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Abilene Tourism Advocate
September 15, 2022
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Favorite & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits Readers (2022) |
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Something New is Coming Soon! |
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The digital Ike mural is getting an update! Stay tuned for more information about a new Ike-themed mural in this location. |
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6 Events to Fall in Love With |
Now is the time to check your calendar and plan a fall road trip getaway! With fall right around the corner, this means cooler temperatures and great opportunities to gather and celebrate special events outdoors in the Favorite and Friendliest U.S. Small Town!
Conveniently located along Ike's Interstate 70, Abilene is less than an hour from Manhattan, Salina and Fort Riley and less than two hours from Wichita and Kansas City.
Check out our list of six events to fall in love with!
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9 Absolute Best Things to Do in Abilene, Kansas |
Abilene, Kansas is a small town with a big heart. It’s one of those places that you can’t help but fall in love with. The people are friendly, the food is delicious, and there’s always something to do. Smithsonian Magazine also stated that the town was one of the “Best Small Towns to Visit.” It’s easy to see why they would say that.
As a five-star tourist destination, Abilene, Kansas offers plenty to do, from visiting its museums and art galleries to strolling through its beautiful parks and gardens. Abilene is known as the birthplace of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. But Abilene has much more to offer than just presidential history.
Abilene is ideal if you’re searching for a destination to relax and have fun, as the town boasts several historical sites well worth taking in. Here are 9 things to do in Abilene KS that we know you’ll adore.
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Old Abilene Town Recalls Wild West Days |
Abilene, Kansas, was the first of the cow towns in the Wild West. Today, Old Abilene Town recreates those days with buildings that simulate the 1870s Abilene and museums that tell the history of the Chisholm trail, cattle drives, and Abilene life in the days of Wild Bill Hickok.
Old Abilene Town
Buildings along Old Abilene Town’s boardwalk include the Alamo Saloon and a general store, among other businesses that existed at that time.
Also on the grounds are one of the first cabins built in Dickinson County, the second church (which doubled as the first schoolhouse), and the carriage house that belonged to T. C. Henry. T. C. Henry is the person who brought the wheat crop to Kansas.
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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.
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Throwdown at Brown's 2022
Enjoy a disc golf tournament at the beautiful Brown Memorial Park! This Year will be bigger and better than last year. Two 20-hole rounds at Browns Memorial Park. Lunch will be available to purchase on-site, and player packs will not disappoint. Raffle prizes the day of and much more. Payout will be on-site and provided by Flex Shot Disc Golf. Learn more
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Heritage Days
The annual Heritage Day Festival features living history with blacksmith and antique agriculture demonstrations, steam engine carousel rides, an antique tractor show, a classic car show, model trains, and much more. Learn more
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Impact the Cure
The 12th annual Impact the Cure event is Saturday, October 1st, and this year will have some changes from past events. For 2022, the event will be solely the 2MileFunWalk (no 5k run) and it will be held in Old Abilene Town as the kick-off to the community celebration of the 100th birthday for Memorial Hospital. Learn more
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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
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National Greyhound Association Fall Nationals
See Greyhounds in action during the Fall Nationals! Learn more
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
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Experience Art & Culture
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Journey to the Old West
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Live the American Story
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Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
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Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
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201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
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