Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
Abilene is circled by US 83 on the west side of town, by Loop 322 on the southeast side
and I-20 on the northeast.
Greyhound
( 325-677-8127;
www.greyhound.com
; 1657 TX 351, off I-20)
is on the northwest side.
Abilene is on the I-20 line running west from Fort Worth ($42, 2½ hours).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Buffalo Gap
POP 490
Bison used this natural pass in the Callahan Divide for many centuries; later on, it became
an outpost on the Dodge Cattle Trail. Today's Buffalo Gap seems to have stolen any
charm not claimed by Abilene (which is quite a bit actually). It's a fine detour from Abi-
lene and I-20, just 14 miles southwest via FM 89. Besides the historic village, antique
shops abound on the old main drag.
Step back to a time long before the invention of air-conditioning made the plains safe
for city slickers at
Buffalo Gap Historic Village
( 325-572-3365;
www.tfhcc.com
;
133 William St; adult/
child $7/4; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, noon-5pm Sun)
. This living-history museum has almost two
dozen buildings, themed for the 1880s, 1905 and 1925. Volunteers bring the past to life,
although everybody smells too fresh. Check out the old courthouse, the log cabin that's
the oldest structure in the area, a train station, church, doctor's office and filling station.
Perini Ranch Steak House
( 325-572-3339;
www.periniranch.com
;
FM 89 W; mains $15-30; 5-10pm Tue-
Thu, 11:30am-10pm Fri-Sun)
is frequently named among Texas' best steakhouses. Enter under
the trees and through the screen door. Try an amazing rib eye at a picnic table outside or
sample specialties such as one of the state's best cheeseburgers (get it with chilies). The
Sunday brunch draws folks from miles around. It has a full bar.
Play Wile E Coyote and go looking for road runners at 529-acre
Abilene State Park
(
325-572-3204;
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
; 150 Park Rd 32, Tuscola, off FM 89; adult/child $5/free; 24hr)
, which is
4 miles southwest of Buffalo Gap. Attractions include hiking, bird-watching and wildlife-
viewing (species include armadillos, white-tailed deer, Mississippi kites and humming-
birds).
The
campground
has 102 campsites ($12 to $22 per night) including the 12 atmospheric
tent-only sites. Reserve in advance.
