Abilene

By plane

• Abilene Regional Airport Hwy 36 & Loop 322. American Eagle provides service to Dallas/Fort Worth.

By car

• From Dallas and Fort Worth: Take I-30 West towards Weatherford. Between Fort Worth and Weatherford, I-30 ends. Continue West on I-20 towards Abilene. Time: 2½-hr, depending on traffic and where you start.
• From San Angelo: Take US-277 North to Abilene. Time: about 1½ hr.
• From Lubbock: Take US-84 to Sweetwater, there US-84 merges with I-20. Continue on I-20 East until US-84 brakes off of I-20 and continue on US-84. Time: about 3 hr.
• From San Antonio: Take I-10 West to Comfort. At Comfort, use exit 523 and take US-87 North to Brady. In Brady, take US-283 North to Coleman. In Coleman take US-84 to Abilene. Time: 4 hr depending on traffic.

• Abilene Zoo

  phone: +1 325 676-6085
  address: 2070 Zoo Ln
  Fifth largest zoo in the state.

• T&P Depot

  phone: +1 325 676-2556
  address: 1101 N. 1st St
  This historic depot was built by the Texas & Pacific Railroad in 1910. In 1967 the last passenger train left the depot with a total of 39 passengers on board. In 1994 the exterior of the depot was restored to its exact appearance during the 1920s. The depot is the home of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cultural Affairs Council. Admission is free.

• Western Heritage Classic

  phone: +1 325 677-4376
  address: 1700 Highway 36
  A unique 4-day event held in early May to preserve western heritage. Includes a ranch rodeo, a chuckwagon cookoff, a bit and spur show, cowboy poetry, western art show, and a western parade.

• Abilene Christian University

  phone: +1 325 674-2000
  address: 1600 Campus Ct
  Expansive and well-maintained campus. Unique and beautiful architecture mixes with a large number of artworks. A 1.86 mile walking trail encircles the campus. Various theatrical, musical and athletic events occur throughout the year.

• Hardin-Simmons University

  phone: +1 325 670-1000
  address: 2200 Hickory St
  Founded in 1891, HSU is a private Baptist liberal arts university. With a small, beautiful campus, HSU is worth a peek.

• McMurry University

  phone: +1 325 793-3800
  address: 1401 Sayles Blvd
  Founded in 1923, McMurry is a small, tightly knit community of students and educators in Abilene's bustling south side.

• Buffalo Gap Historic Village

  phone: +1 325 572-3365
  address: 133 N Willams St.

• Century 12 by Cinemark

  phone: +1 325 793-9292
  address: 3818 John Knox Dr
  Abilene's newest and largest theater. All stadium seating.

• Premier Cinema 10

  phone: +1 325 695-2122
  address: 4310 Buffalo Gap Rd
  10-screen theater in the Mall of Abilene. Renovated, with all stadium seating. There is a great bar/restaurant next door for easy post-movie lounging.

• Carmike Park Central 6

  phone: +1 325 698-3540
  address: 3234 S Clack St
  6-screen theater. All stadium seating.

• Grace Cultural Center

  phone: +1 325 673-4587
  address: 102 Cypress St
  3 museums under one roof: an art museum, a history museum and an interactive children's museum spread out over the three floors of the beautiful former Grace Hotel built in 1909.

• Historic Paramount Theater

  phone: +1 325 676-9620
  address: 352 Cypress St
  Beautiful art-deco theater built in 1930 by H.O. Wooten whose namesake skyscraper looms overhead. The Paramount plays host to a slew of theatrical and musical productions, and to screenings of classic and contemporary films. The 2,000-seat auditorium is built to look like an outdoor Spanish courtyard, complete with twinkling stars and drifting clouds on the ceiling.

• National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature

  phone: +1 325 673-4586
  address: 102 Cedar St
  A small but wonderful museum showcasing the works of children's authors and illustrators. The NCCIL ("nickel") has played host to everyone from the Bernstein Bears to the works of Eric Carle. Exhibits are rotational and admission is free. One block from the Grace Museum.

• Frontier Texas!

  phone: +1 325 437-2800
  address: 625 N 1st St
  Expansive new historical museum in eastern downtown Abilene, focusing on west central Texas' frontier days. Headquarters of the Texas Forts Trail. Not to be missed.

• Mall of Abilene

  address: 4310 Buffalo Gap Rd
  Anchored by JCPenney, Sears, Dillard's, Best Buy and Books-A-Million. Home to dozens of smaller specialty clothing and gift stores and restaurants.

• The Shops at Abilene

  address: 3417 Catclaw Dr
  Anchored by Bed Bath & Beyond, Ross, Old Navy, Petsmart, Michael's and Beall's. Also home to The Children's Place, James Avery, Shoe Carnival, Rue21, Catherine's, Lane Bryant, Payless Shoes, Oreck, AT&T, Red Robin, Coldstone Creamery, Gamestop, SportClips, Smoothie King and several others. Wal-Mart is at the same intersection and Kohl's is just down the street.

• Wal

• Wal

• Bogie's

  phone: +1 325 672-3296
  address: 241 Cypress St
  Custom-made sandwiches on fresh-baked bread.

• Cypress Street Station

  phone: +1 325 676-3463
  address: 158 Cypress St
  Popular local barbecue/steakhouse.

• Lytle Land & Cattle Co

  phone: +1 325 677-1925
  address: 1150 E South 11th St
  Great steak and seafood.

• Szechuan Chinese Restaurant

  phone: +1 325 673-9100
  address: 3425 S 1st St
  Decent Chinese fare with large portions.

• Tamolly's Mexican Restaurant

  phone: +1 325 698-2000
  address: 4400 Ridgemont Dr
  Good Tex-Mex. Try the no. 8 combo.

• Perini Ranch Steakhouse

  phone: +1 325-572-3339
  address: 3002 FM 89
  Famously good steaks. Voted best burger in America by the Today show in 2009. Catered several of President Bush's events.

• The Beehive

  phone: +1 325-675-0600
  address: 442 Cedar St
  Wonderful and well-priced casual fine dining in the heart of downtown.

• Copper Creek

  phone: +1 325 692-4424
  address: 4401 Loop 322
  Fine Texas dining: unsurpassed atmosphere and wonderful waitstaff coupled with delicious food and potent drinks.

• Sharky's Burrito Inc

  phone: +1 325 676-7330
  address: 1095 North Judge Ely Blvd
  The college-town burrito joint inside United Supermarkets. Try the local improvement on Chipotle. Go for the seasoned chips and Spicy Ranch. Ask for the Kid's Burrito, its plenty big.

• Remington's Lounge

  phone: +1 325 698-1234
  address: 4250 Ridgemont Dr
  Inside the impressive MCM Elegante Suites, Remington's is a popular local hotspot.

• Seafood Tavern

  phone: +1 325 695-1770
  address: 1882 South Clack St
  The small, dimly-lit bar in Seafood Tavern feels more like a British pub than a west Texas saloon. With live music regularly and a large and comfortable outdoor area, The Tavern is a great place to unwind.

• Jack Rabbit Slim's

  address: 833 East Hwy 80
  Cheap beer, shot specials and a slew of massive projector screens and TVs playing sports and music all night, Slim's is a great hangout.

• Linda's Lounge

  address: 840 Us Highway 80 E
  With a hole-in-the-wall feel, Linda's has 2 pool tables, loud music and cheap drinks. Regularly standing-room only on weekends. Very popular with the local college crowd.

• Buffalo Wild Wings

  phone: +1 325 695-9464
  address: 4401 Ridgemont Dr
  Very popular sports bar. Full menu at all hours.

• Chelsea Street Pub

  address: 4310 Buffalo Gap Rd
  Live music most weekends.

• Cabo's

  address: 1874 S Clack St
  Expansive sports bar with pool tables, darts and numerous TVs.

• Candlewood Suites

  phone: +1 325-437-4741
  address: 3050 Catclaw Dr

• Comfort Inn

  phone: +1 325 437-3773
  address: 6350 Directors Pkwy

• Comfort Suites (North)

  phone: +1 325 672-0338
  address: 1902 E Overland Trl

• Comfort Suites (South)

  phone: +1 325 795-8500
  address: 3165 S Danville Dr

• Courtyard by Marriot

  phone: +1 325 695-9600
  address: 4350 Ridgemont Dr
  Quaint, quiet and comfortable hotel.

• Hampton Inn

  phone: +1 325 695-0044
  address: 3917 Ridgemont Dr

• Hampton Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 325 673-4400
  address: 3526 West Lake Rd

• Hilton Garden Inn

  phone: +1 325 690-6432
  address: 4449 Ridgemont Dr
  Large rooms, convention space and an indoor pool.

• Holiday Inn Express (North)

  phone: +1 325 675-9800
  address: 1802 E. Overland Trail

• Holiday Inn Express (South)

  phone: +1 325 695-0500
  address: 3112 South Clack St

• LaQuinta Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 325 437-4832
  address: 3018 Catclaw Ave

• MCM Elegante Suites

  phone: +1 325 698-1234
  address: 4250 Ridgemont Dr
  Built as an Embassy Suites, MCM Elegante remains Abilene's premiere hotel. Lovely 2-room suites, a full-service restaurant and ample meeting space.

• Residence Inn

  phone: +1 325 677-8700
  address: 1641 Musgrave Blvd

• Lake Fort Phantom, north of town, is a popular lake for sport fishing.