2021 National Travel & Tourism Week Promotion
National Travel & Tourism Week is May 2-8, 2021 and Abilene will be abuzz with activities for visitors on Saturday, May 8!
Whether you enjoy shopping for unique finds, admiring beautiful antique cars, or exploring history, Abilene has something to offer.
While in town, make sure to check out our great selection of locally-owned restaurants, or make it a full weekend and spend the night at a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast or Airbnb.
1. Shop for Antiques at Abilene Antique Fest
Sponsored by Abilene Downtown Antique Mall, 313 N. Buckeye Ave, the 2021 Abilene Antique Fest features more than 100 vendors in both outside booths and four antique malls. The event kicks off at 9 am and is open until 4 pm. Admission is free. Come early for the best finds!
2. See Unique Cars at Holm Automotive's Free Car & Truck Show
It's back! Come enjoy the day with us at the FREE Annual Holm Automotive Car & Truck Show. Registration begins at 8:00 am. There are Dash Plaques, complimentary t-shirts, and goodie bags for the first 100 vehicles. This is a free event with no registration or admission fees. Enjoy live music from Topeka's EZ Pieces, a bounce house for the little ones, an awards presentation, and finish with a vehicle cruise of Abilene! Available concessions will be provided from the fantastic folks at Midwest Snow Cone and Meat Rubbers BBQ.
3. Tour the Historic Seelye Mansion
Named an “8 Wonders of Kansas – Architecture,” the Seelye Mansion is like a time capsule. Most of the home’s furnishings were purchased at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. In fact, the furnishings cost more than the $55,000 that was spent building the 11,000 square foot home. The mansion features the original Edison light fixtures and Tiffany-style mantel. Frank Lloyd Wright suggested remodeling the interior in the 1920s. The home was featured on the History Channel’s Mysteries at the Mansion. Visitors even get to bowl on the 1905 Box Ball alley, which was purchased at the Chicago World’s Fair.
The Seelye Mansion is open Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
4. Watch the Gunfighters at Old Abilene Town
Visitors can stroll the boardwalk, just as Wild Bill Hickok did during Abilene’s former wild and woolly days. Get a taste of the Old West by drinking an ice-cold sarsaparilla and enjoying can-can dancers as they perform on stage and on the bar from the original Alamo Saloon. Gunfighters also stage mock
shoot-outs during the travel season.
Be sure to check out the Great Western Cattle Co. building to see a complete re-creation of Abilene’s original Texas Street.
Old Abilene Town is open 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday.
5. Ride the Rails with the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Enjoy an open-air ride or ride inside a passenger car with Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad.
The train departs Abilene eastbound for a 10.5-mile round trip through the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring community of Enterprise. There, the train stops for riders to see the Hoffman Grist Mill, featuring a rebuilt working waterwheel that mills flour.
Be sure to visit the Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum inside the railroad depot and enjoy the exhibits of memorabilia and model trains.
The train departs at 10 am and 2 pm on Saturday.
6. Say Hello to Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum Greeter Ginger
Explore the exciting world of racing and learn about the greyhound dog breed at the Greyhound Capital
of the World!
The Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum is even named in Atlas Obscura’s “The Ultimate List of
Wonderfully Specific Museums.” And bonus: You’ll be greeted by resident greyhound Ginger.
The Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum is open Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
7. Enjoy a ride on the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel at the Dickinson County Heritage Center
Named one of the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s “8 Wonders of Kansas - Customs,” Abilene’s C.W. Parker Carousel is the oldest operational Parker carousel known to exist.
The Dickinson County Heritage Center is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday.
We invite you to join us in celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week by supporting travel-related businesses and the role they play in bringing back our vibrant communities, restoring the U.S. economy, rebuilding our workforce, and reconnecting America.
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