Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Get in
By air
- Killeen-Ft. Hood Regional Airport (dead link: January 2023) - Flights from Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta. However, flights into Killeen's airport are often more expensive than those into Austin's Bergstrom International Airport, which is only an hour and a half to the south of Killeen. Check both rates before booking a flight.
By Car
- Interstate 14 - Comes into Killeen from Belton to the east and runs concurrently with US Highway 190. Provides access to the area from Temple and Interstate 35.
Get around
Killeen has become easier to get around without a car, thanks to the municipal bus service provided by "The HOP." HOP stops are found throughout the city, sometimes only a few blocks apart. To find out the HOP schedule from a stop, call +1 254-616-6800. The buses usually stop running before it gets dark. With a car, Killeen can be difficult to navigate, due to the irregular street pattern that exists outside of downtown. A map of the city (which can be purchased at Wal-Mart or at local convenience stores) can be very helpful.
See
Killeen is somewhat lacking in tourist attractions. However, there are a few things to see and do around town, if for some reason you should find yourself here visiting family or for whatever other reason.
- A total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April 2024 starts at 1:36PM local time and lasts 4 min. Chances of a clear sky are 50%. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico to enter the US at Del Rio then through Texas into Arkansas.
- Fort Hood. Fort Hood, the largest military base in the world, borders the northern and western edges of town. If you can get on base (you must be with or related to a military member or civil service worker), there is a good Cavalry Museum to see, and you can drive down Battalion Avenue, which is lined with barracks and Army buildings, to get a glimpse of life on a military reservation.
- Since most of Killeen dates from the 1940s or later, there are not many historic buildings. There is, however, a nice little chapel dating from 1882 (Bethel Primitive Baptist Church), that offers scheduled tours, and there are a number of turn-of-the-century buildings and small shops lining North 2nd Street in the downtown area.
Do
Buy
Killeen does offer plenty of shopping. The Market Heights shopping area, in Harker Heights (a suburb bordering Killeeen on the east) is the area's most upscale shopping venue, boasting a Barnes & Noble's bookstore, Target, a large Cineplex movie theater, high-end spirits shop, a few clothing stores, and a number of restaurants. Killeen is dotted with strip malls, few of which have anything good.
- Killeen Mall. Has over 100 stores but is somewhat run-down.
Eat
Drink
- BITBAR, 701 W Elms Rd (Corner of Elms Rd and Fort Hood St (FH 195)). Arcade bar with free arcade and retro games. $5 Cover, really cheap drinks 2021-08-03
Sleep
- Courtyard by Marriott Killeen, 1721 E Central Texas Expy, 31.093099°, -97.721367°, +1 254-616-2000. 2017-04-25
- Holiday Inn Express, 2603 Gateway Dr, +1 254-526-2022.
- Hampton Inn, 2702 O W Curry Dr, +1 254-554-7110.
- Hilton Garden Inn, 2704 O W Curry Dr, +1 254-554-3900.
Connect
As of Dec 2021, Killeen has 5G from AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile / Sprint.
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