Man, if there is one thing to do when you visit Abilene, it has to be to come here and check out…read morethis unique museum. I was in town and killing time before meeting up with some people in the evening, and came across this as an option. I swung by and was thoroughly impressed. The young man behind the counter was friendly and walked me through where I'd be going and what I'd be seeing. I was the only one in the "next group" for the intro video, and he even delayed the start time since I ran to the restroom before roaming the grounds. They have an impressive display of artifacts ranging from early Texas all the way through the frontier days, including a very impressive array of historic guns towards the end. They have interactive kiosks and hologram displays where actors portray historical figures and tell "firsthand" accounts of what was experienced on the frontier, right out of the accounts left by those people beforehand. There's a second theater towards the end of the museum that's a lot more immersive. You have to rotate around in a swivel chair as the story is told from all around you, and there's lights and sound to really sell you on the experience-- all from the comfort of your air-conditioned chair. I don't plan on being back in Abilene anytime soon, but if I ever was back with friends, I'd take them here to check this place out.

Excellent displays of artifacts from the early days of Texas. Quality movies portraying how Texas…read morechanged and the demise of the buffalo. Very sad, but made way for cattle. Good coverage of the Native Americans and their culture. It was seriously the best kept museum I have seen. And many hands-on elements. Definitely worth a visit if in the area. The staff were very friendly as well!

It was a nice afternoon in Abilene when my girlfriend and I explored the historic Grace building…read moreand visited the Grace Museum. We got in a little after noon to see new exhibits that had genuinely just opened for the season that day. The museum is very quiet and, thanks to road construction, a little confusing to get to, but it is worth the drive and adventure. As we arrived, we noticed that a wedding was being set up in their courtyard and event space, and we were in awe of how cute the space was for a wedding. On the first floor was the Gail Norfleet collection, where we were amazed by these multi-layered plexiglass paintings that added depth to her floral pieces and recreated rooms. It is such a unique style. Gail's use of color is quite impressive. On the second floor sat the other two new exhibits. The first was Focus on Photography: Selections from the Permanent Collection, which includes a diverse and vast collection of still images printed on numerous materials such as gelatin, inkjet, tintype, and metal, giving each image a unique display. As a photographer myself, this was my favorite exhibit. My girlfriend's favorite was the Cindi Holt collection showcasing colorful, prairie-inspired pieces. Other areas included the play zone that has the tower challenge and the history exhibits on the third floor focusing on downtown Abilene and the Texas railway. I'm excited to return to the Grace Museum next time I'm in Abilene when new exhibits are on display. What a cute and small museum! RIYL: The Tower Challenge or feeling so much cooler than everyone else because you're being enriched at a museum

Stopped by The Grace Museum today! We were immediately greeted by a sweet woman at the front desk…read morewho was very informative. The museum is small but so so beautiful. Everything is thoughtfully designed. They have a kid's section that was fun even for adults. Definitely check this place out.

I was kind of bummed - I could have sworn the website said they had a permanent exhibit, including…read moreMo Willems' work among others we love. But alas, the museum is strictly traveling works. We went today and it was all pictures of black children's books, for Black History Month. There is a little gift shop full of *signed* children's books (signature for no extra charge). There are also a few reading areas with bins of books, so grab one and read to your kids! You'll find a Little Free Library just outside, which is awesome! Bring a book, take a book. :)

This place is a true gem. The NCCIL has world class…read moreexhibits and a lovely book store. We will be visiting as often as possible

We visited the Discovery Center and Creation museum today. We enjoyed it so much. There is so much…read moreto look at and read. They have a few animals and a small theater where they show different informative videos. We hope to be able to take our family here when they visit. Oh and they have a really good book store too!!

I met the owner of Discovery Center in an elevator a few months back, and he invited me to check…read morethe center out. I finally took him up on it. It truly is a great place with many fascinating relics, fossils, and exhibits. The entire staff was kind, knowledgeable, and passionate. I learned quite a lot in a short amount of time and made friends in the process. It was a most engaging and memorable experience. When you have a moment, stop by. You will be glad you did.

Stopped here on a road trip across Texas and I'm glad we did! The people who own this place have…read moredone a great job rescuing different buildings from around the area, preventing them from being torn down or lost to time as cities and towns continue to expand. We grabbed our tickets at the visitor center and then used the pamphlet they gave us to do a self-guided tour which worked perfectly! It was easy to follow the map and match it up to the descriptions so that we could learn about each building as we walked through it (or peeked inside if it was closed for renovation). A great place to stop and stretch your legs!

Interesting step back in time. The audio available on the tour is very helpful. Nice stop while in…read morethe area.

An oasis of modern art by local artists in the sea of west Texas cowboy centered creations. Worth…read morechecking on anytime a especially during ArtWalk.

From the owner: The Center for Contemporary Arts, a 501 (c) (3) corporation, was founded in 1989. Its mission is to…read moreprovide enriching and educational experiences for the region's communities through the promotion and support of artists. The Center's exhibits and community education programs serve over 26,000 individuals annually. The Center currently has more than 60 artist members and rents ten artist studios. Five galleries, one devoted to photography, present more than 20 different admission-free exhibits of regional art, international photography, and award-winning short films to Abilene residents and the greater community.