Taylor district, Texas, United States

Places to visit near Abilene

Abilene is a city in Taylor district, Texas, United States, home to about 121,721 people. Within 50 km by road there are 121 places to visit — 69 forts & heritage, 13 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 17 churches and 10 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Grace Cultural Center and Museum (1 km), Lytle Lake Dam (3 km) and The Abilene Zoo (5 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Abilene on the map

Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Taylor district, Texas, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Abilene at a glance

Location
Taylor district, Texas, United States
Population
about 121,721
Coordinates
32.4487° N, 99.7331° W
Places within 50 km
121 (5 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Abilene

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Abilene: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Abilene, by type

Forts & heritage near Abilene

117 forts & heritage within 100 km of Abilene. The closest is Abilene Reporter-News (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Abilene

49 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Abilene. The closest is Lytle Lake Dam (3 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Churches near Abilene

30 churches within 100 km of Abilene. The closest is Bethel Church of God in Christ (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Abilene

29 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Abilene. The closest is Buzzard Mountain (29 km); the best-known is Castle Peak (33 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Museums near Abilene

16 museums within 100 km of Abilene. The closest is Grace Cultural Center and Museum (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Abilene

3 parks within 100 km of Abilene. The closest is Arthur Sears Park (4 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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A one-day trip from Abilene

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 29 km on the road.

  1. Start in Abilene
  2. 1 km Grace Cultural Center and Museum · museum, Taylor
  3. 1 km Abilene Reporter-News · heritage site, Taylor
  4. 5 km The Abilene Zoo · nature spot, Taylor
  5. 2 km Lytle Lake Dam · dam, Taylor
  6. 9 km Kirby Lake · lake, Taylor
  7. 11 km Back to Abilene

Plan a longer trip from Abilene — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Abilene

No traveller has reported from around Abilene yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Abilene

    All places near Abilene by distance

    Within 15 km of Abilene

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Abilene by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage69117Abilene Reporter-News (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs1349Lytle Lake Dam (3 km)
    Churches1730Bethel Church of God in Christ (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints1029Buzzard Mountain (29 km)
    Museums916Grace Cultural Center and Museum (1 km)
    Parks13Arthur Sears Park (4 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens12The Abilene Zoo (5 km)
    Caves11Jared's Man Cave (24 km)

    Abilene: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Abilene?

    Grace Cultural Center and Museum (museum, about 1 km), Lytle Lake Dam (dam, about 3 km), The Abilene Zoo (nature spot, about 5 km), Kirby Lake (lake, about 11 km), Abilene Reporter-News (heritage site, about 1 km), National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (museum, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Abilene?

    121 places on Spotwander: 69 forts & heritage, 13 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 17 churches, 10 hill stations & viewpoints, 9 museums.

    Which is the nearest fort to Abilene?

    Abilene Reporter-News, about 1 km by road; 45th Infantry Division at Camp Barkeley (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Abilene?

    Lytle Lake Dam, about 3 km by road; Zoo Lake Number 2 (5 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Abilene?

    Bethel Church of God in Christ, about 1 km by road; Bethel United Methodist Church (3 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Abilene?

    Start in Abilene, visit Grace Cultural Center and Museum, then Abilene Reporter-News, then The Abilene Zoo, then Lytle Lake Dam, then Kirby Lake, and drive back — about 29 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Abilene?

    October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Abilene

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Abilene’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Abilene on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.