 |
|
|
Abilene is home to the largest spur in Kansas! Visit it at the Central Kansas Free Fair!
|
Thank you for the warm welcome! I'm excited to celebrate one month at the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau. While I've met with many stakeholders, I look forward to continuing to fill my calendar with visits.
Have a questions? Please reach out. I would love to meet with you to hear your questions, concerns and ideas for the future!
Cheers to a great new year in Abilene!
Julie Roller
CVB Director
|
Consider hosting your engagement party, shower or reception at Abilene's Civic Center.
California architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed Abilene's Union Pacific Railroad Depot and the matching freight depot to the West, in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The building was constructed in 1928 and passenger service began in 1929.
Dwight D. Eisenhower departed Abilene from this site in 1911, for West Point and his future military career. At that time there was an older 3-story depot/hotel building located on the site. The official end of the Chisholm Trail, the original site of Texas Street and the Historic Post Office Block can be seen from the East portico entrance.
When the UP Railroad announced intentions to close the depot building in 1986, a community-wide campaign was launched to preserve the depot. Renovation costs were shared equally between city funds & community fund-raising efforts.
The Abilene Civic Center was officially dedicated in 1988 as a public use facility. It has since housed hundreds of meetings, seminars, family gatherings and more! Both the passenger depot and the freight depot were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Click here to learn more!
|
|
Kansas Tourism Division's eLearning Program
|
|
Thank you to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for offering the following online classes free of charge:
- Search Engine Optimization - 150 Tips in 150 Minutes - Part 2 - December 29, 2016
- Search Engine Optimization - 150 Tips in 150 Minutes - Part 3 - January 5, 2017
Click
here
to learn more!
|
|
Featured R
estaurant: Amanda's Bakery & Bistro
During the holiday season, Amanda's Bakery & Bistro made thirty dozen Christmas cookies!
Don't delay, order your cookies for Valentine's Day and support this great local business!
|
|
|
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Last month the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau voted to cease operation of its trolley.
The Abilene City Commission voted Tuesday night to keep the trolley in the community and donate it to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. The trolley will eventually replace their silver bus thus enhancing the visitor experience.
Special thanks to the City of Abilene's Public Works Department and Abilene area mechanics for their many years of caring for the trolley.
Click the links below to view the original stories from The Salina Journal about the trolley's purchase more than a decade ago!
|
Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
During the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign, everybody "Liked Ike" - or at least enough people for Abilene's favorite son, Dwight D. Eisenhower, to defeat Adlai Stevenson.
The Eisenhower Foundation is hoping the "I Like Ike" license plate campaign is equally as successful.
By May, 300 plates need to be purchased for the state of Kansas to continue production of the specialty plates.
The license plates honoring Eisenhower, the 34th president who grew up in Abilene, are now available in all 105 counties in Kansas. Motor vehicle departments in Saline and Dickinson counties have the plates on hand.
Meredith Sleichter, executive director of the foundation, said every plate that is sold and renewed sends $50 to benefit the foundation.
She said there's no better way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of President Eisenhower signing the Interstate Highway Act in 1956 than with the license plate.
Click here to read the full story from the Salina Journal!
|
Coming to the Great Plains Theatre:
Saturday, January 7, 7:00 PM - An Evening of Celtic Music
Friday, January 20, 7:00 PM - Jon Stickley Trio
Click
here to learn more!
How to Tame a Dragon or Things You Should Think About Bef
ore You Go into a Dungeon
Where:
401 Cottage Avenue, Abilene and on tour
When:
At GPT on March 27-31, p
erformances at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM;
on tour April 3-7, performances as scheduled
Cost: GPT performances
$3 per student;
on tour performances $3 per student plus $50 travel expense
Click here to learn more!
Cinema
Disney's Moana - Dec. 23 - Jan. 4
Musical Theatre Performance Classes in January at GPT
Classes are $55 for all five; $50 for PGP members; $5 to audit. Each class is $15 if taken separately, however participants are encouraged to take all five as they are designed to be sequential.
Registration is limited. Call now for a reservation: 785-263-4574.
All classes Mondays 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tabletop Thursday at GPT!
Every Thursday night, anyone and everyone is welcome to come to GPT and play games! This is open to all ages, and is designed to be an opportunity to get out of the house and have some fun! We have some games that will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your favorite game to play as well! Got a game at home that you don't play anymore? We welcome the donation!
Board games, card games, dice games are all welcome! Grab your family and friends and come out, it doesn't cost a thing! Doors open at 7, and we'll play until 9:00 or 9:30.
|
RHV Hardware
Known for their dynamite windows, RHV Hardware in downtown Abilene offers something for everyone!
Open:
Monday-Friday - 8:00-6:00
Saturday - 8:00-5:00
Sunday - closed
|
Abilene is fortunate to have several locally-owned lodging establishments. The Diamond Motel and Budget Lodge Inn are owned by the Patel family.
The Diamond Motel hosts many out-of-state hunters and researchers visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum.
Fun fact: An Abilene High School and Kansas State University graduate, Patrick Patel aspires to become a dentist! In the meantime he assists his parents with managing the properties.
Click
here to learn more about places to stay in Abilene!
|
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to: [email protected].
|
|
Where in Abilene?
|
|
Abilene is home to one of more than 90 Lustron homes in Kansas.
Lustron houses
are prefabricated enameled steel houses
developed in the post-World War II era United States in response to the shortage of houses
for returning GIs.
Click here to learn more!
|
|
|
|
|
We do our best to make sure all information is correct.
It is advisable to always call ahead before visiting.
|
|
