Wichita Falls, Texas is located in the northeast corner of the Panhandle/Plains area of North Texas and is a quick, 17-minute drive to the Oklahoma state line.
With a population of over 104,000, the city is known as the Gateway to Texas. With its big city attractions and small-town charm, Wichita Falls can be the perfect destination for travelers wanting their first introduction to the Lone Star State. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the 10 best things to do in Wichita Falls, Texas, that are sure to leave a lasting impression on any tourist.
1. Visit the pride of the city: Kell House Museum
Built in 1909, Kell House Museum grabs the attention of all who pass this grand structure. It displays the history of Wichita Falls, through the eyes of the Kell family, major contributors who shaped the city into what it is today. The Neo-Classical exterior and Victorian-inspired interior are what makes Kell House Museum a real standout. The moment you set foot into Kell House Museum it’s like turning back the clock. Many of the early 20th century features are on display here, including original family furnishings, decorative arts, and historic costumes. Tours are available and history buffs will revel in the rich history Kell House Museum provides.
A special aspect of Kell House Museum is the Santa House, as it’s referred to by the locals. It’s a time during the holiday season when Kell House Museum is decorated with festive trimmings to resemble the way it looked during Christmastime, 100 years ago. Adding to the holiday celebrations, Kell House Museum also features an exciting, one-night only, candle-led tour through the historic house.
2. Splash and splurge at Castaway Cove Waterpark
Castaway Cove Waterpark is the only place to be when it’s summertime in Wichita Falls and it has something for everyone. For family fun, there’s Buccaneer Bay, a tropical-themed wonderland with slides, crawl-through tunnels, and interactive water features. For the thrill-seekers, there’s Pirate’s Plunge, a daring water slide that starts with a 37 foot (11 meter) vertical drop, followed by a 360-degree loop. Storm Watch Tower is not for the faint-of-heart, as this open and enclosed serpentine and corkscrew tube propels you through daylight to darkness, at lightning speed!
There’s also the Castaway Café, which has an ample supply of burgers, hot dogs, and other hearty offerings that most crave after battling the waves. A refreshment counter has fresh squeezed lemonade, which is a real treat on a very hot day. And there’s the Tropical Bar that keeps an array of beers, from domestic to craft, on ice. Wine and other favorite frozen drinks are available, too.
So when the thermometer rises, Castaway Cove Waterpark is your best bet for staying cool.
3. Enjoy Lucy Park and the Falls under the big Texas sky
A visit to Texas means enjoying the great outdoors and Lucy Park is the place to do just that. Located in the center of the city, Lucy Park is a large, picturesque area with a wide variety of healthy activities, such as biking and hiking. A golf course, playground, and both sand and concrete volleyball courts are also available. Lucy Park offers wonderful picnicking facilities. There’s even a log cabin that can be reserved for parties, which is sure to be a big hit with kids.
Lucy Park is located in a bend of the Wichita River. A large pond area, and huge pecan and cottonwood trees give Lucy Park a very natural and rustic beauty. Lucy Park also boasts an impressive swinging bridge that leads across the Big Wichita River. Cross the bridge, then stroll a wonderfully scenic trail that takes you to the Falls.
The Falls is a splendid, man-made, multi-level, waterfall that was built to replace the city’s original Falls, the namesake of the city, destroyed in a flood, in the 1800s. The Falls provide an awesome spot to take a fun selfie or a great backdrop for a wedding photo. It is also a marvelous place to just relax and relish in the serenity of the cascading water.
4. Hardcore nature fans, your place is River Bend Nature Center
If you can’t get enough nature then River Bend Nature Center is a great place to spend an afternoon. River Bend Nature Center utilizes 20 acres (8 hectares) of Lucy Park and it is dedicated to educating and connecting people to the natural beauty of the Texan landscape. A top attraction at River Bend Nature Center is the Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. This state-of-the-art glass structure houses native butterflies, over 100 native plant species, and a display of area wildlife, like prairie dogs, turtles, and quail.
If you’re partial to butterflies, there are more of these colorful creatures to observe at Peyton’s Place. The enclosure allows visitors to walk among swarms of gorgeous butterflies, as they flutter about and sip nectar from the vegetation. Sometimes they even light on visitors! There’s also 17 acres (6.8 hectares) of bottomland forest, wetlands, and nature trails to explore. River Bend Nature Center is surely a nature lover’s delight.
5. Wrestling devotees here is your main event: The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum is dedicated to preserving the history, and honoring the men and women of the no-holds-barred sport of professional wrestling. All the items here, and there are plenty, were donated, or have been loaned, by the wrestlers, their families or fans, from around the world. Boots, belts, and ring jackets, worn by the wrestlers, along with vintage wrestling posters, wrestling masks, and other bits of memorabilia, can be found here! It seems every contributed piece tells a story about the rough and tumble sport.
There’s a Hall of Fame wall, which depicts all the wrestling greats. The museum is staffed with wrestling fans and enthusiasts, so the people are informative, share great stories, and have a level of passion for wrestling that cannot be matched. The entire history of wrestling can be traced at the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum and it is a must-see for any wrestling fan. And because they add stuff on a daily basis, you could go subsequent times and always see something new. Even the littlest wrestling fans can get in on the action, as Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum offers kids a toy room, where they can experience the thrill of taking pictures of themselves holding a wrestler’s belt!
6. Want to explore a Caboose? Check out the Wichita Falls Railroad Museum
Located in the Historic Depot Square downtown, beside the railroad tracks, is the Wichita Falls Railroad Museum - a truly exciting place for any train enthusiast. Wichita Falls Railroad Museum is known by railroad buffs around the country and around the world. The most exciting part is guests are welcome to climb aboard actual train cars and steam locomotives and explore Pullman Troop sleepers, baggage cars, and cabooses.
Wichita Falls Railroad Museum is comprised of a three-track yard, which houses a collection of 15 railroad rolling stock units, 8 motor car units, and tons of memorabilia. The museum provides a great deal of history on Texas’ railroading past, and the staff also has a few great stories to tell. The gift shop is a great place to discover a multitude of toy trains and many other exciting souvenirs, which depict the history of the Wichita Falls Railroad Museum.
7. Get a dose of culture at the Kemp Center for the Arts
Wichita Falls, to the surprise of some and delight of others, features a robust art community and the Kemp Center for the Arts is at the heart of that society. It is home to the Arts Council and the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra and houses three galleries: the Northlight Gallery, the West End Studio and the What’s Up Downstairs area, where visitors can view permanent and rotating exhibits by local, regional, and even international artists. The outdoor sculpture garden is a highlight and the beautiful, serene spot affords the chance to see artwork, in a natural setting.
The sculpture garden is also a popular stop on the Sculpture Garden After Dark/After Hours Art Walk - a recurring, free event, which offers live music and artwork showings. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and make it an unforgettable moment on a summer evening. Check the website for dates. The Kemp Center for the Arts’ commitment to the arts stretches beyond accomplished artists, as art classes are hosted here, for both young and old.
8. Sure New York has its tall buildings, but only Wichita Falls has the World's Littlest Skyscraper!
Officially named The Newby-McMahon Building when it was originally constructed in 1919, the World’s Littlest Skyscraper was apparently the result of a fraudulent investment scheme. The con man wrote the dimensions in inches (millimeters) instead of feet (meters) and not one of the investors noticed until it was too late. But that bit of misfortune has resulted in one of Wichita Falls’ most endearing sightseeing attractions. The four-story red brick structure stands just 40 feet (12 meters) tall and has survived tornadoes, fire and years of neglect. It got the nickname World’s Littlest Skyscraper after appearing in the Ripleys Believe It Or Not syndicated column, in the 1920s. Today, it’s a curiosity to the tourists that pass through.
The top floor is a visitors center, so you’re allowed to climb the 48 stairs to the top floor and see a very nice view of downtown Wichita Falls. The owners run an antique store on the first floor and lease the 2nd and 3rd. For the sheer spectacle, the World’s Littlest Skyscraper should be on your list of things to see, when you visit Wichita Falls.
9. The past lives at the Museum of North Texas History
The Museum of North Texas History is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the North Texas area, while also providing a fun and exciting way of getting children and others interested in the community that surrounds them. The museum takes visitors on an exploration of the Texas oil and gas industry and a large military collection displays uniforms and memorabilia. There’s also a space devoted to World War Two’s Battle of Iwo Jima. The entire military collection has artifacts from the Civil War up through the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On the lighter side, one permanent exhibit not to be missed is Nat’s Hats - a space adorned with over 500 cowboys hats! The collection is from Nat Fleming, who owned Cow Lot Western Wear Store, in Wichita Falls, from 1953 to 2006. The story goes that when you bought a new hat at Nat’s store, Nat tacked the old one on the wall. A horse-drawn buggy, some storefront replicas, and a jewelry box made from the hoof of a stolen horse used in the robbery of a local Wichita Falls bank, in 1898, are also featured here.
10. Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile: An antique lover's dream
Does your heart race when you get a whiff of a musty old book? Do your knees grow weak at the sight of a worn ottoman? If the answer’s yes, then Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile is the perfect place for you. With more than 50,000 square feet (4645 square meters) of vintage, antique and handmade items under one roof, Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile earns high marks from local antique hunters and tourists alike.
Offering a fine selection of vintage kitchenware, books, records, clothing, furniture, and much more, it’s certain you won’t walk out the door empty-handed. There are even a few people who have decorated a good portion of their homes with items found at Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile. The staff is always very helpful and friendly, but what else would you expect - this is Texas!
See also: Top 10 things to do in Washington State
from : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-wichita-702526.html
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