Many people have silently agreed with the shirts and bumper stickers that read “Keep Abilene Boring.” One of the recurring lamentations heard at ACU is the lack of interesting things to do over the weekends or, for local students, over the summer.

Weekends are manageable with homework, but dying of boredom over the summer can become a real threat for students and professors alike. Fortunately, there are a number of places to capture the interests of the locals.

The Abilene Zoo, with the unique opportunity to feed the giraffes, is a $5 entry fee.

“It’s great cheap entertainment,” said David Kneip, instructor of Bible, missions and ministry. “I’d definitely visit every once in a while.”

Another attraction, the Grace Museum, is located in an old hotel in downtown Abilene. It features history, art and children’s museums. An entry fee of $8 provides guests with access to all three sections.

Another set of exhibits available for $8 is Frontier Texas. An Old West heritage center found downtown, this interactive museum provides multiple avenues for discovering snippets of Texas history and culture.

For an intriguing cultural experience without all the walking around, the Abilene Community Theater offers several thrilling performances over the course of the summer. While not open every day, the company’s lineup promises to be an enriching and thought-provoking season.

A self-guided approach to outdoor entertainment is readily available south of town at the Abilene State Park. Another venue with a $5 price tag, the area features several opportunities for fishing, swimming and camping.

“There are a lot of great parks around,” Kneip said. “You can get out, throw a football around, or use some of the hiking or biking trails.”

Kneip said Abilene has many recreation opportunities.

“There really are a lot of things you can do around here for entertainment,” he said.