The Old West still lives on in Abilene, Texas, a torn of almost 120,000 folks in west Texas. The opportunities to relive frontier days are so numerous, visitors short on time have some hard choices to make. But why rush through the town? It has so many other things to see and do, you will want to extend your visit here to take them all in.

The city began life in 1875 when it was decided to establish a railhead to make it easier for ranchers to get their cattle to eastern markets. In just two years, hundreds of thousands of cattle were herded over the Western Trail to Abilene.

The Old West experience starts at Frontier Texas!, a multimedia experience that brings the Texas of 1780 to 1880 to life. Take part in a buffalo hunt, come face to face with Comanche warriors, be attacked by wolves., or see a friendly game of poker turn deadly.

Frontier Texas! Is also the starting point of a walking tour through downtown Abilene where you can see historic buildings from the city-s past.

Then move on to Buffalo Gap Historic Village, which creates a town from the 1870s to the 1920s. See Indian artifacts and frontier weapons as you walk through this recreated Western town: The original Taylor County courthouse and a 1926 service station are among the 21 buildings making up the village.

Next up is a walk with ghostly soldiers at the remains of Fort Phantom just 11 miles from Abilene. All that remains of this 1851 are some chimneys and three buildings, which provide an eerie experience as you walk through it imagining what it was like when soldiers lived at the fort to protect settlers and stagecoaches. The old fort is part of the Texas Forts Trail system.