Residence Inn by Marriott Abilene

Start your day at the complimentary hot breakfast buffet or take advantage of fully-equipped kitchens in every suite. (Write up a grocery list and the hotel will do the shopping for you at no charge!) Use the property’s free fast Wi-Fi to handle business on-the-go or host up to 50 people in the 600-square-foot meeting and event space. When you’re ready to unwind, head to the outdoor pool, grill under the stars at the BBQ pit or hit the free weights and cardio equipment in the 24-hour-fitness center.

Walk on the wild side at the Abilene Zoo, home to 1,000 animals including lions, giraffes and howler monkeys. Or explore Abilene’s lively downtown arts district, which boasts more than 20 restored buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Among them: the fully-renovated Paramount Theater, built in 1930, where you can catch films, concerts and dance performances. Nearby, the Grace Museum showcases 1,500 pieces of art, including works by Ansel Adams, Alexander Calder and Andy Warhol.