Abilene City Commission Issues Proclamation


The Abilene City Commission proclaimed the week of May 6-12, 2018 as National Travel & Tourism Week in Abilene. 
Social Media Takeover


The Abilene CVB celebrated National Travel & Tourism Week with a social media takeover of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism's social media channels. 
Abilene CVB Tourism After Hours

Hors d'oeuvres provided by Amanda's Bakery & Bistro

Wine provided by Smoky Hills Vineyards & Winery

Beer provided by Kansas Territory Brewing Company

Awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
Sand Springs Venue Now Open!

Rustic meets elegance at Sand Springs Venue. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Abilene, it's the perfect location for your wedding or upcoming event.

Open House

Saturday, June 7
5:30 p.m.




Kickoff Travel Season in Abilene!

There's Something Incredibly Charming About This Historic Kansas Town And You'll Want To Experience It For Yourself'

Travel season is upon us, and we're always on the hunt for more places to explore whether you travel alone or with your family. More and more, we find ourselves exploring entire towns and cities in Kansas instead of driving to other states. Of course, that's a wonderful thing, but we don't want you to miss out on anything important. Today we've found a town that we've mentioned plenty of times before, but it's time we head back. There's just something special about this historic Kansas town that we can't get enough of.

What exactly is so charming about this town? Well... everything! Have you made it here yet?


10 Best Hidden Gems in Kansas

From chalk badlands to sweeping prairies, the Sunflower State boasts breathtaking scenery. In Kansas, the roads less-traveled lead to interesting destinations. Go hundreds of feet underground to retrieve rock salt; sip Sarsaparilla in an Old West saloon; or look for shark teeth in this land-locked state. Whether you book a Kansas vacation rental on the plains, in a small historic town, or near a vibrant city, you're going to enjoy an unforgettable getaway. To see this state in a new light, check out the top hidden gems in Kansas.
Reserved Parking


Abilene is one of the most patriotic cities in Kansas. From streets lined with American flags to reserved parking for veterans and those wounded in combat, we proudly honor those who served. These new signs can be found at the  Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Abilene's  Mr. K's Farmhouse also has special parking for those wounded in combat.

Inaugural Antique Fest in Downtown Abilene

 
Throwback Thursday

The Theme for National Travel & Tourism Week is Travel Then & Now. Join us in celebrating these throwback photos!

*Photos courtesy of Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum*

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum

Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Dickinson County Heritage Center

Great Plains Theatre (space rented from Thunder Struck Bumpers, Inc.)

Seelye Mansion

Eisenhower Presidential Library

Old Abilene Town
Blacksmith Class


The Dickinson County  Heritage Center is hosting its first Blacksmith Class on Saturday, May 19, at 8 a.m. Learn how to heat steel in a forge and shape it with a hammer, anvil and chisel. The Heritage blacksmithing courses teach smithing operations such as drawing, shrinking, bending, upsetting and punching, so you can make pieces of your own. 

Advanced classes will follow.

For registration and more information, contact the Heritage Center at 785-263-2681. The class is $50 for registration, iron donated by Salina Iron & Steel. Ages 16 and up.

Saturday, May 19
8:00 a.m. - 
12:00 p.m.
Car & Truck Show

Join Holm Automotive Center for a fun-filled day celebrating their 35th Anniversary!

Saturday, May 19
10:00 a.m. - 
3:00 p.m.
Symphony at Sunset


Schedule of Events:
4:00 p.m. - Activities & Food Vendors, Campus Grounds
5:00 p.m. - Mounted Color Guard Demonstration, Campus Grounds
5:30 p.m. - Everyday Lights Concert, Main Stage
5:30 p.m. - KWU Music Camp Recital, Visitors Center Auditorium
7:00 p.m. - 1st Infantry Division Band Concert, Main Stage
8:00 p.m. - Mounted Color Guard Demonstration, Campus Grounds
8:30 p.m. - Salina Symphony Concert, Main Stage

Commemorate the anniversary of D-Day at this annual outdoor concert held on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The concert will feature patriotic favorites as well as popular classics. Tatiana Tessman, piano, and Trevor Duell, trumpet, will be the featured soloists.

Admission by Dona tion
Rain Location: Abilene High School Gymnasium

Generously Sponsored by: 
Marshall Motors & Eisenhower Foundation

Additional sponsors include:
Family Eye Care of Abilene 
Dr. Lawrence Cooper, DDS 
Ameriprise Financial, Diana Miller
Reynolds Real Estate
5 Star Reviews - Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Excellent way to spend several hours

Signage to get here was good. The library was fantastic. We spent four hours and felt we could have spent more. Very informative and great learning experience. The home was of interest also. It was so nice to have all the areas to visit within easy walking distance.
KANSAS! Magazine's Weekend Getaways Finalists

Abilene named one of the 20 finalists for KANSAS! Magazine's Favorite Weekend Getaway contest.

Sometimes you just have to get away. Maybe as a couple, family or just some friends needing to unplug and reconnect. What's your favorite destination in Kansas to take a weekend getaway?

Voting has begun, you can vote daily through March 16 and May 31. Winning "Weekend Getaways" will be announced in the winter 2018 issue.
Readers' Choice Guidelines
  • Vote daily between now and May 31st.
  • Winners will be determined by the total number of votes received.
  • Winners will be revealed in the winter 2018 edition of the KANSAS!.
Please vote daily for Abilene using:


"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
June 22, 1945

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Historic Home & Barn Tours
Hollinger House & Barn and Prospect Park

2nd Saturdays
May-October

Includes lunch

Reservations required.


----

From ASVRR volunteer and K-State professor, Steve Smethers:

WHY OUR DEPOT IS A HISTORIC LANDMARK. 

On January 5, 1888, the very first Rock Island passenger train pulled into this station, carrying travelers on a rather short destination by today's standards. The railroad's Herington-to-Salina, Kansas, subdivision was only 49 miles long; yet, in 1888, the fastest and surest way to travel anywhere was by rail. The first passenger trains to roll through Dickinson County traveled at maximum speeds of only 20 miles per hour, which was nonet heless a marvel of transportation when compared to cumbersome horse-and-buggy trips over unpaved (and ungraveled) rural roads of the day. Dickinson Countians could go east or west, north or south by train, as could most Kansans. In fact, the state was well served by untold miles of railroad track, connecting most towns and cities with reliable passenger and freight service. And while we remember the economic impact of the freight trains that carried livestock, crops and other freight to distant markets, it was the passenger trains of the day that brought people from neighboring communities to shop, visit families or travel to points beyond. 

Today, Abilene's Rock Island depot still stands as the headquarters of the Abilene and Smoky Valley railroad, restored to its original condition, serving as a reminder of the countless number of passengers who traveled to towns along the line. 

A&SV excursion trains leave the depot on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00. And beginning in June, there will be weekday runs on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as well. 

Ticket information: www.asvrr.org

Dickinson County Heritage Center


Dickinson County Heritage Center Growing
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Ike Book Talks - Up Next

Letters of  Woman Homesteader
by Elinoire Pruit Stewart

Monday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
Discussion moderated by Bill Brown

Visitors Center Auditorium
Great Plains Theatre -  Camelot Receives Great Reviews!



Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

The National Greyhound Association recently wrapped up another successful spring meet and auction in Abilene.


Upcoming events:
  • Abilene CVB Tourism After Hours - May 10
  • Antique Fest - May 12
  • Home & Barn Tours @ Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad- May 12
  • Mother's Day Tea @ Eisenhower Presidential Library - May 12
  • Car & Truck Show @ Holm Automotive Center - May 19
  • Symphony & Sunset @ Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home - Eisenhower Presidential Library lawn
  • Camelot @ Great Plains Theatre - June 8-10, 12-17
  • Independence Day Celebration - July 4
  • The Lion in Winter @ Great Plains Theatre - July 13-15, 17-22
  • Central Kansas Free Fair - August 1-6
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo - August 2-4
  • National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo - August 2-4
  • Shrek the Musical @ Great Plains Theatre - August 10-12, 14-19
  • Not Another Christmas Letter @ Great Plains Theatre - November 30-December 2, 4-9
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