Abilene Tourism Advocate
July 1, 2021
2021 Best U.S. Small Town - TravelAwaits
Bulls Head Saloon Longhorn Coming Home to Abilene
Thanks to more than 70 donors from Abilene and throughout Kansas, "Shotgun" Ben Thompson’s Bulls Head Saloon Longhorn is returning to Abilene.
4 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in Abilene
Enjoy Live Music at Old Abilene Town
Kick-off the holiday weekend with a chuckwagon dinner, country music singer/songwriter Bryan Knowles concert, and an old west movie!

The fun starts Friday, July 2 at 6:30 pm at the Bull's Head Pavilion at Old Abilene Town. Dinner includes smoked brisket, baked beans, cornbread, potatoes salad, and peach cobbler.

Admission is $20 and the concert starts at 7 pm.

Stay to watch the old western Abilene Town after the concert! 

Bonus: See the Old Abilene Town Gunfighters perform on Saturday at 11:30 am, 1:10 pm, and 3:30 pm, and on Sunday at 1:10 pm and 3:30 pm. The group will also perform on Monday at 11:30 am, 1:10 pm, and 3:30 pm.
Visit the Eisenhower Museum
What's more patriotic than visiting the museum of Five-Star General and 34th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower?! See the all-new exhibits and take a selfie with an 11' statue of General Eisenhower. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Advance tickets are required. But don't delay tickets are still limited, so get yours today! 
Ride the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Steam Engine 
Ride the rails with the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad! Enjoy a narrated tour aboard the 1919 Baldwin 4-6-2 Steam Engine. The Steam Engine Runs Saturday, July 3 at 10 am and 2 pm; Sunday, July 4 at 2 pm; and Monday, July 5 at 10 am and 2 pm.
Celebrate at Abilene Parks and Recreation's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration
  • 6:00 am - Register for the Rocket Run
  • 6:45 am - Flag Raising Ceremony
  • 7:00 am - Start 5K Road Race / Tournament Registrations Begin
  • 7:45 am - Start 1-mile fun run / Start 2-mile walk
  • 8:00 am - Register Pedal Power Tractor Pull (ages 4-12) at the Showbarn / Start Mud Volleyball / Start 3 on 3 Basketball
  • 8:30 am - Rocket Run Awards
  • 9:00 am - Register for Baby Beauty Contest / Start Pedal Power Tractor Pull / Start 4 on 4 Sand Volleyball
  • 10:00 am - Start Baby Beauty Contest 
  • 10: 30 am - Frog & Turtle Races
  • Noon - Free Hot Dog Feed / Start Pool Activities 
  • 1:00 - 5:00 pm - Free Swim at Abilene Municipal Pool
  • 8:00 pm - City Band Performance (at the Royer Bandshell)
  • 9:45 pm - Fireworks (shot from the north side of the Abilene Community Center)
Local Restaurant Options
Need help planning your meals? Check out our list of local restaurant options for July 2-5, 2021.
Upcoming Events
July
9 - 25
Great Plains Theatre presents: The Music Man
You will pick-a-little talk-a-little while passing through Gary, Indiana and on to River City where our 76-trombone-marching-band will be joining by the PGP Academy members. Shipoopi! 
July
12
Monday
KSN TV Summer Road Trip
Watch KSN TV's anchors film the 5 and 6 o'clock news live from Little Ike Park! Free Abilene t-shirts for the first 100 people. Bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the news live from Abilene!
August
4 - 7
Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
Celebrate the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo's 75th anniversary in Abilene!

Community Attractions
Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
Whether you're four or 104, Abilene has something for you to enjoy and learn!
Experience Art & Culture
A five-star community that embraces the arts, Abilene offers many unique attractions for art lovers.
Explore President Eisenhower's Life and Legacy
Visit all things Ike on this special tour!
Live the American Story
Abilene is the hometown of entrepreneurial and world leaders.

Learn about their lives and legacies at these fun attractions! 
Have an Adventure
Ride the rails on a 100-year-old steam engine (the only operating steam locomotive in Kansas!), enjoy an open-air car or dine aboard a dinner train with the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad!
Journey to the Old West
Named #1 True Western Town of the Year, visit Abilene, Kansas and experience its wild and wooly side!
Community Spotlight
 
 
 
 
7 Incredibly Charming Small Towns to Visit in Kansas

Any list of charming Kansas small towns starts with Abilene, our 2021 Best U.S. Small Town winner...

 
 
 
 
Model A's Visit Seelye Mansion

Dozens of Model A's visited the historic Seelye Mansion last week. The Wichita-based group enjoyed a tour of the beautiful mansion and the community enjoyed seeing the vintage vehicles!
201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed