News
We love to share positive stories about our five-star community!
Check out some of our favorites:
- Destination of the Year by Midwest Travel Network (2002)
- #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)
- #8 Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY (2019)
- #1 True Western Town of the Year by TrueWest magazine (2018)
- Best Weekend Getaway by KANSAS! magazine (2018)
Keep checking back as we continue to populate this list!
Art in Abilene – Kansas Murals in America’s Heartland
It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words. When it comes to murals, these large-format, public art masterpieces can help share centuries of Abilene, Kansas, history in a very powerful way....
Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro Celebrates 10 Years
Growing up, Amanda (Riffel) Collins had no intention of opening a restaurant and bakery. Instead, she aspired to become a Veterinarian. “My mom baked for the schools for 20 years, but it wasn’t...
Abilene Finalist in Best Small Town Contest
Abilene has been nominated for TravelAwaits' "Best Of Travel Awards" in the Best U.S. Small Town category. TravelAwaits is dedicated to travelers ages fifty and up who are ready to cross a few...
Summer Camps Resume
After a year of canceled events and activities, there will be no shortage of dynamic activities for youth in Abilene. “It’s really encouraging to see so many activities planned for the summer,” said...
Visiting Made Easier
Visitors to Abilene now have a new way to find tourism attractions, retail businesses, and restaurants. Thanks to SPARKS (CARES act) funding from Dickinson County, the Abilene Convention &...
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Offers Some Of The Most Breathtaking Views In Kansas
Kansas is full of adventure, from trails that you can hike in an hour to activities that last almost all day. Whether your ideal is a lake trip or a museum, Kansas seems to have one of everything....
10 Beautiful Historic Mansions To Visit In The Midwest
Once the homes of land barons, bankers, railroad tycoons, and shipping magnates, giant mansions would often stand tall on bluffs and hills, overlooking towns across the Midwest, much like a king...
Feast Your Eyes on America’s Top Destinations for Outdoor Art
Nobody needs to tell you that pent-up travel demand is at an all-time high following a full year of pandemic-enforced lockdowns, shelter-in-place mandates, and more Zoom calls than anyone cares to...
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Events Return to Abilene
As featured in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle After almost a year of canceled events, organizers are making plans for new and returning events. “We’re excited to see events returning to Abilene,”...
25 Best Kansas Day Trips
Kansas, the land where buffaloes used to roam through miles of prairie landscape, has something to offer every visitor. This is true pioneer country and countless little towns like Abilene, Wakefield...
5 Best Things to Do in Abilene, Kansas
Ranked by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the top twenty “best small towns to visit,” Abilene in the state of Kansas was the hometown of Dwight D. Eisenhower, America’s 34th President and a 5-Star...
Abilene’s Man with a Star
James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok gets his likeness everywhere in Abilene, Kansas, where he served as lawman in 1871. But his predecessor, Thomas James Smith, while not completely forgotten, is...
11 Best Chocolate Shops In The Midwest
The best part of any trip may be the sweet treats you take home as gifts or to enjoy later as a remembrance of the good time you had. When my wife and I travel, either for business or on vacation, we...
9 of the Best Places to Visit in Kansas
Under the impression that there isn’t much to see in Kansas? Think again, because there are a number of great places to visit, including these. Abilene Located at the end of the historic Chisholm...
The U.S. Small Towns Bursting With Charm You Need To Visit In 2021
While some say that good things come in small packages, these small towns reveal that this age-old adage can -- at times -- be wrong. In fact, it should be said that great things come in small...
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Need a post quarantine adventure? Consider Kansas.
Are you ready to travel again, safely? The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has 21 suggestions for 2021. “Take this opportunity to explore your own state,” Tourism Director...
The Magically Charming Mr. K’s Farmhouse Restaurant In Kansas Is A Must-Try
Grab your bucket lists, and mark down this area for the future. It’s restaurant time, and we’re always hungry for whatever Mr. K’s Farmhouse is cooking up. This beautiful building is a restaurant...
Abilene, Kansas – Queen of the Cowtowns
Located on the Smoky Hill River’s north bank, about 95 miles west of Topeka, Kansas, Abilene is the county seat and largest city of Dickinson County. Though best known as the Queen of Kansas Cowtowns...
Feast On Hometown Eats Done Right At Joe Snuffy’s Cafe In Kansas
Have you ever been in the Abilene area and needed somewhere to stop and eat on your travels? Well, we’ve got a great option for anyone hungry for breakfast or lunch. Have hometown eats done right at...
Take A Seat And Enjoy A Fresh Homemade Meal At M&R Grill In Kansas
When traveling, we always carry a list of places we’d like to try from the town we’re traveling to or through. If you’re in the neighborhood and need a bite to eat, there’s a great choice of...