How does Abilene compare to Austin, San Antonio & Houston? (San Angelo: hotels, home)

[370z]

I have never been to Abilene, but have been to Austin, San Antonio & Houston. What's Abilene like compared to any of them? As far as things to do, scenery, etc? Or is there no comparison? Thanks.

[WillysB]

Abilene might be like Nevada, without Las Vegas. Or hookers. At least there's no Harry Reid.

[teatime]

Bufford,
Well, for one, it's MUCH smaller than the cities you mentioned, LOL. Abilene itself has a population of about 115,000. I don't know how many live in the outskirts.

However, for a city its size, Abilene ranks pretty high up in Texas tourist destinations. The scenery around the city is quite lovely. We have the mountains/ridges of the Callahan Divide, a couple of lakes, and lots of countryside. We have a very pretty restored downtown with a beautiful old theater, shops in the restored railroad depot, old hotels, etc. There's a state-of-the-art museum called Frontier Texas that gives the history of the area and storytelling through hologram guides. We also have quite a few art museums and the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Not to be missed is the 12th Armored Division (Hellcats) Museum -- it's a wealth of memorabilia and history from World War II and Camp Barkeley. There are usually veterans from the division on hand to tell their stories. We also have an adorable zoo that is growing and just an inexpensive, lovely way to spend an afternoon. (Admission is just $4!)

Near Abilene is the village of Buffalo Gap. GORGEOUS scenery and a historic village you can tour, plus a section of quaint, fun shops. If you continue on several miles from Buffalo Gap, you get to Abilene State Park which is a great place to picnic, swim, hike and camp. Part of the official state Longhorn herd is here, too.

Anyone coming to Abilene should get the "Round-Up Pass." It only costs $15 and it provides admission to Frontier Texas, the zoo, the 12th Armored Division Museum, a discount at the Grace Museum, and the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. The city visitors center is downtown at Frontier Texas (N. 2nd Street, I believe) and you can buy the pass there.

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by WillysB

Abilene might be like Nevada, without Las Vegas. Or hookers. At least there's no Harry Reid.

Why do you even bother?

[370z]

Originally Posted by teatime

Bufford,
Well, for one, it's MUCH smaller than the cities you mentioned, LOL. Abilene itself has a population of about 115,000. I don't know how many live in the outskirts.

However, for a city its size, Abilene ranks pretty high up in Texas tourist destinations. The scenery around the city is quite lovely. We have the mountains/ridges of the Callahan Divide, a couple of lakes, and lots of countryside. We have a very pretty restored downtown with a beautiful old theater, shops in the restored railroad depot, old hotels, etc. There's a state-of-the-art museum called Frontier Texas that gives the history of the area and storytelling through hologram guides. We also have quite a few art museums and the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Not to be missed is the 12th Armored Division (Hellcats) Museum -- it's a wealth of memorabilia and history from World War II and Camp Barkeley. There are usually veterans from the division on hand to tell their stories. We also have an adorable zoo that is growing and just an inexpensive, lovely way to spend an afternoon. (Admission is just $4!)

Near Abilene is the village of Buffalo Gap. GORGEOUS scenery and a historic village you can tour, plus a section of quaint, fun shops. If you continue on several miles from Buffalo Gap, you get to Abilene State Park which is a great place to picnic, swim, hike and camp. Part of the official state Longhorn herd is here, too.

Anyone coming to Abilene should get the "Round-Up Pass." It only costs $15 and it provides admission to Frontier Texas, the zoo, the 12th Armored Division Museum, a discount at the Grace Museum, and the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. The city visitors center is downtown at Frontier Texas (N. 2nd Street, I believe) and you can buy the pass there.

Thank you that was very helpful.

[bb54321]

It doesn't compare at all. don't waste your time

[EmergencyOps]

Originally Posted by teatime

Bufford,
However, for a city its size, Abilene ranks pretty high up in Texas tourist destinations. The scenery around the city is quite lovely. We have the mountains/ridges of the Callahan Divide, a couple of lakes, and lots of countryside. We have a very pretty restored downtown with a beautiful old theater, shops in the restored railroad depot, old hotels, etc. There's a state-of-the-art museum called Frontier Texas that gives the history of the area and storytelling through hologram guides. We also have quite a few art museums and the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Not to be missed is the 12th Armored Division (Hellcats) Museum -- it's a wealth of memorabilia and history from World War II and Camp Barkeley. There are usually veterans from the division on hand to tell their stories. We also have an adorable zoo that is growing and just an inexpensive, lovely way to spend an afternoon. (Admission is just $4!)

Near Abilene is the village of Buffalo Gap. GORGEOUS scenery and a historic village you can tour, plus a section of quaint, fun shops. If you continue on several miles from Buffalo Gap, you get to Abilene State Park which is a great place to picnic, swim, hike and camp. Part of the official state Longhorn herd is here, too.

Thanks for the great info. My fiancee is looking at Abilene because there are great employment opportunities for Physical Therapists. I have only driven through on the way to San Angelo, with the exception of traveling to a high school playoff game in 2002.

[marmac]

(side note) every time I see the name of the town--"Abilene"--it reminds me of the summer after I graduated from high school and the car radio would be playing-----

"Abilene,Abilene, prettiest town I've ever seen."
"Women there don't treat you mean in Abilene, myyyyyyyAbilene"

Yup, hearing that song in Minnesota made me curious about Abilene.
Hope the lyrics are still true today (45 years later

[WillysB]

I think that was Abilene, Kansas.

[Cowboybootnut]

From the Abilene Texas Covention and Tourist Bureau website.....

"Abilene" Song

Songwriter Bob Gibson, came up with the 1956 tune, never even laying eyes on Abilene until several months before the city’s centennial in 1981 when he came here with the Kerrville Folk Singers.

Gibson said he had neither Abilene, Kansas nor Texas, in mind when he wrote the song. He used the name Abilene, because of the unique sound. He was sitting around singing, “Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I’ve ever seen”, when he decided, with fellow songwriter, Les Brown, to turn it into a full-fledged song. He said nothing rhymes with Chicago, his home town! Much of the song sums up things true to Abilene.

Good song no matter which town.