Riding the Big Country means miles of open ranchland vistas—broad mountains and squatty mesas, rugged terrain and clear skies, wind turbines and windmills. San Angelo actively promotes the arts, music, and numerous festivals from its picturesque setting on the Concho River. The Fort Concho National Historic Landmark is a preserved 1867 Texas fort that now hosts events and reenactments. The ride to Robert Lee climbs a scenic pass before dropping to the Colorado River Valley. Fort Chadbourne is just north of Bronte. The post was established in 1852 and sponsors a Living History Day in May each year. Buffalo Gap, southwest of Abilene, was named for a natural pass that the great southern herds of bison traveled through. This community also has unique shops and great food.
By Tom Wiley
Along The Way
ABILENE/BUFFALO GAP
ABILENE STATE PARK
150 Park Rd. 52, Tuscola
325-572-3204
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/abilene
BUFFALO GAP HISTORIC VILLAGE
133 N. Williams St.
325-572-3365
abilenevisitors.com/Buffalo-Gap-Historic-Village
LITTLE ITALY RESTAURANT
1417 S. Danville Dr.
325-692-8117
littleitalyabilene.com
PERINI RANCH STEAKHOUSE
3002 FM 89
325-572-3339
store.periniranch.com
BRONTE
FORT CHADBOURNE
651 Fort Chadbourne Rd.
325-743-2555,
325-473-5311
fortchadbourne.org
SAN ANGELO
CHICKEN FARM ART CENTER
2505 Martin Luther King Dr.
325-653-4936
chickenfarmartcenter.com
CORK AND PIG TAVERN
2201 Knickerbocker Rd.
325-227-6988
corkandpig.com
FRANCO’S CAFÉ
2218 Martin Luther
King Dr.
325-653-8010
francoscafe.org
SAN ANGELO STATE PARK
3900-2 Mercedes Rd.
325-949-4757
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/san-angelo
On The Road
Pit Stops
1. PIC-N-PAC
5904 U.S. Hwy. 87, San Angelo
325-653-2969
2. STRIPES
101 S. State St., Bronte
325-473-6601
stripesstores.com
Grab a Bite
1. PEASANT VILLAGE RESTAURANT
23 S. Park St., San Angelo
325-655-4811
peasantvillagerestaurant.com
2. WHOLLY COW BURGERS
829 N. Judge Ely Blvd., Abilene
325-701-7841
3121 S. 14th St., Abilene
325-701-9240
whollycownow.com
Stay The Night
1. HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
1802 E. Overland Trail, Abilene
325-675-9800
ihg.com
2. SAN ANGELO KOA
6699 Knickerbocker Rd.,
San Angelo
325-949-3242
koa.com/campgrounds/san-angelo
Diversions
1. FORT CONCHO NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
630 S. Oakes St., San Angelo
325-481-2646
fortconcho.com
2. NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE
102 Cedar St., Abilene
325-673-4586
nccil.org
Only In Texas
1. REPUBLIC OF TEXAS–TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
34 W. Ave. D, San Angelo
rotbbq.squarespace.com
