Frontier Texas!
Frontier Texas!
4.7
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in historic downtown Abilene, Frontier Texas! is a western heritage center that allows visitors to relive the Old West through the magic of state-of-the-art technology. Frontier Texas! brings the frontier to life and lets visitors meet people who played out their lives on the Texas frontier. Frontier Texas! also serves as the official visitor center for Abilene and the Texas Forts Trail Region. Experience the legendary Texas frontier through innovative exhibits and unique encounters at Frontier Texas! Learn the story of the old west through our 90 minute hands on old west adventure "Blood & Treasure on the Frontier." Educational Programs at Frontier Texas! are designed to provide a rich educational experience for everyone. The 14,000 square-foot facility isn't a traditional museum with exhibits displayed in glass cases. At Frontier Texas!, you relive buffalo stampedes, a shootout in the Bee Hive Saloon, a wolf attack and more. And don't forget to visit The General Store that carries all your Texas souvenirs including books, t-shirts, jewelry, canned goods, and unique items made by local artisans. Frontier Texas! is the perfect place for families, History buffs, or anyone who just wants to learn a little bit more about the Lone Star state. Legends, History, Adventure.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
188 within 3 miles
Attractions
65 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- adventurer2011_11Winnsboro, Texas108 contributionsWhat a great and immersive museum! Nice and clean and the gift shop was full of Texas trinkets. The videos and actors portrayals of Wild West cowboys and Indians were very interesting. The artifacts, especially the white buffalo hide was very interesting. We played on the beautiful lush green lawn and visited with our family in the lobby and were very comfortable throughout our visit. This was a great add on activity to the Abilene zoo.Visited October 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 5, 2024
- Dotty1919Melrose, Florida20 contributionsWe traveled with our 2 Grands on an adventure from Ft. Worth for the day, in Abilene. After a delicious brunch at The Front Porch , just across the street, Frontier Texas was our first stop. This very informative and interesting museum was perfect for our 8 & 9 yo’s! The exhibits and accompanying videos were excellent! We all learned so much and came to appreciate our country’s rich history. It’s a beautiful facility but the BEST part was the warm and friendly staff. They could not have been any more welcoming and helpful. We spent about 1 1/2 hrs there.Visited October 2024Traveled with familyWritten October 20, 2024
- Lady's Adventure TimeDenver, Colorado14 contributionsFrontier Texas! is a cool little museum that talks about crazy how the west was. They have a cool video that you can watch, interactive stuff you mess with, and they have some events you can go to during the summer months. They also have a little passport for the kids so they can get it stamped if they find Seymour.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 26, 2024
- Shannon S9 contributionsMy husband & I visited this museum today and are very impressed. It was free to get into and that is surprising in itself. It was more than we expected. The holograph spirit guides were very interesting to listen to and there was enough information to look at but not overwhelming. The little movies at the start and end pulled all the information together. It might not be good for smaller kids as there isn’t a ton to look at but the experience is top notch!Visited March 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten March 3, 2025
- S L7 contributionsMy wife and I visited here to find a cool place on a hot Friday afternoon in Abilene. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Parking was readily available and the building and grounds were well kept. The exhibits were very well laid out and presented in a multi media fashion. I have admit I learned quite a bit about this part of Texas. Worth a return trip.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
578 reviews
Excellent
436
Very good
108
Average
22
Poor
7
Terrible
5
Mary T
Fort Worth, TX176 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
This is well worth visiting.. there is a good balance of informational signs, artifacts and interactive displays. I really liked that throughout the museum there were displays where you pushed a button and a “hologram” popped up to tell you part of the story. Usually there were 2 characters to choose from and 3 different stories for each character to choose. So there was something for those who are auditory learners as well as the visual learners. There were 2 films… one at the beginning and a more “engaging “ one at the end. I would NOT recommend the one at the end if you have young children or anyone in your group who is easily over stimulated… there are loud noises and flashing lights as it recreates thunder storms, Buffalo stampedes, gunfights etc
Written February 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna B.
Bechtelsville, PA884 contributions
Dec 2022
We visited here on Dec. 28 as part of a road trip from our home in southeastern PA out to New Mexico. This site was among our favorite places we visited while traveling through OK and TX. It is a well-designed and engaging multimedia attraction that will appeal to youth and adults alike.
The museum’s galleries are titled A Wild Land, Comanche Empire, Buffalo Hide Trade, Military on the Frontier, Cowboys and Longhorns, Frontier Settlements, and Guns of the West. Gallery artifacts are enhanced by informative signage, attractive dioramas, background murals, and other art work throughout. The first gallery contains several interactive touch screens, which allow you to explore the topic quite a bit. I especially liked the 4-sided columnar panels (called “Learn More About”) throughout the museum; we took the time to flip and read all the panels and learned a lot. (Don’t miss learning about the “community toothbrush”—yuck!!) In addition to the seven galleries, there are two theater presentations (one is an orientation video viewed upon entering) and nine very realistic holograph vignettes available for viewing throughout the galleries.
It was not crowded during the time we visited here, fortunately; I think it would be hard to read all the information and fully explore the exhibits on a busy day, since the displays are compact with lots to read. So if you are a history enthusiast and want to get the most out of this museum, visit at a quiet time for the best experience. This is not a huge or comprehensive museum about the Wild West (like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in OKC, for example), but what they cover here is well done and engaging.
In all, we spent two full hours here. There is no café onsite; free onsite parking is plentiful, and the admission charge was very reasonable. We combined our visit here with one to the nearby Taylor County History Center/Buffalo Gap Historic Village (see separate review) for a nice day’s outing.
The museum’s galleries are titled A Wild Land, Comanche Empire, Buffalo Hide Trade, Military on the Frontier, Cowboys and Longhorns, Frontier Settlements, and Guns of the West. Gallery artifacts are enhanced by informative signage, attractive dioramas, background murals, and other art work throughout. The first gallery contains several interactive touch screens, which allow you to explore the topic quite a bit. I especially liked the 4-sided columnar panels (called “Learn More About”) throughout the museum; we took the time to flip and read all the panels and learned a lot. (Don’t miss learning about the “community toothbrush”—yuck!!) In addition to the seven galleries, there are two theater presentations (one is an orientation video viewed upon entering) and nine very realistic holograph vignettes available for viewing throughout the galleries.
It was not crowded during the time we visited here, fortunately; I think it would be hard to read all the information and fully explore the exhibits on a busy day, since the displays are compact with lots to read. So if you are a history enthusiast and want to get the most out of this museum, visit at a quiet time for the best experience. This is not a huge or comprehensive museum about the Wild West (like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in OKC, for example), but what they cover here is well done and engaging.
In all, we spent two full hours here. There is no café onsite; free onsite parking is plentiful, and the admission charge was very reasonable. We combined our visit here with one to the nearby Taylor County History Center/Buffalo Gap Historic Village (see separate review) for a nice day’s outing.
Written January 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FionaBell
Royal Oak, MI148 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
We were in Abilene for a wedding and based on the great reviews we checked out the museum. So glad we did, even my friend thanked me at the end. Great interactive presentation that tells the story of the area from the perspective of the Indians to the settlers, the build up and decimation of the bison and finally the decline of the area Indian population. Exhibits were great, films educational and Jere who welcomed us really took time to explain the museum and fill in our knowledge gaps. It was great talking to her!
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeandCyndy
Chula Vista, CA28 contributions
Mar 2023
We have been to many" museums" around the US and abroad and this is one of the most important and well done we have experienced!
The holographic historical story tellers were so powerful! An Indigenous telling that everyone should hear and take to heart= the truth from every perspective on the "Blood and Treasure" of this area and America. A must experience!
MIke and Cyndy -Quincy ,MA
The holographic historical story tellers were so powerful! An Indigenous telling that everyone should hear and take to heart= the truth from every perspective on the "Blood and Treasure" of this area and America. A must experience!
MIke and Cyndy -Quincy ,MA
Written March 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel S
33 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Interesting and interactive. Only down side is it started and ends with a timed video show. You cannot get into the rest of the exhibit without watching the video at the beginning. The doors won’t open until the video is over. And at the end there is another video but if you don’t time it right you have to wait up to 20 minutes for those doors to open to watch that video.
That said, the exhibits and hologram videos in the main areas of the museum are great!
That said, the exhibits and hologram videos in the main areas of the museum are great!
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike h
Fort Worth, TX500 contributions
Jan 2023
I have been on a Texas forts and frontier kick over the last month. Frontier Texas tells similar stories, bur is very nicely packaged under one roof. Beginning and end short movies were excellent.
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff A
Harker Heights, TX82 contributions
Aug 2020
If you really are interested in learning the history of life on the Texas Frontier then a stop at Frontier Texas is a must. A stop here is well worth it before you start traveling along the Texas Forts Trail and seeing all the historic landmarks, monuments, and sites. The interactive displays are very informative and the two film presentations help make life on the Texas Frontier come to life. This place is well worth the price of admission and you could easily spend several hours if you read every display and article. The western gun collection is also quite impressive and it was also interesting receiving a character from the era and then loading their card in the kiosk at the end of the tour to learn about the character card you were given.. Well worth the time to go and see.
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightsee27259452312
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Couples
This venue is much more professionally presented than might be expected. Easily comparable with the big destinations in the Metro cities. Texas past gives a valuable insight into Texas today. Highly, highly recommended.
Written February 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
musclesnmorsels
San Angelo, TX95 contributions
Mar 2022
This is a great spot to go and check out some amazing facts and visuals of the Texas Frontier history and how things came to be what they are today. Simple to read, see, view and listen to displays in 6 rooms that take 1.5-2 hours to go through. Very interactive and dynamic experience. I really enjoyed this myself. I would suggest kids be 12 or older to go through and understand/absorb the content.
Written March 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisabinnyc
New York City, NY666 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This is a wonderful museum! If you find yourself in the Abilene area I absolutely recommend taking time to appreciate the history of Texas. It’s all here! Starting with the very earliest people to make the area home then progressing up until the nineteenth century, with effective displays and recreations, the viewer gets a really incredible and comprehensive overview of TX history. The museum also has a terrific gift shop.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Went to their website and they have this posted: Hours:
Saturday 9AM–6PM
Sunday 1–5PM
Monday 9AM–6PM
Tuesday 9AM–6PM
Wednesday 9AM–6PM
Thursday 9AM–6PM
Friday 9AM–6PM
Written August 25, 2018
How long should we allow for our visit?
Written August 1, 2018
If you are travelling with elementary aged kids, then 2 hours is the minimum. Look at all the hologram spirit guides and don't miss the last film near the exit. All spirit guides return to tell their story. That film is about 10 minutes. Adults could get through this in an hour if time is short.
Written August 26, 2018
How long should we allow at this museum?
Written August 1, 2018
What a neat place. Allow yourself a good two, maybe three hours.
Written August 20, 2018
When I went we did not have our pets with us and I did not see anyone with them. Sorry I could not be of more help.
Written July 1, 2018
I think only service dogs are allowed in the museum.
Written July 1, 2018
Why would someone post "no interest in going" and give a bad review if he/she hasn't even been to the museum? Some people shouldn't post if they haven't visited the place. I thought the museum was GREAT.
Written October 16, 2017
This museum was excellent in that it has beautiful, colorful, real-to-life exhibits which are arranged in chronological order of history to explain the Texas frontier and the cattle industry. We learned a lot and were very pleased with our visit.
Written October 17, 2017
I won't arrive in town until 5 (when they're about to close). I won't have time for the museum. Can I view the bull head or anything else around the museum without having to pay?
Written July 18, 2017
I believe you can view the grounds without paying admission.
Written July 19, 2017
Two hours minimum. Really depends on how busy they are and how you pace yourself.
Written June 15, 2017
I am not aware of a visitor's package (there is a group package). When we went, we bought the tickets at the museum's box office. Sorry for not being that helpful! For more information, you may want to check the web pages for abilenetx or go to frontiertexas.
Written April 13, 2015
Showing results 1-9 of 9
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing