Location: Abilene
Top Things to do in Abilene
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What to do and see in Abilene, Texas (TX): The Best Things to do
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. Jacob's Dream Sculpture
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Jacob’s Dream, a 40-foot-tall bronze sculpture on the campus of Abilene Christian University, was commissioned and dedicated as part of the university’s Centennial Celebration in 2006. The sculpture features four 8-foot-tall angels ascending and descending a ladder reaching to heaven, illustrating the biblical account of Jacob’s dream from Genesis 28. It is surrounded by an arrangement of limestone blocks inscribed with scriptures and a limestone pool. Its sculptor, ACU art and design professor Jack Maxwell, included art students in the creation of the project.
Reviewed By T7190HDlisab - Texas, United States
A beautiful statue of Jacob’s dream from the Bible. It’s a beautifully artistic interpretation. Quiet, peaceful and meditative garden area of giant stone blocks with God’s names or scripture references with trees. A beautiful area! A great place for a photo!
2. The Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By dabsgram
I spend time here every Sunday morning visiting my husband. It is so peaceful and beautiful; it’s comforting to just be able to sit and visit. The cemetery is very well kept; the entire staff does a wonderful job.
3. Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
The Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden is located on the grounds of the Abilene Convention Center, which is owned by the city. The garden was created by funds raised by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, a division of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. The garden is home to pieces of the council's Storybook Sculpture Project, which are characters brought to life from the pages of children's illustrated books. The garden is free to explore and lit at night.
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
The storybook character statues are special; we all had smiles on our faces when seeing them. Great in the day, but extra special after dark when the sculptures are lit. There are two main areas of storybook sculptures concentrated: near the T&P Depot on 1st Street and at 6th where the convention center is located. Very worthwhile for young and old alike. No issue parking. Get a guide at Frontier Texas, the T&P Depot, or in front of some of the sculptures.
4. Swenson House Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
WE LOVE HOSTING GROUP TOURS! This is a must see while you are visiting Abilene or if you are just passing through & want to stop to take a break from the road. An escorted tour of the historic Swenson House Museum can be scheduled either by phone or through the website. Allow 60 minutes to enjoy the tour. The home is on the Register of Historical Places. Museum “docents” will be dressed in late 19th or early 20th century costumes and will show visitors through the home. The house is furnished with authentic Swenson family furniture and relics. We have the house extensively decorated in October for Halloween & December for Christmas, it is a must thing to do in Abilene!
Reviewed By JeffreyPerren
A recent visit to Abilene uncovered a real gem: Swenson House. This turn-of-the-century home was the residence of a family that not only helped bring the city to prominence but much of north Texas. Beyond historical interest, the architecture itself provides anyone who loves old homes with a stellar example to peruse. The dramatic stairway is the centerpiece but leads to rooms chock full of antique furniture, clothing, and artifacts. And, unlike most homes of this vintage, you can touch many items - like the genuine fox collar on one dress -- without a baleful stare from the docent. (Speaking of whom, that passionate representative of the Historical Society provides oodles of historical and restoration info tidbits. That always adds a lot to any exploration of one of these upscale houses from the past.) For lovers of Texas or architectural history, a 1-hour tour of Swenson House is well worth the out-of-the-way journey.
5. Fort Phantom Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By lversyp - Abilene, United States
This is the remains of the Old Fort Phantom, along the Texas Forts Trail. There are not too many buildings still standing, but walking through the area, just knowing the remote area at the time the fort was established is awesome. Cool place to wander through.
6. Abilene Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
Reviewed By OnlyAunt
Stayed the night in Abilene. The family didn't get moving in enough time for us to make it our next planned stop. I gave a 9 and 8 yr old options to do in Abilene. They chose the zoo. Zoo's have started to become something we do on every vacation. Their selection of creates were interesting. There were signs that stated the endanger level. They had Pink Flamingo setting on eggs, a new baby monkey and a great and knowledgeable giraffe area. We all enjoyed the giraffes. For a small fee you get to feed them and we learned a lot. The staff and zoo are trying to bring in more animals and new exhibits.
7. 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.
8. 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!
9. 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.
10. The Grace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
The Grace Museum is a hub of art, culture and community located in historic downtown Abilene, Texas. Originally built in 1909 for railroad travelers as the Hotel Grace, the fully renovated Mission Revival style Grace Museum now showcases rotating exhibitions of world-class art and photography by American artists with Texas connections, as well as historic works and objects from the Museum's permanent collection. The Grace also houses an interactive children’s museum with exhibits that kids of all ages can enjoy.
Reviewed By SteveBinkley - Mansfield, United States
Get your culture-on and learn a thing or two about Texas history, art and photography. A lot of care and dedication by museum curators provides for a nice break from the Texas heat. Enjoyed our quick visit.
