|
|
Abilene Tourism Advocate
June 2, 2022
|
|
|
|
Best & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits Readers (2022) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Only four days remain to vote in USA TODAY's Best Historic Small Town Contest! Please help Abilene take home the gold by voting daily. As of June 1, Abilene ranked #1 in the contest. The leaderboard is now turned off, but winners will be announced Friday, June 17 at 11 a.m. |
|
|
|
|
12 Friendliest Small Towns in the U.S.
Abilene, Kansas (Winner)
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s hometown of Abilene is no stranger to our Best of Travel Awards. Last year, the charming Kansas town took home the gold for Best U.S. Small Town. Not only do the 6,460 citizens get to keep that title this year, but they also get to add one. TravelAwaits is proud to announce that our readers voted Abilene, Kansas, the Friendliest Small Town In The U.S. 2022.
Full of history and dotted with amazing architecture, this quaint Midwestern town offers plenty of things to do. Visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home then head over to the Seelye Mansion. One of the “Eight Wonders of Kansas,” the stately estate is decked out in poinsettias at Christmastime. Abilene also hosts one of the best small-town Fourth of July celebrations in the Midwest.
|
|
|
|
|
11 Best Small Towns to Vist in the U.S.
Abilene, Kansas (Winner)
For the second year running, Abilene has taken the top spot in our annual Best Of Travel Awards (view the full list of winners and finalists from last year here)! Cowboy roots run deep in Abilene; cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail would end in town with cattle being sold and boarding trains bound for the East. The pockets of these early cowboys didn’t stay full for long, as they spent their hard-earned money on their vices of choice. Experience some of this rich history at Old Abilene Town, or climb on board an old-fashioned steam-powered locomotive for a memorable trip. The Wild West is still alive and well in central Kansas.
|
|
|
|
|
The 15 Best U.S. Small Towns for a Summer Vacation
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene, population 6,500, is as historic a spot as they come. While in town, visit the new exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum and tour the Seelye Mansion, an "8 Wonders of Kansas'' winner in the architecture category, where you can bowl on a bowling alley built in 1905. Keep the historical vibes going by hopping aboard a 100-year-old steam engine on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. Before you bid the town adieu, take a spin on a 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel, the oldest operating Parker Carousel still in existence, at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
|
|
|
|
|
Footloose to Open in Abilene!
Gotta cut loose! FOOTLOOSE, that is! This rockin' show opens Great Plains Theatre's 28th Main Stage Season of Possibilities. It's time to get excited as rehearsals begin next week for this high-energy show based on the hit movie. This cast, crew, and live band will have you leave the theatre smiling and singing along. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes!
Check out an exciting sneak peek of the insanely talented cast coming in to tell this story.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summer Kick-Off Concert
Abilene Parks and Recreation's Kick Off to Summer is pleased to bring Sunset Sinners Concert to Abilene.
The concert is being held at Old Abilene Town. The Wurst Experience and BBQ's Roll-N-Smoke food trucks will be a be there cooking up some delicious food to purchase.
Bring your friends, lawn chair, sit back and enjoy some good music and great food.
Gates will open at 5:00 pm
Concert will start at 7:00 pm
There is no Gate Fee!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Symphony at Sunset
Commemorate D-Day at this annual outdoor concert held on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The Salina Symphony, joined by the 1st Infantry Division Band, will present a concert of patriotic favorites and World War II era classics featuring vocalist Janie Brokenicky. Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Footloose the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Kick off your Sunday shoes with this classic movie turned musical about inspiring a town through the importance of love and dance while witnessing the powers of wisdom and forgiveness. Gotta cut loose! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Showdown at Old Abilene Town
Professional boxing, pro/am MMA and kickboxing event by Never Surrender at the historic Old Abilene Town!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matilda the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Follow the classic Roald Dahl story of an astonishingly witty girl with special powers that teaches us to use our extraordinary imaginations to change our destiny. Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jersey Boys - The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Great Plains Theatre
Join us for the international musical phenomenon that takes you behind the story and music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Come be a part of the challenges, the rise, and the ultimate triumph a group’s music that became symbolic of a generation. Oh, what a night! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kansas Media Event - Abilene Night
Kick-off the return of the Central Kansas Free Fair with the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kansas Tourism, and travel writers from throughout the country. Enjoy seeing a longhorn cattle drive through Old Abilene Town, cowboy poetry from Ron Wilson, live music and more!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central Kansas Free Fair
Located in Abilene, the Central Kansas Free Fair is one of the largest in the state. This family-friendly event offers educational activities and entertainment for all ages, including the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo (August 3-6), which has been frequently voted one of the top outdoor rodeos. Join us for family fun in Abilene! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After Rodeo Dance
Visit Old Abilene Town after the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo to enjoy the Lazy Wayne Band (Friday) and Savanna CHestnut and the Field Hands (Saturday).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at Great Plains Theatre
The classic literary character of Sherlock Holmes is teamed up once again with John Watson and over 40 other characters to solve a kooky and educational whodunnit. “Elementary, my dear Watson, Elementary.”Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abilene Oktoberfest
Abilene Oktoberfest is excited for its 5th Annual Oktoberfest held in Downtown Abilene. There will be German Dancers, Music, Authentic German Food, & Drinks. This year we will have 3 beer gardens, multiple food vendors, Masskrugstemmen, Hammerschlagen, a corn hole tournament, and a Kids Korner that will feature bouncy houses, outdoor games, crafts, face painting, and much more. Downtown Abilene has several wonderful stores that will be open for you to explore before and during the festivities! We will have a lot of exciting announcements coming soon! Make sure to mark September 17th on your Calendar! We are excited to see you at this year's Abilene Oktoberfest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heritage Day Festival
Enjoy living history, steam engine carousel rides, antique tractor show, classic car show, food, and much more at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wild West Gravel Fest
In its third year, this premier gravel ride attracts riders from across the country! The Wild West Gravel Fest is a gravel bike race in Dickinson County, KS. With races ranging from 200k to 5k, Wild West Gravel Fest appeals to racers who are new to gravel and those who dare to push themselves to the extreme. And make sure to stick around for the after-party at Old Abilene Town. Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haunted Cowtown
The ghosts of Old Abilene Town have returned. Take a walk, if you dare, through your worst nightmare, the cursed schoolhouse, the possessed cabin, the haunted cemetery, the spooky saloon, and much more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pink Friday
We've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?
Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre
This Holiday treat will have you leaving the theatre with warm fuzzies about a story of the Great Lakes voyages of Christmas Tree ships and a family’s positive spirit to share the power of classic inspiration and Christmas miracles. The heartbeat of life is in our stories and our songs! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cowtown Christmas
Visit Abilene December 3-4, 2022 for the Heritage Homes Association’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Old Abilene Town, tour the historic Seelye Mansion and see more than 60 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, ride the rails with Santa and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, see the live production of The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre, take an evening cruise and see Griswold-style decorations, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Santa, and remember to shop small all season long at Abilene’s small businesses.
|
|
|
|
|
Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
|
|
|
|
 |
Experience Art & Culture
|
|
|
|
Journey to the Old West
|
|
|
|
Live the American Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
|
|
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
