Stitch Together the Perfect Spring Getaway: A Quilt Lover’s Road Trip to Abilene, Kansas
Spring in Abilene is the perfect excuse to gather your friends, hit the road, and enjoy a day filled with creativity, color, and small-town charm. If quilting is your passion or even just an interest, this quilt-themed getaway offers the ideal mix of inspiration, shopping, and time well spent together.
Plan Your Visit: Quilt Show Weekend
Make the most of your trip by planning around two outstanding quilt shows happening the same weekend:
Ida Stover Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show - Dickinson County Heritage Center, 412 S Campbell St
Saturday, April 11 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $5
Sunflower Journeys Quilt Show - Sterl Hall, 619 N Rogers St
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $7
With two shows, this is the perfect opportunity to plan a full day trip or turn your visit into a relaxing overnight getaway.
Your Perfect Day in Abilene
9:00 a.m. – Sunflower Journeys Quilt Show
Start your morning surrounded by color and creativity. Walk through rows of beautifully crafted quilts, take in the details, and gather inspiration for your next project.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch in Downtown Abilene
Take a break and enjoy time together over lunch:
- Amanda's Bakery & Bistro, 302 N Broadway, for fresh sandwiches, soups, and homemade desserts in a cozy café setting.
- Susie's Deli, 102 N Buckeye Ave, for classic comfort food and a friendly, hometown feel.
1:00 p.m. – Ida Stover Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show
Spend your afternoon at the Ida Stover Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show, where each quilt reflects tradition, craftsmanship, and a connection to Abilene’s heritage.
2:30 p.m. – Shop Downtown Abilene
Wrap up your day with a little shopping in historic downtown. Be sure to stop by Material Girls Quilt Shop, 306 N Buckeye Ave, to browse fabrics and quilting supplies, along with other locally owned shops offering antiques, gifts, and unique finds.
An Evening to Remember
6:00 p.m. – Dinner Train on the Smoky Valley Limited
Make your evening extra special with a one-of-a-kind experience aboard the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad.
Greeting Spring on the Smoky Valley Limited
Saturday, April 11 | 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $90.23
Departing from the Rock Island Depot, this two-hour rail adventure travels through the Smoky Hill River Valley with a stop in Enterprise at the Hoffman Mill and General Store.
Dinner is prepared by Broadway Station and features a classic springtime menu including barbeque pork chops, house salad, coleslaw, baked potato, and pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. Coffee, tea, and water are included, with additional beverages available for purchase.
It is a relaxing, memorable way to end a day filled with creativity and connection.
Stay the Night
Why rush home when you can turn your quilt-filled day into a full weekend experience?
- Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast, 820 NW 3rd St, offers charm, comfort, and a relaxing place to unwind after a full day of exploring.
- Engle House Bed and Breakfast, 102 Highland Dr, provides a cozy stay with historic character and thoughtful hospitality.
Staying overnight gives you time to enjoy both quilt shows at your own pace, revisit your favorite booths, and experience even more of Abilene.
A Spring Getaway Worth Sharing
A quilt lover’s road trip to Abilene is about more than fabric and patterns. It is about laughter over lunch, the excitement of finding the perfect fabric, and the joy of spending time together.
Gather your friends, plan your visit, and enjoy a spring getaway in Abilene filled with creativity, connection, inspiration and fun!