Wichita Falls is one of the top tourist destinations in Texas State. The area is situated somewhere in the middle of the Texas Plains and is a famous region for cattle ranching dating as far back as the 19th century. Wichita Falls is between Dallas and Oklahoma City, so accessing both States from the area is easy. This part of the US is known for its agricultural economy. Although farming is common here, livestock is the major agricultural activity here, with Wichita Falls having some of the largest cattle ranches in the country.
As life and society modernized, so did Wichita. Today, the area is home to interesting sites like museums, lush parks, and nice urban architecture like the World’s Littlest Skyscraper. When you also throw the farmer’s market into the mix, rest assured that you will have more than enough activities to keep you occupied anytime you come visiting.
In this article, we want to review the best things to do in Wichita Falls. Below, we list the 10 Best fun activities. Here we go.
10. Tour Lucy Park
One of the best things to do in Wichita Falls Texas is taking a tour of Lucy Park. This Park is a natural enclave nestled along the Wichita River. Here you will find a series of ponds and water bodies blessed with rich marine life. Lucy Park is also a fertile breeding ground for ducks of different species. You will also find geese and swans here too in significant populations. Besides the wildlife, Lucy Park is also a great place to organize a picnic. Enjoying tasty meals while surrounded by Greenland all around you is not a bad idea, is it?
What’s more? You can engage in a round of golf if you are a golfer or swim in the large swimming pool. Children are not left out either with special playgrounds created for the young.
9. Visit the Littlest Skyscraper
There is a building named Building in Wichita Falls. This is the name, but it is not what the locals call it: they call it the World’s Littlest Skyscraper. This building is made of red brick and cast iron. Standing at 40ft high and built-in 1919, this building is one of the most iconic buildings in Wichita Falls. How did the name come about? Well, the locals say that it was a source of embarrassment when the building was unveiled because it was very small. This led to the nickname. If you happen to visit Wichita Falls on holiday, do not fail to visit this iconic building. Taking a picture of it at different angles for your portfolio will not be a bad idea.
8. Have fun at the Castaway Cove Waterpark
The Waterpark at Castaway Cove is one of the favorite spots for individuals and families visiting for holidays. This park is a great place for the old and the young because there are fun and games to keep everyone engaged. If you are planning to escape the heat of Southern Texas, this is a perfect getaway. You may go for a swim or travel on the Lazy River Ride. Castaway Cove also has a unique rhythmic pool that mimics the tides common at sea. Water sport is not all there is to this park, though. There are also playgrounds and volleyball courts as well. Be prepared to sweat out when you come visiting.
7. Interact with Nature
If you want to interact with nature and learn all about the flora and fauna of the area, a visit to the River Bend Nature Center is one of the best things to do in Wichita Falls. This Nature Center is educational as well as fun. River Bend Nature Center has diverse fauna and flora spread across 18 acres of Greenland. This ecological wonderland has picturesque natural landmarks you will love. It has a dedicated children’s garden and a butterfly conservatory for rearing different butterfly species. Besides all these, there are hiking trails for taking short walks and flat lands to sit and relax with family and friends.
6. Enjoy a Game of Hockey
Residents of Wichita Falls love the game of hockey and fervently support their beloved team; The Wichita Wildcats. Even if you are not a fan of hockey, attending a Wildcats game will provide you with the opportunity to mix and interact with fans, many of whom are locals. The stadium ground comes alive when the Wildcats walk in and from start to finish, what you experience is enthusiastic support. Game nights are fun nights, and the fans are quite cheerful. Whenever they play any of their local rivals, the ground is often packed full of noise reaching stratospheric levels.
Besides mixing with the locals, you can also skate on the ground before or after the game if you like skating.
5. Go fishing at Lake Kickapoo
Not everyone likes the hustle and bustle of city life. Some people just like to relax in tranquil areas and do mundane activities that do not require physical exertions. If you prefer to keep it nice and simple, you may want to go fishing at Lake Kickapoo. This lake lies about 29 miles outside Wichita, with some of the best fishing spots. These are different fish species in Lake Kickapoo, and they arrive in large schools to feed close to the surface. This makes it easy for you to make a successful catch. Besides pier or bank fishing, you can also go boat fishing as well. And we must say that boat fishing is one of the best things to do in Wichita Falls because you will enjoy the nice scenery as you fish in the Lake.
Note: The Lake reservoir was built in the 1940s and named after the indigenous Kickapoo tribe that lived in the area.
4. Go the Art Way
Another fun thing you can do in Wichita Falls Texas is to take in the cultural delights of the area. What better way to do this than to visit the Kemp Center for Art. This center welcomes loads of visitors all year round because it is a center that is dedicated to showcasing the cultural and craft history of Wichita Falls. Here, you will find regional and national artworks by local and national artists. The crown jewel of the center is the Art on Green exhibit that has 8 permanent sculptures. This exhibit sits in an outdoor setting and is surrounded by lush green gardens. The Kemp Center for Art is a place worth visiting.
3. Kell House Museum
Besides the Kemp Center, another historical center you should not miss is the Kell Museum. This museum was built by one of Wichita Falls founding fathers, Frank Kell. It was not a museum in the beginning, but it was eventually converted to one. The building was completed in 1896 and remained a prime heritage center. In the beginning, the house was used to store antique furniture, and it remains the case today. Here, you will find antiques and other old items, some as old as 100 years old. Kell House Museum also contains relevant historical information about the building and other facts about Wichita Falls. You will find books, journals, and published works that tell the story of Wichita from its founding to date.
2. Take a trip to the Depot Square Historic District
Your visit to Wichita Falls Texas is incomplete if you don’t visit the Depot Square Historic District. This square is referred to as Wichita Falls’ heart and stretches across 6 blocks from 8 Street to Ohio Street. The Square is rich in cultural landmarks, with most of the iconic spots located here. At Depot Square District, there are antique shops where you can shop for cultural souvenirs at any time of the year. Not too far from the district is where you have the Farmers Market and the World’s Littlest Skyscraper.
You can take your evening strolls across the district, sit around to enjoy the peaceful life of the local population and maybe, drink a cup of coffee to your heart’s content.
1. Learn about Wichita Wines
Last but not least, the best thing to do in Wichita Falls Texas is to visit the famous Wichita Winery. A family owns the Wichita Falls Vineyards and Winery. The grapes and ingredients used in producing the wines are sourced from local farms in the area. Wines from this winery are mostly consumed in the town, with some exported to other towns and cities in the US. There is a tasting room where you can relax and enjoy freshly brewed wine offered by friendly staff. As you sip from your wine glass, you can also learn a thing or two about the winery’s history and how the local products are sourced, processed, and transformed into tasty bottles of wine.
Conclusion
There is so much to see and do in Wichita Falls but rest assured that the tips reviewed in their article are some of the best things to do in Wichita Falls.
