14 Best and Fun Things To Do In Abilene TX (Texas)

Additionally, Abilene has a lot to offer in the way of historic attractions. There are many educational opportunities in Abilene to learn about the late 1800s transition from frontier life to modern railroad prosperity, such as Frontier Texas State Parks! heritage center with its hands-on activities and the historic ruins at Fort Phantom Hill.

Things To Do In Abilene TX, Stroll through downtown Abilene’s historic district along the railroad tracks, where restored buildings now house shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

One of Abilene’s newest neighborhoods is the SoDA district just south of downtown, which is being transformed into restaurants, lodging, and apartments.

If you’re going to several attractions while you’re in town, consider getting an Abilene Round Up Pass to save money. Our list of the best things to do in Abilene will help you plan your trip.

List Of 14 Things To Do In Abilene TX Today

1. Frontier Texas!

Frontier Texas!, an interactive attraction in Abilene that recreates the Old West, is a must-see attraction. There are numerous exhibits on display that chronicle the history of the region and its inhabitants, including the Comanche Native American Indians, the cowboys, the buffalo-hunters, the outlaws, and the pioneers .

Clovis spearheads and flint daggers are among the artifacts in the Frontier Texas collection. !’s Through the use of holograms and other cutting-edge technology, visitors can get a first-hand look at the people who shaped the history of the Old West.

There is a rotating chair with a 360-degree experience in the Frontier Experience Theater, which is one of the most popular exhibits to see. It features a Wild West shootout, as well as a stampede of buffalo in Abilene Country Club.

The Texas Forts Trail, which spans 64 counties in the region, can be found at Frontier Texas!. If you’d like to spend more time immersing yourself in the history of the area, there are maps and guides available at fort worth.

Address: 625 North First Street, Abilene, Texas

2. Abilene Zoo

Families should not miss a trip to the Abilene Zoo. There are more than 127 species in the zoo, including giraffes, capybaras, and reptiles. Check out the Keeper Chats on a daily basis to learn more about the animals and their habitats.

Animals from the Americas, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America can be found throughout the zoo’s various habitats. It’s possible to feed the giraffes up close and personal by paying an additional fee to participate in a giraffe feeding experience at perini ranch.

For those who don’t want to spend all day walking around the zoo, there’s always the Safari Express train ride. Spend time on Nelson Lake Abilene in a Swan Boat, where you can feed the fish and observe the animals up close.

Address: 2070 Zoo Ln, Abilene, Texas

3. Fort Phantom Hill

Fort Phantom Hill is a great place for thrill-seekers who enjoy exploring historic ruins. As the frontier moved westward, the fort was built in 1851 to protect local residents. The 38-acre site is open to the public and offers a self-guided tour at elm creek.

The fort’s grounds are littered with the remains of previous structures. After the U.S. Army left the site in 1854, a fire ravaged much of it. A brochure with diagrams of faire park each ruin on site, such as the guardhouse and the commanding officers’ quarters, can be found in the pavilion near the parking lot.

The Texas Forts Trail connects 650 miles of historical forts in West Central Texas, including Fort Phantom Hill.

Address: 10818 FM 600, Abilene, Texas

4. The Grace Museum

Abilene’s Grace Museum is one of the city’s cultural treasures. For art lovers, there are five galleries to choose from, with both long-term and short-term exhibits. More than 2,500 works, including paintings, photographs, prints, books, and watercolors, fun things are on display in the galleries.

Many historic items, including photographs, textiles, and furniture from the early 1900s are housed in the museum’s history collection. Abilene Fine Arts Museum, Garments and Fashion, Mallouf Boots and Tools Collection, and Household Tools & Items are some of the other key gallery collections in the Grace Museum.

The museum is large enough that you could easily spend several hours there. On-site, there’s a coffee shop where you can end your visit the historic village.

Address: 102 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas

5. Jacob’s Dream Monument

On the Abilene Christian University campus stands the 40-foot-tall Jacob’s Dream monument thing. Create a peaceful meditation space with the bronze statue and limestone blocks surrounding it.

On the occasion of the university’s centennial year celebrations, the monument was dedicated. After looking at the monument, you can take a walk around the campus to admire the beautiful landscape and architecture..

Address: 1949 ACU Drive, Abilene, Texas

6. 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum

The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum’s displays and history are hidden from view from the street level. Aside from the 12th Armored Division’s nearly six-month period of combat, the museum contains a wealth of WWII-related artifacts.

Exhibits on three floors of the museum, as well as military vehicles outside, include a Sherman tank. The liberation of Landsburg concentration camp by the 12th Armored Division is commemorated in a museum section dedicated to the Holocaust.

Also on this floor, you’ll find an exhibit on POWs, as well as exhibits on medical and communications technology used in combat. These dioramas depict the 12th Armored Division’s greatest battles, with scenes that are retold by veterans, in one of the most popular areas of the museum.

Address: 1289 N. 2nd St., Abilene, Texas

7. National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature

A state-of-the-art National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in Abilene makes sense because the city is known as the “Storybook Capital of the United States”. Dedicated to children’s literature and its authors, this museum is a must-see for anyone interested in American literature.

These collaborations with recognized illustrators will be on display in the center, showcasing their unique appeal to young audiences and what makes their work so memorable.

Visiting during a public event, such as an opening of an exhibition, or during a free family art event, held every Saturday with activities for kids, is a great way to learn more about the center. Every year in June, Abilene plays host to the Children’s Art and Literacy Festival. The gift shop at the center is a great place to find classic children’s books and gifts.

Address: 102 Cedar Street, Abilene, Texas

8. Swenson House and Gardens

The Swenson House and Gardens is a beautiful example of 20th-century architecture in the area for anyone who enjoys exploring historic homes. For a more immersive experience, docents in period costume guide visitors through the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

To honor the Swenson family, a prominent family in the early settlement of Abilene, who once lived here, the house is decorated and furnished in the same way they did. The house tour should take about an hour, plus time to enjoy the meticulously maintained grounds and gardens. Throughout the year, the house hosts a variety of seasonal public events.

Address: 1726 Swenson Street, Abilene, Texas

9. Morgan Jones Planetarium

The Morgan Jones Planetarium in Abilene is a worthwhile side trip if you have the time. To enlighten and entertain guests, the small planetarium first opened its doors in 1968 with a single aluminum ball with pinholes.

The desire to spread knowledge about our planet hasn’t changed much in the intervening years, but the tools and methods we use to do so have. Weekly public shows on geology, meteorology, galaxy and oceanography take place in the planetarium despite its primary educational purpose. While you’re in Abilene, it’s a good idea to take a look at this little gem.

Address: 700 N. Mockingbird, Abilene, Texas

10. Dyess Memorial Museum

The Dyess Memorial Museum and Dyess Linear Air Park are located just outside the Dyess Air Force Base. The Abilene Army Airfield and the local air force base are featured in the museum’s collection.

Walking around or sitting on a bench overlooking the outskirts of the active Air Force Base is a pleasant way to spend some time. The Dyess Linear Air Park features 34 planes from the United States Air Force and Army Air Corps, as well as fighters, cargo planes, and other types of planes, all on display.

You can request tours and make plans to visit the Linear Air Park from the museum, which is located inside the Air Force Base.

Address: Arnold Blvd. & Military Dr. Abilene, Texas

11. Paramount Theatre

While inside the historic Paramount Theatre, there is a sense of nostalgia that comes from the lights on the outside. If you’re looking for a unique place to watch a show or a movie, the restored 1930s Paramount Theater in downtown Abilene is a great choice.

For nearly a century, Abilene’s illuminated marquee and elaborate sidewalk ticket booth have been a constant presence. Clouds are projected over a night sky in the auditorium’s design paramount theater, which is meant to evoke a Spanish courtyard in the evening. In addition to hosting live performances like concerts and ballet, the Paramount Theatre also serves as a movie theater.

Address: 352 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas

12. Contemporary Arts

Art exhibits and events are held regularly at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene’s historic downtown area. Free art studios and galleries can be found in the center, which features a wide variety of artistic expressions.

Exhibits rotate throughout the year and are housed in the center’s artist studios. In addition to regional art, short films, photography, and other contemporary arts, there are five galleries on display. Check out this museum if you’re interested in learning more about local artists and their work.

Address: 220 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas

13. Historic Downtown Abilene

The best way to see the historic center of Abilene is on foot. The town was born in the 1880s, when the T&P Railway was inaugurated. It’s easy to find a parking spot in the downtown area and then explore the area on foot to see the city’s attractions.

Historic buildings have been converted into boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, and museums in the downtown area. Frontier Texas! or the T&P Depot on North 1st Street, where you can pick up a downtown walking tour map, are good places to begin your downtown tour.

You can find a collection of Dr. Seuss characters in Everman Park near the Abilene Visitor Center. Candies by Vletas, a local favorite chocolatier, has been serving Abilene residents since 1912. There is a large “Chocolate” sign on top of the building where the train depot is located.

14. Abilene State Park

At the Abilene State Park, visitors can enjoy a day of outdoor recreation while learning about the area’s rich history. This natural area was critical to the survival and shelter of the early settlers of West Central Texas because it is close to Buffalo Gap.

The live oaks, pecans, willows, and elms that make up the park’s hills are now protected by Abilene State Park. Birds like hawks, wrens, and mockingbirds, as well as land animals like armadillos, can all be seen in the park’s habitat. Enjoy the park’s many activities, such as hiking, swimming in the historic pool, biking, and fishing.

The Eagle Trail, which leads to a one-acre Wallow Pond, is a good option for families with young children, as it was designed for them. If you’d like to extend your visit to the park over a weekend, you can camp there.

Address: 150 Park Road 32, Tuscola, Texas

FAQs Things To Do In Abilene TX