A humble beginning back in 1857 as a stage coach stop for Timothy and Eliza Hersey, Abilene in Kansas is now the county seat of Dickinson County. As cities go, Abilene is relatively small, covering just 10.7 km² and is home to somewhere between 6,500 and 7,000 permanent residents.
Abilene is hardly a lively tourist destination and at best offers the possibility of a short trip or weekend break. Proximity to Topeka, the state’s capital city, makes Abilene the kind of destination that you could take a day or overnight trip to while enjoying a holiday in the former. Abilene has a distinct small-town charm and ambience about it, which to big city dwellers is a definite appeal.
The attractions of Topeka and other destinations such as Kansas City, Lawrence and St Joseph are within driving distance of Abilene so in theory one could use the city as a base from which to explore more significant tourist locations. Abilene does, however, have its own selection of attractions which should certainly be checked out before you consider going further afield.
Highlights
Historic Trolley Tours: take a tour of the city’s most significant historical sights on a genuine old fashioned trolley vehicle. Seasonal restrictions on operations apply.
Vintage Fashion Museum: fashion from the period beginning the 1860s up to the 1970s is on display at this unique museum facility with a focus on clothing worn by pioneers of Dickinson County.
American Indian Art Center: artwork based on the themes of and produced by members of the Native American community can be viewed at this gallery, which is the only one of its kind in the state.
Greyhound Hall of Fame: visitors are given an introduction to the sport of dog racing with displays and presentations which trace its history as well as looking at the raising and training of greyhounds.
Old Abilene Town: this city’s key tourist attraction is a historic sector containing original buildings dating back to the 1800s. Many of the buildings have been restored so as to appear as they would have done in their prime.