Abilene: City of the Plains
Popularly known as the home of The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Abilene, KS is a small town of over 6,000 located in Dickinson County, Kansas. Prior to having been part of the Louisiana Purchase in the early 1800s, Native Americans have been calling Abilene their home for hundreds of years. This all changed after the railroad station was built in Mud Creek that would, later on, be called Abilene. It was also in the same year that Joseph McCoy bought land that would become the future location of Abilene's first hotel, the Drover's Cottage and more importantly, the place where the city's first stockyard - fully equipped to house 2,000 heads of cattle - was going to be. This became the catalyst to the city's rapid growth as it quickly became the premier "cow town" of the west. The nearby Salina Municipal Airport serves as the gateway to this City of the Plains.
Best Time to Visit
The climate of Abilene, Kansas can be characterized by scorching summers and cool winters. A majority of tourists choose to travel to Oakley in January. This is considered the most expensive season as hotel prices tend to skyrocket. The perfect time to travel to Abilene is in late April when temperatures are in the mid-60s but accommodations are cheaper than in January.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Despite its small size, Abilene certainly has big things in store for its visitors. Travelers can spend some time at the Eisenhower Park, the Smoky Hill Museum, and Old Town Abilene. Comfortable accommodations await visitors at either the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Abilene or at the Diamond Motel Abilene.