Actually going to be there for a couple of days. Whats some fun things to do for the kiddos?

Big12

If some Abilene folks don't chime in shortly you may have to contact the Abilene Chamber of Commerce or the Visitors Bureau. But I have read about a fairly new western Texas theme museum there now that is state of museum art. If you get directions post them here because I want to see it also. Also, B-1 bombers, C-130s and helicopters taking off and landing at Dyess AFB. Maybe some activities at the Fair Grounds. And in August in Abilene you may even see a coyote chasing a jackrabbit and both of them walking.

There is also a zoo.

first off, why are you coming to abilene.
secondly, there is nothing to do here.
i just moved here though, so i can't tell you for sure.

The zoo is pretty cool, especially the Giraffe pen if it is still there. It s a nice small zoo, but a little of everything. Use the reptile and fish areas to cool off though!
I thought they had a children's museum also, though I have never been to it.
http://www.abilene.com/visitors/center-attractions.html

Big 12-0 isn't exactly sure why he will be in Abilene, either.

Thanks for all the info! I do remember the zoo from several years ago, especially the bridge of the giraffe's cage. And the Children's museum is something I didn't know about.

Keep it comiung, we'll have two days there.

Bring some wire cutters and try to break into the airbase, should be one hell of a time!

Prefaced by saying that I grew up in Abilene, but have been back one time in the last 8 years:

Frontier Texas is that new western museum and most people say they did a very nice job.

The downtown area is small but nice. The Paramount Theater is great. Check to see if anything might be going on that weekend. There is also another well done museum downtown. I believe it's called The Grace.

Joe Allen's BBQ - a must.

If someone in the family is interested in Americana, travel down South 1st Street -- that is old Hwy 80, known in earlier times as the "Bankhead Highway", and in those pre-I10 days was more famous in Texas than Route 66. Still standing along South 1st are remains of 30s-40s era "Tourist Courts", the precursors of present day motels. (don't plan to stay in one! -- even though some probably still in use.

Sorry I'm late to the party. . .


Frontier Texas !
http://frontiertexas.com/index.html
The 100 years from 1780 - 1880 that this area was the edge of the western frontier told through the stories of actual historical figures. 3D holographic "spirit guides" tell you their stories in an unbelievable state of the art museum attraction.

The Zoo has been mentioned

The Grace Museum houses an art museum, historical museum and children's museum.
http://www.thegracemuseum.org/

For history buffs, Abilene is in the center of the Texas Forts Trail. 1850-1880 era forts that stretched from Jacksboro to Eldorado.
http://www.texasfortstrail.com/

The Buffalo Gap Historic Village
http://www.buffalogap.com/

The 12th Armored division Museum - they trained at Camp Barkley near here during WWII and were part of Patton's push to the Rhine in 1945
http://www.12tharmoreddivision.com/museum.html

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature
The Center for Contemporary Art
The Paramount Theatre
and other downtown features

The convention and visitors bureau
http://abilene.com/visitors/




I am TheSheik


[This message has been edited by TheSheik (edited 8/7/2005 4:11p).]

WreckinCru,
maybe you can find something to do on this list. . .


Museums, Attractions & Galleries
Frontier Texas! – 625 N. 1st – 437-2800

Abilene Zoo-676-6487- Nelson Park at Highway 36 and Loop 322. Sunset Safari on Thursday evenings, Summer Concert Series begins at 7:00 p.m. and the Zoo stays open until 9:00! Tonight, entertainment by Catclaw Creek.

Center for Contemporary Arts – 220 Cypress St. - 325-677-8389
Gallery I “Exploring Revelations”
Gallery II “The World of Oman”, photography by Bill Wright
Gallery III West Texas Photographic Society Exhibit

The Grace Museum - 102 Cypress St. - 325-673-4587 – Sculptures by John Queen through Aug 13; Mental Health/Mental Illness by Michael Nye through August 25; “Treasures from the Vault”. Grace Museum is the first museum in Texas to offer PodCasting!

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) 102 Cypress St. - 325-673-4586 - Free children activities. Through Sept. 24, Building Books: The Art of David McCaulay.

Buffalo Gap Historic Village – 133 N. William St. Buffalo Gap-572-3365.

Upcoming Activities
Aug 11 Artwalk, Historic Downtown Abilene, 5:00-8:30 p.m.

11 “Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events” Art Film– 7:30 p.m. - Paramount Theatre – 676-9620

12-14 Big Country Barrel Bananza Ogden 8 and Under – Expo Center – 677-4376

13 BLM Wild Horse and Burrow Adoption – Expo Center – 677-4376

13-14 Texas Gun & Knife Show – Civic Center – 676-6211

16 “A Little Night Music” - Featuring Anna Barnett playing solo violin. Advance ticket purchase required.
7:30 p.m. 325-677-6710, Philharmonic

18-20 Bev Ball Volleyball Classic Tournament

20 Art in the Park - Local artists art market - Play Faire Park, 2300 N. 2nd. Free to artists and shoppers and just added fun for golfers 672-2977, Play Faire Park

20-21 Ward Brothers Ropings – Senior Team Roping – Expo Center – 677-4376

22-24 Independent Insurance Agents Big “I” Day

24-25 Abilene Board of Realtors Mini Convention

25 West Texas Rehab Center Joint Venture- Dinner and show featuring Crystal Gayle. Abilene Civic Center 6:30 p.m. 793-3527, Fran Massengale 676-6211, Civic Center

25-27 “A Grand Night of Singing” – Dinner Theatre – ACU Fulks Theatre – 674-2787

26-27 GoFridayNight.com Champions Classic – Three great high school football games
WHERE: Shotwell Stadium, Abilene, Texas (capacity 15,075)
WHO: Ballinger vs. Clyde (7:30 p.m., Aug. 26);
Southlake Carroll vs. Midland Lee (2 p.m., Aug. 27);
Abilene High vs. Lubbock Monterey (7 p.m., Aug. 27).
KTXA (Dallas/Fort Worth);
KTAB (Abilene);
KLBK (Lubbock);
KMID (Midland/Odessa);
KLST (San Angelo) and
KCIT (Amarillo).

26-28 Texas Best Barrel Racing – Expo Center – 677-4376

30-31 Vee Corp presents “Dragon Tales” – Abilene Civic Center – 676-6211






I am TheSheik


[This message has been edited by TheSheik (edited 8/7/2005 4:26p).]