Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
ABILENE - Notorious, booming and unforgettable during its heyday on the Chisholm Trail, Abilene quickly earned a national reputation as one of the West’s most iconic cattle towns.
Today, with its living-history attractions, railroad experiences, and preservation of key trail-era landmarks, Abilene remains a year-round destination for fans of the Old West.
“Abilene is one of the most important towns in Western history,” said True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell. “From the cattle-drive era to Wild Bill Hickok’s tenure as marshal, the community has done an outstanding job preserving and presenting its story. There’s no question: Abilene is a top ‘True Western Town.’”
That legacy is one reason Abilene ranks #2 on True West Magazine’s 2026 Top Western Towns list. The community will be featured in the January/February 2026 issue, on newsstands January 13, 2026.
“Abilene’s story is pure cowboy history,” said Julie Roller Weeks, director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. “From the days of trail-driving cattle and lawmen like Wild Bill Hickok to today’s living-history shows, museums, events and big cowboy-themed attractions, our community works hard to honor the past while welcoming new generations of visitors who love the West.”
Abilene is a place where visitors can step directly into the past as they explore a town forever linked to legendary lawmen and trail-driving cowboys.
From Old Abilene Town to the Dickinson County Heritage Center, from the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad to the Historic Seelye Mansion and Cowboy Art Trail, the past comes alive around every corner. The town’s visitor center provides helpful directions and details on how to make the most of a stay.
Thousands of remarkable communities define the American West, towns shaped by grit, courage, and the pioneering spirit that built a nation.
Each year, True West Magazine recognizes the places that most authentically preserve and celebrate this heritage. In the January/February 2026 issue, True West proudly announces the Top 10 True Western Towns of 2026.
The honored towns are as listed:
10. Billings, Montana
9. San Antonio, Texas
8. Rapid City, South Dakota
7. Pendleton, Oregon
6. Dodge City, Kansas
5. Sheridan, Wyoming
4. Deadwood, South Dakota
3. Cody, Wyoming
2. Abilene, Kansas
1. San Angelo, Texas
This is the 20th year True West has presented this annual award.
Editors base their selection on criteria demonstrating how each town has preserved its history through old buildings, museums and other institutions, events, and the promotion of historic resources.
True West Magazine is in its 72nd year of leading the way in presenting the true stories of Old West adventure, history, culture, and preservation.
For subscriptions and more information, visit twmag.com.