Need a taste of the West? Visit Abilene, Texas, home of the annual Outlaws & Legends country music festival. Held at Abilene’s Back Porch of Texas, this year’s event runs March 22–23 and features headliners Kris Kristofferson and Grammy nominee Midland.
Before the concert, savor a classic Texas steak. Abilene’s dining scene includes top steakhouses such as Perini Ranch Steakhouse and The Beehive Saloon. If you’re in town on a Thursday, check out The Mill for steak night. Housed in a historic mill, The Mill has been transformed into a popular wine and craft beer bar with a lively atmosphere.
Abilene is also known as the Storybook Capital of America, a title earned for its large public collection of sculptures that celebrate children’s literature. You’ll find statues of beloved characters like The Cat in the Hat, The Three Little Kittens and Wilbur the Pig throughout the city. Abilene is home to the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature and each June hosts the Children’s Art & Literacy Festival, an event that brings families and readers together.
In the fall, the city spotlights short filmmaking at the 24FPS International Short Film Festival. Now in its 21st year, the festival takes place Nov. 8–9 and showcases the work of emerging and established filmmakers from around the world. From thousands of submissions, only 30 films are selected for screening at the elegant, gilded Paramount Theatre, a restored 1920s venue that adds old‑world glamour to the festival experience.