Historic Kansas city has one of the most charming downtowns in the US, HGTV says
Popular home improvement network HGTV recently released its picks for the 40 most charming small downtowns in the U.S., and one city in Kansas made the list.
“In creating this list of the best small downtowns in America (and it was tough to narrow this list to 40), we looked for vibrant towns that invite you in and encourage you to stay and explore,” the Sept. 17 article reads.
Abilene — a Kansas city with a population just over 6,400 and located about an hour and a half from Wichita — gained a spot on HGTV’s list. The city is most known as the hometown of former President Dwight Eisenhower, and also attracts visitors to the historic Seelye Mansion and the Abilene & Smokey Mountain Railroad.
“There’s much to love about the hometown of 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower,” the article continues.
The recognition is a reflection of Abilene’s stakeholders, Visit Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Roller told The Eagle.
“Downtown is the heart of our community, and we are thrilled to see it recognized by HGTV as one of the most charming in America. This honor celebrates the dedication of business owners, city leaders, and community members who have worked together to make downtown a place where locals and visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy community events,” Roller wrote in an email.
Abilene’s downtown offers several dining and shopping options, as well as historical buildings to explore, the city’s website reads.
That includes Hotel Sunflower, a structure built in 1931 which Eisenhower used to stay and attend dinners at; Abilene Union Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot completed in 1929; and the Abilene Union Pacific Railroad Freight Depot, built from 1928 to 1929. Also located downtown is the Little Ike Park, which features a childhood statue of Eisenhower.
Other notable attractions in the city include the ever-popular Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, which attracts hundreds of thousands visitors a year, the attraction’s webpage reads.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It was voted the best presidential attraction this year by Newsweek readers’ choice.
The Seelye Mansion, built in 1905, is open daily for tours of the home, gardens and museum. The historic mansion is complete with Edison light fixtures, a bowling machine, an original telephone-intercom system, a 1921 Steinway piano and more.
The Abilene & Smokey Mountain Railroad, a living history museum, offers two-hour train rides from Abilene through Smokey Hill River Valley starting at $24.88. Abilene is also home to the C.W. Parker Carousel, the oldest operational Parker carousel, built in 1901.
Abilene isn’t the only Kansas town that was recently recognized for its downtown. In April, Emporia’s main drag was named as one of the 10 best main streets by USA TODAY.
