Extended Weekend Getaways 
Provided by Julie Roller Weeks
Executive Marketing Director
There is something timeless about a road trip. The open sky, the rhythm of the road, and the feeling that every mile is taking you somewhere meaningful. In Abilene, Kansas, that journey is more than a modern tradition. It is a story that has been unfolding for more than 150 years.
Long before road trips meant cruising down Interstate 70, travelers were already making their way to Abilene, Kansas. They just arrived a little differently.
In the late 1800s, Abilene marked the end of the Chisholm Trail. Cowboys drove cattle north from Texas, arriving in a town full of opportunity and energy. Abilene quickly became one of the most well-known cattle towns in the country, a place where hard work, grit, and ambition helped shape the American West.
Today, that spirit comes to life at Old Abilene Town. Walk the boardwalks, step inside historic buildings, and experience live gunfights that bring the Old West back to life. It is a reminder that Abilene was never just a stop along the way. It was a destination, and it still is.
As the cattle drives faded, a new era of travel emerged. The railroad transformed Abilene, Kansas into a hub of connection and commerce, linking Kansas to the rest of the country and moving people and goods faster than ever before.
That legacy continues with the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, the state’s official heritage railroad. Visitors can step aboard and experience a journey through the Smoky Hill River Valley, where wide-open landscapes and the sound of the train whistle create a classic Kansas experience. It is a chance to slow down and appreciate how rail travel helped shape communities like Abilene and connect a growing nation.
In the 20th century, travel changed again, and once more, Abilene, Kansas played a role in shaping that story.
Dwight D. Eisenhower proudly called Abilene home before going on to lead Allied forces during World War II and serve as President of the United States. One of his most lasting contributions was the creation of the Interstate Highway System, which transformed how Americans travel by making cross-country journeys faster, safer, and more accessible.
Today, Interstate 70 brings travelers straight to Eisenhower’s hometown, creating a full-circle moment for visitors arriving in Abilene, Kansas.
At the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home, guests can explore the life and legacy of a leader who helped connect the nation. From his modest boyhood home to exhibits that highlight his leadership on the world stage, the experience is both personal and inspiring. It is no surprise the site was named the #1 Best Presidential Attraction by Newsweek.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Abilene, Kansas is embracing the celebration in meaningful ways. In the heart of downtown, Kansas’s first America 250 mural is on display above General Dwight D. Eisenhower VFW Post #3279, standing as a tribute to service, freedom, and community pride. It invites visitors to pause, reflect, and consider the shared history that continues to shape the nation.
That sense of place is part of what has earned Abilene national recognition as a Best Historic Small Town by USA TODAY. It is a community where history is not just preserved, but experienced.
Of course, no great road trip is complete without a memorable stop, and Abilene delivers with the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. This larger-than-life attraction celebrates the region’s cowboy heritage and has been named the Best Roadside Attraction in the country by TravelAwaits. It is bold, fun, and the perfect place to capture a photo that will make you smile long after the trip is over.
From cattle drives to railroads to interstate highways, the story of travel in America can be told through Abilene, Kansas. Each era built on the one before it, creating a legacy of movement, connection, and discovery that continues today.
Start planning your America 250 road trip at www.abilenekansas.org or request a free visitors guide to plan your visit.
Because if you are looking for the best America 250 road trip, it all leads to Abilene.
The Abilene CVB owns the rights to all photos
