Here’s an excellent family weekend getaway to Abilene, TX.
Road trips are always entertaining, whether on a school holiday, in the summer months, or on a family weekend getaway. But when you venture to Abilene in West Texas, you’ll find it can be a bit educational too! There are 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, aka, the Storybook Capital of America (not Texas).
Just over a 2-hour drive from Fort Worth, Abilene, Texas, is known for its wild west cowboy charm, frontier land, vibrant art scene, and hospitality around every corner. While there, you’ll discover endless family fun. Also, Abilene Christian University is the college in town every future theologist wants to attend.
A Family Weekend Getaway To Abilene, TX
If you are traveling with children of all ages – toddler to teen, it will be easy to hold everyone’s attention with activities in this town. After reading here about 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 every child needs to do!
The Storybook Capital Of America – Abilene, Texas
Do you know why Abilene holds the Storybook Capital of America title?
Abilene, Texas, is home to America’s largest collection of storybook sculptures. And it’s all free to see!
Venture downtown Abilene to see the larger-than-life storybook characters. You’ll see The Cat in The Hat, The Lorax, Three Little Kittens, Stuart Little, Three Little Pigs, and more friends your kids will quickly recognize from their favorite children’s books at home.
More than 25 statues, including one that stands out (Jacob’s Dream Sculpture), can be found on a “goose chase” scavenger hunt through the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden.
Travel Tip: If you’re traveling to Abilene 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. During springtime, your kids can join in on the fun of making Easter eggs. You’ll love that your kids will be off their electronics to do these fun, 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
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 will not disappoint, either.
Question: 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.
The Grace Museum
Head downtown to see one of Abilene’s most unique museums – The Grace Museum. It’s 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, 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 is a great way to get out kids’ energy and gain more educational insights.
On another floor of the museum, you can see a timeline of kitchens, which teenagers will find quite amusing. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t know everything about this era – it’s somewhat of a mystery to most. It’s great to see the changes and to know 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 World War II and its impact on the American people. Browse the gift shop for fun educational items about the war.
Amission: $0-$5
Abilene Zoo
No trip to Abilene is complete without a visit to the zoo. With more than 1,000 animals representing 250 species at the Abilene Zoo, your entire family will be excited to explore it all, hoping there is beautiful weather and the animals are out. Put this attraction on your weekend getaway to Abilene, Texas.
A favorite exhibit is the Giraffe Safari. Zoo-goers can feed the giraffes for a small fee. Be careful, though; the giraffes and very friendly (and hungry), and with their big long tounges, they may get up close and personal, and you may find you’ve just gotten a wet sloppy kiss!
Feed the fish and watch snakes hunt for lunch. Check out the reptile house to see the snakes slither around their habitats! The petting zoo is also worth a see.
If there is time in your visit to the zoo, be sure to visit this Abilene Zoological Gardens – it’s a beaut!
The Historic Paramount Theatre
Before leaving the area, stop 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!)
Travel Tip: 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.
Frontier Texas!
Frontier Texas is a history museum, gift shop, and the official visitor center for Abilene and the Texas Forts Trail Region.
Admission: $5-$10
Mill Wine Bar
The Mill Winery is a family event venue offering outdoor seating with firepits.
Closed Sunday and Wednesday.
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 in Abilene, TX, you may want to check out the Abilene Round-Up Pass if that still exists.
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