Entire home

The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center

Family-friendly holiday home in Abilene with a water park

Photo gallery for The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center

Exterior
Living area
Dining
Private kitchen
Games room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
  • Place, Taylor County Expo Center
  • Place, Abilene Zoo
  • Place, Abilene Christian University
  • Airport, Abilene, TX (ABI-Abilene Regional)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center

Perfect for Families, Friends & Memory-Making: Welcome to The Gathering Place – where West Texas charm meets modern comfort! This beautifully renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom brick home sits in a quiet neighborhood just minutes from Abilene's top attractions. With its open floor plan, and thoughtful touches throughout, this is the perfect home base for your Abilene adventure.
🏡 The Space
Living Areas:
Spacious open-concept living room with stunning brick fireplace
Beautiful white shiplap accent walls and exposed ceiling beams
Large dining area with seating for 8 under elegant chandelier
Bonus game room with ping pong and foosball tables
Bright, fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops and stainless appliances

Bedrooms:
Master Suite: King bed, vaulted ceilings, en-suite bathroom
Bedroom 2: Queen bed with cozy navy and gold accents
Bedroom 3: Queen bed with nature-inspired green tones
All bedrooms feature ceiling fans, blackout shades, and comfortable furnishings

Bathrooms:
2 full bathrooms with modern fixtures
Fresh towels and basic toiletries provided

Outdoor Spaces:
Large fenced backyard perfect for kids and pets
Covered patio with outdoor dining table and umbrella
Fire pit area with s'mores supplies included
Plenty of space for outdoor games and relaxation

🎯 What Makes Us Special
✨ Perfectly Located: Walking distance to Nelson Park, Abilene Zoo, and Expo Center
🔥 Cozy Atmosphere: Wood-burning fireplace for chilly Texas evenings
🎮 Entertainment Hub: Game room with ping pong, foosball, and board games
🏡 Family-Friendly: Fenced yard, outdoor fire pit, and kid-friendly amenities
☀️ Solar Powered: Eco-friendly solar panels help keep costs down
🅿️ Convenient Parking: Spacious driveway

📍 Prime Abilene Location
Within Walking Distance:
Nelson Park (0.3 miles) - Playgrounds, walking trails, sports courts
Abilene Zoo (0.4 miles) - Home to 1,000+ animals and family fun
Dodge Jones Youth Sports Complex (0.5 miles) - Sports tournaments and events

Within 10 Minutes:
Downtown Abilene Cultural District (5 min) - Museums, restaurants, shopping
Frontier Texas! (7 min) - Interactive Wild West museum with holograms
The Grace Museum (6 min) - Art galleries and children's activities
Paramount Theatre (6 min) - Historic theater with live performances
Mall of Abilene (8 min) - Shopping, dining, and entertainment

Nearby Attractions (Within 10 Miles):
Abilene State Park (16 miles) - Swimming, hiking, and camping
Buffalo Gap Historic Village (18 miles) - Living history museum
Fort Phantom Hill (15 miles) - Historic military ruins
Dyess Air Force Base (8 miles) - Military base and memorial museum

🍽️ Dining & Entertainment
Fine Dining:
The Beehive (6 min) - Upscale steakhouse with craft cocktails
Cork & Pig (8 min) - Sophisticated dining with wine selection and premium cuts
Copper Creek (12 min) - Hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood
Perini Ranch Steakhouse (Buffalo Gap, 20 min) - James Beard Award winner

Local Favorites:
Taylor County Taphouse (8 min) - Texas comfort food and craft beer
The Shed (10 min) - Rustic atmosphere with amazing barbecue and live music
Jay's Bar-B-Q (7 min) - Local favorite for authentic smoked meats
Vagabond (6 min) - Trendy spot with creative cocktails and elevated comfort food
Cypress Street Station (8 min) - Historic venue with great steaks and atmosphere
Apertivio (12 min) - Wine bar and small plates with sophisticated atmosphere
Grain Theory (9 min) - Farm-to-table cuisine with local ingredients and craft beer

Coffee & Casual:
Front Porch Coffee (10 min) - Artisan coffee and pastries
Monk's Coffee Shop (8 min) - Local favorite with homemade treats
Mezamiz Coffee House (12 min) - Full menu with beer, wine, and happy hour specials
Summer Moon Coffee (Allen Ridge, 10 min) - Oak roasted coffee and signature Moon Milk
Mad Coffee (15 min) - Texas Cuvee coffee roaster, best coffee in town

Weekend Brunch Spots:
Taylor County Taphouse (8 min) - Famous Aye Captain French toast and chicken-fried bacon
Grain Theory (9 min) - Saturday brunch with breakfast tacos and Maple Butter Chicken Biscuit
Copper Creek (12 min) - Monthly brunch with $1 mimosas (first Saturday)
Peacock Patio (15 min) - Outdoor brunch with live music and craft cocktails
The Flipping Egg (12 min) - Hearty breakfast served until 2 PM, perfect for late risers
The Dixie Pig (10 min) - Abilene institution since 1931, family-owned diner

🛏️ Amenities & Comfort
Kitchen Essentials:
Full-size refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher
Coffee maker, toaster, blender, and basic cooking utensils
Dining for 8 plus breakfast bar seating
Complimentary coffee, tea, and basic condiments

Entertainment:
Smart TVs in living room and master bedroom
High-speed WiFi throughout
Board games, books, and family-friendly activities
Ping pong and foosball tables in game room

Practical Comforts:
Central heat and air conditioning
Washer and dryer
Hair dryer, iron, and ironing board
Ceiling fans in every room
Blackout curtains for restful sleep

Outdoor Fun:
Fire pit with seating area (firewood provided)
S'mores kit included
Outdoor dining table with umbrella
Large fenced yard perfect for pets and kids


🏘️ The Neighborhood
The Gathering Place sits in a peaceful residential area that perfectly captures the friendly spirit of Abilene. Tree-lined streets, well-maintained homes, and proximity to parks make this an ideal location for families. You're close enough to walk to major attractions but far enough from busy roads to enjoy quiet evenings.
Nearby Parks & Recreation:

Nelson Park offers playgrounds, walking trails, and sports facilities
Multiple golf courses within 10 minutes
Lake activities at Kirby Lake and Lake Fort Phantom Hill
Abilene Zoo rated as one of Texas's top family attractions

✅ House Rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM
Maximum Occupancy: 8 guests
Smoking: Outdoor areas only
Pets: Welcome with prior approval ($50 pet fee)
Parties/Events: Please inquire for special occasions
Quiet Hours: 10 PM - 8 AM (please respect the neighbors!)

🌟 Guest Experience
From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the warm hospitality that makes Texas special. We've thoughtfully curated every detail to ensure your stay is comfortable and memorable. Whether you're visiting family at Dyess AFB, exploring Abilene's rich history, or attending events at the Expo Center, The Gathering Place provides the perfect home base.

What Guests Love Most:
"The location is unbeatable - walked to the zoo with our kids!"
"Perfect for our family reunion - everyone had space to spread out"
"The fire pit was the highlight - s'mores every night!"
"Beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean"
"Felt like staying at a friend's house, not a rental"


📞 About Your Hosts
We're local Abilene residents who love sharing our city with visitors. We're always available to provide recommendations for restaurants, activities, and hidden gems that make Abilene special. Our goal is to help you create lasting memories during your stay.
Book The Gathering Place today and discover why Abilene is known as "The Friendly Frontier!"

The Gathering Place: Where every stay becomes a cherished memory. 🏡❤️

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Up to two dogs under 80 lbs are allowed. There is
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
There is no smoking within 20' of any structures,

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Abilene

Abilene is home to this holiday home. Frontier Texas and Grace Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature and Rose Park Tennis Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Abilene Zoo and Prime Time Family Entertainment Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Abilene, TX

What's nearby

  • Taylor County Expo Center - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Abilene Zoo - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Abilene Christian University - 5 min drive - 4.5 km
  • Hendrick Medical Center - 7 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Hardin Simmons University - 8 min drive - 6.0 km

Getting around

  • Abilene, TX (ABI-Abilene Regional) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Braum's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Lytle Land & Cattle Co. - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Gathering Place: Near Zoo/Park & Expo Center located?

This family-friendly Abilene holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Taylor County Expo Center and Camp Barkeley Dog Park. Abilene Zoo and National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

Reviews

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris A.

Super clean and centrally located!

Great host! House is super clean, inviting and decorated nicely. The beds are comfy with great pillows! Communication was very quick and accommodating. I highly recommend this home for your next trip to Abilene.

About the host

Hosted by Nathan & Kristi Harwell (B&B Hosting)

Host profile image
📞 About Your Hosts
We're local Abilene residents who love sharing our city with visitors. We're always available to provide recommendations for restaurants, activities, and hidden gems that make Abilene special. Our goal is to help you create lasting memories during your stay.
Book The Gathering Place today and discover why Abilene is known as "The Friendly Frontier!"

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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