Abilene Tourism Advocate
January 12, 2023
Favorite & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits (2022)
50 Things to Make Your Visit to Abilene THRIVE!
Playing off a popular series of travel books, "100 Things to Do in ____ Before You Die", we're happy to compile this list of 50 Things to Make Your Visit to Abilene THRIVE!

Why Abilene? 

Conveniently located along Kansas I-70 (Eisenhower's Interstate System), Abilene is full of the great attributes of a thriving small community. As Traveling with Purpose wrote, "The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "Americana" as "materials concerning or characteristic of America, its civilization, or its culture. Broadly: things typical of America." They could just as easily have said, "See Abilene, Kansas."

And for Millennials, Generation Z and younger familiar with Reading Rainbow... you don't have to take our word for it. See what others have to say about Abilene:

Abilene, Kansas
Latest News
20 Charming Towns to Visit in 2023
Travel Awaits
There’s something magical about spending time in a small town. The pace of life slows down and you’re able to relax and soak in the atmosphere around you. Our writers were busy seeking out and exploring charming small towns in all corners of the U.S. this year, including charming villages steeped in history, mountain towns with plenty of adventure, and sleepy beach communities where the only thing on your agenda will be to soak up the sun. The towns that topped our list are certainly all unique, but what they have in common is undeniable charm, a relaxed feel, and beautiful landscapes you’ll dream about visiting again and again.
Ike's town
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA
In 1944 Gen. Dwight Eisenhower coordinated the D-Day Invasion of France, probably the most complex military actions of modern times. Yet, just a month after Germany surrendered, he remarked, “The proudest thing I can claim is that I’m from Abilene.”

Later, as president, he boosted the development of the Interstate Highway System. We followed his roads from the Corridor exiting Interstate 70 and enjoyed two days in Abilene, Kansas. Ike was right. Abilene is a town to be proud of.

It has but 6,500 residents and shows as a small dot on the Kansas map between Junction City and Salina. Too many motorists cruise by missing its diverse history and fun attractions.
Eisenhower in Abilene: 17 places to visit
Roxie on the Road
Abilene, Kansas, is the home of Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. The pleasant city 130 miles west of Kansas City hosts the Eisenhower Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, as well as many other Eisenhower-related sites.

On June 22, 1945, General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower returned to Abilene after the United States and its allies had triumphed over Nazism in Europe. The general was the European Theater’s Supreme Commander.

In his homecoming speech, Eisenhower proclaimed, “The proudest thing that I can say today is that I am from Abilene.” Abilene is still proud of him, and visitors can’t get far without seeing another reminder of Ike’s legacy.
The 19 World's Largest Things in Kansas
Roxie on the Road
Scattered throughout Kansas, 18 World’s Largest Things will astound you. The colossal world-record holders range from a gigantic grain elevator to a huge hairball. Three US champions will astonish you, and three world champions have been dethroned. Even after their dethroning, they’re still amazing. Abilene boasts the newest world record, the World’s Largest Belt Buckle.
2023 Flag Donations
Visitors to Abilene frequently comment on the beautiful American flags lining Buckeye Avenue and NW 3rd Street. The American flags are one of the many wonderful attributes that make our community stand out.

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 Avenue to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on NW 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 is to purchase 200 flags for the 2023 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the cost of the pole.

Thank you to our 2023 Flag Sponsors:

1.      Abilene Printing Co., Inc.
2.      Abilene Rent-All & Sales, Inc.
3.      Amanda West State Farm
4.      Amanda's Bakery
5.      Andrew Roelofsen
6.      Ann & Chuck Brussow
7.      Anonymous
8.      Astra Bank
9.      Auburn Pharmacy
10.  Bert and Wetta Abilene Inc.
11.  Bielefeld Ins Inc
12.  Bill & Dee Marshall
13.  Bill & Marlene Howe
14.  Bill & Nanc Scholl
15.  Black & Company Realtors
16.  Brad Dunlap
17.  Brandon L. Rein
18.  Brian J Tachman Agency, Inc. American Family Insurance
19.  Brierton Engineering
20.  Bruce & Denise Youtsey
21.  Casey & Jane Foltz
22.  Cathy Strowig Nancy Stork
23.  Copeland Insurance Agency @ Manhattan
24.  Craig Richardson
25.  Danner Funeral Home
26.  Duri Ridge Free State Armory LLC
27.  Eisenhower Foundation
28.  Faith Lutheran Church
29.  Gary Sweatland
30.  George W McCormic
31.  Geske Interiors Inc
32.  Great Plains Federal Credit Union
33.  Greyhound Hall of Fame
34.  Haley Jones
35.  Harold & Sue Courtois
36.  Holm Automotive Center
37.  Holt Motors LLC
38.  In Memory of Kim Bogart
39.  Kenton & Stephanie Clark
40.  KJIL Radio
41.  Last Chance Graphics
42.  Lawrence M. Cooper
43.  Legacy Kansas-Munson's Prime-Brookville Chicken
44.  Lumber House Inc.
45.  M & M Tire & Auto, Inc.
46.  M&R Grill
47.  Mark Biggs & Jane M. Schenck
48.  Martin & Marcia Schneider
49.  Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home
50.  Mike Hanson
51.  Mr. John S. Anguiano
52.  Nancy Gugler Fund
53.  National Greyhound Association
54.  Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy
55.  Peterson Monuments & Design
56.  Pinnacle Bank
57.  Pioneer Farm & Ranch
58.  Pottberg Gassman & Hoffman, Chartered
59.  Rawhide Portable Corral
60.  RHV DO IT BEST HARDWARE
61.  Rick & Marcia Williamson
62.  Robb & Katie Keener
63.  Rod and Tracey Kuecker
64.  Russell Stover
65.  Scott Litke
66.  Smart Insurance
67.  Solomon State Bank
68.  Sonic Drive In of Abilene
69.  Terry & Sandy Foltz
70.  The Abilene Group
71.  The Brown Memorial Foundation
72.  The Teck Shop
73.  Tony & Sarah Geiger
74.  Vine Creek Accounting
75.  West's Plaza Country Mart, Inc.

Updated: 1/10/2023
Upcoming Events
April
29
Eisenhower Marathon
The Eisenhower Marathon returns on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Join runners from across the country to run through the same territory cattlemen followed when bringing their herds to Abilene on the Chisholm Trail in the 1800s. Runners love this “flat and fast” course! Learn more
May
13
Antique Fest
Make your way to Abilene for the return of Abilene Antique Fest. Featuring outside booths and four antique malls, shoppers can browse the antiques and re-purposed items from more than 100 vendors. Learn more
Community Attractions
Experience Art & Culture

Journey to the Old West

Live the American Story

Explore Ike's Life & Legacy

Have an Adventure


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