5 Reasons to Get Outdoors

By Cecilia Harris on September 17, 2020

Autumn temperatures provide an incentive to get outdoors and Abilene offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the cooler weather:

1. Abilene Farmers’ Market

Typically available are fresh vegetables, beef, pork, cheese, salsa, fresh flowers, and both baked and home-canned goods. Stop by on Saturdays from 7-11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October.

Location: Lumber House parking lot, 1903 N Buckeye Ave

2. Eisenhower Park Rose Garden

Featuring over 100 roses in over 50 varieties among 3,000 blooming plants, this formal garden features flower beds along limestone walls and geometric pathways between two focal points, a historic limestone pergola and a colorful tiled water fountain.

Location: 500 Pine Street

3. Brown Memorial Park

Meander the nature trail along Turkey Creek through a mature cottonwood forest, view the waterfall, play nine holes of disc golf (soon to be expanded to 18 holes) or picnic at this historic park built in 1926 just south of Abilene. Park your RV, or rent rustic cabins at Camp Mary Dell which has volleyball and basketball courts and a newly remodeled Rogers Hall for indoor activities.

Location: 1935 Lane

4. Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad

Ride the rails in an open-air car on this excursion train that travels through the Smoky Valley. From May through October, a diesel-electric engine pulls the train on rides that depart at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays, while the steam engine operates on holidays and during special events.

Location: 200 Southeast Fifth Street

5. Old Abilene Town

Step back in time to the 1860s when cowboys celebrated the end of the drive that brought Texas longhorns up the Chisholm Trail to Abilene to be shipped east. Gunfight re-enactments in the street occur April through October and can-can dancers begin performing in May.