Overview
Abilene is a city in the North Central Plains of Texas, possibly best known as the destination the fictional family of the Abilene paradox travels to.
7 sights · 8 things to do · 8 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Abilene
Abilene Zoo
Fifth largest zoo in the state.
T&P Depot
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 exa…
Abilene Christian University
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 through…
Hardin-Simmons University
Founded in 1891, HSU is a private Baptist liberal arts university. With a small, beautiful campus, HSU is worth a peek.
McMurry University
Founded in 1923, McMurry is a small, tightly knit community of students and educators in Abilene's bustling south side.
Historic Fort Phantom Hill
Spooky remnants of an abandoned 19th century Confederate and US Army frontier fort. There is also the turbid Fort Phantom Hill Lake along the way for those desperate for a swim.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Graham)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ABI Abilene Regional Airport, Abilene — 4 mi away. Directions
- SJT San Angelo Regional Mathis Field, San Angelo — 87 mi away. Directions
- DFW Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth — 161 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Abilene Zoo, Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University
- Lunch The Beehive
- Afternoon Historic Paramount Theater, The Grace Museum
- Dinner Perini Ranch Steakhouse
- Evening Remington's Lounge
Day 2
- Morning T&P Depot, Western Heritage Classic
- Lunch Bogie's
- Afternoon Carmike Park Central 6
- Dinner Cypress Street Station
- Evening Breakers Sports Bar
Day 3
- Morning Historic Fort Phantom Hill
- Lunch Lytle Land & Cattle Co
- Afternoon Century 12 by Cinemark
- Dinner Szechuan Chinese Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
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.
See
See T&P Depot
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.
Do
Do Historic Paramount Theater
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.
Do National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
A small but wonderful museum showcasing the works of children's authors and illustrators. The NCCIL ("nickel") has played host to everyone from the Berenstain Bears to the works of Eric Carle. Exhibits are rotational and admission is free. One block from the Grace Museum.
Do Frontier Texas!
A museum that tries to encapsulate life as it was on the Western frontier around Abilene, with a museum, gift shop, visitor center, and theater showing "Blood and Treasure on the Frontier." Out front you'll find a buffalo statue and grounds for the Abilene farmer's market.
Buy
Shop The Shops at Abilene
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.
Shop Walmart South
Shop Walmart North
Eat
Eat Bogie's
Custom-made sandwiches on fresh-baked bread.
Eat Cypress Street Station
Popular local barbecue/steakhouse.
Eat Lytle Land & Cattle Co
Great steak and seafood.
Eat Szechuan Chinese Restaurant
Decent Chinese fare with large portions.
Eat Perini Ranch Steakhouse
Famously good steaks. Voted best burger in America by the Today show in 2009. Catered several of President Bush's events.
Eat The Beehive
Wonderful and well-priced casual fine dining in the heart of downtown.
Eat Copper Creek
Fine Texas dining: unsurpassed atmosphere and wonderful waitstaff coupled with delicious food and potent drinks.
Eat Sharky's Burrito Inc
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.
Drink
Drink Remington's Lounge
Inside the impressive MCM Elegante Suites, Remington's is a popular local hotspot.
Drink Breakers Sports Bar
Expansive sports bar with pool tables, darts and numerous TVs.
Sleep
Stay Comfort Suites (North)
Stay Hampton Inn
Stay Hampton Inn & Suites
Stay Holiday Inn Express (North)
Stay Holiday Inn Express (South)
Stay LaQuinta Inn & Suites
Stay MCM Elegante Suites
Built as an Embassy Suites, MCM Elegante remains Abilene's premiere hotel. Lovely 2-room suites, a full-service restaurant and ample meeting space.
Stay Residence Inn
Go next
- Lake Fort Phantom, north of town, is a popular lake for sport fishing.
Nearby
Stamford
City / town · 3 listings · 35 mi away
Sweetwater
City / town · 4 listings · 39 mi away
Cross Plains
City / town · 40 mi away
Coleman
City / town · 2 listings · 47 mi away
Brownwood
City / town · 5 listings · 67 mi away
Snyder
City / town · 13 listings · 71 mi away
San Angelo
City / town · 55 listings · 79 mi away
My experience
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