Are you looking for some fun attractions or activities in Wichita Falls, Texas? Even if you’ve lived in Wichita Falls your entire life, it’s nearly impossible to know everything available to do in this northern Texas town. Besides being home to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and the “world’s littlest skyscraper.”, the city is packed full of thriving arts scenes, fun annual events, beautiful historic architecture, and gorgeous parks.
Known as the “Gateway to Texas,” Wichita Falls is nestled between Dallas, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and is famous for being a stomping ground for cattle ranchers as far back as the 1800s. Below is a list of 15 best things to do in Wichita Falls that you should check out. Let’s discover what your local city has to offer; maybe you’ll find a few things you didn’t already know about.
Find Out Some Fun Things To Do In Wichita Falls
1. Lucy Park
This, of course, would make number one of our best things to do in Wichita Falls, Texas list. Located in the center of town, Lucy Park is a 178-acre park on the Wichita River that is home to the River Bend Nature Center, one of the city’s most popular outdoor spots. The park is home to waterfowl, ducks, and geese that live there year-round at the large pond. For biking and hiking enthusiasts, there is a 1.7-mile paved trail that circles the park. Besides wildlife and hiking trails, the park also features a swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic tables and grills, sports courts, and a disc golf course. Don’t forget to complete your visit with a scenic one-mile walk to The Falls, the man-made waterfall that replaced the original Wichita Falls that sadly washed away during a flood in the 1800s.
Website: Lucy Park / The Falls
2. Castaway Cove
What to do on a sunny day in Wichita Falls? Visit Castaway Cove! This Wichita Falls water park offers an oasis from the summer heat with slides, a kid pool, wave pool, and lazy river. Start a sand volleyball game or head to the Lagoon, where you can play water basketball and volleyball. They also offer cabanas for rent, a garden picnic site, a cafe, and a Tropical Bar for adults to relax with a grown-up beverage. If you’re feeling adventurous, make sure to take a ride down Pirate’s Plunge, a 37-foot vertical free fall that accelerates up to a speed of 40 mph, to reach 59 feet per second as you make the 360-degree loop. Castaway Cove waterpark is fun for all ages.
Website: Castaway Cove Waterpark
3. River Bend Nature Center
River Bend Nature Center or RBNC is a twenty-acre non-profit environmental education facility that is open everyday of the week. Home to many creatures that crawl, walk, fly, and swim, a visit to RNBC is great for nature lovers of all ages. Their most popular exhibits are the Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the United Children’s Garden, and the River Bottom Forest Trail. There is always something new to discover at River Bend Nature Center.
Website: River Bend Nature Center
4. Kemp Center for the Arts
Home to The Arts Council and the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, the Kemp Center was built in 1917 as a public library and now is the heart of arts and culture in Wichita Falls. The Kemp Center features five indoor galleries and one outdoor gallery with various pieces from amateur artists to seasoned professionals. The Kemp is also a great place to catch annual events like the Mystery Arts Fest, Arts Alive! Home and Garden Festival and Cowboy True, plus kids’ camps and adult classes.
Website: Kemp Center
5. Museum of North Texas History
Would you like to learn more about the rich heritage of North Texas? Visit this local museum for a fun and entertaining experience in history for children and adults. Permanent collections representing elements that built north texas include a Native Americans exhibit, Oil, and gas, a local resident’s military collection, antique medical equipment, classic cowboy hats, and even a doll and toy collection.
Website: Museum of North Texas History
6. Jenny to Jet Exhibit
If you’re a fan of historical aviation, check out the Jenny to Jet Exhibit located at the Wichita Falls Regional Airport. Discover the history of Call Field, a World War I U.S. Army Air Corps training camp, through displays of uniforms, equipment, and multimedia presentations. You will also find the first U.S. military training plane and a modern jet that is a current training plane for the armed forces.
Website: Jenny to Jet Exhibit
7. Kell House Museum
Visit the Kell Museum for a glimpse of Wichita Falls history through the eyes of the Kell family. Tours of this local, state and national landmark include stories of the Kell family, the city that grew around them, and their contributions to the community and nation. The home was built-in 1909 by local pioneer Frank Kell and combines elements from the past, present, and future. The Victorian-inspired interior and Neoclassical exterior of the house add to the tale and help bring history to life for visitors.
Website: Kell House Museum
8. CrashWorks STEAM Studio & Makerspace
STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, is a fun, hands-on interactive creative studio for the whole family. Unlike other creative studios in the Wichita area, they focus on the process rather than the product by using everyday materials. Their goal and mission statement is to “foster imagination, inspiration, curiosity, discovery, and problem-solving.” Check out their calendar for fun events and workshops.
Website: CrashWorks Steam Studio and Makerspace
Depot Square Historic District
Covering six blocks from Eight Street to Ohio Street, Depot Square is known for being the heritage heartland of Wichita Falls and is run by the Wichita Falls Historical Society. Many of the city’s important cultural sites are located here, and there are also several antique shops in this area where you can purchase some period mementos. Also, the local farmer’s market and famous landmarks such as the “World’s Littlest Skyscraper” can be found nearby. Come here for a stroll around this charming town and explore the area to your heart’s content.
Website: Depot Square Historic District
10. Maniac’s Mansion
Maniac’s Mansion is home to classic arcade games and a cereal bar. You will find this unusual combination at Maniac’s Mansion, a vintage arcade games including Ms. Pac Man, Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong, plenty of cereals, as well as a collection of sodas, games as well as collectibles and artwork that you can admire or purchase. The arcade even hosts fighting tournaments and other gaming events in downtown Wichita Falls. This fun experience definitely fits our list of best things to do in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Website: Maniac’s Mansion
11. Wichita Falls Brewing Company
Wichita Falls Brewing is a family-friendly spot to gather, drink good beer and eat good food from local food trucks. If you love a good craft beer, don’t miss a visit to Wichita Falls’ own craft brewery. Order a hop-forward double IPA or a refreshing blonde ale and then find a spot in the upscale downtown taproom. The brewery pours a tempting range of other craft beers and ciders from other breweries along with its house offerings, giving you plenty to taste and enjoy.
Website: Wichita Falls Brewing Company
12. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
What to do in Wichita Falls that is out of the box? Visit the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. Here they celebrate all things from the wild world of pro wrestling and feature memorabilia from Texas legends like the Von Erich’s and Paul Boesch, plus items from several decades of national stars and female wrestlers. Catch live wrestling matches, special appearances, induction ceremonies, and other events here.
Website: Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
13. P’s Crazy Car Museum
What to do if you are a vintage car buff? Plan a visit to P’s crazy car museum and check out the collection of 40 vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Only open on Saturdays and free to the public, some autos on display include a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr and a late 1930’s race car. And if you like what you see while you’re there, all vehicles are available for purchase, giving you the chance to go home with an authentic piece of automotive history.
Website: P’s Crazy Car Museum
14. Wichita Theatre Performing Arts Center
Originally built to be an Opera House, The Wichita Theatre was constructed in 1908 and is the city’s answer to Broadway. The theatre hosts four or five annual showcase productions, kids’ programs, camps, and even costume rentals for the Halloween season. Visit their website for current product information.
Website: Wichita Theatre Performing Arts Center
Eat at Casa Mañana
To finish our list of best things to do in Wichita Falls, eat at the home of the red taco, Casa Mañana. Located in downtown Wichita Falls, this local eatery was established in 1947 and is owned by Larry and Vikki Karr. Besides serving a variety of Tex Mex items, they also offer a Mexican Burger and Chicken Fried Steak. This is a great place to visit for lunch or dinner after exploring one of the other 15 best things to do in Wichita Falls.
Website: The Original Casa Mañana
Conclusion:
Hopefully, this list of best things to do in Wichita Falls, Texas, has given you some great ideas for something to do around town. Exploring new things in the area is a great way to learn more about your city and to get your family out of the house for a couple of hours. You probably have experienced your fair share of being stuck at home these last few months. Besides being eager to get out of your house, you may have discovered your home isn’t a good fit for your family anymore. If you are considering upsizing or downsizing or ready to be done with consistent home repairs and renovations that eat into any extra money to enjoy activities like the ones listed above, we understand!
If you are thinking about making a housing change or, due to unforeseen circumstances, need to move, Four 19 Properties can be of help! Four 19 Properties is a professional home buying company that buys properties in as-is condition. Different from traditional home sales, we work with people facing bankruptcy, liens, foreclosure, major repairs, and more. Besides purchasing properties in as-is condition, we also pay in cash, which allows us to close quickly. We would save you the trouble of hiring an agent, making expensive repairs, and months of uncertainty which selling a house on the market brings. And better yet, there are no commissions, fees, or closing costs when you work with us.
Don’t get stuck in a home that doesn’t allow you to get out and enjoy life. If you’re ready to take the next step and get a cash offer for your home, please give us a call or visit our website. We are excited for you to be able to enjoy the attractions that Wichita Falls has to offer its residents!