My Kansas Gunsmoke Trail adventure began in Abilene, the town where the legendary Wild Bill Hickok served as sheriff. My husband and I visited in June. Abilene’s connection to “Gunsmoke” runs deep. A Hickok actor appeared in Season 4’s memorable episode “Matt for Murder,” when he headed to Dodge City to help his friend Marshal Dillon. He helped clear Dillon’s name after a false accusation.
My visit to Abilene was hosted. All opinions are my own.
Let’s explore some of the places we visited in Abilene on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail.
Dickinson County Heritage Center
The Dickinson County Heritage Center brings Wild Bill Hickok’s story to life. The bronze statue and replica of his gun offer perfect photo opportunities. I learned about other famous former residents and their contributions to Abilene’s history, which was once a booming Cowtown at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
Beyond Wild Bill, the museum highlights the cowboys, ranchers and trail drivers who shaped Abilene’s early years. Exhibits trace the journey of longhorn cattle from Texas to Kansas, showcasing authentic saddles, spurs, branding irons and gear once used on the open range. Visitors can step back into the 1860s through displays of pioneer tools and cowboy artifacts that tell the story of grit and determination on the trail.
The Museum Grounds
The museum grounds also include historical buildings, such as a log cabin and one-room schoolhouse, offering insight into frontier life beyond the stockyards.
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Ladies dressed in period costumes were cooking for a school group when we visited. They had just finished making homemade butter with the children to have with the biscuits.
SheBuysTravel Tip : While there, be sure to check out the working antique 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel behind the Heritage Center. While not purely cowboy-related, it reflects the town’s turn-of-the-century charm and its evolution from a rough-and-tumble cattle hub to a family-friendly community.
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Public Art
Abilene’s cowboy-themed public art beautifully celebrates its heritage. The open-air gallery scattered across town honors its Wild West roots. From larger-than-life murals depicting cattle drives and frontier legends to whimsical sculptures, creativity paints the streets with history.
Each mural tells a story of the town’s rugged beginnings and enduring cowboy spirit. Whether strolling downtown or visiting Eisenhower Park, visitors experience colorful reminders of Abilene’s proud role as one of Kansas’ most iconic cattle towns.
Old Abilene Town
Walking the wooden boardwalks of Old Abilene Town transported me directly into a “Gunsmoke” episode. The Chisholm Trail Museum and Interpretive Trail Center showcases the era when cattle drives brought thousands of longhorns through Kansas. During the summer months, the excitement builds with staged gunfights and spirited can-can dancers performing in the authentic Alamo Saloon.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Visit during Labor Day weekend for Chisholm Trail Days, featuring live cattle drives through Old Abilene Town, reenactors and country music performances.
World’s Largest Belt Buckle
The World’s Largest Belt Buckle stands almost 20 feet wide and 14 feet tall. You can climb the spiral staircase for an unforgettable photo “wearing” this massive buckle! This one-of-a-kind attraction perfectly captures Abilene’s cowboy pride and playful spirit. Designed to honor the town’s western heritage, the buckle gleams with intricate details that celebrate the area’s history as a famous Cowtown.
The buckle’s design features classic Western motifs, including longhorns, stars, and scrollwork, enlarged for the whole world to admire.
Big Spur
Certified as the World’s Largest Spur by Guinness World Records until 2017, the 28-foot-tall Big Spur creates an impressive arch and weighs a ton.
Standing proudly in front of Rittel’s Western Wear, its sheer size makes it impossible to miss. Local craftsmen built the Big Spur as a celebration of the region’s ranching legacy and cowboy pride. Its carefully detailed design, complete with a massive rowel (a spiked revolving disk at the end of a spur.) and sturdy heel band, mirrors the spurs worn by trail riders who once herded cattle along the Chisholm Trail.
Cowboy Boots
Throughout town, you’ll find striking painted cowboy boot sculptures. Each oversized boot is a colorful tribute to the town’s cowboy roots and a nod to T.C. McInerney’s historic Drovers Boot Store. It was one of the first in the nation to supply boots for trail riders and cowboys heading north along the Chisholm Trail.
Every boot features unique artwork designed by local and regional artists, depicting scenes of cattle drives, prairie sunsets, rodeos, and legendary figures. Hunting down each boot becomes an adventure in itself. My husband and I made it our mission to find every single one.
Other Sites in Abilene
These sites are part of the Gunsmoke Trail but were closed when I visited.
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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: Step aboard this historic train for a scenic ride through the Kansas prairie, where vintage locomotives and restored railcars bring Abilene’s railroad heritage to life.
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Legacy Kansas: Experience Kansas hospitality and history at Legacy Kansas, a unique destination featuring the historic Brookville Hotel restaurant, Farmhouse Café and Legacy Market, where local flavors, traditions and community spirit come together.
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