If you’re looking for a Kansas road trip destination that combines presidential history, the Old West, historic attractions, trains, public art, shopping, food, and plenty of things to see and do then Abilene, Kansas, deserves a spot on your list.
We recently spent several days exploring Abilene, and one thing became very clear:
This is a town that gives you a lot to experience in a relatively small area.
From walking through a U.S. president’s childhood home to hunting down colorful cowboy boots, exploring historic sites, watching a legendary train roll through town, and discovering local restaurants and shops, Abilene offers the kind of road-trip experience we love at Backroads Travel Co.
It isn’t just one attraction that makes the destination special.
It’s how everything comes together.
So, if Kansas is calling your name, here’s why we think Abilene should be your next stop on a Kansas road trip.
Start With One of America’s Most Important Presidential Stories
One of the biggest reasons people visit Abilene is to learn about Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the city offers an incredible opportunity to experience his story in the place where it began.
The Eisenhower Presidential Museum, Library, Childhood Home and Place of Meditation are all part of the experience.
Located at 200 SE 4th, the Eisenhower site gives visitors the opportunity to explore the life and legacy of the 34th President of the United States. From here, you will see the place connected to his early life.
For history lovers, this alone is reason enough to put an Abilene road-trip on your list!
But the best part?
This is only the beginning.
Step Back Into Abilene’s History
Abilene’s history doesn’t stop with Eisenhower.
The Historic Seelye Mansion is another major stop for anyone interested in experiencing the city’s past.
Located at 1105 N. Buckeye, the mansion opens at 10:00 a.m., making it an easy addition to a morning of exploring.
Then there’s the Dickinson County Heritage Center, located at 412 S. Campbell.
And inside the Heritage Center is the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel.
A historic carousel might not be the first thing you expect to encounter on a Kansas road trip, but this is one of the most stunning and unique ones you will find!
You keep finding something else.
Something different and something that gives you another glimpse into the community’s history.
Follow Abilene’s Cowboy Art Trail
If you love public art, photography and unique roadside-style attractions, you’re going to want to explore Abilene’s Cowboy Art Trail.
And this isn’t just one statue sitting downtown.
There are multiple pieces scattered throughout the community.
You’ll find the Big Spur at 1810 N. Buckeye and the Abilene Cowboy statue on the south side of Abilene High School at 13th and Mulberry.
Then there are the cowboy boots.
Lots of them.
Fourteen, in fact.
You’ll find the:
• Abilene Art Club Cowboy Boot
• Varsity Letter Cowboy Boot
• Wild Bill Hickok Boot
• Recycle Dorothy Cowboy Boot
• Mud Creek Cowboy Boot
• Crazy Quilt Boot
• Ike’s Galaxy Boot
• Sister City Boot
• C.W. Parker Carousel Boot
• Mooooo Boot
• History of Farming in Dickinson County Boot
• Greyhound Boot
• Patriotism Boot
• Rose Garden Boot
And they’re located throughout Abilene.
That makes exploring the Cowboy Art Trail an adventure in itself.
You’re not simply standing in front of one piece of art and moving on.
You’re driving around town, discovering different neighborhoods and attractions, getting out of the car, taking pictures, and seeing parts of Abilene you might otherwise miss.
It’s the kind of sightseeing we love.
Then There’s the World’s Largest Belt Buckle
Yes.
You read that correctly.
The World’s Largest Belt Buckle.
It’s located across the street from the Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden, and there’s even a spiral staircase on the back that allows you to climb up and take a picture “wearing” the World’s Largest Belt Buckle.
We can’t think of a more fun photo opportunity for a Kansas road trip.
And after you’ve taken your picture, walk through the beautiful Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden at 400 N. Pine.
It’s another opportunity to slow down and enjoy a different side of Abilene.
Abilene is a Train Lover’s Dream
If you love trains, you’ll want to pay attention to this one.
During our visit, the Big Boy train was scheduled to pass through Abilene around 5:00 p.m.
Train lovers were gathering at the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 201 NW 2nd to watch it pass through town.
And then there’s the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad.
The railroad offers an excursion train experience departing from the depot at 200 SE 5th.
We arrived at the depot for a 10:00 a.m. excursion departure, and the train became another memorable part of our Abilene experience.
There’s just something about experiencing a historic community by rail that fits perfectly into a Kansas road trip.
Don’t Forget The Greyhound Hall of Fame
Another attraction that makes Abilene stand out is the Greyhound Hall of Fame & Museum, located at 407 S. Buckeye.
It’s another stop that adds something completely different to your trip.
And it fits right into the larger experience of exploring Abilene’s many museums, historic sites and attractions.
This is one of the things that surprised us about planning our time in Abilene.
You don’t have to spend the entire trip doing the same kind of activity.
One stop might be presidential history.
The next might be a historic mansion.
Then you’re looking at cowboy art.
Next, you’re watching a train.
Finally, you’re exploring the history of greyhound racing.
There’s a lot of variety.
Bring Your Camera For Murals
Abilene also has an extensive collection of murals throughout the community.
If you enjoy finding public art while traveling, make sure your camera is ready.
The murals include:
- Ike America
- IKE WINS!
- Midwest Meats Longhorn
- Wild Bill Hickok
- Train
- Angel Wings
- Longhorns
- Meraki Hair Studio
- I Like Ike
- Interactive “Harmon”
- Sunflower Stamp
- Abilene Celebrates America 250!
- Abilene
- American Bison
- Bison Stamp
- Abilene Song & Steam Engine
- Heritage Center
- Cedar House Greenhouse
- Sunset Silhouette
One of our favorite things about finding murals while traveling is that they turn an ordinary drive through town into a scavenger hunt.
You have a list.
You have your camera.
And suddenly you’re looking at buildings and streets a little differently.
Leave Room For Shopping
An Abilene road trip isn’t complete without bringing something home.
Abilene gives you plenty of opportunities to do exactly that.
Wilkens Acres and several antique stores.
Wilkens Acres, located at 2323 Fair Road, offers a great selection of Kansas products.
And if you’re an antique lover, Abilene has several stores to explore:
- Abilene Downtown Antique Mall
- Mud Creek Antiques
- Buckeye Antique Mall
- Countrypolitan
- Vintage Bling & Antique Things
- Yesterday’s Rose Antique Mall
This is the kind of shopping that can easily turn into an unexpected part of your road trip.
You never know what you’re going to find.
And if you’re anything like us, that’s half the fun.
Come Hungry
Of course, we can’t talk about a road trip without talking about food.
During our Abilene visit, our dining stops included Joe Snuffy’s Old Fashioned Grill, M&R Grill, Racket’s Tap House, and Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro.
And then there was Russell Stover for something sweet.
From breakfast and pastries to lunch, pizza and an evening stop downtown, food became part of our experience in Abilene.
Because that’s how a good road trip should work.
Stay Somewhere That Feels Like Part of the Adventure
During our Abilene road trip visit, we stayed at 106 Naroma Court.
Having a comfortable place to return to after a full day of exploring made it easy to experience everything we wanted to see without trying to squeeze it all into one day.
And that’s another reason we recommend giving Abilene more than just a quick pass-through.
There is enough to experience that you’ll want time to actually enjoy it.
Abilene is the Kind of Road Trip We Love
There are destinations where you visit one attraction, take a picture and get back in the car.
And then there are destinations where every stop leads you to another.
Abilene is the second kind.
You can start your day learning about one of America’s most important presidents.
Then walk through a historic mansion.
See a carousel from 1901.
Search for cowboy boots scattered around town.
Find murals.
Visit the Greyhound Hall of Fame.
Shop for Kansas products.
Browse antique stores.
Stop for breakfast, lunch, pizza or pastries.
Watch a massive train pass through town.
And climb a spiral staircase so you can pretend you’re wearing the world’s largest belt buckle.
That’s a road trip.
It’s varied.
It’s unexpected.
And most importantly, it’s fun.
Your visit to Abilene and other Kansas towns will be a lot easier with the right luggage! Thanks to Samonsite, we travel the country in style and with ease!
