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: between 2 1/2 and 3 hrs, depending on traffic and where you start.
From San Angelo: Take US-277 North to Abilene. Time: about 1 1/2 hrs.
From Lubbock: Take US-84 to Sweetwater, there US-84 mirdges with I-20. Continue on I-20 East until US-84 brakes off of I-20 and continue on US-84. Time: about 3 hrs.
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 hrs depending on traffic.
Abilene Zoo, 2070 Zoo Lane (in Nelson Park), 325 676 6085, [1]. Fifth largest zoo in the state.
T&P Depot, 1101 N. 1st Street, +1 325 676-2556, 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 1920's. The depot is currently the home of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cultural Affairs Council. Admission is free.
Western Heritage Classic, at the Expo Center of Taylor County, 1700 Highway 36, 325 677 4376, [2]. 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, 1600 Campus Court (Take Judge Ely Blvd north from Business 20. ACU will be on your left just north of EN 16th street.), ☎ (325) 674-2000. 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.edit
Hardin-Simmons University, 2200 Hickory St, ☎ (325) 670-1000. Founded in 1891, HSU is a private Baptist liberal arts university. With a small, beautiful campus, HSU is worth a peek.edit
McMurry University, 1401 Sayles Blvd, ☎ (325) 793-3800. Founded in 1923, McMurry is a small, tightly knit community of students and educators. Located in Abilene's bustling south side.edit
Buffalo Gap Historic Village, 133 N Willams St. (Take Buffalo Gap Road (FM-89) south for 9 miles and follow the signs), ☎ 1 325 572 3365, [3]. M-Sa:10AM-5PM Sunday:12PM-5PM. Adult: $5 Senior/Military: $4 Students (K-12): $3 Children under 5 yrs: FREE. edit
Century 12 by Cinemark, 3818 John Knox Dr, ☎ (325) 793-9292. Abilene's newest and largest theater. All stadium seating.edit
Premier Cinema 10, 4310 Buffalo Gap Rd, ☎ (325) 695-2122. 10-screen theater inside the Mall of Abilene. Recently renovated, all stadium seating. Great bar/restaurant located next door for easy post-movie lounging.edit
Carmike Park Central 6, 3234 S Clack St, ☎ (325) 698-3540. 6-screen theater, recently renovated. All stadium seating. edit
Grace Cultural Center, 102 Cypress St, ☎ (325) 673-4587. 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. edit
Historic Paramount Theater, 352 Cypress St, ☎ (325) 676-9620. 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 as well as screenings of both 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.edit
National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, 102 Cedar St, Abilene, ☎ (325) 673-4586. Tu-Sa 10-4. 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. Just one block from the Grace Museum. Free. edit
Frontier Texas!, 625 N 1st St, ☎ (325) 437-2800. M-Sa 9-6, Sun 1-5. 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.$8 Adults, $6 seniors & military, $5 students & teachers. edit
Mall of Abilene, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road. Anchored by JCPenney, Sears, Dillard's, Best Buy and Books-A-Million. Home to dozens of smaller specialty clothing and gift stores and restaurants.edit
The Shops at Abilene, 3417 Catclaw Drive. 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.edit
Cypress Street Station, 158 Cypress St, 325 676 3463. Popular local barbecue/steakhouse.
Lytle Land & Cattle Co, 1150 E South 11th St, 325 677 1925, [4]. Great steak and seafood.
Szechuan Chinese Restaurant, 3425 S 1st St, 325 673 9100. Decent Chinese fare with large portions.
Tamolly's Mexican Restaurant, 4400 Ridgemont Dr, 325 698 2000, [5]. Good Tex-Mex. Try the no. 8 combo.
Perini Ranch Steakhouse, 3002 FM 89, ☎ (325) 572-3464. Famously good steaks. Voted best burger in America by the Today show in 2009. Catered several of President Bush's events.edit
The Beehive, 442 Cedar Street, ☎ (325) 675-0600. Wonderful and well-priced casual fine dining in the heart of downtown.edit
Copper Creek, 4401 Loop 322, ☎ (325) 692-4424. closed Sundays. Fine Texas Dining: unsurpassed atmosphere and wonderful waitstaff coupled with delicious food and potent drinks. edit
Sharky's Burrito Inc, 1095 North Judge Ely Boulevard, ☎ 325-676-7330. 11AM-9PM. 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.6.00. edit
Remington's Lounge, 4250 Ridgemont Dr, ☎ (325) 698-1234. Located inside the impressive MCM Elegante Suites, Remington's is a popular local hotspot.edit
Seafood Tavern, 1882 South Clack Street, ☎ (325) 695-1770. 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.edit
Jack Rabbit Slim's, 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.edit
Linda's Lounge, 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.edit
Buffalo Wild Wings, 4401 Ridgemont Dr, ☎ (325) 695-9464. Very popular sports bar. Full menu at all hours.edit
Chelsea Street Pub, 4310 Buffalo Gap Rd. Located in the Mall of Abilene next to Premier Cinema. Live music most weekends.edit
Cabo's, 1874 S Clack St. Expansive sports bar with pool tables, darts and numerous TVs.edit
Comfort Inn, 6350 Directors Pkwy, ☎ (325) 437-3773. Across the street from Abilene Regional Medical Center. Convenient to US 83/84 and Lake Kirby, Fairway Oaks Country Club and entire southern medical district.edit
Comfort Suites (North), 1902 E Overland Trl, ☎ (325) 672-0338. Convenient to Universities & Hendrick Medical Center.edit
Comfort Suites (South), 3165 S Danville Dr, ☎ (325) 795-8500. Convenient to shopping & dining.edit
Courtyard by Marriot, 4350 Ridgemont Dr, ☎ (325) 695-9600. Quaint, quiet and comfortable hotel just across from the Mall of Abilene.edit
Hampton Inn, 3917 Ridgemont Dr, ☎ (325) 695-0044. Everything you have come to expect from Hampton Inn in the heart of Abilene's shopping district. Located just west of US 83/84.edit
Hampton Inn & Suites, 3526 West Lake Road, ☎ (325) 673-4400. Recently constructed just off of I-20 in far north Abilene. Extremely convenient to HSU and ACU, Hendrick Medical Center and the airport.edit
Hilton Garden Inn, 4449 Ridgemont Dr, ☎ (325) 690-6432. One of Abilene's newest hotels, the HGI is in the heart of Abilene's commercial district. With large rooms, convention space and an indoor pool, it has everything you could ask for.edit
Holiday Inn Express (North), 1802 E. Overland Trail, ☎ (325) 675-9800. Located just off of I-20. Convenient to Wal*Mart, ACU, HSU, Hendrick Medical Center & Airport.edit
Holiday Inn Express (South), 3112 South Clack St, ☎ (877) 863-4780. Just off of US 83/84 convenient to Wal*Mart and shopping & dining.edit
MCM Elegante Suites, 4250 Ridgemont Dr, ☎ (325) 698-1234. Originally built as an Embassy Suites, MCM Elegante remains Abilene's premiere hotel. Lovely 2-room suites, a full-service restaurant and amble meeting space. Directly across from the Mall of Abilene and very convenient to all major highways and venues.edit
Residence Inn by Marriot, 1641 Musgrave Blvd, ☎ (325) 677-8700. Located on I-20 in Abilene's newest commercial hotspot, the Residence Inn is barely a year old. Extremely convenient to ACU and HSU as well as the Abilene airport.edit
