Abilene

A dusty domicile of more than 116,000 people, Abilene boasts some noteworthy attractions: a historic fort, three lakes, several museums, a zoo (where visitors can feed almost all the animals—even the elephants), a re-created frontier village, and a stately old theater. Abilene also has a few claims to fame. Pop star Jessica Simpson was born and reared here, while runners like Bobby Morrow, the Olympics champion, were incubated in this sports-centric area.