Abilene, the city in the west of Texas, is known to be the “Official Storybook Capital of Texas”. In here you will get to know more about Western history and culture through different activities built with fun, excitement, and enlightenment.
1. Honor the Hellcats
Interested in history stories back in World War II? Well, the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum is dedicated to the members of the 12th Armored Division “Hellcats” who brought victory to the Allies in World War II. The museum consists of three floors filled with artifacts, dioramas, photographs, and everything else that could bring the stories back to life, even the nickname “Hellcats” has a story behind it.
12th Armored Division Memorial Museum
Address: 1289 N 2nd St, Abilene, TX 79601, USA
Pricing: 5 USD - Adults; 4 USD - Sr. Citizens & Military; 2 USD - Ages 7 to 12. Free - Children 6 or younger and WWII Veterans
Contact: +1 3256776515
2. Relive the Old West
The Frontier Texas! (yes, with the exclamation point) is a museum showcasing the history of the American West. It is a museum that has exhibits, displays, and interactive activities such as a shoot out! Relive the lives of the Old Westerners during the time of settlement. They also have a new surround-sound theatre for you to explore!
Frontier Texas!
Address: 625 N First St, Abilene, TX 79601
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 1:00 - 5:00pm. *Last show at 4:30pm Monday-Saturday, and 3:30pm on Sundays
Admission: Adults - 10 USD, Seniors (60+) and Military - 7 USD, Students and Teachers - 6 USD, Children (ages 3-12) - 5 USD, Ages 2 and Under - Free
Contact: +1 3254372800
Website: Frontier Texas!
3. Museum in a hotel?
Not exactly. The Grace Museum, or simply The Grace to the locals, was previously the historic Hotel Grace in the early 1900s. It has since then changed its name, went through different restructuring, and abandonment. But the city wanted to preserve the archaic structure and built a museum around it that has since been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It has five art galleries that even have rotating art exhibitions! It also has interactive galleries for children and families. Events are also held in here to engage the locals with the city’s culture. Explore the 5,000 artworks they have on display!
The Grace Museum
Address: 102 Cypress Street, Abilene, TX 79601
Contact: +1 3256734587
Admission: 6 USD - Adults, 3 USD - Seniors/Students/Non-Active Duty Military, Free - Children ages 3 and under, Members & Active Duty Military
Website: The Grace Museum
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4. Have a safari adventure
An animal lover? Abilene Zoological Gardens, or Abilene Zoo for short, holds more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Not only does it feature sight-seeing but it also has a safari express train to take you all around the zoo. They also have classes to provide education and entertaining opportunities for everyone on appreciating, understanding, and conserving natural environments. To make it more exciting, there are fun amenities for children and families such as paddleboating, carousel rides, and you can feed some of their animals. You will not get bored in this place!
Abilene Zoo
Address: 2070 Zoo Lane, Abilene, TX 79602
Phone: +1 3256766085
Email: abilene.zoo@abilenetx.com
Admission: 7 USD for Adults (ages 13-59), 6 USD for Seniors (ages 60+), 4.50 USD for children (ages 3-12), Children under 3 free!
Opening Hours: Open 9 am to 5 pm daily, last admittance at 4 pm. Every Thurs, June–August, 9 am to 9 pm, Last admittance at 8 pm
Website: Abilene Zoo
5. Discover the creation
The Discovery Center Creation Emporium, or simply Discovery Center for short, is a creation museum or emporium that provides historical and scientific evidence to prove the existence of God. Whether a believer or not, the museum welcomes everyone with an open mind to give an insight on their beliefs of the existence of God through their gathered evidences. They also provide tours and exhibits for any guests that wish to know more information.
Discovery Center
Address: Corner of S. 8th & Butternut, Abilene, TX
Email: abilenediscoverycenter@gmail.com
Phone: +1 3256735050
Museum Hours: Tues. - Sat, 1pm - 5pm
Guided Tours: 1pm - 3pm (Note: for groups of ten or more please call ahead to notify them of your visit)
Admission: Free
Website: Discovery Center
6. Visit a historic site
Fort Phantom Hill is one of Texas’ most famous historical sites and is part of the US National Register of Historic Places. It has a rich history from the time it was occupied by the US Army from 1851 until 1854. Despite being abandoned and burnt down, much of the remains are still intact for visitors to see, examine, and learn more about. Great feedback has been given by visitors for the tranquil scenery and the massive space that they would freely walk around discovering the past.
Fort Phantom Hill
Address: 10818 FM 600, Abilene, TX 79601
Contact: +1 3256771309
Email: info@fortphantom.org
Website: Fort Phantom Hill
7. Look into the stars
Morgan Jones Planetarium is a family-friendly planetarium that lets the young and the old sit back and relax as the large, round, and dark theatre lets the stars and constellations shine as though you are really outdoors. The “star room” also arranges shows for the public to see. There are also learning rooms that you can explore right after for you to be more informed about the unique aspects of the universe. There are also only a few planetariums in Texas so it’s best not to miss it. Astronomy is such a spectacular field, and now you will get to see a touch of it.
The Morgan Jones Planetarium
Address: 700 N Mockingbird Ln, Abilene, TX 79603
Contact: +1 3256714637
Admission: 3 USD for adults and 2 USD for students and children for each show
Website: The Morgan Jones Planetarium
8. Watch a show in a classical theatre
The Historic Paramount Theatre is a reminder of the cinematic and theatrical past of the country through its ravishing interior façade. It is elegant and grand and shows a classic style of how movie theaters used to be. The theatre is also part of the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a national and Texas historic landmark. Up to this date, there are still films, concerts, musical productions, opera, dance, and other artistic ventures that are showing here, so don’t miss out on a show while you’re in town!
The Paramount Theatre
Address: Paramount Theatre 352 Cypress St. Abilene, TX 79601
Opening Hours: 12:00 Noon - 5:00 pm
Contact: +1 3256769620
Email: theatre@paramount-abilene.org
Website: The Paramount Theatre
9. Have the best date
Play Faire Park is family-friendly outdoor park that has the oldest operating miniature gold course in Texas since it was established in 1947. It also features an air castle, large outdoor movie screen for films under the stars, a stage for live performances, and much more! There are so many things to do in here with friends and family. It was even voted as the best date spot in the city. So have fun or fall in love, or maybe even both!
Play Faire Park
Address: 2300 N 2nd St, Abilene, TX 79603, USA
Contact: +1 3256722977
Email: playfairepark@gmail.com
Website: Play Faire Park
10. Pappy Slokum Brewery Co.
Pappy Slokum Brewery Co. is a small production brewery that makes handcrafted and high-quality brews. They had produced some of the best and award-winning beers. If you’re thinking that you don’t like craft beer, well, the brewers of this long lineage of craftsmen are more than willing to prove you wrong. Check out their brewery and get a taste of their one of a kind set of beers.
Pappy Slokum Brewery Co.
Address: 409 South Treadaway, Abilene, TX 79602
Contact: +1 3252014112
Opening Hours: Saturday 11am - 7pm
Website: Pappy Slokum Brewery Co.
Build your own story
A city with as much history combined with stories that you can build, you know you will never be bored. You would see that there’s so much to do in every corner whether it’s learning more from the past or enjoying the outdoors or looking beyond the stars! No matter your choice, Abilene has got it all for you.