20 Things To Do In Wichita Falls

Wichita Falls is home to one of Texas’ most beautiful waterfalls. You’ll be surprised to discover that the original falls, after which the city was named, were destroyed by a flood in 1886. And the current fall is a 54-foot artificial waterfall created by the city almost 100 years ago (in 1987) after the original was destroyed.

From exploring nature to discovering history to watching a live show, enjoying the flavours of Tex-Mex cuisine to tasting local brews, these are the best things to do in Wichita Falls.

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Wichita Falls, Texas

20 Things To Do In Wichita Falls

1- Discover River Bend Nature Center

The River Bend Nature Centre is one of the most educational and beautiful places in Wichita Falls.

Here, you can explore 18 acres of indigenous flora and fauna.

There is also a butterfly conservatory and a children’s garden.

The centre also includes several trails and picnic areas to explore and enjoy the fresh air.

River Bend Nature Center is at 2200 3rd Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301. Skip the line and book your admission ticket here.

2- Watch A Show At The Backdoor Theater

The Backdoor Theater has two different stages for local performances: the Main Stage and the Dinner Stage.

The Dinner Stage offers the perfect date night in the form of dinner and a show rolled into one but is currently closed due to a catastrophic flood that damaged the theatre in 2020.

The Main Stage is still open and offers performances of shows such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, The Lightning Thief, Scrooge in Rouge, and Sherwood.

The theatre also offers an incredible “Pay What You Can” (PWYC) program where you can buy tickets to specific shows by paying what you can to make these performances accessible to the whole community.

Backdoor Theater is at 501 Indiana Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

3- Explore The Museum of North Texas History

The Museum of North Texas History is composed of 14 rooms filled with fascinating artifacts and exhibits, such as historical cowboy hats, model trains, and newspaper articles from the past.

The collections located here include objects from World War Two, the Wild West, and Native American artifacts.

The Museum of North Texas History is at 720 Indiana Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

4- Taste Local Beer At Wichita Falls Brewing

Wichita Falls Brewery is a family-friendly brewery in the city’s downtown district.

Local food trucks are also available at the brewery to find the perfect pairing of great beer and that unique Texas (or even Tex-Mex) cuisine.

Order a beer flight to try an assortment of different brews and discover your favourite.

With a range of flavours and styles to choose from, there’s guaranteed beer here for everyone to love.

Wichita Falls Brewing is at 701 Indiana Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

5- See A Show At Wichita Theater

Wichita Falls has a variety of artistic and creative spaces, such as the Wichita Theater.

Like the Backdoor Theater, this theatre contains two stages: the Main Stage and the Dinner Stage.

The theatre started its journey as an opera house in 1908 and was converted into a movie theatre before returning to a performing arts theatre as it remains.

Some of the events offered at the theatre include Clue, the musical, A Christmas Story, Aristocats Kids and Faithfully: An Eagles And Journey Tribute.

Wichita Theater is at 919 Indiana Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

6- Admire Works At the Wichita Falls Museum of Art

The Wichita Falls Museum of Art is on the campus of Midwestern State University.

The Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center opened in 1967 and originally spanned over 16,500 square feet.

The famous Terrible Tuesday tornado damaged the original building and was rebuilt and expanded as an additional wing was built in 1990.

Some of the exhibitions on offer at the museum include; the 13th Annual Distinguished Artist Veterans Exhibition and Modernism, Regionalism, & Social Realism from 1920 to 1940.

The Wichita Falls Museum of Art is at 2 Eureka Circle, Wichita Falls, TX 76308.

7- Shop At Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile

Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile is a one-of-a-kind vintage store founded in 2009 and is the place to go if you’re looking for something unique and quirky.

Head on down to Alley Cat and browse through all things weird and wonderful for that perfect gift for your special someone.

Alley Cat Vintage Mercantile is at 1505 Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

8- Enjoy The World’s Littlest Skyscraper

One of the most iconic sights in Wichita Falls has to be The World’s Littlest Skyscraper.

This quaint building earned its nickname from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and has become a beloved part of the city, despite initially being an embarrassment.

The story behind this strange little structure is that a con man promised to build the first skyscraper in Wichita Falls but only completed this three-story building.

The World’s Littlest Skyscraper is at 701 La Salle, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

9- Relax At The Kemp Center for the Arts

The story behind the Kemp Center for the Arts is a wonderful story of love and community.

In 1916, Mrs Kemp asked her husband, businessman Joseph Alexander Kemp, to build a public library.

In 1918, the Wichita Falls community donated 4,000 books and came together to raise money for the library.

The centre now has a permanent outdoor sculpture garden, hosts public classes, and has a banquet hall for special events such as weddings and birthdays.

The Kemp Center for the Arts is at 1300 Lamar Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

10- Hang Out At Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University is a university focused on public liberal arts founded in 1922 and was initially named “Wichita Falls Junior College”.

The campus spans over 255 acres (103 ha) and contains over 70 buildings.

The sprawling campus is a gorgeous display of green lawns, trees, and breathtaking stone buildings.

Midwestern State University is at 3410 Taft Boulevard, Wichita Falls, TX 76308.

11- Meet The Growers At Downtown Wichita Falls Farmers Market

The Downtown Wichita Falls Farmers Market is in the Depot Square Historic District and is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7.30 am to 1 pm.

The market comprises of local vendors such as the cake artist Alex Meek, Carol Castro Ceramics, Horseshoe Bend Cellars Vineyard & Winery and M&M Kettle Corn.

Check out the market’s website to find local recipes from some of these vendors to try at home.

The Downtown Wichita Falls Farmers Market is at 713 Ohio Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

12- Cool Down At Castaway Cove Waterpark

Texas is well known for its scorching heat in the summer and so what is a better way to cool off while catching some rays than a waterpark?

Castaway Cove Waterpark has a lazy river, five water slides, and a kid zone to ensure fun for the entire family.

Parking is free, and the park’s admission is affordable, so take the whole family out for a day in the sun.

Castaway Cove Waterpark is at 1000 Central Freeway East, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

13- Wander Around Lucy Park

Lucy Park is home to the famous Wichita Falls waterfall, but there’s also so much more to see.

The park has scenic picnic spots, peaceful trails and benches to provide relaxing areas to sit and soak up the scenery.

It stretches over an incredible 178 acres (72 ha) and is set within a bend of the Wichita River.

A concrete paved trail winds its way through the park and provides the perfect space for running and walking.

You can also find a duck pond in the park, which is home to ducks and geese.

Lucy Park is at 100 Sunset Drive, Wichita Falls, TX 76302.

14- Watch A Hockey Match At Kay Yeager Coliseum

The Kay Yeager Coliseum is the home base of the Wichita Falls Warriors hockey team and hosts the Midwestern State University (MSU) graduation yearly.

The Coliseum also hosts events such as the Ranch Roundup, WWE Wrestling and has been the venue for performances by celebrities such as Cher and Papa Roach.

Catch either a game or a performance at this 6,500-capacity stadium.

The Kay Yeager Coliseum is at 1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

15- Learn The Secrets Of Kell House Museum

The exterior of the Kell House Museum is almost as breathtaking as the treasures hidden inside.

The museum is within a stunning, sprawling, southern-style house built in 1896 and originally belonged to one of the founders of Wichita Falls, Frank Kell.

The museum provides a snapshot of the past as the house is staged to look as it would have when the Kell family were originally inhabiting the house.

The artifacts include items from these times, antique furniture, and costumes displaying how the people who lived in those days would have dressed.

The Kell House Museum is at 900 Bluff Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

16- Explore Depot Square Historic District

The Depot Square Historic District is home to the Downtown Wichita Falls Farmers Market and the World’s Littlest Skyscraper.

The district covers six blocks from Eight Street to Ohio Street.

It’s known for being home to a range of antique shops, which are the perfect places to find unique and exciting gifts for those you love or even to treat yourself.

The Depot Square Historic District is at 500 8th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

17- Try A Guinness Sundae At Highlander Public House

The Highlander Public House is a cozy and comfortable pub found in downtown Wichita Falls.

The pub offers Sunday brunch and has a brunch cocktail menu that includes the fan-favourite classics such as mimosas, sangria, and bloody marys, but also contains some delicious and interesting (yet genius) cocktails that put a twist on some popular drinks.

The Guinness Sundae is guaranteed to be the best cocktail you’ve ever tasted but don’t take our word for it. Try it for yourself.

The Highlander Public House is at 726 Scott Avenue, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

18- Go Camping At Lake Arrowhead State Park

The crown jewel in the Lake Arrowhead State Park is it’s stunning over two miles of walking trails that run through the entire park and provide the perfect space to explore and admire flora and fauna of Wichita Falls.

The park also includes a popular swimming lake and is an incredible bird-watching spot.

A campground is also present within the park, so spend a weekend out of the visit and relax in the great Texas countryside.

Lake Arrowhead State Park is at 229 Park Road 63, Wichita Falls, TX 76310.

19- Drink Wine At 6th Street Winery

The 6th Street Winery brings together two of the best things in the world: wine and live music.

Here, you can relax with a glass of wine while enjoying tunes from various musicians almost every Friday and Saturday night.

The winery is in the Depot Square historic district of the city and so it’s perfectly placed for the perfect end to a night of sightseeing and exploring the city.

The winery supports the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation (TSAFF) and offers special deals where a portion of your purchase can be donated towards this charity.

The 6th Street Winery is at 600 6th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.

20- Visit Wichita Falls Waterfall

Last but not least, no trip to Wichita Falls could ever be considered complete without at least paying a visit to the falls themselves.

The original Wichita Falls waterfall was tragically destroyed in a massive flood in 1886.

However, the city decided to rebuild the falls and built a 54-foot (16.5 m) artificial waterfall where the original was once located.

Make sure to visit the falls at sunset to catch the rays of golden light reflecting off the water.

It truly is an unforgettable experience.

The Wichita Falls Waterfall is at Wichita River Trail, Wichita Falls, TX 76301.