Weekend Getaway To Abilene, TX

A family weekend getaway to Abilene, TX, AKA Storybook Capital of America!

Road trips are always entertaining, whether on a school holiday, in the summer months, or on a family weekend getaway. But when we ventured to Abilene in West Texas, we found our road trip was a bit educational too! There were fun things to do, from unique museums, local events, art exhibits, good food, food trucks, and so much more. Here is how to have a fantastic family weekend getaway to Abilene, TX.

Just over a 2-hour drive from Fort Worth, Abilene, Texas, is known for its wild west cowboy charm, frontier land, hospitality around every corner, and Abilene Christian University. While on our trip, we discovered an endless list of family fun. Because we were traveling with children of all ages – toddler to teen, we needed to hold everyone’s attention with activities throughout the day. After reading what all families can do in Abilene, I think you’ll agree that it’s a great place to learn more about Texas and is an educational trip that every child needs to do!

This post was part of a sponsored project with Abilene, TX that included lodging, meals, and compensation. The opinions reflected are honest and based on the individual blogger’s experience.

Related: Holiday Events In West Texas

 

The Storybook Capital Of America – Abilene, Texas

My family and I had to find out why Abilene holds the Storybook Capital of America title!

Did you know Abilene, Texas, is home to America’s largest collections of storybook sculptures? And it’s all free to see!

We ventured to downtown Abilene to see the 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 children’s books at home. My toddler loved this, as did my other children. More than 25 statues can be found on a “goose chase” scavenger hunt through the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden.

Travel Tip: If you’re traveling here in the summer, note that the annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival is in June.

Related: See Other Texas Towns With Special Titles

 

The Storybook Capital Of America – Abilene, Texas

My family and I had to find out why Abilene holds the Storybook Capital of America title!

Did you know Abilene, Texas, is home to America’s largest collections of storybook sculptures? And it’s all free to see!

We ventured to downtown Abilene to see the 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 children’s books at home. My toddler loved this, as did my other children. More than 25 statues can be found on a “goose chase” scavenger hunt through the Adamson-Spalding storybook garden.

Travel Tip: If you’re traveling here in the summer, note that the annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival is in June.

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, interactive exhibits, and children’s art galleries. We happened to be visiting in the spring and joined in to make Easter eggs. I loved that my children were off their electronics and doing these hands-on activities!

Travel Tip: Be sure to download the Adventure Guide or pick one up for free at the T&P Depot.

Rockin’ Rollerz

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. There’s good food here that you’ll want to come back and try something different.

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 and is the perfect place to please all your family members. 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 – everyone should follow their own path through life.

My boy has already asked to return for his birthday. He loved that burger.

The Grace Museum

After lunch, we headed downtown to see one of Abilene’s most unique museums. The Grace Museum is a living museum inside a historic building and is an AAM-accredited museum. Changing exhibits feature the best Texas historical artifacts, 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.

On another floor of the museum, 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 technology has come.

12th Armored Division Memorial Museum

Another museum worth mentioning is the United States Twelfth Armored Division Memorial Museum. It serves as a teaching museum for studying World War II and its impact on the American people. Browse the gift shop for fun educational items about the war.

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 and visiting all the animals. 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!” We laughed as the giraffes got a bit up close and personal!

We also fed the fish and watched snakes hunt for lunch. Make sure to check out the reptile house — those snakes were slithering all around their habitats! The petting zoo is also worth a see.

Paramount Theatre

Before leaving the area, we stopped by the Paramount Theatre. It opened in 1930, but since then, it’s been fully restored and features concerts, a 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! If you’re around for the holidays, there are always a couple of shows about Christmas.

Abilene State Park

Just 16 miles from Abilene is a world of adventure along the shady banks of Elm Creek at the Abilene State Park. Deer and other critters roam the park, and you’ll find many large trees that provide shade for picnics. There is a swimming pool, buffalo wallow pond that you can fish from, and camping for outdoor activities, and Lake Abilene is nearby, which is also a great spot for fishing.

With so much to do on your weekend getaway to Abilene, Texas, you’ll want to check out the Abilene Round-Up Pass, which provides access to Abilene’s best attractions at a reduced cost. Cost – $17-$30. The pass can be purchased online or Abilene Visitor Center.

 

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