Abilene shops

Sure, there's quality antiquing in Abilene. But you'll also find shops in restored Victorian commercial brick buildings downtown to explore with girlfriends. In a former 1910 Masonic Temple, discover contemporary home decor shop Cypress Bridge (785/263-1963). The family-owned lifestyle store carries serving pieces, cooking gadgets, baby gifts, lamps and makes their own "triple scented" candles. We like the 3-ounce tart melts ($4.79) because you can enjoy fragrant candlelight in small doses. Self-gifting is easy at Treasures by Tracine, where you'll find hand-crafted jewelry, artisanal handbags, woven scarves, and pick-your-own charms for necklaces and bracelets (785/263-7700). There's more shopping spread around the Five-Star Museum District south of the railroad tracks. Local Kansas artisans sell their crafts among tourist trinkets and T-shirts at Old Abilene Town General Store (785/263-1868) next to the Hitching Post restaurant. Across from the Eisenhower presidential library-museum campus, The American Indian Art Center (785/263-0090) carries fine pieces by 100 Native American artisans. Books, crafts and semiprecious stone-silver jewelry start at $10 while museum-quality clay pots, sculptures, baskets, carvings and paintings run as high as $800.