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8 Reasons to Hang Your Hat in Abilene, Kansas
If you've ever driven across Kansas on I-70, the interstate that bisects Kansas from Kansas City to Colorado, you at least got a glimpse of Abilene. Located roughly halfway between Kansas City and Hays, this little town on the Kansas prairie is packed with history and full of amazing architecture. Whether this town of about 7,000 people is your final destination or a pit stop along your route, here are eight things to do in Abilene, Kansas.
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Historical houses tend to make the best bed and breakfast inns. The Engle House in Abilene, Kansas, is a perfect example of that rule
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What We Know About the Ol' Chisholm Trail
The Chisholm Trail, Eastern Trail, Abilene Cattle Trail and Texas Trail. No matter what you call it, Abilene is a cattleman's destination! Thanks, to
Wild West Magazine
for sharing!
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Shop Abilene
Cedar Street Market Antiques in Abilene, Kansas - Eclectic & Memorable
From the moment that I walked through the door of
Cedar Street Market Antiques
, I could tell that this was a store that I was going to love. Not only was there fun modern decor scattered throughout but there were also a ton of antiques as well. A perfect "hodgepodge", if I do say so myself. And while I loved everything that this eclectic store in Abilene, Kansas had to offer, I loved the owner Connie and her handy helper (her puppy, Violet) even more.
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Abilene Flag Project
In 2019 we will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the grand re-opening of the renovated Eisenhower Presidential Museum, as well as the 150th anniversary of the City of Abilene's incorporation. Visitors to Abilene frequently comment on the beautiful American flags lining Buckeye and 3rd Street. The American flags are one of the many wonderful things that make our community standout.
To continue this tradition, the City of Abilene's Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on 3rd Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day. Because they are displayed for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene's Public Works Department replaces them as needed.
Our goal this year is to purchase 200 flags for the 2019 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the pole.
Volunteers from the American Legion and VFW attach the flags to the flagpoles. The Public Works Department, Eagle Communications, Abilene Rental, and Linder Electric install the flags on the light poles.
We rely on the community to provide funding for this project and hope you will consider purchasing one or more flags this year. Please complete the form below and return it to the Abilene CVB by January 8, 2019.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Julie Roller
Director, Abilene CVB
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Flag sponsors as of 1/2/2019
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Abilene Auto Parts Inc.
Abilene Machine Inc.
Abilene Printing & Office Products Co., Inc.
Abilene Rent-All & Sales
American Family Insurance
AuBurn Pharmacy
Bert & Wetta Sales Inc
Bill & Nanc Scholl
Black & Company Realtors
Bob Burns- State Farm Insurance Agent
Brian's Plumbing Inc
Brown Memorial Foundation
Bruce & Denise Youtsey
Casey & Jane Foltz
Central Kansas Free Fair
Copeland Insurance
Dan & Marilyn Holt
Danner Funeral Home
Don's Tire & Supply Inc
Eisenhower Foundation
Everett's Inc.
George & Carol McCormic
Greyhound Hall of Fame
Harold & Sue Courtois
Holm Automotive Center
Jessica Weissenbach
Jim & Pattie Mayhew
John & April Barker
Kenton & Stephanie Clark
KJIL - Mark Hinca
Kohler Family (Jason & Kim)
Dr. Lawrence Cooper
Larry & Tina Rankin
Linder Electric Inc.
M & R Grill
Marcus Rothchild
Martin Becker Carlson Funeral
Martin Schneider in Memory of Jack Schneider
Memorial Health System
OCCK, Inc.
Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy
Peterson Monuments & Designs, Inc.
Pinnacle Bank
Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman
RHV / Ken & Ann Manning
Rick & Marcia Williamson
Rivendell Bookstore/Picture This Plus
Robson Oil Co Inc
Rod & Tracey Kuecker
Russell Stover Chocolates
Smart Insurance
Solomon State Bank
Sonic Drive In
Stan Foltz
Steve & Glenda Schmidt in memory of Lowell K. Schmidt, WWII Veteran
The Teck Shop
Tim & Kathy Horan
Tom & Janet Whitehair
UMB Bank
West's Plaza Country Mart
William & Phyllis Peterson
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Throwback Thursday
From Henry B. Jameson's Heroes by the Dozen
Abilene - Cattle Days to President Ike
The All-American City of 1960
The slogan "Biggest Little City" in the midwest is a most appropriate one for modern Abilene, which strikes strangers as being a considerably larger city than the 7,200 population counted by the assessors. Its tree-lined streets, fine homes, skyline, consolidated business district without the old fashioned town square, and many unusual attraction reflect the metropolitan atmosphere....
...One of Abilene's greatest modern achievements and advancements was in the field of tourist business development. The Chamber of Commerce in 1960-61 recognized this as a major industry as Abilene attained the exalted rank of the outstanding tourist attraction in the state of Kansas. It is featured as such on all maps and travel guides, and was one of ten cities chosen for special recognition in the formal opening ceremonies of the Kansas Centennial celebration in Topeka on January 29, 1961.
As the home town of President Eisenhower, Abilene, through the cooperative efforts of many groups, endeavored to make the most of its enviable position - but without ever infringing upon Ike personally or the dignity of his office. The city park was renamed Eisenhower Park while he was still a soldier and before he was pushed into the political picture. A move was started early in 1961 to rename Buckeye avenue to Eisenhower Boulevard. The great Eisenhower Center, now covering a beautifully landscaped 13-acre tract, started with the opening of the family home to the public as a national shrine. Then the Eisenhower Museum and finally the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
They attract thousands of visitors a year from all over the world and the number is increasing all the time. These visitors represent all fifty states, of course, and virtually every foreign country in the world. They spend money in Abilene - it is estimated that every new tourist dollar turns over six to eight times before it is banked.
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5 Star Reviews - Brookville Hotel Restaurant
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2019 Calendar of Events
2019 marks 150 years since the City of Abilene's official incorporation. Community events make Abilene not only a great place to live, but also a great place to visit. Make plans now to visit Abilene, Kansas and enjoy these great events! Take the Abilene Event Challenge - how many can you attend? Snap a photo and tag us in your Facebook posts @VisitAbilene.
EVENT
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WHEN
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LOCATION
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LEARN MORE
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Kansas Statehood Ball
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Saturday, January 26 @ 7pm
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Sterl Hall
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Website |
Les Misérables performed by PGP
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Thursday, February 28 @ 7 pm
Friday, March 1 @7 pm
Saturday, March 2 @7 pm
Sunday, March 3 @ 2 pm
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Great Plains Theatre
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30th Annual Ida Stover-Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show |
March 11-24 |
Dickinson County Heritage Center |
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KS Gift & Craft Show |
Sunday, March 31 @ 1pm |
Sterl Hall |
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Eisenhower Marathon
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Saturday, April 6 @ 7 am
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St. Andrews Parish Hall
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Easter Bunny Train |
Saturday, April 13 @ 1 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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National Greyhound Association Spring Nationals |
April 15-20 |
National Greyhound Association |
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Reitz & Rust Vintage Market
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Saturday, April 27 @ 10 am
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Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
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Arts & Ales |
Saturday, April 27 |
Downtown Abilene |
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Abilene Aviation Association Fly-In |
Saturday, May 5 |
Abilene Municipal Airport |
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National Travel & Tourism Week |
May 5-11 |
Abilene |
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Antique Fest |
Saturday, May 11 |
Downtown Abilene |
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Mother's Day Tea |
Saturday, May 11 |
Eisenhower Presidential Library |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides |
Saturday, May 25 @ 10 am & 2 pm Sunday, May 26 @ 2 p.m. Monday, May 27 @ 10 am & 2 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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Symphony at Sunset
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Saturday, June 1
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Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
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75th anniversary of D-Day |
Thursday, June 6 |
Eisenhower Presidential Museum |
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Pirates of Penzance |
June 14-23 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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Disaster! |
July 12-21 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration |
July 4 |
Eisenhower Park |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Thursday, July 4 @10 am & 2 pm Friday, July 5 @ 10 am & 2 pm Saturday, July 6 @10 am & 2 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo
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Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, August 3
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Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
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Central Kansas Free Fair
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Wednesday, July 31 - Monday, August 5
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Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
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August 2-18 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo |
August 2-3 |
Shockey & Landes Building |
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Vintage Base Ball Game |
August 3 |
Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds |
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Chisholm Trail Days |
Saturday, August 31 - Sunday, September 1 |
Old Abilene Town |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Saturday, August 31 @ 10 am & 2 pm Sunday, September 1 @ 2 pm Monday, September 2 @ 10 am & 2 pm |
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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Heritage Days |
Saturday, October 5 |
Dickinson County Heritage Center |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Saturday, October 5 @ 10 am - 3 pm (hourly departures)
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Dickinson County Heritage Center |
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Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
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Sunday, October 6 @ 2 pm (last steam run of the year)
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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad |
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Empires Fall |
October 18-27 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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Tombstone Talks |
Saturday, October 26 |
Abilene Cemetery |
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Makin' Magic - 25 Years of Fun |
November 29 - December 15 |
Great Plains Theatre |
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Abilene's Victorian Inn Christmas Afternoon Tea |
Saturday, December 7 |
Abilene's Victorian Inn |
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Heritage Homes Association's Holiday Homes Tour |
Saturday, December 7 Sunday, December 8 |
Varies each year |
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Night of Christmas Magic |
Saturday, December 7 |
Downtown Abilene |
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Share your news!
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to
Julie@abilenecityhall.com.
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Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum
Due to the Federal Government shutdown, the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is closed. Check
archives.gov for details.
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About us
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
is the marketing arm of the City of Abilene and provides services to tourists and groups convening in Abilene.
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