Day Trip to Abilene 🤿 (FULL EPISODE) S5 E4

THROWBACK EPISODE - This episode originally aired on PBS on May 8, 2014. Some of the locations may have changed. Check thedaytripper.com for the most up-to-date information.
Abilene is the heart of Texas’s “BIG COUNTRY.” It’s a region of our state with big skies with breathtaking sunsets, big prairies and REALLY BIG legends.
I suggest you jump right into its history at Frontier Texas! This amazing museum covers the entire story of the frontier, from the native Indians, to settlers, to buffalo hunters, all the way up to the steam engines that conquered the Wild West. There are holograms, a 360 degree theater and jaw-dropping first-hand stories of the struggles of living on the frontier.
If you want to really dive into Abilene’s military past, I suggest you head to Dyess Air Force Base. They have a small museum open to the public. If you can find an escort to get you inside the gate, you can walk around the aircraft park complete with a B-1 bomber, C-130 and B-17 flying fortress. They are amazing.
While there are tons of great places to eat in Abilene, those that want to partake in a legendary Texas experience can head to Buffalo Gap (pop 463). The Buffalo Gap Historic Village is a great collection of old buildings such as the original Taylor County Courthouse and various others from the last 50 years of the frontier.
North of town, you can walk through the remnants of the Wild West. See the ruins of this fort that was occupied by U.S. soldiers that helped pave the way for westward expansion into unsettled parts of Texas. It’s so strange to imagine this desolate place bustling with soldiers going about their daily duties.
Candies by Vletas is definitely the sweetest spot in town. They’ve got some amazing candy and chocolate-covered everything, all made in house. Some of the recipes go back 100 years!
You’ll want to polish off your day trip with a big hunk of beef at Perini Ranch Steakhouse. Folks routinely drive 2-3 hours just to eat here (and lucky for you it’s only about 20 minutes away from Abilene!) So since you’re in the neighborhood, you should definitely stop by. Of course they have more than just beef, so enjoy! Just make sure you get some bread pudding for dessert.
Rustic chophouse offering mesquite-fired steaks & seafood, plus a full bar & live music nights. Lytle Land & Cattle offers the largest selection of mesquite grilled steaks and seafood in the area. Upon ordering, request to pick out your very own steak and enjoy the Lytle experience!
Sadly, ABI-Haus has permanently closed since we filmed this episode.
The truly adventurous (with a SCUBA certification) shouldn’t miss the chance to dive the Valhalla Missile Silo that once housed an Atlas nuclear missile in the 1960s. Today this silo is filled with ground water going 120 feet deep and those that are brave enough to head into the darkness can SCUBA dive it. It is only open to private groups - so you’ll need to join up with a group to get inside. Family Scuba Center in Midland can give you the details.
Thanks for subscribing - bit.ly/3TL61AO
FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES.
www.thedaytripper.com
Instagram : / chettripper
Facebook : / thedaytrippertv
Twitter : / chettripper
Check out our Texas-sized collection of day trip gear at The Daytripper Online Store: store.thedaytripper.com/
And be sure to visit the NEW Daytripper World Headquarters store in Downtown Georgetown, TX! Get directions here: thedaytripper.com/daytripper-...

[@PCBill0622]

Traveled through Abilene many a time. The “secret” ingredient in peanut brittle is baking soda. Those B-1’s take off with there after burners, loud for sure and really spectacular at night.

[@markfletcher8084]

Abilene is a nice town.

[@milesndm]

Don’t mess with Texas! Thanks for showcasing Abilene.

[@CHETinnit]

Abilene, Abilene..Prettiest town that I’ve ever seen

[@jj-bi7ox]

Liar 😠😠😠😠😠

[@roadsofhahnisland2007]

Abilene ain't beautiful, only place thats decent around Abilene is Buffalo Gap

[@athenasheffield2836]

I'm in the Abilene area and have been for over 30 years, and yet you taught me about some hidden gems here. Thanks!

[@markaustin643]

I flew the Star of Abilene several times during my time as a B-1B instructor at Dyess AFB. That was in the 1980s & 1990s, and a lot of what you showed wasn't there yet. I did make a few trips to Perini Ranch, however, and I definitely recommend it. The second-best thing about Abilene was watching from the end of the runway as a Bone was taking off at night. Spectacular to see, hear and feel.

[@KevinBearden-hq6wg]

I was there when the first B1. Landed was in Rotc at Cooper. Did alot with the Base

[@mrjack8849]

Thank you for putting the original air date in the comments!

[@sallysavedbygrace1268]

Awe my home town. I don’t live there anymore but I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Abilene.

[@momandwarrior47]

Abi-Haus is no longer in existence. Also Frontier Museum is currently closed for renovations, just in case anyone goes soon. WE were just there this week! Went to college there!

[@rudyrobles1296]

Best darn video I've seen so far for day tripper

[@manualgearshift4965]

You did my hometown good Tripper! Thank you!

[@vincentscott2009]

yes they did because looks different than that

[@user-sm2ql7nq4l]

Chet is amazing. Growing up in California ( jokes) we had Huell Howser. Chet is the modern-day version and he really brings you into the stories of the towns to visit.

[@bitfenix90]

Huell... well, that's better than Cal Worthington and his dog Spot.

[@jimchandler6744]

Used to watch Huell all the time. Was sorry to see him retire then pass away not long after that. He had a strange house out in the desert east of Barstow just off the 40.

[@Dwayne-mb2uj]

Yes Ca Gold was a great show . I bought a little wooden windmill from a guy in Ventura after seeing them on his show.

[@CTexas2112]

Perini Ranch Steakhouse has earned a James Beard Award which is about on par with a Michelin star, I think you can only win one James Beard Award every 10 years

[@KingsDaughter1957]

This vid is from 2014 but still intrigues me as San Antonio outgrows its pants .... I'm SO ready to move to a smaller community that moves at a slower pace!

[@airgunfun4248]

Cool Chet! Looks like your numbers are getting bigger right on

[@connerhardy77]

dont forget La Pops bakery! my ex family has had bakeries there for a long time and they're amazing!

[@storiesacrossamerica]

We will be traveling thru the area within the next few months and will eat at the steak house. Thanks for showcasing them. Your videos are excellent my friend.

[@KevinBearden-hq6wg]

.oved there in 75 went to Bowie ele mm entary and Jackson elementary spent 30 yeaars there ,liveinLubbock now still. Have famiy in Abilene

[@jdflhr]

Sir Chet ..You are a true carnivore!!

[@AlexMartinez-ex9mb]

Please do Humble,Tx That’s a real challenge lol I love your videos

[@vivianamora7505]

HSU-my Alma Mater GO COWBOYS 🤠

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

There's a great eye specialist in Abilene. How do I know you ask? We were in Brownwood visiting a friend and my right eye had this blurry spot and Abilene was the closest town where an eye specialist was available. So there you have it- my visit to Abilene. I'm sure it's a nice town. We just didn't see it past the waiting room of an eye doctor. 😉

[@pyroguy1104]

Was it Dr. Phelan? Or maybe Dr. Carter?

[@Dwayne-mb2uj]

I went to High School in Eula and I always thought it was strange that the story about Indians or Slaves just did not exist in our text books compared to other states I went to school in.

[@bitfenix90]

One note - that Abilene movie theater plays a LOT of old movies. I wonder if they'll make a stop at Larry's burger joint for great milkshakes. It's north-central, on Treadaway. And Buffalo Gap without a mention of rattlesnake roundups.

[@KevinBearden-hq6wg]

Paramount

[@feverflip]

Part of our military history included Camp Barkeley. A WW11 training installation.

[@The2ndFirst]

I have to say I've heard a lot of stuff about a lot of things. Never about Abilene

[@TheFoxalltheway]

I Wish the Abi haus is no longer open, sad I didn’t see this when I first moved to Abilene would’ve loved to known about these places, don’t think the candy shop is open anymore these days either but then again I could be wrong

[@athenasheffield2836]

The candy store is still open and they have amazing white chocolate covered grapes, which sounds weird, but it works!!!

[@KevinBearden-hq6wg]

Love Sharon's Barb Que ,as well as The Barn I Buffalo Gap miss Detschlanders

[@martel732]

Why does the Army officer sound like Foghorn Leghorn?

[@EricTh3Gr3at]

My stomping grounds.

[@KevinBearden-hq6wg]

Go Mcmurry

[@billbuschgen520]

Abilene has a crime rate that is higher than 83% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

[@jimchandler6744]

Don't know where you got your information but I believe you are wrong.

[@joshualee2603]

The worst drivers are in Abilene and the people are awful. I lived there for 13 years and they were the worst years of my life

[@majiknoah9161]

Nothing to do in Abilene, don't waste your time, keep on 20 to fort worth 😂

[@jimchandler6744]

If you think there is nothing to do in Abilene, you obviously have never been here. There are activities going year round.

[@KevinBearden-hq6wg]

Funny I can find plenty to do in Abilene

[@anonie8770]

I’m not a steak person I’ll eat the catfish.