HomeNewsBlog

Abilene Tourism Advocate

The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau shares a weekly electronic newsletter about tourism happenings. 

Current Edition

Sign up

Past Editions

  • December 27, 2024 - Abilene, KS Honored as Top True Western Town by True West Magazine, End the Year on the Rails: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Special Dinner Trains, Cook Like Ike and more!
  • December 19, 2024 - Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Receives Grant, Village Travel Visits and more!
  • December 12, 2024 - Abilene Shines Bright with Festive Holiday Events, Abilene, Kansas Restaurants: An Exciting Emerging Food Scene and more!
  • December 5, 2024 -  Cowtown Christmas, Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown, Gunsmoke Trail Tour Offered and more!
  • November 25, 2024 - Holiday Open Houses, Cowtown Christmas Guide, Alaskan Researcher Visits and more!
  • November 21, 2024 - Cowtown Christmas Itinerary, Great Plains Theatre Announces 31st Season, Seelye in Lights and more!
  • November 14, 2024 - American Flag Sponsors Needed, New Boot Unveiling, 47th Annual Homes for the Holidays Tour, Seelye in Lights and more!
  • November 7, 2024 - Things to do in Abilene, Kansas - America's Best Small Town, Free Museum Day, Happy Birthday, Terry and more!
  • October 31, 2024 - Cowtown Christmas Preview, Sunflower Summer Shines in Abilene, Abilene, Kansas - A Destination You Need To Know About and more! 
  • October 24, 2024 - New in Abilene: Can't-Miss Spots For Your Next Visit, Abilene Wins Awards and more!
  • October 17, 2024 - 48 Hours of History, Art and Local Flavors, National Greyhound Association's Fall Meet, Union Pacific Big Boy Returns and more!
  • October 10, 2024 - Celebrate Ike's Birthday, New Restaurant Openings and more!
  • October 3, 2024 - 10 Fascinating Facts About Abilene's C.W. Parker Carousel, A Hub of History: Abilene's Union Pacific Depot, Why We Love the Seelye Mansion and more!
  • September 26, 2024 - Open House Tomorrow, Celebrate Heritage Day in Abilene, Sweater Weather & Shopping Treasures Awaits and more!
  • September 19, 2024 - Kansas Belle Cars to Arrive in Abilene, Abilene CVB Receives Grant, upcoming events and more!
  • September 12, 2024 - Where to Eat on Kansas I-70, Five Must-Visit Places This Weekend, Seelye Mansion: History Alive and more!
  • September 5, 2024 - Fall in Love with Abilene: Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Events in Abilene, Kansas
  • August 22, 2024 - Experience the Spirit of the Old West at Chisholm Trail Days in Abilene, Kansas
  • August 13, 2024 -Hometown Heroes, Abilene Celebrates America 250! Mural Ribbon Cutting, Big Boy Returns to Kansas, and more! 
  • August 8, 2024 - Sunflower Summer Ends Sunday, Mindy's Murals, Good Day Kansas Visits Abilene and more!
  • July 30, 2024 - How to watch the Fair Parade, New Mural in Abilene, Love, Abilene campaign and more!
  • July 25, 2024 - New Eisenhower Movie, New Director at Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, 21 Things to Do In Abilene, and more!
  • July 18, 2024 - Mark Your Calendars for the Event of the Century - Central Kansas Free Fair, Abilene on a Budget, and more!
  • July 11, 2024 - Petals at Their Peak, BRIGHT STAR at Great Plains Theatre, Lunching with Ike's granddaughter and more!
  • July 3, 2024 - Celebrate an Old-Fashioned 4th of July in Abilene, Kansas, Things to do in Abilene, America's Best Small Town and more!
  • June 26, 2024 - Garden Guild Public Tours, Brown v Board Conference, Hello, Dolly! and more!
  • June 19, 2024 - World's Largest "I Like Ike" Button Unveiling Tomorrow, Union Pacific Big Boy to Return to Kansas, Garden Guild Public Tours and more!
  • June 13, 2024 - Abilene's Museum Secrets: Explore Beyond the Obvious, Presidential Descendants Visit Abilene, 67 Ways to Enjoy Abilene, and more!
  • June 3, 2024 - D-Day + 80 Ceremony TODAY, New Mural Coming to Abilene, World's Largest "I Like Ike" Button Unveiling Announced, Trips Ideas and more! 
  • May 30, 2024 - Discover Free Family Fun in Abilene This Saturday, "See Kansas" Exhibit Opens Today, Legally Blonde The Musical and more!
  • May 29, 2024 - Commemorating D-Day in Abilene, Kansas - Your Guide to D-Day+80
  • May 23, 2024 - Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week in Abilene, Sunflower Summer Begins Saturday, "See Kansas" Art Exhibit Opening Next Week and more!
  • May 16, 2024 - Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration, The Story Behind Presidential Campaign Buttons and Pins, and more!
  • May 9, 2024 - Mother's Day Weekend in Abilene, Meet Jennie Seelye, and more!
  • April 29, 2024 - Abilene Prepares to Honor Its Hometown Leader in a BIG Way, The Farmhouse Project Launch, Group Tour Discounts, Vintage Charm in Abilene and more! 
  • April 25, 2024 - Three Abilene Attractions to Participate in Sunflower Summer Program, upcoming events and more!
  • April 18, 2024 - Abilene Set to Open "See Kansas" Art Exhibit, Abilene Gears Up for Mother's Day Weekend, and more! 
  • April 10, 2024 - Abilene Ranks Third in National Contest, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Designated as the Official Kansas Heritage Railroad, and more!
  • April 4, 2024 - Abilene featured in "Gunsmoke Trail Passport" tourism collaboration, upcoming events and more!
  • March 28, 2024 - New Exhibit at Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Weekend Road Trip to Abilene, upcoming events and more!
  • March 21, 2024 - 8 Reasons Why Abilene is the Best Historic Small Town, Rodeo Clown Announcement, Treat Yourself to Tradition at Genny's 2.0 and more!
  • March 14, 2024 -"Guns & Smoke Exhibit" Opens, Quilting Extravaganza in Abilene, and more!
  • March 7, 2024 - Abilene, Kansas Dining, Shopping and More, Through Mamie's Eyes, Discover Gravel Cycling and more!
  • March 4, 2024 - Abilene Shines Once Again in USA TODAY's Best Historic Small Town Contest
  • February 29, 2024 - 6 Ways to Experience the History of Abilene, New Exhibit Opening, Updated Calendar of Events and more!
  • February 22, 2024 - The Cowboy Trail and Story in Abilene, Seelye Mansion: A Historic Landmark in Abilene, and more!
  • February 15, 2024 - Best Museums in Kansas, Abilene CVB Annual Report, upcoming events and more!
  • February 8, 2024 - Great Plains Theatre Announces 2024 Season, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Train Initiates "Flint Hills Express" and "Smoky Valley Limited" and more!
  • February 1, 2024 - Mural Magic in Abilene, Love is in Full Bloom and more!
  • January 25, 2024 - New State Symbol for Kansas?, Roosevelt Visits Abilene and more!
  • January 18, 2024 - Explore Wild Bill Hickok's Abilene in 2024, Love is in the Air in Abilene and more!
  • January 11, 2024 - Coming Soon - Eisenhower Silo Mural, 7 Murals That Will Make You Say Wow, Abilene Featured in Site Selection Magazine and more!
  • January 4, 2024 - New Year, New Adventures: Explore the Magic of Small Towns in 2024!

  • December 21, 2023 - Celebrating a Remarkable 2023 in Abilene, Kansas!
  • December 15, 2023 - National Magazine Honors Abilene's Cowboy History: Named Top 10 True Western Town of the Year
  • December 7, 2023 - Discover the Magic of Abilene in December: A Festive Journey Through History and Holiday Cheer!
  • November 30, 2023 -  2023 Cowtown Christmas Guide - December 2 & 3, 2023
  • November 17, 2023 - Pink Friday, 'Tis the Season at the Historic Seelye Mansion, Experience the Magic of an Old Fashioned Christmas, and more!
  • November 10, 2023 - 46th Homes for the Holidays for the Holidays Tour, Pink Friday and more!
  • November 2, 2023 - Fall in Love with Abilene, Cowtown Christmas Preview and more!
  • October 26, 2023 - Run With History: Discover the Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum, Eisenhower Marathon Returns, The Great Pumpkin Express and more!
  • October 19, 2023 - Abilene Added As Stop On Civil Rights Trail, Abilene CVB Wins Awards and more!
  • October 12, 2023 -Happy Birthday, Ike! Great Pumpkin Express, NGA Fall Meet, and more! 
  • October 6, 2023 - All Aboard for a Grand Farewell Ride: Santa Fe #3415's Last Run Before Overhaul
  • October 5, 2023 - America's Best Small Town, The Cowtown Santa Express and more!
  • September 28, 2023 - Exploring the Heart of America: Dickinson County Heritage Center's 45th Annual Heritage Day Event
  • September 21, 2023 - Only in Abilene, Kansas: A Journey Through Unique Attractions
  • September 14, 2023 - Terry Tietjens Receives Award, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Photo Train, upcoming events and more!
  • September 7, 2023 - Discover the Charms of Abilene, Kansas: Your Best Small Town Getaway
  • August 31, 2023 - Boutique Crawl, Top Things To Do in Abilene, Greyhound Hall of Fame Highlights and more!
  • August 24, 2023 - Chisholm Trail from Texas to Abilene, Gravel Abilene, Trip Advisor Awards and more!
  • August 17, 2023 - Seelye Mansion Brings History to Life, Travel Writers Visit, Santa Fe No. 3415 at Season Halfway Point, Summer Visitation Recap and more!
  • August 10, 2023 - War and Peace - Eisenhower Presidential Library, 14 Things to Do in Abilene, and more!
  • August 3, 2023 - Central Kansas Free Fair, New Murals, "Get Pumpkin Patch Express" and more!
  • July 26, 2023 - Little Town of Mansions Website, American Cowboy Exhibit, Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo: Experience the Wild West, and more!
  • July 20, 2023 - National Day of the Cowboy, Central Kansas Free Fair, A Journey to Discover the many wonders of Kansas, and more!
  • July 13, 2023 - Things to do in Abilene, Cowboy Art Trail, "Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground" Off Broadway and more!
  • July 7, 2023 - Abilene Home to Best Roadside Attraction in the U.S. According to TravelAwaits!
  • June 29, 2023 - July 4th activities, Free Museum Day, World's Largest Belt Buckle Named "World's Largest", Iron Horse Trail celebration event and more!
  • June 22, 2023 - Oliver! Opens at Great Plains Theatre, Greyhounds Visit Abilene, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame update, upcoming events and more!
  • June 15, 2023 - Trails, Travel Writers, Awards, upcoming events and more!
  • June 8, 2023 - The Wedding Singer, Coffee & Cinnamon Roll Train, and more!
  • June 2, 2023 - Your Guide to This Weekend's Events
  • June 1, 2023 - Abilene Named #1 Best Small Town to Visit in the U.S., Grandson of Abilene Founders Visits and a Cowboy Poem for the World's Largest Belt Buckle
  • May 25, 2023 - Sunflower Summer Program, Friendliest Kansas Towns, upcoming events and more!
  • May 18, 2023 - How to spend an "Ike-citing" day in Abilene, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Upgrades and more!
  • May 11, 2023 - National Travel & Tourism Week, "Gunsmoke Trail", upcoming events and more!
  • May 4, 2023 - Mother's Day Weekend Ideas, Special ASVRR Photography Train, World's Largest Belt Buckle in the News and more!
  • April 27, 2023 - National Greyhound Association Spring Meet, Eisenhower Marathon, and more!
  • April 12, 2023 - Explore Wild Bill Hickok's Abilene, upcoming events and more!
  • April 6, 2023 - Abilene Named Finalist for Two Best of Travel Awards, Evenings at Ease and more!
  • March 31, 2023 - Abilene Named Finalist in Best of Travel Awards
  • March 30, 2023 - Digital Destination Guide Now Available, Holm Automotive Car & Truck Show, Museum has gone to the dogs, and more!
  • March 16, 2023 - 5-Star Reviews, Support Abilene Tourism Attractions, Upcoming Events and more!
  • March 9, 2023 - Best Historic Small Town Recap, International Women's Day, Legacy Kansas update and more!  
  • March 3, 2023 - Best Historic Small Town Winners Announced
  • March 2, 2023 - Abilene, Kansas - A True Western Town, Eisenhower Marathon 20th Anniversary and more!
  • February 23, 2023 - 9 Absolute Best Things to Do in Abilene, Best of Travel Awards, Steam Engine Returns, Top 5 Presidents and more!
  • February 16, 2023 - Boyhood Home Reopens for Tours, Iron Horse Trail Update, Best Historic Small Town Voting and more!
  • January 23, 2023 - Abilene Named Finalist in USA TODAY'S Best Historic Small Town Contest
  • January 23, 2023 - Abilene Named Top 10 True West Town of the Year
  • January 12, 2023 - 50 Things to Make Your Visit to Abilene THRIVE, 20 Charming Towns to Visit in 2023 and more!

  • January 6, 2022 - Kansas: A Cowboy State, Best Kansas Day Trips, Fall in Love with Art in Abilene, and more!
  • January 27, 2022 - Kansas Day, Road Trip Ideas, Valentines Day Specials, I-70 Giveaways and more!
  • February 3, 2022 - Top 10 Towns to Experience Cowboy Culture, North Central Kansas Art Road Trip, upcoming events and more!
  • February 17, 2022 - Legacy Kansas Update, New Murals, Exciting Investments and more!
  • February 24, 2022 - Celebrating 40 Years - Historic Seelye Mansion, 22 Kansas Activities to Do in 2022, upcoming events and more!
  • March 10, 2022 - 10 Spring Events You Won't Want to Miss, Nominate Abilene and more!
  • March 24, 2022 - Celebrate Kansas Ag Month in Abilene, Quilt Shows, and more!
  • April 13, 2022 - Abilene Finalist for Two Awards, Eisenhower Update, and more!
  • April 28, 2022 - Symphony at Sunset Returns, upcoming events and more!
  • May 9, 2022 - Abilene Namest Best Historic Small Town Finalist 
  • May 13, 2022 - Good news from Abilene, Kansas!
  • May 19, 2022 - Abilene Municipal Band Schedule, Small Town Presidents and more!
  • May 26, 2022 - Symphony at Sunset, Top 20 Things to Do in Kansas, Footloose and more!
  • May 31, 2022 - TravelAwaits readers selected Abilene as the Best U.S. Small Town to Visit for the second year in a row. Abilene also took first place in its Friendliest Small Towns in the U.S. contest.
  • June 2, 2022 - It's a great day in Abilene! Awards, upcoming events and more!
  • June 17, 2022 - Best Historic Small Town Announcement, 7 Best Steam Train Trips in the U.S., Cowtowns of Kansas, and more!
  • June 30, 2022 - Midwest Travel Network Destination of the Year, Old Fashioned 4th of July and more!
  • July 14, 2022 -  "Jersey Boys" Opens at GPT, Longhorn Return to Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, and more!
  • July 28, 2022 - Iron Horse Trail, Free Steam Engine Rides, Cowboy Boots and more! 
  • August 11, 2022 - Abilene Celebrates Cowboy Roots with Cowboy Boots, Media Day Recap and more!
  • August 25, 2022 - Former White House Communications Agency Members to Visit, Upcoming Events, and more!
  • September 1, 2022 - Boutique Crawl, Exploring the Wild West, Kirby House History and more!
  • September 15, 2022 - New Murals, Fall Events, and more!
  • September 27, 2022 - Last Call - Steam Engine Rides, New Murals, Sunflower Fields, Heritage Days, and more!
  • October 13, 2022 - 14 Things to Do in Abilene, Ike's Birthday, Music Video Filmed in Abilene, NGA Fall Meet and more!
  • October 27, 2022 - Awards, Grants, History and more!
  • November 10, 2022 - Cowtown Christmas, 45th Homes for the Holidays Tour Homes Announced, World's Largest Belt Buckle Update, Trail Grant, New Murals & Boots and more!
  • November 22, 2022 - Holiday Guide - Cowtown Christmas Schedule, 45th Homes for the Holidays Tour and more! 
  • December 1, 2022 - Small Towns with Big Midwestern Charm, Abilene in the News, Upcoming Events, and more!
  • December 15, 2022 - Back-to-Back Award, World's Largest Belt Buckle Unveiling, Celebrating Saving Seelye, Cowtown New Year's Eve Dinner Express, and more!

 

  • January 14, 2021 - Charming Small Towns, Mamie's Fudge Recipe, and more! 
  • January 28, 2021 - Happy Kansas Day Eve, Meadowlark Swap Meet, Eisenhower Chili, and more!
  • February 11, 2021 - Mural Map, Chisholm Trail Museum, and more!
  • February 25, 2021 - Abilene, Kansas - Queen of the Cowtowns, 5 Antiques Stores You Absolutely Must See, and more!
  • March 11, 20201 - Sweet Treats, Bus-Friendly Stops, Waterfalls, and more!
  • March 23, 2021 - 7 Ways to Spend a Saturday, Midwest Mansions, and more!
  • April 8, 2021 - Best Small Town Contest, Summer Camps, Skydiving, and more!
  • April 22, 2021 - 5 Attractions to See May 1, Breakfast Spots, and more!
  • April 29, 2021 - Art in Abilene, Most Beautiful Towns, Weekend Events, and more!
  • May 6, 2021 - Legacy Kansas, LLC, National Travel & Tourism Week, 7 Things to Do in Abilene, and more!
  • May 20, 2021 - Best U.S. Small Town, New Visitors Guide, New RV Park, and more! 
  • May 27, 2021 - 5 Things to Do in Abilene on Memorial Day Weekend, Old Abilene Town Reopens Trail Center, and more!
  • June 10, 2021 - Celebrate the Wild West in Abilene, Grease to Open at Great Plains Theatre, and more!
  • June 17, 2021 - Union Pacific Big Boy Returns, Bulls Head Saloon Longhorns, Rodeo Clown Memorialized, and more!
  • June 24, 2021 - 4 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in Abilene, 5 Times to See Live Music at Old Abilene Town, longhorn update, and more!
  • July 1, 2021 - Fourth of July Guide, Weekend Restaurant Options, Longhorn Returns to Abilene, and more!
  • July 8, 2021 - Lebold Mansion Update, KSN TV Summer Road Trip, Union Pacific Big Boy Returns, Ike Ranks #5, and more!
  • July 15, 2021 - New Signage, New Exhibits, Seelye Mansion, Downtown Myths, and more!
  • July 22, 2021 - Day of the Cowboy, Secret Spots, I-70 Pools and Water Parks, and more!
  • July 29, 2021 - Longhorns Return to Abilene, Union Pacific Big Boy Update, Barn Quilt Exhibition, and more!
  • August 5, 2021 - Central Kansas Free Fair Guide, 5 Things You Must Do at the Dickinson County Heritage Center, Barn Quilts, and more!
  • August 11, 2021 - Abilene, Kansas: Wild West to White House, Upcoming Events, and more!
  • August 19, 2021 - 4 Fun Places for 4-Legged Friends, Abilene Boutique Crawl, Oktoberfest, and more!
  • August 26, 2021 - 2021 Labor Day Weekend Guide, Locally-Sourced in Abilene, Kansas, and more!
  • September 2, 2021 - 2021 Labor Day Weekend Guide - Trains, Shopping, Cowboys, Live Music, Greyhounds, and more!
  • September 9, 2021 - 5 Events to Fall in Love With, Disc Golf Tournament, #MuralMonday, and more!
  • September 16, 2021 - Tour the Award-Winning Town of Abilene, Kansas!
  • September 23, 2021 - Abilene Oktoberfest, Pop-Up Toy Store, Dickinson County Heritage Days, and more!
  • September 30, 2021 - Cheers to Abilene, Heritage Days, NGA Fall Meet, and more!
  • October 14, 2021 - 3 Spooky Events You Won't Want to Miss, upcoming events, and more!
  • October 28, 2021 - Bulls Head Saloon Longhorn Now on Display, Halloween Events, GPT Season 28 Announcement, Eisenhower Museum Reopens, and more!
  • November 4, 2021 - 2021 Holiday Guide - 44th Homes Tour, Holiday Activities, Toy Run, Pink Friday, Open Houses, and more!
  • November 5, 2021 - Abilene, Kansas Named #4 Best Historic Small Town
  • November 18, 2021 - Pink Friday Specials, Comedians Return to Old Abilene Town, Highest-Rated Museums in Kansas, Holiday Activities and more!
  • December 2, 2021 - 7 Things You Need to Know About a Cowtown Christmas 
  • December 9, 2021 - 'Tis The Season at the Historic Seelye Mansion, 4 Things You Absolutely Must See and Do Before Christmas!