13 Best Things To Do In Wichita Falls, TX

1. Surround yourself with the beautiful creations at Wichita Falls Art Association

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Enthusiasts of the arts will find their place in Wichita Falls at this gallery. Wichita Falls Art Association is a group dedicated to strengthening the world of arts and culture in the city and creating unbreakable bonds amongst various communities.

The projects spearheaded by the organization include art and murals in public spaces. They also operate a gallery on 8th Street, which is open to everyone. If you have a fellow art lover on your crew, take them for an afternoon visit!

Wichita Falls Art Association

Address: 600 8th St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, United States

Website: Wichita Falls Art Association

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

2. Take a scenic stroll at Wichita Bluff Nature Area

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Long walks and quiet afternoons are what’s waiting for you at Wichita Bluff Nature Area. Gather the adventurers in your family and hike along the Wichita Bluff Trail. The paved walkways and bike paths here make for a nice spot to have a leisure day with your loved ones. Don’t forget to bring your own feast and set up shop on the shaded picnic area.

If you’re on a brief visit to Wichita Falls and are looking for a quick exercise in the morning, this spot is perfect for jogging too!

Wichita Bluff Nature Area

Address: 3828-4098 Seymour Hwy, Wichita Falls, TX 76309, United States

Website: Wichita Bluff Nature Area

3. Have a family day at Lake Wichita Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Sometimes, all it takes to make our day a little better is taking a step back, appreciating the world that surrounds us, and being with our loved ones. If you’re here with family, see it to it that you take them to this vast park that offers an abundance of fun Wichita Falls activities.

Numerous trails for hiking and biking are scattered throughout; picnic shelters are in place for the ultimate al fresco dining, and of course. For the little ones, a playground and other sports areas are provided too!

Lake Wichita Park

Address: 5205 Fairway Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76310, United States

Website: Lake Wichita Park

Opening hours: 5am - 12am (daily)

4. 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.

Kell House Museum

Address: 900 Bluff St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Contact: +1 940 723 2712

Website: Kell House Museum

5. 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.

Castaway Cove Waterpark

Address: 1000 Central Fwy E, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Website: Castaway Cove Waterpark

6. 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.

Lucy Park/The Falls

Address: 100 Sunset Dr, Wichita Falls, TX 76302

Website: Lucy Park/The Falls

7. 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.

River Bend Nature Center

Address: 2200 3rd St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Website: River Bend Nature Center

8. 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!

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum

Address: 712 8th St, Suite 100, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Admission: 3 USD, Children 5 and under FREE

Website: Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum

9. 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.

Wichita Falls Railroad Museum

Address: 500 9th St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Hours: 11am to 3pm, Saturdays ONLY

Admission: 2 USD, Children 2 and under FREE

Website: Wichita Falls Railroad Museum

10. 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.

Kemp Center for the Arts

Address: 1300 Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Website: Kemp Center for the Arts

11. 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 Wichita Falls attraction 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.

World's Littlest Skyscraper

Address: 701 La Salle (on the corner of Seventh and La Salle streets) in downtown Wichita Falls, Texas.

Website: World’s Littlest Skyscraper

12. 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.

Museum of North Texas History

Address: 720 Indiana Ave, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Contact: +1 940 322 7628

Admission: FREE

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm

Website: Museum of North Texas History

13. 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! You’ll find this to be a fine place to visit if you’re out of what to do in Wichita Falls.

Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile

Address: 900 Indiana Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX, 76301

Hours: 10 am to 5.30 pm daily, CLOSED Sunday and Thursday

Website: Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile

The gateway is open...have fun!

Wichita Falls, Texas is more than a conveniently located city that sits within two hours of two major cities, Dallas and Oklahoma City. With its commitment to culture and the arts, dedication to preserving the history and natural beauty of Texas, Wichita Falls is the best place to guide first-time visitors to Texas. A true ambassador for the state, Wichita Falls has surely earned the label, the “Gateway to Texas”. So get out there and have a Texas-sized adventure, in Wichita Falls!