City centre Abilene captures Texas frontier spirit with well-preserved historic buildings and cultural gems. The ornate Paramount Theatre lights up evenings with films and performances. Art lovers can explore the Grace Museum's contemporary galleries and the whimsical National Centre for Children's Illustrated Literature. Limestone facades and tree-shaded streets create a charming atmosphere for leisurely walks. The compact six-block core houses boutique shops, local eateries, and art galleries. Regular events like ArtWalk bring the community together in this authentic Texan city centre.
The SoDA District transforms Abilene's old warehouses into a thriving arts community. Red brick buildings now house galleries, studios, and craft breweries where local creativity flourishes. Wide streets connect these industrial spaces where painters and sculptors work in converted warehouses. Thursday through Saturday evenings bring this district to life with live music and bustling brewpubs. Farm-to-table restaurants serve Texas-inspired cuisine in spaces featuring exposed beams and concrete floors. Colourful murals brighten building exteriors while art enthusiasts browse through unique, locally-made treasures.
Discover the most popular places to visit in Abilene
Hardin Simmons University
8.8/10 (254 reviews)
Founded in 1891, Hardin-Simmons University blends Christian faith with academic excellence across its picturesque campus. Visitors can explore the historic grounds and attend cultural events throughout the academic year.
Abilene Christian University
9.2/10 (544 reviews)
This Christian university blends faith with academics on a campus dotted with sculptures and green spaces. Visit the Hunter Welcome Centre first to get maps and information about the NCAA Division I Wildcat Stadium.
Mall of Abilene
8.4/10 (638 reviews)
This regional shopping destination offers a blend of retail, dining, and entertainment under one roof. Explore anchor stores like JCPenney and Dillard's, then catch a film at the Premiere Cinema 10.
Taylor County Expo Center
8.4/10 (217 reviews)
This versatile Abilene venue hosts the West Texas Fair & Rodeo and equestrian competitions. Experience the excitement of rodeo culture or attend one of the many concerts and trade shows throughout the year.
McMurry University
8.2/10 (209 reviews)
McMurry University offers intimate liberal arts education with small classes and a tight-knit community feel. Explore the Garrison United Methodist Campus Centre to experience the heart of student life and activities.
Abilene Zoo
8.8/10 (337 reviews)
Home to over 1,000 animals across 250 species, the Abilene Zoo offers close encounters with wildlife in a family-friendly setting. Hand-feed giraffes at the Safari exhibit or explore the Wetlands Boardwalk.
Kirby Lake
8.0/10 (89 reviews)
This 740-acre reservoir in Abilene offers prime fishing for catfish, bass, and crappie in a peaceful setting. Bring binoculars to spot diverse bird species during spring and fall migrations.
Fort Phantom Hill
9.2/10 (18 reviews)
Stone chimneys stand sentinel at this 1851 US Army post, telling tales of frontier life on the Texas plains. Wander among the ruins and imagine soldiers' daily struggles in this atmospheric historical site.
Abilene Hotel Deals
Doubletree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center
"Upholstery on desk chair split with stuffing coming out
Coffee maker too high on cabinet to use easily and was broken.
Bottom of door to bathroom taped
Door hinge to closet taped
Not enough plugs for charging accessories"
"We checked in our room and there was a dirty rag left in top of the toilet. Leftover food from a previous guest was also still in the room. There was no smoke detector as it had been pulled off and the wires left exposed. The bed was badly stained as well. We left after only two hours and were not refunded. We paid $180 for one night and it was not suitable to stay in. Very disappointed that management would not refund our money for a room that should never have been rented in its condition."
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
You can snap up a holiday package to this top destination on Expedia. However, how much your holiday to Abilene costs will depend on the season, length of stay and hotel choice.
What are the cheapest months to go to Abilene?
You can generally find lower prices and better availability in January, February and November. Check out our cheap Abilene holiday packages and you could score some excellent off-season deals.
How many days is enough for Abilene?
Abilene holidays come in various shapes and sizes, but to really sink your teeth into this place, we reckon 2 days is a good ballpark. In this timeframe, you can visit top attractions like Amy Graves Ryan Little Theatre and Abilene Zoo and seek out some underrated gems. Don't skip cool neighbourhoods such as Original Town North and Elmwood Area either. If you're clever with your time, you may even be able to take a day trip or two from Abilene too.
Is it worth booking a holiday package to Abilene?
Abilene has everything you need for a fantastic break — views, history and family-friendly attractions are just the start. Whether you'd like to check out sights like Town and Country Drive-in and Centre for Contemporary Arts, or venture off the beaten track, you'll find plenty to do on your Abilene holiday.
How to find the best Abilene package deals?
Use Expedia's filter tool to find some tempting Abilene package deals. When you begin your search, simply set your maximum budget and then order the results by "Price: low to high." If you want to save, plan your trip for midweek, or search for Abilene package deals in the off-season. Switch up your travel dates and you may score even better discounts. As a rule of thumb, it's usually best to book your holiday package well in advance.
Is it cheaper to book an Abilene holiday as a package?
Expedia holiday packages are designed to make your money go further. Bundle your flight, hotel and car rental into one great-value price and enjoy significant savings. You'll generally land a better deal than booking each component individually. And you'll still enjoy the flexibility to create a tailored Abilene holiday by choosing your preferred airline, accommodation type and car class.
When to book a holiday package to Abilene?
If you're planning a spontaneous Abilene adventure, browse our last-minute deals that can be booked up to one week before you take off. Don't want to leave things to the last minute? You can land sensational deals on your hotels and flights by booking ahead.
How to plan a trip to Abilene?
Pick your travel dates: The things you want to do in Abilene and your preferred season will help you decide when to get away.
Figure out your budget: Make sure you have enough money to cover everything from food and transportation to experiences and flights. Your hotel will probably be the largest expense during your trip to Abilene.
Decide how long to go away for: Now that you're more familiar with Abilene, you can work out the ideal length of your holiday. Create a draft plan and allocate enough time to get through everything on your must-do list.
Bundle your bookings: With your travel dates in order, you can combine your flights, car rental, hotels and more into a customised Abilene holiday package.
* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.