Abilene is one of the top two historic small towns in the country. According to the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, for the second year in a row, Abilene was named runner-up in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Contest in the Best Historic Small Town category.
Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.”
A 2023 announcement from USA TODAY, Abilene, gives Ike another reason to be proud of his hometown. It was awarded the distinction of being one of the most historic small towns in America.
Where is Abilene:
- It’s roughly 1 hour and 30 min North of Wichita.
Abilene, KS is know for:
- Eisenhower Presidential Libray (which is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas)
- Grayhound Capital for the World
Things to do and see in Abilene, KS:
- Eisenhower Presidential Libray
- One of Abilene’s most iconic attractions. Whether you’re a WWII and history enthusiast, a fan of Ike or simply exploring Kansas, the Dwight D. Eisenhower campus will leave you in awe.
- Abilene & Smoky Vally Railroad
- Ride the rails on a 100-year-old steam engine, enjoy an open-air car, or dine aboard a dinner train.
- Fred Schmidt Museum
- Enjoy exhibits featuring railroad memorabilia and model trains, including the G-Scale model trains donated to the museum by the family of Chuck Heroneme.
- Seelye Mansion
- It is like a time capsule. Most of the home’s furnishings were purchased at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.
- C.W. Parker Carousel
- This 1901 carousel is the oldest operational carousel that can be ridden and featured at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
- Old Abilene Town
- Get a taste of the Old West and enjoy can-can dancers and gunfights during the summer travel season.
- Grayhound Hall of Fame Museum
- Explore the exciting world of racing at the Greyhound Capital of the World!
- Big Spur
- At 28 feet high, the big spur stands on its ends to form an arch and weighs a ton. It was built by Larry Houston in 2002 and was certified as the World’s Largest Spur by Guinness World Records until 2017.
- Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places with a pool and playground. In 1952, General Dwight D. Eisenhower announced his run for the presidency from the park.
- Brown Memorial Park Disc Golf Course
- 18 holes and was designed by Eric McCabe, a professional disc golf world champion.
The top 10 winners in the Best Historic Small Town Contest include:
- San Elizario, Texas
- Abilene, Kansas
- Wickford, Rhode Island
- Wallace, Idaho
- Cody, Wyoming
- Wickenburg, Arizona
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Yorktown, Virginia
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Port Gamble, Washington
