Photo provided by Dawn M.
A weekend getaway to Abilene, TX, aka Storybook Capital of America!
Road trips are always entertaining, whether a school holiday, summer, or ordinary weekend. But when we ventured west to Abilene, we found that our road trip was a bit educational too! Here is how to have a fantastic weekend getaway to Abilene, TX.
Abilene, just a 2-hour drive from Fort Worth, is known for its cowboy charm, the frontier land, and hospitality around every corner. While on our trip, we discovered an endless list of family fun. Because we were traveling with children ranging in age from 3 to 14, we needed to hold everyone’s attention with activities throughout the day.
This post was part of a sponsored project that included lodging, meals, and compensation. The opinions reflected are honest and based on the individual blogger’s experience.
Related: Summer Getaways In Texas
Our Family Weekend Getaway To Abilene, TX
First stop – Frontier, Texas
You can put on your cowboy boots to discover the wonders of the Old West. You will meet several “spirit guides” as you wander through the museum, discovering years of history on the prairies and frontier settlements.
Visiting Frontier was a great way to start our day, as we learned about the land we were standing on and how Abilene came to be. Frontier, Texas! was educational and interactive, and after walking out of one of the theaters, my children asked for more!
Related: Texas Towns With Special Titles
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe
The Storybook Capital of America – Abilene, TX
My family and I had to find out why Abilene holds the Storybook Capital of America title!
We ventured to downtown Abilene to see larger-than-life storybook characters greeting us. We saw The Cat in The Hat, The Lorax, Three Little Kittens, Stuart Little, and more friends we quickly recognized from our favorite classic storybooks. My 3-year-old loved this, as did my other children. More than 25 statues can be found on a “goose chase” scavenger hunt through the garden.
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature
Nearby, you can visit the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, which features exhibits showcasing the works of celebrated children’s book artists and hands-on art activities every Saturday. We happened to be visiting right then and joined to make eggs for Easter. I loved that my children were off their electronics and hands-on with activities!
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
Rockin Rollerz For Lunch
Our next stop was Rockin Rollerz for lunch, and I am ever-so-grateful that we picked this restaurant out of the many eateries Abilene has to offer.
Rockin Rollerz was once a food truck serving cooked-to-order craft burgers using the freshest ingredients the owners could buy. After making a name for themselves and winning several awards, the food truck business moved into a brick-and-mortar building.
If you’re going for a weekend getaway to Abilene, TX, you must eat here. You’ll quickly learn that food is a passion at Rockin Rollerz. The fun and relaxing environment and customer service didn’t disappoint, either.
What does it mean to be a Rockin Roller? It means that you do things your way. It’s about being true to yourself – that everyone should follow the path they choose through life.
My 9-year-old already asked to return for his birthday, which isn’t for another five months. He loved his burger. Each of us could say the same.
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
The Grace Museum
After lunch, with buttons popping at the seams, we headed to The Grace Museum. The Grace, located in the heart of downtown in a historic building, is an AAM accredited museum. Changing exhibits feature the best of Texas art, past and present, within the context of American art.
The Children’s Museum, located on the 2nd floor of The Grace, offers hands-on learning activities with various educational programs for all ages. There, you can make music, discover the systems in your body, perform on a theater stage, drive an ambulance, and so much more. The museum was a great way to get out our energy and gain more educational insights.
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
On another floor of The Grace, you can see a timeline of kitchens, which my teenagers found quite interesting. There were lots of questions that even my husband and I couldn’t answer! I loved seeing the changes and knowing how far we’ve come with technology.
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
Visit The Abilene Zoo
Day 2 started with a trip to The Abilene Zoo, with more than 1,000 animals representing 250 species. We were excited to enjoy the beautiful weather and spend the morning exploring. Put this on your weekend getaway to Abilene, Texas.
Our favorite exhibit was Giraffe Safari. Zoo-goers can feed the giraffes for a small fee, and trust me when I say “do it!” Each of us laughed as the giraffes got a bit up close and personal!
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
We also fed the fish and watched snakes hunt for lunch. Make sure you check out the reptile house — those snakes were slithering all around their habitats!
Photo provided by Dawn Monroe.
Paramount Theatre
Before leaving the area, we stopped by the Paramount Theatre, which opened in 1930. The fully restored theatre now features concerts, live theatre, touring shows, classic films, and more! Inside, you’ll see two grand staircases, artwork on the ceilings, a 1200-seat auditorium, and more! (Don’t miss the hand-blown chandeliers!) You can go inside for a free, self-guided tour!
With so much to do on your weekend getaway to Abilene, Texas, you’ll want to check out the Round-Up Pass, which provides access to six of Abilene’s best attractions at a reduced cost. My family of 6 enjoyed all the venues mentioned in this article for less than $70, plus meals (2019).
My husband and I learned a lot about Texas, and my children picked up fun facts along the way. The pass can be purchased at any participating venue or the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau.
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