop local. Explore a list of locally-owned businesses at www.abilenekansas.org/shop and start planning your Pink Friday adventure in Abilene.

🩷 Make a Day of It! 🩷
While you’re shopping around town, take time to grab lunch at a local eatery, sip a warm cup of coffee, or snap photos by our striking murals and iconic attractions. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a festive day in Abilene while showing your love for our community’s small businesses.

Let’s paint the town pink and make this holiday season unforgettable! Join us for Pink Friday on November 22, and celebrate the joy of shopping small, shopping local, and showing your Abilene pride.

11/03/2024

Did you know? Our vintage postcard inspired mural in downtown Abilene stands for parts of our history, depicted in the letters.

A: The National Greyhound Association is where all racing greyhounds are registered. Abilene is also home to the Greyhound Hall of Fame.

B: Dwight D. Eisenhower was raised in Abilene.

I: The Parker Carousel was built in 1901 and is part of the Dickinson County Heritage Society and Museum.

L: C. L. Brown was a pioneer in the fields of electricity and telephony, starting the companies now known as Evergy and Sprint.

E: The Lebold Mansiom was built circa 1880 over the dugout which was home to Tim Hershey’s family, the founders of Abilene.

N: The cowboys drove the longhorns from Texas to Abilene on the Chisholm Trail.

I: The flag represents the boyhood home of America’s 34th President, “Ike”—5-Star General, and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces.

11/03/2024

Make Abilene your destination! Visit www.AbileneKansas.org to learn more.

Order Your Free Travel Guide

11/02/2024

Anything fun planned for your weekend?

10/31/2024

🧵 Looking to start a new hobby or return to a craft you’ve missed? ✂️

Discover Material Girls Quilt Shop, a beloved downtown Abilene treasure that’s been weaving magic with stunning panels, cozy quilts, and top-quality fabrics for years.

Whether you’re into steampunk, patriotic patterns, cozy flannels, or festive holiday themes, you’ll find the perfect fabric here. Support local and explore this charming shop, open Tuesday through Saturday.

Swing by and stitch your own masterpiece! 🧶

10/29/2024

The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Cowtown Santa Express schedule is now available! These special trains will sell out, so get your tickets early!

ABILENE AND SMOKY VALLEY RAILROAD ANNOUNCES COWTOWN SANTA EXPRESS SCHEDULE. The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad has announced the schedule for its traditional holiday season train, the Cowtown Santa Express. The train will begin its 2024 run on Friday, November 29, and maintain a Thursday through Sunday schedule each weekend through December.
The Express will once again be decked in interior and exterior lights, with special lighting on the Rock Island Depot and the adjoining area around the building.
A&SV President and General Manager Ross Boelling said decorating crews will begin working in mid-November to have the train and depot grounds ready for the Express’ November 29 premier.
The A&SV is adding another car to the Express to accommodate more passengers. The “Eveland Creek” car from the former Kansas Belle dinner train that was moved from Baldwin City to Abilene in September will be added to increase the passenger count for each run of the Express.
Boelling said that passengers will be required to purchase entire tables of four in the “Eveland Creek” and the “Chicago” cars, while individual tickets can be purchased in the “Enterprise” car.
The Express drew over 3,000 passengers last year.
“We sold most of our tickets by December 7,” Boelling said, “so people need to get their tickets purchased early.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their 2024 Kansas debut on the Express. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served, and a special narration will be provided by Dickinson County native Dave Lewis of Manhattan.
Trains will run at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evenings, and 3:30, 5:30 an 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays through December 22, with a special pre-Christmas train on Monday, December 23 at 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the A&SV website, asvrr.org.

10/28/2024

Want to learn more about visiting Abilene? Check out this podcast from Travel With Sara!

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Historic Seelye Mansion, Dickinson County Historical Society, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast, Amanda's Bakery & Bistro, Legacy Kansas: Munson's Prime & Brookville Hotel

A Destination You Don't Want To Miss

10/25/2024

Thanks to the Salina Post for sharing our good news!

Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, celebrates Abi

10/25/2024

Thanks to KCLY Radio 100.9 FM for sharing our good news!

Abilene CVB The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) proudly earned the 2024 Best Community Awareness Campaign Award (Medium Budget Category) from t ...

10/25/2024

Abilene’s downtown is chock full of stately architecture, pretty flowers, tasty restaurants, historic buildings with significant history, and an array of local shops.

It’s easy to see why we are .

What’s your favorite thing about our city and community?

10/24/2024

At the 2024 Kansas Tourism Conference, the Abilene CVB took home the “Community Awareness” campaign award for the medium budget category for its “World’s Largest I Like Ike Button” project and the “Best Collaboration” for the large budget category for the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail!

10/22/2024

Thanks for visiting!

Which boot is your favorite?! 🤠

Follow the Cowboy Art Trail around Abilene, Kansas, to celebrate its cowboy roots and Drovers Boot Store, circa 1870s. I love these unique and brightly colored boot art creations spread around town—so creative and fun.

This boot is “Rose Garden”, and commemorates my favorite thing in town, the Eisenhower Rose Garden. You can find it at 201 NW 2nd.

A few other faves are Patriotism, History of Farming, and Wild Bill Hickok. They are also part of the popular multi-city Gunsmoke Trail.

10/22/2024

🌻 We’re at the Kansas Tourism Conference and hearing from One Delightful Life.

👉🏻 Read about her visit to Abilene at https://onedelightfullife.com/antiques-abilene-kansas/.

Set the GPS to Abilene, an antique shopper's heaven. History buffs will appreciate its cowboy culture, art trail, restaurants, and lodging.

10/20/2024

Thanks to Kinfolk Created for sharing!