Located 155 mi/240 km west of Dallas, Abilene is no-nonsense and conservative, but it's capable of having a good time. The economy of this former Texas & Pacific railhead is based primarily on agriculture and oil.
The Abilene Zoo emphasizes animals from Texas, the Southwest and Central America but also includes species from Africa. Highlights include giraffes, African elephants, jaguars and ocelots. Two historic sites are a short drive from Abilene. Fort Phantom Hill is the lonely, crumbling ruins of an 1850s Army post. Buffalo Gap Historic Village is a group of restored buildings from what was once the county seat. It includes an 1800s doctor's office, a bank and a railroad depot. http://www.buffalogap.com.
Abilene State Recreation Area has a spring-fed pool for swimming or just cooling off. If you're in town in May, don't miss the Western Heritage Classic, a rodeo where all the cowboys are really cowboys (http://www.westernheritageclassic.com). The West Texas Fair is held in Abilene every September. See http://www.abilenetx.com for more information.
