1. They’re Kind Of Copycats
The pretty name of this Texas town wasn’t some sudden inspiration from a settler in love with their new home—it was actually named after the Kansas town of the same name. So be careful when making those flight plans that you choose the right Abilene.
2. Abilene Is The Center Of The West Texas Universe
Thanks to the past few decades of revitalization at places like The Grace Museum and Paramount Theatre and new construction along the freeway, Abilene has become a commercial, medical, retail, and transportation hotspot of the “Texas Midwest.” You’ve come to the right place, folks.
3. Even The Eateries Got A Makeover
The revitalization didn’t stop at shopping either; the local eateries are in on the action, too. And I’m not talking about some new McDonald’s locations. I mean local, mom-and-pop owned restaurants that make your mouth water just reading the menu. Take Beehive Restaurant & Saloon, a local favorite for steaks, ribs, large portions of everything, and delicious appetizers like potato skins.
4. Architecture Nuts Will Be In Heaven
Seriously. Make your own tour around town with the numerous churches, the Enterprise Tower, and don’t skip the Moreland-Shaheen House—a replica of the golden age of Hollywood’s decadent mansions, and inspired by a house owned by San Antonio native Joan Crawford.
5. People In Abilene Really Love Kids’ Books
The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature was built right here for the sole purpose of celebrating exceptional original art published in kids’ books. The center hosts gallery shows, Family Fun art workshops on Saturday afternoons, and even art camps during the summer. Who says reading can’t be fun?
6. Abilene Fights For The Little Guy (Or Girl)
During the second Saturday of each month Eternal Threads of Abilene holds a flea market with jewelry, accessories, home décor and other products from around the world made by women facing gender inequality, human trafficking, poverty and other hardship. Their hand-made crafts are purchased and sold to women stateside, giving the women overseas a consistently fair wage.
7. You Can Go Back To The Old West
Okay, cards on the table, this is more of a metaphorical time machine, but the “Frontier Texas!” interactive museum is about the closest you’ll get. Revisit the Old West with state-of-the-art technology and interactivity, and trust me, you’ll be talking in that cowboy drawl in no time.
8. And Then Take A Trip Around The World
At the Abilene Zoological Gardens you can visit all the usual zoo-spects (sorry, it just came to me). They’ve got alligators, giraffes, rhinos, octopi, cougars, and all manner of slithery critters in the Venom Shack. There’s also a climate-controlled aviary for a handful of the zoo’s tropical bird species. You might as well be in the rainforest instead of west Texas.
9. Abilene Is Basically “Top Gun” In Real Life
It’s home to more than 4,000 civilian and military personnel, but the best part of the Dyess Air Force Base is the Air Combat Command B-1 Lancer and Air Mobility Command C-130 Hercules jets (in layman’s speak: really freaking awesome planes). And yes, you can take a tour of the base and the collection of nearly 30 aircraft from World War II to present day.
10. Everyone In Abilene Loves A Good Classic
The Art Deco treasure of Abilene, the Paramount Theatre, was carefully redesigned with a ceiling full of clouds and shining stars, archways, monolithic columns, and even a twin domed turreted bell tower. And they don’t waste this beauty on Marvel movie sequels: The theater only shows classic films like “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and “Vertigo,” along with art films, plays and concerts.
11. And They’re Kind Of Obsessed With Bogart
That Abilene classic film fanaticism doesn’t stop at the Paramount Theatre—it even seeps into the food. Case in point: Bogie’s Downtown Deli. You’ll find all your usual suspects of a deli shop: Specialty sandwiches, soups, salads, sides, etc. But every menu item is based around a Bogart movie, ingredients are “cast members”, and sides are your “guest stars.” And you can even pick up some Bogie’s gear on your way out.
12. Also Vinyl Records
I told you these people love the classics. The Record Guys began more than 10 years ago as a simple stall in various flea markets around the city, and today it’s a real-live store with more than 20,000 vinyls, as well as cassettes and 8 tracks spanning genres from rap and hip hop to soundtracks and country. And you might catch a live show every now and then too.
13. Abilene Has Its Head In The Clouds
At least during Balloon Fest, held in Red Bud Park every year with activities like rock climbing, bull and horse riding, delicious food, dancing, and, of course, hot air balloons. The event is run by the Optimist Club, which supports children in the area in various ways—the main being to provide scholarships. Ride a hot air balloon, help a kid. Win, win.
14. Summer Turns Everyone Back Into A Kid
It gets hot in Texas. But Abilene has you covered with the Nelson Splash Pad in Nelson Park. The 2,920 square foot aquatic wonderland has almost 30 different water features including water cannons and a giant bucket that dumps water all over you.
15. Antiquing Is Abilene’s Favorite Sport
Sure, Abilene has plenty of modern shopping downtown, but the old stuff is infinitely more interesting. A trip to Antique & Almost, Antique Station, Butternut Resale or any of the other antique shops in town is like a treasure hunt, and will have the antique nuts drooling.
16. Jessica Simpson Calls Abilene Home Sweet Home
She may not be in the limelight as much today, but this Abilene-born singer/songwriter/actress is still undeniably endearing. You may remember her for her tuna/chicken debacle on the old MTV hit “Newlyweds,” but Simpson is a mama now and a businesswoman who seems to have avoided the worst of the Hollywood crazy coaster. That’s southern Texas sensibility if I’ve ever seen it.
17. Why Did It Have To Be Snakes?
Take a short drive out to Sweetwater, Texas for the Annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup—the largest rattlesnake roundup in the U.S. Yep, there are such things. It’s a good ol’ Southern fair with chili and brisket cook-offs, gun and knife shows, snake handling demonstrations, and a pit where you can be locked in with hundreds of rattlesnakes. Not for the faint of heart.
18. Abilene Brings The Art Outside
At the downtown Art Walk, all the creative chaos in Abilene gets put together into one monthly event. Local artists show off their work, performers get a chance to show off, and businesses get an extra boom as families flock to the historic downtown district to see it all. It’s all good.
19. Everyone’s A Straight-Shooter In Abilene
True to Texas form, Abilene hosts to the Texas Gun & Knife show a few times throughout the year. Join in with the avid collectors and enthusiasts, and browse the show floor of hundreds of different types and models of guns and knives.
20. Family Fun And Date Night All In One
Play Faire Park’s family fun center and miniature golf course is one of the very oldest and continuously operated mini-golf courses in the state of Texas. Between live concerts, birthday monthly tournaments, a haunted house on Halloween and the easy-on-the-legs walking distance to downtown, it’s not hard to figure out why this place is still going strong.
21. You’ll Have Your Own Background Music
The Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra has been one of the city’s oldest and most beloved musical groups since 1950. Sure, maybe it’s because it’s the only professional orchestra within 100 miles, but the 70+ member group from all over Texas knows their stuff.
22. Abilene Has Had A Sweet Tooth For Over A Century
The Vletas candy empire has been operating out of Abilene for more than 100 years. Not surprisingly, considering they made one of the safest business bets ever way back in 1912: People will never stop eating chocolate covered anything.
23. You’ll Have To BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug)
Cypress Street Station is home to the Abilene Brewing Company, Abilene’s first and only microbrewery. Bring in your own mug (up to 22 oz.) after a long day at work (or, you know, dodging rattlesnakes) and fill it up from one of the three massive tanks of hand crafted beer.
24. People In Abilene Are All Blowin’ Smoke
What Texas town would be complete without a spot for blowing off a little steam? Wait, I mean smoke. At The Leaf everyone can channel their inner Don Draper, with a ridiculously expansive list of fine cigars, pipes, and other smoking accessories to choose from. And non-smokers can get high off the smooth jazz and espresso in the cool cafe.
25. Everything You Need Under One Roof. Literally
After touring around town, make Under One Roof your final destination. With more than 30 specialty shops offering a wide variety of clothing, décor, jewelry and even a restaurant on the mezzanine called The Loft, Under One Roof is way better than any big-city sprawling mall.
