The Ultimate Girl's Weekend
We’ll need reservations for the whole gang at one of Abilene’s fabulous guest houses.
The Eleven09 guest house can sleep as many as 10, while Sayles Ranch Guest Houses has several options, including a few with swimming pools. All of these are stunningly decorated and centrally located.
Provided by Erica Pangburn: Longtime Abilinean
First things first: Check abilenevisitors.com for upcoming events, dining and lodging ideas – as well as some great itineraries. Make dinner reservations: Call The Mill to reserve a silo for Thursday night. Dinner Friday night will be at Perini’s. Check.
Thursday
When all the gals are together, everyone must download the MyAbi app to our phones so we peruse our options together. We might decide to rate all of our stops on social media.
Our next stop would be to head downtown. The ideal scenario for me, an art lover, would be to show off The Center for Contemporary Arts to my friends. I want them to experience ArtWalk, so our fun weekend is going to start with lunch at Vagabond on an ArtWalk Thursday.
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0fd6e54263619d12302511aa7e3d7c18 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8d05d5a130e5a104294b99e2cacb0e93 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a2755ce3973a653166090aacca142664 768w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1750e9c858e09b1651a053eacb01d468 1024w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=44661a59f9ef09e8ccd50ded3a24dc0b 1200w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7301003c929051792ede6778c8ac1dcb 1440w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/dph_8447_paramount2016.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8e6ee1242cf362c5e88705930e024ad8 1600w)
After we’ve lingered over our pizza and wine, we’ll tour The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, The Grace Museum, hit Jody Klotz Fine Art and admire work at the new Calypso Gallery and Cockerell Building Upstairs galleries. We will definitely sip Habanero Lemonade at Monk’s Coffee Shop and splurge on a few handmade chocolates at Vleta’s. We’ll pose for photos with Storybook Sculptures and at The Paramount Theatre.
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/girls_weekend_2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=db280d68bc9366d5817a01dd2f7a1f02 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/girls_weekend_2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3b85d148a2714f9aea360002cb98eab2 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/girls_weekend_2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=66ba5010315346d02f0c3eae16d566f5 768w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/girls_weekend_2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=eb4bc652b0595ec3649596adb0f10f89 1024w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/girls_weekend_2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4d3f7e1f5b7b6f2ca371251ec74472aa 1200w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/girls_weekend_2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6e0ab214da1f1bb43b05d4a23eca3a1d 1280w)
Then, we’ll head just south of the railroad tracks to The Mill Wine & Event Center for Thursday night steak night with live music. We’ll likely run into at least 25 people we know before calling it a night.
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/AM-Donuts.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=cc1a687586f821e769210439d09fec0f 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/AM-Donuts.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=38b051a067040996163a78065ee7016f 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/AM-Donuts.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=81a6b4556573220d88e285a2f35985da 768w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/AM-Donuts.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a7df95acb86d464fa69b18499d889f33 1024w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/AM-Donuts.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=10bf9bb0a9771053bd6a2b053fcbb059 1200w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/AM-Donuts.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6f116552a751f3042ebec360a13f99db 1316w)
Friday
Today is all about relaxation and pampering! Oh, you KNOW we slept in. After coffee and croissants (from AMDonuts) at our guesthouse, it’s off to VIP Nails for manicures and pedicures. We’ll pick up sandwiches from Bogie’s and then head back for an afternoon by the pool at our guest house. Lots of catching up, sunning, and pedicure admiring to do before dressing for dinner.
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Perini-Ranch-Marg.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=00b2134bdea6d82db4f8a3b46d8029a8 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Perini-Ranch-Marg.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3234d2ee47732e568fd1dbf5087e8d0b 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Perini-Ranch-Marg.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4081e23b2f0faa28def7a5916d57f481 768w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Perini-Ranch-Marg.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=67074cacc182ae7d883e16d65d7febb1 1000w)
Dinner at Perini Ranch is my must-do for every out-of-town visitor. Jalapeno bites, green-chili hominy, a ribeye and Mesquite-A-Ritas. I’ve already picked up some Perini steak rub at Texas Star Trading to surprise my friends with an Abilene keepsake they’ll use at home. The ACVB has other Abilene memorabilia, so it’s easy to set up the girls with fun keepsakes. Shot glasses shaped like a cowboy boot? Done.
Saturday
We’ll start with breakfast at the The Dixie Pig. It opens at 6 a.m. and is one of Abilene's oldest restaurants.
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Rust-and-Roses.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8762366b07a13702b30d8e03dc224b46 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Rust-and-Roses.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=670d766ed7aa7c161b7012809ad43204 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Rust-and-Roses.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=04d13caa995dc49322090e6021242261 768w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Rust-and-Roses.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1b301159b0d233a49991e84e93594013 960w)
After breakfast, we’ll get in some steps and shop. I like to peruse Vintage Marketplace and Living Chic along South First and Urban Relics on South 14th.
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Sockdolager-Promo-Items.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ff5fdbfca53cfae84795bc9f49235ed4 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Sockdolager-Promo-Items.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=943d49919975eb8b83dfededefbbae27 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/Sockdolager-Promo-Items.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5f111e1fbaed8fb3aac2b184f5a36f7c 756w)
For lunch, we’ll pop back over to South 7th’s El Pulgarcito de America. A hidden treasure with authentic Mexican & El Salvadoran fare. Then we’ll head down Treadaway to Sockdolager Brewery or Pappy Slokum to pick up some cool hats & tee-shirts – who am I kidding?! I meant early happy hour. Next, it’s back to the guest house to drop off our vintage finds and freshen up for dinner.
Saturday Night Dinner
We’ll hit Abilene Beehive for a late dinner and try whatever sumptuous menu item is the weekend special. We’ll want comfort food. And their famous Long Island Iced Tea. We don’t do this enough. Planning to do it again. Maybe we should walk off some of this food before we go to bed?
![](https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2a35b9ce40c711ba15041ba1bccf76d9 320w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=16757b825847cb7f193b2c25c72b259b 540w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=aaf9c25d468434643b57cb0a5c8ce93b 768w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=096d433cd2c7da33c2abe241162bbab0 1024w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f633aec3fb52641f9dbceabc373fea1e 1200w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=770c31b5f7073d5488a48728bb13918e 1440w, https://visit-abilene.imgix.net/images/taylor-county-taphouse-breakfast.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=3dff28172dc487c1a797614205c7662a 1600w)
Sunday
We will hit my favorite guilty pleasure for brunch: Taylor County Taphouse. It opens at 11, which is perfect because we’ll be sleeping late. The Bloody Marys are bloody-good, and we’ll share the biscuits with chicken friend bacon, please.
Was that only 3 days? Thanks Abilene- we’re gonna need a lot more weekends though, because we’re just getting started!