Day Trip to Abilene 🤿 (FULL EPISODE) S5 E4

THROWBACK EPISODE - This episode originally aired on PBS on May 8, 2014. Some of the locations may have changed. Check http://thedaytripper.com for the most up-to-date information.

Abilene is the heart of Texas’s “BIG COUNTRY.” It’s a region of our state with big skies with breathtaking sunsets, big prairies and REALLY BIG legends.

I suggest you jump right into its history at Frontier Texas! This amazing museum covers the entire story of the frontier, from the native Indians, to settlers, to buffalo hunters, all the way up to the steam engines that conquered the Wild West. There are holograms, a 360 degree theater and jaw-dropping first-hand stories of the struggles of living on the frontier.

If you want to really dive into Abilene’s military past, I suggest you head to Dyess Air Force Base. They have a small museum open to the public. If you can find an escort to get you inside the gate, you can walk around the aircraft park complete with a B-1 bomber, C-130 and B-17 flying fortress. They are amazing.

While there are tons of great places to eat in Abilene, those that want to partake in a legendary Texas experience can head to Buffalo Gap (pop 463). The Buffalo Gap Historic Village is a great collection of old buildings such as the original Taylor County Courthouse and various others from the last 50 years of the frontier.

North of town, you can walk through the remnants of the Wild West. See the ruins of this fort that was occupied by U.S. soldiers that helped pave the way for westward expansion into unsettled parts of Texas. It’s so strange to imagine this desolate place bustling with soldiers going about their daily duties.

Candies by Vletas is definitely the sweetest spot in town. They’ve got some amazing candy and chocolate-covered everything, all made in house. Some of the recipes go back 100 years!

You’ll want to polish off your day trip with a big hunk of beef at Perini Ranch Steakhouse. Folks routinely drive 2-3 hours just to eat here (and lucky for you it’s only about 20 minutes away from Abilene!) So since you’re in the neighborhood, you should definitely stop by. Of course they have more than just beef, so enjoy! Just make sure you get some bread pudding for dessert.

Rustic chophouse offering mesquite-fired steaks & seafood, plus a full bar & live music nights. Lytle Land & Cattle offers the largest selection of mesquite grilled steaks and seafood in the area. Upon ordering, request to pick out your very own steak and enjoy the Lytle experience!

Sadly, ABI-Haus has permanently closed since we filmed this episode.

The truly adventurous (with a SCUBA certification) shouldn’t miss the chance to dive the Valhalla Missile Silo that once housed an Atlas nuclear missile in the 1960s. Today this silo is filled with ground water going 120 feet deep and those that are brave enough to head into the darkness can SCUBA dive it. It is only open to private groups – so you’ll need to join up with a group to get inside. Family Scuba Center in Midland can give you the details.

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