If you have recently retired and plan to take a rambling road trip, and that trip takes you through Texas, then stopping for a day or two in Abilene is definitely worth the time.
Abilene is on I-20, and is about 180 miles west of Dallas, and 450 miles east of El Paso. When my husband and I were travelling, we would rather stop at smaller towns than big ones. Abilene would have been one of the places we would have spent time in if we had travelled I-20 much.
So, what is there to do in Abilene? If you like zoos, they have one of those. There is a dog park, to take your four legged travel companions for a run. History buffs might like a walking tour of downtown to see the old buildings there and hear about their history. And don’t forget the song, “Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I’ve ever seen” written by Bob Gibson in 1956.
If you are like me and like to visit museums, then you will find several in Abilene. Frontier Texas! is one of only a few museums in the world to feature life-sized holographic figures. Experience the dramatic Texas frontier as the story comes to life in this multimedia history facility. The Grace, located in the heart of downtown in a historic building, is an AAM accredited museum. Changing exhibits feature the best of Texas art, past and present, within the context of American art. Experience World War II through the eyes of the 12th Armored Division ‘Hellcats’ as you explore the three floors of this remarkable museum. Artifacts, photographs, oral histories, weapons, uniforms, vehicles, dioramas and a Holocaust memorial bring the story to life and honors the sacrifice of the great men and women who comprised the 12th. The Taylor County History Center features Indian artifacts and a collection of frontier firearms.
Added to all that, you can choose from outdoor activities, night life, movies, and live theater, and much more. You might even want to make Abilene, Texas a destination on your next vacation just to have time to see it all!
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