Locals tell me that it's not unusual to see folks on horseback going through the drive-through lane…read moreat Dairy Queen. This small town has kept out intruders like Wal-Mart in order to maintain a preserved atmosphere that is very appealing. The pace is slow here. I passed through Albany years ago and was intrigued by some interesting sculptures in the courtyard of an old jail that had been converted into an art center. It was closed that day so, when I had some time recently, I drove the three hours from Dallas to try my luck again. What kind of art do you think is displayed here? Nope. You're wrong. A small gallery of Renoir, Modigliani, van Gogh, de Goya, Delacroix, Boudin, Munch, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Pissarro... well, I could go on but this list is enough to make any art lover pause. It's not all paintings. There are some fascinating sketches and preparatory drawings. There are also very good small collections of Mexican and Asian art. Exhibitions of modern art have a place here, too. One room has local and western artifacts that provide context into Albany itself. In spite of all the great art here, I will never forget the two 19th century childhood dolls of Celia Mae Terry Nail. Comprised of nothing more than cotton, string, and ink, these are literally rag dolls. It's a heartbreakingly direct window into what it was like to be poor during those times. A toy, any toy, was obviously an out-of-reach luxury so a humble rag had to suffice. That this is called an art center and not a gallery or museum is apt because the Old Jail Center occupies a special place in the community. During my visit, I watched children finishing their art projects for the day. On a wall were a series of 'giving trees' painted by an elementary school class. Unfortunately, in today's United States, art does not always play a central role in communities. It was reassuring to see that in such a small place as Albany, art is a cultural touchstone. I look forward to future visits.

Fantastic museum with friendly, knowledgeable staff housed in an incredible building! One of the…read morebest collections of art west of Ft. Worth, Texas.

An oasis of modern art by local artists in the sea of west Texas cowboy centered creations. Worth…read morechecking on anytime a especially during ArtWalk.

From the owner: The Center for Contemporary Arts, a 501 (c) (3) corporation, was founded in 1989. Its mission is to…read moreprovide enriching and educational experiences for the region's communities through the promotion and support of artists. The Center's exhibits and community education programs serve over 26,000 individuals annually. The Center currently has more than 60 artist members and rents ten artist studios. Five galleries, one devoted to photography, present more than 20 different admission-free exhibits of regional art, international photography, and award-winning short films to Abilene residents and the greater community.

Beautiful shop! Very nice gift items. The framing is the highest professional quality. Wouldn't go…read moreanywhere else. The new owner is also wonderful.

Very nice and helpful staff. New feeling, well kept shop with a friendly atmosphere. I had an…read moreAmerican flag and certificate framed here and they did a terrific job! The only thing was that it was crazy expensive, but I did get what I paid for. If you're lost and confused, the shoppe's in the back. Just follow the signs. It took me a few minutes to figure it out.

This coffee shop was an over-the-top winner as the staff and the product served are both…read moreexceptional. From the very first time I stepped in, the staff made me feel as if I was more than simply a customer. We chatted for a bit getting to know one another. (I found this place because my vehicle broke down, and I was stranded in Dublin for a few days.) The first visit prompted two more excursions, and I almost hated leaving Dublin when I headed back to Fort Worth. The coffee was amazing, and the food was incredible! Whenever I find myself in the area again, under better circumstances I hope, you can definitely find me in Blackjack's. Be sure to ask for Meagen, Sarah, or Kinzy.

My new favorite place to eat breakfast or lunch in Dublin, TX. And it has WiFi…read more They have coffee from Oak Cliff, Veldhuizen Dublin Karste cheese and specialty sodas. The Turkey and Cheese sandwich is tasty as well as the breakfast sandwich. Coffee is serious, excellent. Service with a smile. I'll be back.

Looking for a wedding venue? There truly are not enough…read morewords to thank Thomas for everything he did for us during our wedding. From the moment we started working with him, we felt supported, cared for, and completely at ease. Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming at times, but Thomas had a way of making everything feel manageable and calm. On our wedding day, he was everywhere we needed him to be without us ever having to ask. He handled every detail with so much professionalism, kindness, and genuine care. Because of him, John and I were able to be fully present and soak in every moment instead of worrying about logistics. That is such a priceless gift on a day you can never get back. What stood out most was how much heart he put into his work. We never felt like "just another event." He truly cared about us, our families, and making sure our day was everything we hoped it would be. By the end of it all, Thomas didn't just feel like our venue coordinator -- he felt like part of the day itself and honestly became a friend. He danced with me and our guests, celebrated alongside us, and brought such a fun, positive energy to the entire evening. Looking back, I can honestly say I had the BEST team ever, and Thomas was such a huge part of that. We are beyond grateful for the role he played in one of the most important days of our lives. Thank you, Thomas, for helping create memories we will cherish forever.

It was a nice afternoon in Abilene when my girlfriend and I explored the historic Grace building…read moreand visited the Grace Museum. We got in a little after noon to see new exhibits that had genuinely just opened for the season that day. The museum is very quiet and, thanks to road construction, a little confusing to get to, but it is worth the drive and adventure. As we arrived, we noticed that a wedding was being set up in their courtyard and event space, and we were in awe of how cute the space was for a wedding. On the first floor was the Gail Norfleet collection, where we were amazed by these multi-layered plexiglass paintings that added depth to her floral pieces and recreated rooms. It is such a unique style. Gail's use of color is quite impressive. On the second floor sat the other two new exhibits. The first was Focus on Photography: Selections from the Permanent Collection, which includes a diverse and vast collection of still images printed on numerous materials such as gelatin, inkjet, tintype, and metal, giving each image a unique display. As a photographer myself, this was my favorite exhibit. My girlfriend's favorite was the Cindi Holt collection showcasing colorful, prairie-inspired pieces. Other areas included the play zone that has the tower challenge and the history exhibits on the third floor focusing on downtown Abilene and the Texas railway. I'm excited to return to the Grace Museum next time I'm in Abilene when new exhibits are on display. What a cute and small museum! RIYL: The Tower Challenge or feeling so much cooler than everyone else because you're being enriched at a museum