The Abilene Zoo is an oasis in the zoo desert of Texas. The closest zoos are located in Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso and Oklahoma City. In the Big Country, the zoo adds education, entertainment and memory anchors for our entire region. The 60th Anniversary celebrates 60 years since the opening of the Abilene Zoo in Grover Nelson Park, but the love of zoos has been part of … [Read more...]
Heyday
“Fun, great vibe, bursting with energy,” all describe a unique Abilene store aptly named Heyday. The store, which opened in May 2025 at the corner of Albany and South 14th streets, is owned by Beth Joy. She had a vision for a space that feels joyful, welcoming and celebratory. “It’s emblematic of celebration and joy,” she said. The name and the store itself both exude … [Read more...]
Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood Will Open at CALF 2026
Grab a pot of honey and your favorite Winnie-the-Pooh book written by A.A. Milne and plan your trip to the Hundred Acre Wood at the 14th Children’s Art + Literacy Festival! We are celebrating Pooh’s 100th anniversary and the art of the book’s original illustrator, Ernest H. Shepard, with four days of fun for the whole family June 11-14. The National Center for Children’s … [Read more...]
Get in Line for Jay’s BBQ Shack
Five minutes before closing time is way too late to get to Jay’s BBQ Shack. A big sign right out front says, “Wednesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or Sell Out.” And it means it–1:55 p.m. is too late if you hope to chow down on Jay and Diana Stearns’ creations that were included in Texas Monthly’s “The 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas” for 2025. Jay’s was already popular, but … [Read more...]
A Park for Every Season
Exploring Abilene State Park's Community Programs In the Big Country, community spaces bring people together. The libraries, the Cedar Creek Walkway and the ArtWalk festival downtown all provide free spaces to make memories with friends and loved ones. A true gem just thirty minutes from town is the Abilene State Park. With just a five-dollar entry fee, people can hike, … [Read more...]