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Abilene Tourism Advocate
June 17, 2022
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Best & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits Readers (2022) |
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Abilene Makes 10Best List |
According to a release from the Editors of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice contest, Abilene is a winner in the 2022 Best Historic Small Town category.
“Since this nomination was carefully made by an expert panel, and the public voted for this honor, you have earned some serious bragging rights!” The Editors said.
This is the fourth year in a row that Abilene finished in the top ten. While Abilene maintained the top spot throughout the voting period, the community slipped to number two in the final days when rankings were hidden.
“While we hoped to bring home the gold, coming in second in a nationwide contest is quite impressive,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director. “This award speaks to Abilene’s reputation as a great place to visit and celebrates the community’s efforts to preserve and promote its history.”
The top 10 winners in the 2022 Best Historic Small Town Contest include:
- Wickford, RI
- Abilene, KS
- San Elizario, TX
- De Smet, SD
- Gettysburg, PA
- Taos, NM
- Natchitoches, LA
- Berkeley Springs, WV
- Natchez, MS
Abilene ranked No. 4 in 2021, No. 2 in 2020 and No. 8 in the 2019 contest. The community was also the only Kansas finalist in the 2022 contest.
This announcement adds to the list of good things happening in Abilene.
In May, Abilene received a $22,000 Attraction Development Grant to construct the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. Its Visitors Guide received a Communicator Awards Award of Distinction, and Travel + Leisure named Abilene one of the Best Small Towns for a Summer Vacation.
“These awards are not luck; this isn’t our first rodeo. We know how to rally support for our community,” Roller Weeks said. “I am so proud of the good things happening in Abilene and appreciate voters recognizing these efforts.”
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7 Best Steam Train Trips in the U.S.
The grandeur of the American steam locomotive lives on. Here’s where you can catch a ride behind a steam-powered passenger train this summer.
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
When railroads started retiring steam locomotives in the mid-20th century, some wound up in city parks. But decades later, the one in Abilene, Kansas, got back on track. The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad operates former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 3415, a 4-6-2 (those numbers representing the wheel arrangement) Pacific-type locomotive that pulls passenger excursions on select weekends throughout the year.
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Cowtowns of Kansas
Tuesday afternoon at around 1 p.m., Michael James Wheeler. Walked into the Visitor’s Center at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. A few minutes after entering, Julie Roller-Weeks, director of the CVB, approached Wheeler. While conversing with him, Roller-Weeks discovered he is an artist who wrote a song that features Abilene. On the spot, she asked if Wheeler wanted to perform his song. Wheeler agreed. About 10 minutes later, Wheeler sat on a stool in the Alamo Saloon in Old Abilene Town with his acoustic guitar.
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Heart of America Greyhound Gathering
Greyhound dog lovers from across the country are traveling to Abilene this week to celebrate these special dogs. The group will enjoy farm tours, visits to the Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum, and other special events.
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Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
Gift Shop • Place of Meditation:
Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Museum:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(last entry is one hour prior to closing)
Research Room:
Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
(scheduled appt. required)
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Abilene Municipal Band Concert Schedule
Abilene's Municipal Band turns 141 years old this year and is celebrating by continuing their weekly performances in Royer Band Shell throughout the summer.
- Thursday, June 23 @ 8 pm
- Thursday, June 30 @ 8 pm
- Monday, July 4 @ 8 pm
- Thursday, July 7 @ 8 pm
- Thursday, July 14 @ 8 pm
- Thursday, July 21 @ 8 pm
- Thursday, July 28 @ 8 pm
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Showdown at Old Abilene Town
Professional boxing, pro/am MMA and kickboxing event by Never Surrender at the historic Old Abilene Town!
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Matilda the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Follow the classic Roald Dahl story of an astonishingly witty girl with special powers that teaches us to use our extraordinary imaginations to change our destiny. Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty! Learn more
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Jersey Boys - The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Great Plains Theatre
Join us for the international musical phenomenon that takes you behind the story and music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Come be a part of the challenges, the rise, and the ultimate triumph a group’s music that became symbolic of a generation. Oh, what a night! Learn more
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Kansas Media Event - Abilene Night
Kick-off the return of the Central Kansas Free Fair with the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kansas Tourism, and travel writers from throughout the country. Enjoy seeing a longhorn cattle drive through Old Abilene Town, cowboy poetry from Ron Wilson, live music and more!
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Central Kansas Free Fair
Located in Abilene, the Central Kansas Free Fair is one of the largest in the state. This family-friendly event offers educational activities and entertainment for all ages, including the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo (August 3-6), which has been frequently voted one of the top outdoor rodeos. Join us for family fun in Abilene! Learn more
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After Rodeo Dance
Visit Old Abilene Town after the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo to enjoy the Lazy Wayne Band (Friday) and Savanna CHestnut and the Field Hands (Saturday).
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Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
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Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at Great Plains Theatre
The classic literary character of Sherlock Holmes is teamed up once again with John Watson and over 40 other characters to solve a kooky and educational whodunnit. “Elementary, my dear Watson, Elementary.”Learn more
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Abilene Oktoberfest
Abilene Oktoberfest is excited for its 5th Annual Oktoberfest held in Downtown Abilene. There will be German Dancers, Music, Authentic German Food, & Drinks. This year we will have 3 beer gardens, multiple food vendors, Masskrugstemmen, Hammerschlagen, a corn hole tournament, and a Kids Korner that will feature bouncy houses, outdoor games, crafts, face painting, and much more. Downtown Abilene has several wonderful stores that will be open for you to explore before and during the festivities! We will have a lot of exciting announcements coming soon! Make sure to mark September 17th on your Calendar! We are excited to see you at this year's Abilene Oktoberfest.
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Heritage Day Festival
Enjoy living history, steam engine carousel rides, antique tractor show, classic car show, food, and much more at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
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Wild West Gravel Fest
In its third year, this premier gravel ride attracts riders from across the country! The Wild West Gravel Fest is a gravel bike race in Dickinson County, KS. With races ranging from 200k to 5k, Wild West Gravel Fest appeals to racers who are new to gravel and those who dare to push themselves to the extreme. And make sure to stick around for the after-party at Old Abilene Town. Learn more
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Haunted Cowtown
The ghosts of Old Abilene Town have returned. Take a walk, if you dare, through your worst nightmare, the cursed schoolhouse, the possessed cabin, the haunted cemetery, the spooky saloon, and much more.
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Pink Friday
We've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?
Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.
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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
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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.
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Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
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Experience Art & Culture
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Journey to the Old West
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Live the American Story
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Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
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Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
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201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
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