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.
Where is Abaline:
- 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 2023 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
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