2025 News Archive
I Toured Small-Town America to Taste 19 Chicken-Fried Steaks, and 6 Truly Deserved a Trophy
I pointed the car toward dusty highways and neon diner signs, chasing the crunch of perfect breading and a river of creamy gravy. Every small town promised a story, and every plate tried to outdo the...
Walking in Matt Dillon’s Boots on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail
Stepping onto the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail is like riding straight into television history. The trail blends authentic Wild West sites with Gunsmoke lore, inviting travelers to experience frontier...
Eisenhower Home, Library and Museum, Abilene, Kansas
In a few words, I describe the Eisenhower Presidential Museum, Library, Childhood Home, and Place of Meditation as quiet, solemn, peaceful, and respectful. I am in Abilene, a small Kansas community...
Shop Small All Season Long on Kansas I-70
Holidays on I-70: Light displays, Festivals & Small Town Cheer As the Christmas season truly kicks off, learn about the fun activities taking place throughout our 17 I-70 cities. From holiday...
Underrated town has best bed and breakfast in the Midwest, plus 5 more around U.S. that give hotels a run for their money
Every once in a while a travel list lands that makes even seasoned wanderers pause. In 2025, Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice named a handful of “historical bed and breakfasts” across the U.S., and a...
Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown Saturday
If you love Griswold Christmas Vacation style holiday decorations, you won’t want to miss the Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown this coming Saturday in Abilene. According to the Abilene Convention...
Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown Brightens Abilene December 6
$3,800 in Prizes for Winners Abilene, Kan. — The holiday season is glowing in full color as the 2025 Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown takes place Saturday, December 6. This year, 15 properties ...
Kansas I-70 Association Receives Tourism Marketing Grant
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $100,000 has been awarded to support 20 new tourism marketing projects across Kansas. These projects will help...
Two Kansas cities make list of Top 10 True Western Towns
Two Kansas cities were recognized by True West magazine as 2026 Top 10 True Western Towns, with one receiving the honor for the second year in a row. Because of its rich heritage, Abilene returned...
Abilene, Kansas Honored as a Top True Western Town by True West Magazine
Notorious, booming, and unforgettable during its heyday on the Chisholm Trail, Abilene quickly earned a national reputation as one of the West’s most iconic cattle towns. Today, with its living-...
Abilene Welcomes Visitors for the 48th Homes for the Holidays Tour
The Heritage Homes Association invites residents and visitors to experience the 48th Homes for the Holidays Tour, a cherished seasonal tradition that celebrates Abilene’s historic homes and the joy...
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Seelye in Lights Returns for Three Festive Evenings This December
Step into a glowing holiday tradition at the Historic Seelye Mansion as Seelye in Lights returns for three festive evenings in December 2025. Visitors are invited to experience the 120-year-old ...
Cowtown Christmas Returns to Abilene with a Weekend Full of Holiday Magic
December 5–7, 2025 Abilene, Kansas welcomes visitors and locals to celebrate the season during Cowtown Christmas, a three-day holiday experience filled with beloved traditions, festive lights,...
Abilene Geotour Draws Visitors Nationwide
The Abilene Kansas History GeoTour, launched by Visit Abilene Kansas at the end of March, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about geocaching destinations in the Midwest. In just three months...
Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum Nominated for Newsweek's Best Presidential Attraction
Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum Nominated for Newsweek's Best Presidential Attraction Abilene is ready to add another national accolade to its growing list. On Thursday, Newsweek...
Abilene Named Finalist for USA TODAY's Best Historic Small Town — Again!
For the seventh consecutive year, USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice contest has named Abilene a finalist for Best Historic Small Town! This national recognition highlights Abilene as one of the...