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Smithsonian Magazine named Abilene, Kansas, one of the “Best Small Towns to Visit,” and it is easy to see why! This historic town is full of five-star tourist attractions that will keep you entertained for days. While most people associate Dwight D. Eisenhower, the nation’s 34th president, with Abilene, there are many more amazing things about this city than meet the eye.
In addition to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene is home to several must-see historical sites that I was blessed to experience as a guest of more than one visitor’s bureau in Kansas.
Plan a visit to the town and spend at least one night in the city, and be sure to add these nine attractions to your list:
OLD ABILENE TOWN
Are you looking for a place to experience the Wild West? Then you need to head to Old Abilene Town! In Abilene, the American West truly comes to life! Here you’ll find the Merchant’s Hotel, W. R. Wilson General Store, Viola Clock Shop, Alamo Saloon, and other places that will transport you back in time.
There is nothing like the sound of your feet slapping against the wooden walkway to take you back in time. If I closed my eyes, I could imagine the slight jingle of spurs as lively piano music would waft out of a saloon doorway.
And from May through Labor Day, you can watch shootouts followed by can-can dances on the weekends. Labor Day weekend is an exciting time to visit Old Abilene Town.
The town commemorates the Chisholm Trail—a cattle route used in 1867 to transport animals from Texas to Abilene, Kansas. During that weekend, you can learn all about this piece of American history and how it contributed to making Abilene the prosperous town it is today.
And speaking of Wild West history, the story of Wild Bill Hickok will fascinate you. Abilene’s Wild Bill Hickok was one of the most famous figures in Wild West history! He was a pistol-packing lawman and gunslinger who was killed while playing poker in the town’s saloon.
Be sure to check out Wild Bill Hickok’s cottage if you’re seeking a distinctive location to stay in Abilene. With its early 1900s architecture, this cottage will take you back in time. There was an update on the inside to make it a charming location to stay. This cottage also has a kitchenette, living space, a dining area, and a private full bathroom—the furnishings are in the authentic Victorian style.
DICKINSON COUNTY HERITAGE CENTER
The Dickinson County Historical Center is home to many historical artifacts and relics. One of the museum’s most iconic and well-known pieces is the C. W. Parker Amusement Company carousel.
This beautifully hand-carved, functional carousel was produced in 1901 and remains fully operational to this day. For only $4, visitors can enjoy a ride on this historic piece of machinery. Twenty-four horses and four chariots were restored, making it a truly unique experience.
In addition to the carousel, the heritage center also houses a world-renowned museum of independent telephony, with exhibits ranging from early twentieth-century phones to contemporary mobile phones.
Visitors can tour the historical museum for $10 per adult. You may see anything from telephones from the early 20th century to contemporary mobile phones.
The museum also offers educational programs for school groups and others interested in learning more about the history of telecommunications. Also, the history center offers many historic buildings, sites, and even a gift shop where guests can buy souvenirs and presents.
C.W. PARKER CAROUSEL
The C.W. Parker Carousel in Abilene, Kansas, is a National Historic Landmark and one of the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s 8 Wonders of Kansas—Customs.
The carousel is the oldest working Parker carousel known to survive and was erected in 1901. Charles Wallace Parker had the ambition to design and run recreational machines one day and got his start by investing in a mobile shooting range.
He started his career in the manufacture of recreational equipment after refining the architecture of his shooting gallery and eventually creating his own.
At first, C.W. Parker didn’t set out to become a carousel tycoon. His interest started when he spent his last bit of money on tickets for his daughter to ride a carousel.
He was amazed by the look of pure joy on her face—and he was hooked. So, he did what any enterprising man would do: he set out to build his carousel.
Parker quickly established himself as the only carousel maker outside the East Coast. Until 1911, his business flourished in Abilene, but a disagreement with the city led him to move to Leavenworth.
In Leavenworth, Parker began to make significant changes to his carousel. Initially, he started by making simple wooden carousels for small town fairs and carnivals. But as demand for his carousels grew, he began to make more elaborate ones with different animals as mounts.
While the amusement industry suffered during the Great Depression and World War I, Parker’s company adapted aluminum horses and wood carving equipment to survive.
In 1932, Parker passed away, but his son kept the business going until 1955. In 1928, Jimmy Wiesener bought the carousel that is now in Abilene, Kansas. He drove it around from town to town for 38 years before settling in Abilene in 1966.
The carousel was later sold to Tom Knight in 1959 and installed at his drive-in cinema in Riverton, Wyoming. After Knight’s passing, his wife allowed the Dickinson County Historical Society to buy the carousel and bring it back to Abilene.
The community raised the $8,900 required to make the purchase, bringing it back to Abilene in 1976. Today, the carousel is a beloved part of the Dickinson County Heritage Center and a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.
SMOKY VALLEY RAILROAD
Ready to step back in time? Then hop aboard the Smoky Valley Railroad! Santa Fe #3415 is a 100-year-old steam engine transferred from the Abilene municipal park to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad yard in 1996.
The steam engine regularly operated outside Kansas City in Santa Fe’s Argentine District. In 1954, the railroad gave the locomotive to the city of Abilene, which then put it in a public park.
The city gave it to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad in 1996. It was taken out of the park and positioned next to the station on the train lines. It then stayed on display until its restoration began in earnest in 2006.
This 100-year-old steam engine offers passengers a variety of ways to experience the nostalgic joy of a train ride. Take an open-air car ride and feel the wind in your hair as you chug along the 10½-mile route from Abilene to Enterprise, Kansas.
Or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, try one of the railroad’s dinner trains. No matter your travel choice, you’re sure to enjoy the historic charm of this vintage mode of transportation.
And be sure to stop by the Hoffman Grist Mill while in Enterprise. This functioning waterwheel is a must-see for any history buff! Plus, all the railroad’s volunteers are passionate about keeping the railroad running, so you can be sure you’re in good hands.
HOFFMAN GRIST MILL
If you haven’t been to a flour mill, you’re in for a treat! The Hoffman Grist Mill in Enterprise, Kansas, is a must-see. This historic flour mill honors Christian Hoffman and his family.
It’s located close to the Smoky Hill River and was built in 1869. The community of Enterprise was named after Mr. Hoffman’s mill.
Today, the flour mill is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can watch the machinery in action when you visit and purchase freshly milled flour.
And when the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad stops in Enterprise, passengers are welcome to explore the mill and see how it works.
WORLD’S LARGEST BELT BUCKLE
If you thought Abilene couldn’t get any more captivating, think again! Abilene, Kansas, proudly hosts the World’s Largest Belt Buckle, a colossal masterpiece that’s sure to catch your eye. Standing tall at 19 feet 10 ½ inches in width and 13 feet 11 ¼ inches in height (excluding the frame), this giant buckle was unveiled with much excitement on December 21, 2022, in Eisenhower Park.
Designed by local artist Jason Lahr of Fluter’s Creek Metal Works, the buckle isn’t just a symbol of fashion but a work of art that weaves Abilene’s rich history into its intricate design. Imagine strolling past and seeing depictions of historical legends like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Wild Bill Hickok, and iconic landmarks like the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad and the Historic Seelye Mansion, all meticulously inlaid with beautiful blue quartz.
This massive work of art isn’t just an attraction; it’s now celebrated as the ‘Best Roadside Attraction‘ in the 2023 TravelAwaits’ Best of Travel Awards. It’s become a conversation starter, a photo backdrop, and a testament to the city’s creativity and pride.
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library is much more than just the final resting place of the 34th President of the United States.
It is also a museum and the boyhood home of this great man. The Museum building houses Eisenhower’s childhood home, which he resided in from 1898 until being assigned to West Point in 1911.
In addition to seeing where and how the President grew up, you can also learn about his military career, his presidency, interactive exhibits, and much more.
A visit to Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Presidential Library is worthwhile since it is one of thirteen presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
The construction of the library itself began in 1958, coinciding with the then-announcement of his presidential candidacy in June 1952.
The Visitors Center has exhibits on the life, presidency, and times of Eisenhower, as well as unique interactive exhibits. In 1971, the President Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The presidential library is open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., offering free admission to the Visitors Center, Place of Meditation (gravesite), and Archives.
Adult entrance to the museum, including a Boyhood Home tour, costs $20. So, if you are looking for an educational and fun activity near Abilene, Kansas, visit this Presidential Library!
GREYHOUND HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
Greyhound racing isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. And there’s no better place to learn about this fascinating world than the Greyhound Hall of Fame in Abilene, Kansas.
Abilene is home to this one-of-a-kind attraction, often referred to as the Greyhound Capital of the World. Located on Buckeye Street, just across from the Presidential Library and Museum, the Greyhound Hall of Fame is a must-see for anyone visiting Abilene.
One of the highlights of the Greyhound Hall of Fame is getting to meet Ginger, a retired greyhound who now serves as the official greeter for the museum. Ginger is a charming and lovable dog who will quickly steal your heart.
But she’s not the only greyhound you’ll meet during your visit. In fact, one of the things that makes the Greyhound Hall of Fame so unique is that a real greyhound greets every visitor at the door.
The Greyhound Hall of Fame is more than just a museum. It’s also a hall of honor that celebrates the history of greyhounds, racing, and the fans who love them. If you’re undecided about greyhounds or racing, visiting the Greyhound Hall of Fame will likely change your mind.
You’ll see that these dogs are more than just athletes, but loving and loyal companions. The Greyhound Hall of Fame is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Admission is free, but there is a location for free-will donations. Most importantly, sign the guestbook since financing is based on how many guests the museum can accommodate in a certain amount of time.
If you’re ever in Abilene, swing by the Greyhound Hall of Fame and learn more about these lovable pups!
HISTORIC SEELYE MANSION
Stepping into the 25-room Seelye Mansion is like stepping into a time machine! This historic home was built in the late 1800s by the A.B. Seelye Medical Company.
One of Kansas’s architectural wonders is the Seelye Mansion. The company spent more than $55,000 creating the 11,000-square-foot house, with most furnishings bought during the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.
The house has a Tiffany-style mantel and antique Edison lighting fixtures. In the 1920s, Frank Lloyd Wright even advised interior renovations.
Visitors also have the opportunity to bowl on the 1905 Box Ball alley, which was acquired at the Chicago World’s Fair and featured in the History Channel’s Mysteries at the Mansion.
Including weekends from 1 to 4 p.m., guided tours are also available on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
You require a minimum of two and a half hours to complete the tour of the patent medicine mansion and its grounds. If you’re visiting at Christmas time, you’ll enjoy seeing several hundred nutcrackers displayed throughout the house.
THE BIG SPUR
If you’re on the hunt for unique photo opportunities in Abilene, you won’t want to miss the Big Spur. Standing an impressive 28 feet high, this giant spur isn’t just an oversized accessory; it’s a remarkable piece of Abilene’s history and creativity.
The big spur, built by Larry Houston in 2002, is a true marvel. It defies gravity as it stands on its ends, forming a grand arch that beckons visitors to step into its colossal embrace. Weighing in at a whopping ton, this behemoth has earned its place as a must-see attraction in Abilene.
And here’s a fun fact: The Big Spur held the prestigious title of being certified as the “World’s Largest Spur” by Guinness World Records until 2017. It’s a testament to Abilene’s dedication to crafting remarkable landmarks that draw visitors from far and wide.
BROOKVILLE MOTEL
Looking for a delicious and affordable chicken dinner? Look no further than the Brookville Hotel!
This family-friendly restaurant offers a fried chicken dinner with all your favorite toppings, like mashed potatoes, creamed corn, biscuits, and coleslaw.
The Brookville Hotel can also accommodate small or large groups, making it perfect for any size party. And to deliciously finish off your meal, the hotel also offers ice cream for dessert.
The hotel is open Thursday through Monday, but closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The hotel offers the same dish for both lunch and supper on weekends.
So whether you’re in the mood for a tasty chicken dinner or a refreshing ice cream cone, the Brookville Hotel has you covered!
FINAL VERDICT
There are endless things to do in Abilene, Kansas, no matter your interests. If you’re a history buff, there are plenty of museums and historical sites to explore. If you’re a nature lover, there are parks and nature trails to enjoy.
And if you’re looking for something fun and exciting, there are plenty of restaurants, theaters, and other attractions to check out. So, whatever your interests may be, Abilene has something for you.
