Location: Abilene
Top Things to do in Abilene
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The 5 Best Specialty Museums in Abilene, Texas (TX)
Abilene boasts a proud military history, having been home once to a U.S. Army base and later a U.S. Air Force base, which remains its primary employer. The city boasts numerous green spaces as well as an impressive zoo representing hundreds of species of animals. Look around and there is always something to do, with two annual rodeos, several outdoor festivals and conferences throughout the year.
Restaurants in Abilene
1. Frontier Texas!
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
Located in historic downtown Abilene, Frontier Texas! is a western heritage center that allows visitors to relive the Old West through the magic of state-of-the-art technology. Frontier Texas! brings the frontier to life and lets visitors meet people who played out their lives on the Texas frontier. Frontier Texas! also serves as the official visitor center for Abilene and the Texas Forts Trail Region. Experience the legendary Texas frontier through innovative exhibits and unique encounters at Frontier Texas! Learn the story of the old west through our 90 minute hands on old west adventure "Blood & Treasure on the Frontier." Educational Programs at Frontier Texas! are designed to provide a rich educational experience for everyone. The 14,000 square-foot facility isn't a traditional museum with exhibits displayed in glass cases. At Frontier Texas!, you relive buffalo stampedes, a shootout in the Bee Hive Saloon, a wolf attack and more. And don't forget to visit The General Store that carries all your Texas souvenirs including books, t-shirts, jewelry, canned goods, and unique items made by local artisans. Frontier Texas! is the perfect place for families, History buffs, or anyone who just wants to learn a little bit more about the Lone Star state. Legends, History, Adventure.
Reviewed By nancyjmd - Fredericksburg, United States
Frontier Texas! is a very well-done, modern and tech-savvy interactive museum of the history of the Texas frontier, complete with holograms of native Americans, cowboys and settlers telling stories from each of their perspectives. We enjoyed the theater in the round and the stagecoach replica which has been used in various movie and TV shows such as Little House on the Prairie. The gift shop was tasteful and we purchased a book on the history of Abilene which opened our eyes to a lot more recent local history as well. Highly recommend!
2. National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
Note that due to Covid19 the opening hours are different than posted in travel resources. Be sure to stop by this free museum. It has delightful illustrations and information about illustrators of children’s books. A happy place.
3. 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Three floors of exhibits take you through the life and times of the 12th Armored Division from activation at Camp Campbell, KY, in 1942, to Texas, to New York, to Europe to deactivation in Germany in 1945. We are a "unique" museum with artifacts from all aspects of the daily life of a WWII soldier - and the 12th is also a recognized liberator. 12th men were there at the liberation of a sub camp of Dachau.
Reviewed By 994valm
Three floors of absolutely amazing information! Even my friend who is a historian learned things from this museum's documentation. Those who "engineered" this museum and keep it open and running deserve a huge round of applause! Take your time and READ the 'history' that was around the 12th, where they went, what they did, what they experienced including liberating holocaust concentration camp where they witnessed the atrocities. There are displays and actual 'artifacts' from that "era". The museum is housed in the historical downtown of Abilene, easy to find and free parking. A side note, as you round up back to the entry find a large poster that has the two women who are on famous posters ( WE CAN DO IT!) Rosie the Riveter and Wendy the Welder...in real life. Entrance fee is reasonable.
4. Dyess AFB Memorial Museum and Linear Air Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
The Dyess Memorial Museum is a gallery showcasing the history of Lt Col William Edwin Dyess and the base that is named for him. The Dyess Linear Air Park is the largest air park in the USAF with 34 historic aircraft.
Reviewed By Y99JTglenm
This is a cool opportunity to get up close to military aircraft from several eras. The walking trail connecting the aircraft provides great exercise.
5. The Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19 reviews
The Discovery Center is a Creation Museum that has been serving the Abilene area for over 19 years. Prepare to experience the evidences of the true origin of the universe, earth and all life on earth through a biblical worldview. Attractions include our classic guided creation tour which includes a visit to Genesis Park and our live animals, enjoy a short 15 minute video on dragons in our Origins Theater, as well as dinosaurs and other fossils. There is also attention given to "Giants" and our new space exhibit in honor of Apollo 16 astronaut, Charles Duke. Plan to spend time in "The Miracle of Israel" exhibit building as 4000 years of Jewish history is displayed in this self-guided tour which displays the full scale replica of the Ark of the Covenant and ancient Torah scrolls. Our last exhibit is "The Titanic Remembered" a wand guided tour and features artifacts and memorabilia that show direct attachment to the Abilene area. Plan to spend the afternoon.
Reviewed By tsearsfamily - San Angelo, United States
What a great museum! In a world full of evolution-based science (every museum of natural history and in public school curricula) this is one of those rare places you can see science & history presented from a biblical standpoint. Best of all, this small but well done museum is for all ages!! The ladies that gave us the guided tour were wonderful and very good with our kids. All kinds of folks come in, some looking for answers, some looking for an argument. Personally, we’re a homeschool family visiting as a field trip to complement our science program (Answers in Genesis) and we will definitely return for another visit!! Content featured: a small display of live animals, a short movie about the great flood and dinosaur/dragon legends around the world, outer space and traveling to the moon, biblical and historical accounts of giants, small display of fossils, and an exhibit about Israel.
