Places to Commemorate the Anniversary of D-Day

Seventy-five years ago this June, Kansas native turned four-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the order to launch Operation Overlord, more commonly known as D-Day. Here are more than 25 destinations on three continents to visit to honor the 70 million to 85 million people who lost their lives during the global conflict.



The Most Beautiful Small Towns In Every State

From RVUSA.com

We write about frequently traveled destinations weekly, so we thought it would be fun to dive into the culture of each state and discover the hidden gems of small towns. Here is the first article covering the most beautiful small towns that are found throughout the United States.

We Like Ike!

Show your support and welcome visitors to Abilene! 

*Coming soon* We Like Ike yard signs suitable for placement in store windows or yards.

Watch the Abilene Tourism Advocate and Visit Abilene Facebook Page for updates about how you can get one of these special signs!
Eisenhower Presidential Museum Exhibit Renovation - Update



From our friends at the Eisenhower Foundation:

The entire museum of the Eisenhower Presidential Library will be new this summer!  We are pleased to share this sneak peek photo as installation of new exhibits gets underway. The comprehensive redesign will reveal Ike and Mamie's story in their own words. New interactive features will encourage guests to engage with the exhibits and learn how Dwight D. Eisenhower remains relevant today.

We are truly grateful for your contributions to the Eisenhower Foundation's  Dwight D. Eisenhower: A Legacy of Leadership  capital campaign which made this renovation possible. Because of your financial support, we will soon welcome guests to a new, engaging experience at the Eisenhower Presidential Museum in Abilene, Kansas.

The recent government shutdown did disrupt construction, which will delay the expected opening until July.

The 22-acre campus remains open and temporary exhibits are on display in the library building until the museum project is complete. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., our 22-acre campus includes:  
  • Boyhood home with guided tours showcasing original furnishings
  • Library building featuring exhibits and supplemental videos
  • Place of Meditation - the final resting place of President and Mrs. Eisenhower
  • Visitors Center with overview film and gift shop
  • Eisenhower statue - popular photo background
Fly-In Breakfast & Airport Open House

Celebrate Tourism!

Show Your Kansas Pride!

The Abilene Travel Information Center has new inventory!

To kick off National Travel & Tourism Week next week, we are offering special weekend pricing - $20. All sizes in stock. Get yours today! 

Bonus: all existing shirts on are sale!

Shop Abilene

USA TODAY 10Best nomination for Abilene

 #1 True Western Town of the Year -  True West Magazine

One of the Top 20 Best Small Towns to Visit -  Smithsonian Magazine

Most Beautiful Town in Kansas -  House Beautiful

And now we need your help to be named the Best Historic Small Town in the country in the  USA TODAY readers' choice contest.

Please vote daily! 

 
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Leaderboard as of 4/30/2019

Throwback Thursday - Generals Wax Museum
 

The Manhattan Mercury, 21 June 1998

5 Star Reviews - Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
 
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ATTRACTION & EVENT UPDATES

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Mother's Day Tea
Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m.
Library Courtyard

Our very own Curator at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, William Snyder, knows everyone loves Mamie. He will present an entertaining program on well-known hat designer Sally Victor. Clearly one of Mamie's favorite designers as we have a number of her hats in our collection. A special display showcasing some of our favorites will be exhibited for this occasion.

Invite your moms, grandmas, daughters, and girlfriends to enjoy light refreshments with delicious teas and a fun program. And it's not just for girls, boys are welcome, too!

Reservations are required by May 6. Purchase tickets for $20 each  online or mail a check to the Eisenhower Foundation, PO Box 295, Abilene, KS 67410.
AntiqueFest


Car & Truck Show
Great Plains Theatre


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2019 marks 150 years since the City of Abilene's official incorporation. Community events make Abilene not only a great place to live, but also a great place to visit. Make plans now to visit Abilene, Kansas and enjoy these great events! 

Take the Abilene Event Challenge - how many can you attend? Snap a photo and tag us in your Facebook posts @VisitAbilene.


EVENT

WHEN

LOCATION
LEARN MORE
Abilene Aviation Association Fly-In  Saturday, May 4 Abilene Municipal Airport
Race for the Stars - 9th Annual 5K Race by women to benefit women Saturday, May 4 @ 9 am Brown's Park
National Travel & Tourism Week May 5-11
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
National Travel & Tourism Week After Hours May 9, 5-7 pm
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Holm Automotive Car Show May 11
Holm Automotive

Antique Fest Saturday, May 11 Downtown Abilene
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, May 11 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Mother's Day Tea Saturday, May 11 Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Road to Abilene with Tim Rives and William Snyder Thursday, May 23 @ Noon - 1 pm Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, May 25 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides Saturday, May 25 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Sunday, May 26 @ 2 pm
Monday, May 27 @ 10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Symphony at Sunset
Saturday, June 1
Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
75th anniversary of D-Day Thursday, June 6 Eisenhower Presidential Library
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides Thursday, June 6 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Friday, June 7 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Saturday, June 8 @ 10 am & 2 pm


 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, June 8 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad 
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, June 8 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Pirates of Penzance June 14-23 Great Plains Theatre
Heart of America Greyhound Gathering June 20-22 Sterl Hall
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, June 22 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Disaster! July 12-21 Great Plains Theatre
Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration July 4 Eisenhower Park
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Thursday, July 4 @10 am & 2 pm
Friday, July 5 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Saturday, July 6 @10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, July 6 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, July 13 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo
Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, August 3
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Central Kansas Free Fair
Wednesday, July 31 - Monday, August 5
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 August 2-18 Great Plains Theatre
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo August 2-3 Shockey & Landes Building
Vintage Base Ball Game Saturday, August 3 Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, August 10 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Christian Motorcyclists Association State Rally Friday, August 16 - Sunday, August 18 Dickinson County Fairgrounds / Sterl Hall
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, August 31 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Chisholm Trail Days Saturday, August 31 - Sunday, September 1 Old Abilene Town
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Saturday, August 31 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Sunday, September 1 @ 2 pm
Monday, September 2 @ 10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, September 14 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Hitching Post Restaurant)
 Saturday, September 14 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, September 28 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Heritage Day Saturday, October 5 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Saturday, October 5 @ 10 am - 3 pm (hourly departures)

 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Sunday, October 6 @ 2 pm (last steam run of the year)
 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, October 12 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, October 12 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Empires Fall October 18-27 Great Plains Theatre
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, October 26 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Tombstone Talks Saturday, October 26 Abilene Cemetery
Makin' Magic - 25 Years of Fun November 29 - December 15 Great Plains Theatre
Abilene's Victorian Inn Christmas Afternoon Tea Saturday, December 7 Abilene's Victorian Inn
Heritage Homes Association's Homes for the Holidays Tour Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8		 Varies each year
Night of Christmas Magic Saturday, December 7 Downtown Abilene
About us
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau  is the marketing arm of the City of Abilene and provides services to tourists and groups convening in Abilene.
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