Abilene TX,is the seat of Taylor County,home to Dyess Air Force Base and a regional hub for education,distribution,commerce and industry. The city is progressive in its civic life and boasts a vibrant downtown cultural district,which includes educational museums and public artwork.
As the Storybook Capital of America,sculptural depictions of instantly recognizable children’s book characters are everywhere in downtown Abilene.
Paramount Theatre
Built in 1930,the Paramount Theatre was designed by architect David Castle and is best known for its sky-effect ceiling that features passing clouds and twinkling stars. The patio walls are decorated with magnolias,Spanish creeper,and roses. It was used as a cinema until the 1970s when triplexes became more popular. The owners tried to revive the theater by opening it as a country music venue,but that failed.
Fortunately,the theatre was saved from demolition by local preservation efforts. The theatre was restored to its original glory in 1987,and it is now the premier entertainment venue of West Texas. The Paramount hosts a wide range of concerts,musical productions,opera,dance,and private parties. The theatre’s excellent technical facilities make it the premier theatre in the Southwest. The Paramount Theatre is located at 352 Cypress Street in the historic downtown of Abilene. There are parking lots and streets nearby.
Abilene State Park
Abilene State Park is a 529-acre park located southwest of Abilene,Texas. The park features a lake,fishing pond,swimming pool,trails and camping. It is a popular place to visit during the summer and is considered one of the most popular parks in the state by online insurance comparison and marketplace Insuranks.
The park lies in a semi-arid region of short prairie grass,brushland and wooded stream valleys on the Callahan Divide in extreme western North Central Texas. The park is home to many different plant species,including native pecans,Texas red oaks,mesquites,cedars,and junipers. Wildlife include white-tailed rabbits,cottontail deer,raccoons and armadillos. Birds like the Mississippi kite and greater roadrunner.
Two different CCC companies built many of the red sandstone features along the park’s trails between September 1934 and December 1935. Sandstone was also used to build a concession,picnic tables and pavilions.
Mill Wine Bar & Event Center
The Mill Wine Bar is a wine bar and event center in Abilene. It is a unique venue that offers a variety of wines,cocktails,and appetizers. The venue is a favorite for weddings. The venue is situated in a renovated warehouse with brick walls,industrial windows,and hardwood floors.
The venue has a wide selection of wine and beer,including craft beers. The bar is open every day of the week. The bar has a friendly staff and a cozy atmosphere. In addition to wine and beer,the Mill also serves appetizers and desserts.
It is easy to get to the Mill Wine Bar & Event Center using Lyft. Enter your destination and address,and the app shows you how to reach it. Uber allows you to book a ride. You can choose between a shared or a private ride. Prices may vary depending upon the time of day and traffic delays.
Frontier Texas
The museum is unique,using state-of-the-art technology to bring history of Texas’ frontier to life. Even kids will find the experience very interesting and interactive. You can feel the terror of a wolf attack or the chaos of a buffalo stampede. You can also participate in a card game shootout or hear stories of the people that made West Texas what it is today.
Six different exhibits are available: A Wild Land; Comanche Empire; The Buffalo Hide Trade; Military on the Frontier; Cowboys and Longhorns and Frontier Settlements. Each section is packed with detailed historical information and amazing artifacts. However,the real draw is the holograms.