Abilene sits in West Texas where the plains meet a city built on railroads, universities, and military life. Frontier Texas!, a museum in downtown Abilene, uses films and exhibits to tell the story of frontier settlement on the Texas plains. The Grace Museum, housed in a former hotel, presents art and history exhibitions, and the Paramount Theatre, restored to its 1930s look, hosts films and performances. Dyess Air Force Base lies on the west side of the city, and three universities give Abilene a strong student and cultural presence.