Abilene Tourism Advocate
December 1, 2022
Favorite & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits (2022)
10 Small Towns with Big Midwestern Charm
Big cities have their appeal with a plethora of fine dining restaurants and high-dollar museums, but there's something about a small town that charms like nothing else. From picture-perfect main streets to smiley, welcoming folks working in modest boutiques to coffee shops where you can snuggle into a lived-in couch and people watch, small towns let you take a beat and soak in the world. We've rounded up 10 small towns in the midwest absolutely bubbling with big charm.
Abilene, Kansas
Latest News
'Tis the Season at the Historic Seelye Mansion
Abilene's Historic Seelye Mansion is named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winners by the Kansas Sampler Foundation, and with good reason. 

Here are five things you need to know when visiting the mansion during the holidays.
Abilene Homes for the Holidays Tour set for Dec. 3-4
From homes with connections to C.L. Brown, C.H. Lebold, bank presidents, WWII Veterans and immigrants to a special farmhouse and growing church, you won’t want to miss the upcoming Heritage Homes Association’s 45th Homes for the Holidays Tour.

The tour is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Dec. 3 and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 4.

The tour, sponsored by the Heritages Homes Association of Abilene, celebrates the community’s unique and historic architecture.
9 Historic Midwest Homes That Bring the Holidays to Life
Historic homes are beautiful throughout the year and exceptionally beautiful around the holidays. The Midwest is fortunate to have several historic homes that transition from historic beauty to holiday magic. These are some of my favorite historic homes I have visited over the holidays. If you are looking for a magical holiday experience, each historic home will provide a memorable experience.
Abilene Residents Compete for $2,000 in Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown
For people who love this time of year for the dazzling displays of lights and decorations, then you won’t want to miss the 2nd annual Cowtown Christmas Light Showdown Saturday, December 3, in Abilene.

“I love looking at Christmas lights,” said Cory Frey, contest organizer. “My goal is for the displays to draw thousands of people to Abilene and for residents to gather and go from house to house admiring the lights and decorations.”
Christmas Tree Lane Tradition Continues in Abilene
The City of Abilene Public Works Department is celebrating 50 years of Christmas Tree Lane tradition. The tradition begins with the public works department cutting down cedar trees and installing them in residential yards along Buckeye Avenue and Northwest Third Street.
Old Fashioned Christmas
Abilene's Cowtown Christmas is December 3 & 4, and the Dickinson County Historical Society and Museum is celebrating with an Old Fashioned Christmas. Tickets are $5 per person. Children ages five and under are free.
2022 Kansas I-70 Holiday Event Guide
It’s once again that magical time of year! Many of our Kansas I-70 communities have unique holiday experiences, parades, and tree displays for you and your family to discover. We’ve put together a Holiday Event Guide so you can plan your trip.
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Holiday Trains
Make plans now to join the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad for a New Years' Eve Dinner Express!
12 Nights of Kansas Christmas
The song “12 Days of Christmas” tells a fabulous gift list that “my true love gave to me.” Instead of “a partridge in a pear tree,” this list explains 12 fabulous Kansas Christmas communities to enjoy. 
Eisenhower Offers Holiday Hours
Museum Exhibits • Place of Meditation
  • Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • (last museum entry is one hour prior to closing)

Library Building
  Research Room 
  Library Exhibits 
  • Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Gift Shop
  • Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • New Holiday Hours! Open Sunday, November 27, December 4, 11, and 18: 11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Visit the ILikeIkeStore.com anytime!
2023 Flag Donations
Visitors to Abilene frequently comment on the beautiful American flags lining Buckeye Avenue and NW 3rd Street. The American flags are one of the many wonderful attributes that make our community stand out.

To continue this tradition, the City of Abilene’s Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye Avenue to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on NW 3rd Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day.

Because they are displayed for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene’s Public Works Department replaces them as needed.

Our goal is to purchase 200 flags for the 2023 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the cost of the pole.

Thank you to our 2023 Flag Sponsors:
  1. Abilene Printing Co., Inc.
  2. Amanda's Bakery & Bistro
  3. Amanda West State Farm
  4. Andrew Roelofsen
  5. Auburn Pharmacy
  6. Bert & Wetta Abilene, Inc.
  7. Bielefeld Ins Inc.
  8. Bill & Dee Marshall
  9. Bill & Marlene Howe
  10. Black & Company Realtors
  11. Brad Dunlap
  12. Brandon L. Rein
  13. Casey & Jane Foltz
  14. Cathy Strowig & Nancy Stork
  15. Chuck & Ann Brussow
  16. Craig Richardson
  17. Danner Funeral Homes
  18. Duri Ridge Free State Armory LLC
  19. Eisenhower Foundation
  20. Gary Sweatland
  21. George W McCormic
  22. Geske Interiors Inc.
  23. Great Plains Federal Credit Union
  24. Greyhound Hall of Fame
  25. Haley Jones
  26. Harold & Sue Courtois
  27. Holm Automotive Center
  28. Holt Motors LLC
  29. In Memory of Kim Bogart
  30. KJIL Radio
  31. Last Chance Graphics
  32. Legacy Kansas - Munson's Prime & Brookville Chicken
  33. Lumber House Inc.
  34. M&R Grill
  35. Martin & Marcia Schneider
  36. Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home
  37. Mr. John S. Anguiano
  38. Nancy Gugler
  39. Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy
  40. Peterson Monuments & Design
  41. Pinnacle Bank
  42. Pioneer Farm & Ranch
  43. Pottberg Gassman & Hoffman, Chartered
  44. Rawhide Portable Corral
  45. RHV Do It Best Hardware
  46. Rick & Marcia Williamson
  47. Robb & Katie Keener
  48. Scott Litke
  49. Smart Insurance
  50. Solomon State Bank
  51. Sonic Drive-In of Abilene
  52. The Abilene Group
  53. The Brown Memorial Foundation
  54. Tony & Sarah Geiger
  55. Vine Creek Accounting
  56. West’s Plaza Country Mart, Inc.
World's Largest Belt Buckle
Only 14 commemorative World's Largest Belt Buckle replicas remain! Don't miss out on your chance to own a piece of Abilene's newest roadside attraction!
Upcoming Events
December
2-18
The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre
This Holiday treat will have you leaving the theatre with warm fuzzies about a story of the Great Lakes voyages of Christmas Tree ships and a family’s positive spirit to share the power of classic inspiration and Christmas miracles. The heartbeat of life is in our stories and our songs! Learn more
December
3-4
Saturday & Sunday
Cowtown Christmas
Visit Abilene December 3-4, 2022, for the Heritage Homes Association’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Old Abilene Town, tour the historic Seelye Mansion and see more than 60 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, ride the rails with Santa and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, see the live production of The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre, take an evening cruise and see Griswold-style decorations, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Santa, and remember to shop small all season long at Abilene’s small businesses. Learn more
Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
Community Attractions
Experience Art & Culture

Journey to the Old West

Live the American Story

Explore Ike's Life & Legacy

Have an Adventure


Enjoy Family Fun and Learning

201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed