Local Attractions:
Overview
Across from ACU, within walking distance of 3 restaurants and service stations off of interstate 20.

Grace  Museum
Abilene, TX 79601
915-673-4587
Open 9AM to 6PM Monday to Saturday

Local art  and display. Kids science center, and Indian art.

Buffalo  Gap: 915/572-3204
Reservations: 512/389-8900
web  site http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/abilene/abilene.html

This scenic park covers 621 acres along Elm Creek. Once a resting place for the Comanche Indians, visitors now find modern camping and recreational facilities  intermingled among 4,000 native pecan trees. Part of the official Texas Longhorn herd as well as buffalo can be seen at the Park. Staff Interpretive programs are available upon request.

Abilene Zoo
Hwy. 36 at Loop 322 ~ 915/676-6085
web  sitehttp://www.abilenetx.com/zoo

The  entire family will enjoy the award-winning Zoo. This 13-acre complex compares habitats of the American Southwest with similar regions of Africa. Among the  Zoo's many highlights are: 202 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates

Wetlands Exhibit
Climate  controlled Discovery Center Discovery Theater River and lake comparative  displays Tropical Aviary Terrestrial Trail, home to lemurs, mongooses and ring  tails

Buffalo Gap Historic Village
133  N. William St., Buffalo Gap
(915)572-3365
web site: http://www.mcwhiney.org/buffalogap.html

For  an adventure back into the days of the founding of the area, visit the Buffalo  Gap Historic Village. The Village consists of 19 buildings, most over 100 years  old. Among the buildings are a log cabin, the oldest structure in this area, and  the original Taylor County courthouse and jail. The courthouse is now a museum, has a Texas Historic Marker, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Located 14 miles south of Abilene, it can be reached by taking FM 89 (Buffalo  Gap Rd.) to Buffalo Gap, turn right on Elm and go 2 blocks.

Fort Phantom Hill
web  sitehttp://fortphantom.org

Development  of the Abilene area began in 1851 when Fort Phantom was built a few miles north of the future location of Abilene. This Army post, one of a series of garrisons  erected to protect settlements from the Indians, housed five companies of infantry.

After  only three years, the Army abandoned the fort. In 1858 it became an overnight stop on the Overland Mail Route following the Butterfield Trail. Around 1880 a town grew up around the ruins but that also vanished. Today, three buildings and  over a dozen chimneys are all that remain of the Fort. To see the ruins, at Interstate 20, go north on FM 600 for 11 miles or follow the Texas Forts Trail route on FM 2833. Open daily; Free of Charge. Lake Fort Phantom, located near  the Fort, offers fishing, boating, picnicking, and camping.