Best Day Trips from Abilene, Texas — Where to Go & What to See

Best Day Trips from Abilene, Texas — Where to Go & What to See

One of the underrated joys of living in Abilene is its location. Sitting at the crossroads of West and Central Texas along Interstate 20, Abilene puts you within reach of some genuinely special destinations, from historic small towns, dramatic landscapes, legendary restaurants and West Texas landmarks that most Texans have heard of but never visited.

Here are the best day trips from Abilene, organized by driving distance.

Close By (Under 30 Minutes)

Buffalo Gap — 12 Miles South

What to do: Buffalo Gap is one of the most charming small towns in West Texas and earns its own half-day easily. Start with the Buffalo Gap Historic Village (133 Williams St., Buffalo Gap) — a preserved collection of original frontier-era structures including the original Taylor County Courthouse from the 1880s, the Clyde Railroad Depot, and a gallery of Native American artifacts and frontier firearms. Then head to the Silver Buffalo Saloon on Houston Street for a cold drink with local character. End with dinner at Perini Ranch Steakhouse, a James Beard Award-winning, nationally celebrated restaurant that happens to be right down the road. The drive south on Buffalo Gap Road at golden hour is a West Texas experience in itself.

Abilene State Park — 16 Miles Southwest

What to do: See our parks guide for a full breakdown, but the short version: hiking, camping, birding, fishing, and some of the most beautiful shade trees in West Texas in an otherwise open landscape. Note that Lake Abilene is currently very low due to drought, and the pool is closed for renovations; check the park's Facebook for conditions before going.

Fort Phantom Hill — 12 Miles North

What to do: The ruins of a mid-19th-century U.S. Army fort that protected westward travelers through this part of Texas. The site features remarkable lone stone chimneys — all that remains of the fort's original structures — rising from the open plains. It's an eerie, beautiful, and historically significant site. Reviewers consistently describe it as an easy hike with an unmistakable atmosphere. Worth combining with Lake Fort Phantom Hill just south of the fort.

A Short Drive (30–60 Minutes)

Albany — 35 Miles Northeast

What to do: Albany is one of the most beautifully preserved small towns in West Texas and is a genuine time capsule of early Texas history. The historic downtown around the Shackelford County Courthouse is worth exploring on foot. The Old Jail Art Center houses an impressive collection of pre-Columbian, Asian, and European art that surprises everyone who visits it. Fort Griffin is a late-19th-century US Army fort. Remnants of the fort remain today at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, which is also home to the  Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd and offers camping, hiking, stargazing, and living history.  Fort Griffin is a State Archeological Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It hosts the Fort Griffin Fandangle each June — a legendary outdoor musical drama celebrating West Texas heritage that has run since 1938. Worth planning a trip around.

Baird — 35 Miles East

What to do: The Callahan County seat is a beloved stop for antique hunters, with several shops along the main commercial strip that reward slow exploration. Baird has a small-town character that longtime West Texans find genuinely nostalgic.

Cisco — 50 Miles East

What to do: The Cisco Museum / Mobley Hotel is the very first hotel Conrad Hilton purchased in 1919. It now operates as a museum showcasing his early beginnings, antique photos, and local history. Visit the Old Zoo Nature Trails and take a hike through a unique and slightly spooky 1920s zoo built alongside the dam of Lake Cisco. You can explore the crumbling stone and rusted iron of the original animal cages, as well as the old swimming pool at the base of the dam. 

Half-Day Trips (1–2 Hours)

Midland & Odessa — 90 Miles West

What to do: Midland and Odessa together offer a full day's worth of options. The Museum of the Southwest in Midland is a significant regional arts and culture institution. The Presidential Museum & Leadership Library (home to the George W. Bush Childhood Home) is a popular stop. Odessa's Globe Theatre and the area's oil industry history add additional texture. Bass Pro Shops recently opened an Outdoor World in Odessa for outdoor enthusiasts.

Lubbock — 120 Miles Northwest

What to do: The Hub City of the South Plains offers a full day of entertainment! Visit the National Ranching Heritage Center, the Buddy Holly Center (the Lubbock-born musician's legacy is celebrated here), the Texas Tech University campus and its museums, and a growing restaurant and brewery scene. A manageable day trip, especially with multiple people to share the driving.

Brownwood — 80 Miles Southeast

What to do: A charming Central Texas town with the Howard Payne University campus, Lake Brownwood (excellent for fishing and water sports), and a historic downtown worth exploring. A quieter, less-visited option for those who want to get off the main highways.

Day Trips Worth the Drive (2–3 Hours)

Fort Worth — 150 Miles East (2 Hours)

What to do: The Cowtown is the closest major city to Abilene and offers world-class museums, the historic Stockyards National Historic District, excellent dining, and major entertainment. The Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and Amon Carter Museum make the Fort Worth Cultural District one of the finest in Texas. Make a weekend of it and explore the rest of the DFW Metroplex for shopping, entertainment, and food!

Palo Duro Canyon — 3 Hours Northwest

What to do: Often called the Grand Canyon of Texas, Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo is a dramatic and beautiful landscape that looks nothing like the rest of West Texas. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping are all available. The TEXAS outdoor musical drama performed each summer in the canyon amphitheater is a genuine Texas tradition worth experiencing at least once. A long day trip — or a perfect overnight.

Waco — 190 Miles East (3 Hours)

What to do: Hit up Magnolia Market at the Silos to browse home goods, grab a cupcake at the bakery, and relax on the lawn. Visit the Baylor University Campus and museums. Consistently rated as one of the most beautiful college campuses in Texas, Baylor offers several museums as well. Be sure to stop by and see the live bears on campus, too! The Dr Pepper Museum takes you to the 1885 birthplace of Dr Pepper. You can explore three floors of memorabilia and even make your own soda creation. The Waco Mammoth National Monument is an incredible archaeological site where in-situ Columbian mammoth fossils are preserved inside a climate-controlled dig shelter.


If you are willing to drive a little farther, Austin and San Antonio are both about a 4-hour drive from Abilene and offer even more to see and do!

Practical Tips for Day Trips from Abilene

• Pack water for any outdoor destination! West Texas heat is real, and some sites have no services
  
  
• Start early in the summer — most outdoor sites are at their most pleasant before 11 a.m.
  
  
• Fill up in Abilene — gas stations are less frequent between small towns than you might expect if you're coming from a metro area. And the prices tend to be higher in the smaller towns along the way
  
  
• Call ahead for historic sites — smaller museums and historic villages sometimes have variable hours, especially on weekdays
  
  

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