Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas is a truly worthwhile destination for anyone interested in American history. Situated on a lovely, well-maintained campus that spans several buildings, the site offers a comprehensive and engaging look into the life and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The museum itself is exceptionally well done, with thoughtfully curated exhibits and high-quality displays that cover everything from Eisenhower’s military career to his presidency and personal life. One highlight was the gallery dedicated to First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, which included a charming collection of her dresses and personal items, offering a more intimate glimpse into her life and style. Another standout feature of the visit was the opportunity to tour Eisenhower’s boyhood home. The house is preserved beautifully, and we were fortunate to have an excellent guide who provided informative and engaging context about Eisenhower’s early years. The staff across the campus were universally friendly and knowledgeable, clearly passionate about sharing Eisenhower’s story with visitors. To cap off the experience, visitors can pay their respects at the serene chapel on the grounds, where President Eisenhower, his wife Mamie, and their firstborn son are laid to rest. Overall, this is a rich and rewarding visit that combines historical significance with personal stories, making it a must-see for history buffs and casual visitors alike.
Erik BErik B
00
You like Ike, I like Ike, everybody likes Ike. My brother and I visited Kansas and Missouri in November of 2023, and Eisenhower's Museum was one of the two major motivating factors to go out there. Seeing the museum was a wonderful experience. We started out by getting tickets to see the boyhood home which was done through a guided tour (I believe the tour took just around 20 minutes). From there, we visited the Place of Meditiation, where Dwight, Mamie, and Doud Eisenhower are interred. Then, we went to the museum itself and spent a little over 2 hours in the building. On a holistic approach, I would recommend spending around 3 hours on the museum grounds to see the whole thing. The museum has exhibits for Eisenhower's whole life - his military career and presidency chiefly among them - but also smaller things like a piece of cake from his and Mamie's wedding. The gift shop has a lot of cool memorabilia including $35 busts of the President. There are restrooms on site (in the gift shop, library, and museum). If you have a NARA Presidential Library/Passport, it gets stamped at the entrance to the museum; passports can also be purchased on site. There was even an interactive component when we visited; it was on November 10th, so we got the opportunity to write a letter to a WWII veteran. Of course, I would heartily recommend visiting this museum to anyone - both those who are history buffs, and those who are not.
Avinash VeeraraghavAvinash Veeraraghav
00
We visited the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum because this past June was the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The museum is well done. History buffs and WWII buffs will really like it. For example, the museum has the table where Eisenhower and others planned D-Day. The museum also has the car used by Eisenhower in Europe. The best part was touring his boyhood home. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and entertaining. Although the library also had exhibits, we did not go to the library because of time constraints. We stopped into the chapel where General Eisenhower, his wife, and son are buried. We did not know about the introductory film in the gift shop and we did not have time to watch it once we learned about it. I suggest you start with the gift shop & watch the film. The price for the museum and boyhood home were very reasonable; $10 and $5 each (senior price purchased in advance). The price for most items in the gift shop was too much; e.g., a cotton throw for $70. Perhaps the gift shop did a price elasticity study but the prices did not seem worth it to me. Photos are allowed so I took a lot of photos. The grounds are beautiful. I suggest allowing at least 4 hours.
Christine KehrChristine Kehr
00
This is a very well-curated museum about a little boy from Abilene, Kansas at a time this country was still young, simple, and yet sophisticated and technologically advanced at the same time, and how this boy became the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during WW II defeating the most-evil human enterprise invented by the Germans and their allies in Europe. (Their modern enterprise is the Euro € that has enslaved and impoverished the people of Europe now, except them!) The museum covers his life and the life of his wife and family including the years of his Presidency. After touring the museum my kids said, wished we had more people like Ike in government who would love and care for this country as he did. ALL the people in the museum, from the people at the ticket counter to the museum staff including security were very nice, cheerful, and helpful. I highly recommend visiting and plan to spend a long time there. Do not hesitate to ask security to remove loud and disruptive visitors, this is a place for you to enjoy in peace. I recommend learning some of the history of the era beforehand to help you appreciate more the things you will see.
Nik MakNik Mak
00
The Visitor Center is separate from the museum and the library. You can get your ticket at the visitor center and then watch a short film about Eisenhower's life. Then you walk to the museum to check that out. If you have mobility issues and need to limit your walking, I discovered from the museum staff that you can purchase your ticket online and then skip the visitor center and go directly to the museum. You have to make sure that you either print your ticket or you're able to show your ticket on your phone to the people in the museum. In skipping the visitor center, you will forgo the short film about Eisenhower's life but there are a number of films in the museum that you will be able to see once you get there. Nice museum with a lot of information about Eisenhower's military service as well as his focus on peace during his presidency.
Alice BAlice B
00
This should be a must for kids and adults to learn about history. We found the museum to be exceptional, informative, and very interesting. I thought I knew Eisenhower fairly well but was impressed by his life and achievements. And his wife, well, she was his rock! She had a great sense of humor, too! The library was filled with gifts various leaders around the world sent to the president. Some from surprising sources. The surprise, at least to me, was that the president and first lady were interned here on the grounds. It was a sobering moment to be in the Place of Meditation! I have been to the Richard Nixon Museum and birthplace in Yorba Linda, Ca, the Ronald Reagan Museum in Simi Valley, Ca and the Eisenhower Library and Museum rates right there with them both! A very enjoyable time!
Michael HendricksMichael Hendricks
00
Nearby Attractions Of Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dwight D Eisenhower Boyhood Home
Greyhound Hall of Fame
Abilene Downtown Antique Mall
Dickinson County Heritage Center
Verizon
Great Plains Theatre
Eisenhower Library and Museum
Old Abilene Town
cypress bridge candle co
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
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Dwight D Eisenhower Boyhood Home
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Nearby Restaurants Of Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum
Joe Snuffy's
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
200 S E 4th St, Abilene, KS 67410
Map
Phone
(785) 263-6700
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Website
eisenhowerlibrary.gov
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(284 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
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Description
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home is the presidential library and museum of Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, located in his hometown of Abilene, Kansas.
attractions: Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Dwight D Eisenhower Boyhood Home, Greyhound Hall of Fame, Abilene Downtown Antique Mall, Dickinson County Heritage Center, Verizon, Great Plains Theatre, Eisenhower Library and Museum, Old Abilene Town, cypress bridge candle co, restaurants: Joe Snuffy's, Tossed N Sauced Pizza, The Original Grande, Amanda's Bakery & Bistro, Hapisoul Cafe & Juicery, The Hickok Spirits & Eats, Rackets Tap House, Southside Bar, Casey's
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