Often overlooked in the enormous state of Texas is Abilene, a sizable city in the central-northern part of the state. There are lots of engaging and active things to do in Abilene if you are visiting — and not just eat delicious barbeque (though you should do that, too). Here are a few neat things to do in Abilene:
Relive the Frontier Days
Once you visit Frontier Texas!, you’ll understand why it has an exclamation point in its name. Located in downtown Abilene, this museum serves as both the city’s welcome center and an interactive museum devoted to the area’s storied past. Abilene was founded by cattlemen as a railroad stopping point in 1881, but the area that is now Abilene and its surrounding counties saw its fair share of frontier action long before that.
At Frontier Texas!, visitors can learn about the native plant life and wildlife, the Native Americans who first inhabited the land and the arrival of the frontiersmen, who brought with them bloodshed. This can be seen in the exhibit “Blood & Treasure.”
If you’re in Abilene, you need to pay this museum a visit to get a taste of vital Texas history.
Catch a Show at a Historic Theater
The Historic Paramount Theater, located right in downtown Abilene, has been a place to see film screenings and stage performances for nearly a century. Check the website to see if any plays are running during your visit. Upcoming performances include Fiddler on the Roof and a children’s rendition of The Little Mermaid. The theater also shows popular films on a regular basis, from classic 80s flicks like Close Encounters of the Third Kind to the original 1930 adaption of Little Women.
The theater’s webpage calls the theater the grandest structure between El Paso and Fort Worth. That’s a distance of some 600 miles, which is quite a feat.
Enjoy the Texas Outdoors
Lake Fort Phantom Hill is located in the far northern limits of Abilene, and it’s where you’ll want to head if the outdoors are your thing. It takes its name from a Confederate fort that once sat along its shores.
Today, it’s a great spot to fish or simply enjoy a nice outdoor walk. It’s popular with sport fishermen, but casual fishers will still feel welcome. There’s also a disc golf course nearby. If you haven’t played disc golf before, you should give it a shot — it’s a lot of fun.
If the Kids Are Along…
If you’re in Abilene on a family trip, you should bring the kids to The National Center for Illustrated Children’s Literature. It’s a must for any kid who loves stories, so if your kid is an avid reader, put this one on the list.
At this small museum, the exhibits are always rotating, but they always focus on popular children’s authors, their stories and the accompanying artwork. One of the highlights is the works of Stan and Jan Berenstain, who were behind the popular Berenstain Bears series.
Another plus: admission is free.
Abilene may not be one of the most talked-about cities in Texas, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t full of character and interesting activities. There are plenty of things to do in Abilene for you and the entire family.
Whether it’s Abilene, another Texas city, or practically any major city in the U.S. or Canada, you should talk with PC Housing before your next visit. We offer apartment homes to short- and long-term business travelers, and if you’re considering a hotel, you should reconsider. Get in touch with us today to learn more.