A Whole Lotta' Texas Goin' On!

All over the world men, women and children are fascinated by the “Wild West.” Today in Abilene, that intriguing story is told by life-size holograms at Frontier Texas!, thru Texas-sized events like Western Heritage Classic and in Abilene only festivals, like the authentic country music fest Outlaws and Legends! Spend a few days scouting this legendary area - a place where western heritage is both a birthright and a pastime. Take in Abilene’s spirited venues, picture yourself in the Storybook Capital of Texas and savor our renowned dining that’s truly in a class of its own. Abilene has a whole lotta' Texas goin' on! 

Go Wild at the Abilene Zoo

Discover the wonderful world of wildlife at the Abilene Zoo! Home to more than 1,000 animals from around the globe, a visit to the Abilene Zoo is filled with fun and excitement for animal lovers of all ages.

Get up close and personal with a giraffe at Giraffe Safari. Check out lions, camels, a white tiger, black rhinoceros and other African species, while the king cobra and 70 other reptiles await you in the Reptile House. Meet animals from the tropics in the colorful Caribbean Cove or meet dozens of native species in Elm Creek Backyard.

Treat yourself to a hot dog basket and beverage at the Watering Hole and select a souvenir of your visit at the Zoo Store.  Take a tour on the Safari Express Train and a whirl on the Wildlife Carousel.

Meet the Legends of the Untamed West

Located in historic downtown Abilene, Frontier Texas is a western heritage center that allows visitors to relive the Old West through the magic of state-of-the-art technology. Frontier Texas brings the frontier to life and lets visitors meet people who played out their lives on the Texas frontier. Frontier Texas also serves as the official visitor center for Abilene and the Texas Forts Trail Region.

Character Sightings 24/7

You will find characters of every kind in the downtown cultural district, home to the largest public collection of storybook characters. With 24 sculptures (and counting), these characters brand Abilene as the Official Storybook Capital of Texas.

Picture yourself with the six iconic Dr. Seuss sculptures; make friends with William Joyce’s, “Guardians of Childhood;” search for Walter Wick’s beloved character, Seymour; and fall in love with David Shannon’s, "David & Fergus."

Come back year after year and watch our treasured collection grow. The annual Children’s Art and Literacy Festival is a 3 day family friendly event celebrating art, children and literacy and transforms downtown into a magical storybook land. During the event new sculptures are unveiled each year. It’s a must see!

Visit Abilene and know you’ll live happily ever after.