Abilene, Kansas: Little Town With Lots to Do

History buffs will love Abilene, Kansas. Love World War II history? Visit the museum at the Eisenhower center. Fashionistas will love the Vintage Fashion Museum. Pet retired racing dogs at the Greyhound Hall of Fame. Kids will love the Carousel at the Museum of Independent Telephony. Abilene is a great place for a family outing. Abilene is a little town with a lot to do. Two and a half hours west of Kansas City and two hours north of Wichita, KS, Abilene is easy to reach by Interstate 70.

Abilene has many museums to visit, so planning is necessary. Decide on what you want to see ahead of time and check the hours. Although a variety of places to visit are available, many attractions have limited hours. Planning ahead will allow you to see all that you want to see.

The largest of the museums is The Eisenhower Center. The Eisenhower Center, also the burial place of Dwight D. Eisenhower, has a visitor's center, museum, family home, research library and place of meditation. It has well landscaped grounds with plenty of sidewalk for younger visitors to stretch their legs. Plan on spending at least three hours to explore all of Eisenhower Center. It is open daily from 9 AM to 4:45 PM, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Explore many other museums in Abilene, as well. Two of my favorites include The Vintage Fashion Museum and The Museum of Independent Telephony. The Vintage Fashion Museum houses clothing from the 1800's to the 1960's. If you come at the right time of the year, a collection of wedding gowns are on display. Other times of the year, the museum focuses on ensembles worn by various first ladies. The Museum of Independent Telephony houses artifacts and a collection of telephones dating from the earliest days of the telephone. With several hands on exhibits, visitors get a chance to "play" on some of the older phones. The hit of this museum for most of the children is the antique carousel ride included in the admission price. Other museums you may want to visit include: the American Indian Art Center, Bow Studio and Gallery, the Heritage Center, and the Greyhound Hall of Fame.

If you love Victorian architecture, several houses are available for touring. The Seelye Mansion and The Lebold Mansion are left over from Abilene's hey day as a cattle town and railhead. The Seelye Mansion was owned by a patent medicine magnate and contains 25 rooms to tour. The Lebold Mansion was built by one of the founders of Abilene; it boasts 23 rooms of completely restored Victorian antiques. Each home is beautiful and has wonderful antiques. Visit them to see Victorian splendor.

It would be remiss if we did not mention a dining establishment or two. Abilene boasts two authentic historical restaurants and a wonderful replica of another. Visible to the north of Interstate 70 is the Brookville Hotel. It boasts nationally famous chicken, biscuits and coleslaw. It is great place to enjoy a family style meal. While it isn't the original location in Brookville, the chicken and food is still delicious. A bit further of the interstate, find The Kirby House and Mr. K's Farmhouse. Mr. K's Farmhouse has been in business long enough that it boasts Dwight Eisenhower as one of its former patrons. It has delicious home style cooking and is located in a lovely renovated farm house. Open for lunch and dinner, Mr. K's Farmhouse serves a variety of home-style favorites. The Kirby House located near the corner of Third Street and Buckeye has delicious prime rib and steaks for dinner and wonderful soups and sandwiches for lunch. If you want a romantic evening, you can even rent the cupola for a private meal for two overlooking the Dickinson County countryside. Sit and enjoy the charm of any of these restaurants when experiencing the history of Abilene.

Stop through Abilene when on a road trip down Interstate 70. Come and stay at one of the bed and breakfasts or motels in town. Make a day trip or a weekend of it. If you stop in Abilene, Kansas, you will enjoy your visit.