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67 Ways to Enjoy Abilene

on June 7, 2024

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67 Ways to Enjoy Abilene

 

Why Abilene?

In 1867, Joseph McCoy brought the cattle trade to Abilene. During this time, drovers herded hundreds of thousands of head of cattle to Abilene to board the train to eastern markets.

Today, Abilene is conveniently located along Kansas I-70 (Eisenhower's Interstate System) and is frequently named the best small town to visit. As Traveling with Purpose wrote, "The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 'Americana' as 'materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture. Broadly: things typical of America.' They could just as easily have said, 'See Abilene, Kansas.'"

See what others have to say about Abilene:

  • #3 Best Historic Small Town - USA TODAY (2024)
  • Top 10 True Western Town of the Year - True West Magazine (2024)
  • Best Promotion of a Historic Place - True West Magazine (2024)
  • Best Social Media Campaign (Destination) - Midwest Travel Network (2023)
  • Best Roadside Attraction in the U.S. (World's Largest Belt Buckle) - TravelAwaits (2023)
  • Best Small Town to Visit in the U.S. - TravelAwaits (2023)
  • #2 Best Historic Small Town - USA TODAY (2023)
  • Top 10 True Western Town of the Year - True West Magazine (2023)
  • Best Promotion of a Historic Place - True West Magazine (2023)
  • Destination of the Year by Midwest Travel Network (2022)
  • #2 Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY (2022)
  • #1 Favorite U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits (2022)
  • #1 Friendliest U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits (2022)
  • Best Promotion of a Historic Place by TrueWest magazine (2022)
  • #4 Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY (2021)
  • Best U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits (2021)
  • #2 Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY (2020)
  • Coolest Small Town in Kansas by Far and Wide (2020)
  • Most Beautiful Small Town in Kansas by House Beautiful magazine (2020)

 

67 Ways to Enjoy Abilene

  1. StrIKE a pose like General Eisenhower - See the 11' statue of 5 Star General and 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.
  2. Sit on the front porch of the Eisenhower Boyhood Home - Opened for public tours in 1947, the Eisenhower family occupied this home from 1898 until Mrs. Eisenhower died in 1946.
  3. See the all-new exhibits at the Museum - Visit the all-new exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to experience Ike and Mamie's story in their own words.
  4. Admire the crystal chandelier in the Eisenhower Presidential Library courtyard – the chandelier was presented to President Eisenhower during his visit to a Czechoslovakian exhibit at the 1959 Trade Fair in New York City.
  5. Pay your respects to Ike and Mamie – Visit their final resting place in the Place of Meditation on the Eisenhower campus.
  6. Pet the Greyhounds at the Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum - Stop in and say hello to resident Greyhound greeters Max and Koko!
  7. Take a Whirl on the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel - Named one of the Kansas Sampler Foundation's 8 Wonders of Kansas - Customs, it is the oldest operational Parker carousel known to exist.
  8. Experience pioneer life in a two-story log cabin - Step inside the original one-room log cabin and see the porcelain basin, kerosene lanterns, and wood-fired stove.
  9. Learn about Wild Bill's time in Abilene - View a replica of the six-shooter used by Wild Bill Hickok to keep order in the town.
  10. Celebrate agriculture at the Dickinson County Heritage Center - Explore historic farm machinery, equipment, and tools used by Dickinson County residents.
  11. Bowl on a 1904 Box Ball Alley at the Historic Seelye Mansion - This wooden Box Ball alley is likely the oldest bowling alley in Kansas.
  12. Sit on the front porch of an 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture winner - The Seelye Mansion is a three-story Georgian-style mansion restored to its grandeur.
  13. Climb to the top and take a photo of the World's Largest Belt Buckle - At 19 feet 10 ½ inches wide and 13 feet 11 ¼ inches tall, this big attraction was named Best Roadside Attraction by TravelAwaits!
  14. Ride the rails with the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad - Enjoy a 10½ mile round trip through the Smoky Hill River Valley, with a stop at the Hoffman Grist Mill. In 2024, the ASVRR was named the Official State Heritage Railroad!
  15. Visit the Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum - Located inside the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad depot, the museum features railroad memorabilia and model trains.
  16. Take the bull by the horns - View the historic bull head from "Shotgun Ben Thompson's" Bulls Head Saloon.
  17. Sip sarsaparilla in the Alamo Saloon - Experience the Wild West with can-can dancers and gunfights in Old Abilene Town.
  18. Relive the Wild West while watching the gunfighters - Volunteer gunfighters entertain visitors in Old Abilene Town.
  19. Appreciate life before selfies at the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum - Explore the history of Abilene through the photographic work of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio.
  20. Listen to the soothing sounds of the waterfall at Brown Memorial Park - Perfect for picnics and stretching your legs.
  21. Play a round of disc golf - Enjoy the re-designed 18-hole disc golf course at Brown Memorial Park, designed by professional golfer Eric McCabe.
  22. Walk, bike, skip, or run down the Iron Horse Trail - Traverse nearly 5 miles of completed trail, located just south of the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
  23. Take in a show at the Great Plains Theatre - Celebrating its 30th season, bringing quality live theatre to the Midwest.
  24. Follow Abilene's Cowboy Art Trail - This project pays homage to T.C. McInerney's Drovers Boot Store from the 1870s.
  25. Celebrate philanthropy at Abilene's Carnegie Library - Learn about the library's history and its founding by the Ladies Literary clubs of Abilene.
  26. Set your eyes on something bigger... a big spur, that is! - At 28 feet high, the big spur stands on its ends to form an arch and weighs a ton.
  27. See inside the Seelye Patent Medicine Museum - Explore artifacts from the A.B. Seelye Medical Company.
  28. Shop til you drop! - Explore antique treasures, home decor, cowboy boots, and more in Abilene's charming shops.
  29. Explore Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden - Frequently named one of Kansas's best places to picnic, it's a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy nature.
  30. Stop at Little Ike Park - See young Dwight D. Eisenhower in Little Ike Park, where he famously said, "The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."
  31. Eat like a local - Enjoy a variety of dining options, from quick bites to bbq and ice cream to family-style meals.
  32. See a large and impressive Abilene Cowboy - Installed in early 2020, this one-of-a-kind piece of art stands more than 15 feet tall.
  33. Admire the iconic Abilene Mural - Explore the vintage postcard-inspired mural in downtown Abilene, featuring integral parts of the town's history.
  34. Spot I Like Ike Murals - These murals celebrate Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential campaign and his connection to Abilene.
  35. Interact with the "Harmon" Mural - This giant mural inspires visitors to create a variety of poses.
  36. Celebrate stamps with these two murals - Featuring the American Bison and celebrating Kansas' Centennial, these murals are a unique photo opportunity.
  37. Remember the 34th President from the 34th State - Take a special tour of all things Ike.
  38. Remember Abilene's Chisholm Trail, wild and wooly cowtown days, with these murals - Pay respects to Abilene's famous former town Marshal, Wild Bill Hickok, with these murals.
  39. Honor the railroad that built Abilene - This mural by graffiti artist Whitney Kerr pays homage to the railroad's importance in Abilene's history.
  40. Follow the Eisenhower Barn Quilt Trail - Utilize the interactive map to learn more about each block along this trail.
  41. Pose for a photo with Angel Wings - Graffiti artist Whitney Kerr created this interactive mural, perfect for a photo opp in downtown Abilene.
  42. Shop for your next favorite book at Rivendell Bookstore. 
  43. Scout the Cedar House Greenhouse Mural - Donald "Scribe" Ross, a famous Kansas City artist, completed this fun mural in Abilene.
  44. Find a rock commemorating the Chisholm Trail - A boulder with a sign marks the historic Cattle Trail that brought longhorns from Texas to Abilene.
  45. Spend the night! - Abilene offers a variety of lodging options, from national chain hotels to unique and historic Airbnbs.
  46. Spot a "Church within a Church" - This limestone church built in 1939 incorporates the original wooden Gothic Revival church building from the 1800s.
  47. Explore Abilene's Historic District #1 - Discover the Italianate-style buildings and their history.
  48. Sit a spell with Benjamin Franklin - Admire the statues in front of the historic Carnegie Library.
  49. Admire the Lebold Mansion's architecture - This 20-room mansion has served various purposes since it was built in 1880.
  50. See a house (or four) that Brown built - Explore the homes built by Cleyson L. Brown in Spanish Colonial Revival Style.
  51. Spot these cool signs! - Discover unique and neon signs around Abilene.
  52. Follow the Bi-Centennial Plaque Trail - Erected in 1977, these historical site markers highlight Abilene's history.
  53. Dial on a rotary phone at the Museum of Independent Telephony - Explore the evolution of the telephone and the story of C. L. Brown, founder of United Telephone.
  54. Make your own candle - Visit Cypress Bridge Candle Co.’s scent bar to create your own candle.
  55. Support local farmers – Stop by the Abilene Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings from Memorial Day Weekend to October.
  56. Salute the flags - Beautiful American flags line Buckeye Avenue and NW 3rd Street.
  57. Stop and say "hello" - Visit the Abilene Visitors Center in the former Union Pacific Depot.
  58. Shop for yarn and fabric – Material Girls Quilt Shop and the Shivering Sheep are great stops for crafters.
  59. See where Russell Stover Chocolate is made - Visit the Russell Stover Chocolate Factory outlet for sweet specials.
  60. Shop local for local - Visit Wilkens Acres for products from over 100 Kansas-made companies.
  61. Cool off with a sweet treat at Midwest Creamery & Q - Sample some of the best ice cream and floats you’ve ever had.
  62. Fill your belly at one of these award-winning restaurants - Enjoy a family-style fried chicken dinner or burger at Legacy Kansas: Munson’s Prime and World Famous Brookville Hotel.
  63. Follow the Gunsmoke Trail - Visit sites along the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail and earn prizes!
  64. Watch the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo – Named one of the best “medium-sized” PRCA Rodeos in the Country!
  65. Learn about life on the trail at the Trail Center - Discover interactive exhibits on the Chisholm and Smoky Hill Trails.
  66. Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Central Kansas Free Fair – One of the best and largest county fairs in Kansas!
  67. Sing our favorite song - After completing this list, you're sure to leave singing Abilene's song: "Abilene, Abilene… Prettiest town I’ve ever seen."

 

COMING SOON! ​Take a photo with the World's Largest I Like Ike Button - Stay tuned for unveiling this exciting new attraction celebrating President Eisenhower's legacy in a big way.

 

"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."

Dwight D. Eisenhower

June 22, 1945