Abilene Travel Information
Once a buffalo hunting ground, then a railroad town, Abilene is now
known for ranching, agriculture and oil. It’s also known as "the
buckle of the Bible Belt," since the three local universities have
strong Christian ties, and there are a large number of churches in
town. Abilene preserves its Old West past while emerging as a cultural
center and spirited college town. Grace Cultural Center, housed
in the restored 1909 Grace Hotel, has three museums under one roof:
the Art Museum, the Children's Museum and the Historical Museum
(focusing on Abilene history). A relatively new attraction is the
National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, which includes
exhibits of work from William Joyce and other well-known children's
book illustrators. About ten miles out of Abilene is Buffalo Gap
Historic Village, made up of several hundred-year-old buildings that
represent the Old West. In nearby Albany, Stasney's Cook Ranch,
a 25,000-acre cattle ranch, has a variety of outdoor activities such
as mountain biking, trail rides, hiking, shooting and hunting. Abilene
State Park, a little less than 530 acres along Elm Creek, was once
home to Comanche Indians. Today, camper, tent and primitive camping,
picnics, hiking and fishing are just a few of the activities
available. Nearby Lake Abilene is a popular picnic and fishing
spot. Located about 180 miles due west of Dallas/Fort Worth,
Abilene is in West Central Texas, close to the geographical center of
the state. It's easily accessible by four major highways: I-20,
Highway 84 East/West, and Highways 83 and 277 North/South.
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