What to know: Looking to get out of town for the long weekend? Abilene is the perfect getaway for this weekend with its Boo at the Zoo event Oct. 10-11. Just two and a half hours away, this trip is easy to do in a day or stay the whole weekend.

The big picture: Boo at the Zoo opens this weekend, Oct. 10–11, at the Abilene Zoo. You walk the zoo in costume and collect candy at treat stations. Every area has its own theme, including Pumpkin Country, Medieval Legends, Reptile World, Zoomanji, Fiesta de Animales, and a pirate cove.

Along the way, guests can enjoy a hay-bale maze, corn pits, a petting zoo, a “Creepy Creatures” show, an animal parade, Jojo the Dino, a costume contest, and a dance party. The day lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A special Boo at the Zoo ticket is required. Buy tickets online before you go rather than relying on walk-up availability. Can’t make it this weekend? It returns Oct. 17–18, 24–25, and 31.

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  • Where to stay: For families planning to stay overnight, MCM Eleganté Suites is approximately 14 minutes from the zoo, while Courtyard by Marriott is about 10 minutes away. Abilene also has a variety of vacation rentals, including options near the city center. For a more distinctive stay, consider:
  • Where to eat: Abilene has plenty of family-friendly dining options, from casual breakfast spots to barbecue and seafood. Here are several choices organized by meal, with approximate prices per person.

Breakfast

    • Front Porch Coffee Company: 702 N. 2nd St. | $5–$10. A cozy downtown coffee shop serving pastries, biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and toast. Opens at 6:30 or 7:30 a.m., depending on the day. Closed Sundays.
    • The Flipping Egg: 4150 S. Danville Drive | $10–$20. A casual, family-friendly breakfast diner serving eggs, hash browns, cinnamon-roll pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and chicken-fried steak. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lunch and dinner

    • Vagabond Pizza: 1056 N. 2nd St. | $15–$20. A rustic downtown restaurant serving wood-fired pizza, appetizers, and desserts. Open afternoons and evenings. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
    • Belle’s Chicken Dinner House: 2002 N. Clack St. | $15–$20. A country-style restaurant specializing in fried chicken, Southern sides, and desserts. Open weekends from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sunday.
    • The Shed Market: 7925 Buffalo Gap Road | $15–$25. Texas barbecue featuring smoked brisket, ribs, and combination plates, with indoor and outdoor seating. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
    • Galveston Seafood Company: 818 E. Highway 80 | $15–$30. A family-owned seafood restaurant serving crab cakes, bacon-wrapped shrimp, fried seafood baskets and entrées in a Bavarian-style setting. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., depending on the day.
  • While you’re there: Boo at the Zoo may be the main attraction, but Abilene has several other family-friendly activities worth adding to the itinerary.

Outdoor activities

    • Grover Nelson Park: Located next to the zoo, the park has a playground, splash pad, picnic tables, restrooms, walking paths, a creek, and a lake. It’s a convenient place for kids to play after visiting the zoo.
    • Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden: Located at 1100 N. 6th St., this outdoor attraction features characters from children’s classics, including Wilbur, Stuart Little, and Winnie-the-Pooh. Plan about 30 minutes for a quick visit.

Entertainment and museums

    • Circus Golden Star: The circus is performing under the big top at the Mall of Abilene, 4310 Buffalo Gap Road, through Sunday. The approximately 90-minute show features a ringmaster, acrobats and aerial performances and is recommended for children around age 4 and older. Showtimes are Friday at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online.
    • Frontier Texas!: Located at 625 N. 1st St., this Western heritage center features nine exhibits with life-size holograms and a 360-degree film depicting scenes such as a buffalo stampede and a card-game shootout. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3–12, and free for children 2 and younger. The museum is open daily until 5 or 6 p.m., depending on the day. Allow about an hour for a visit.
    • The Grace Museum: Located at 102 Cypress St. inside the historic Grace Hotel, the museum features art, history, and a children’s gallery. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for children ages 4 and older, and free for children younger than 4. The museum is open Saturday but closed Sunday and Monday. Plan approximately an hour to explore.