Wichita Falls - city in Texas, United States of America

Wichita Falls is a town in the North Central Plains of Texas, named for Wichita Indians who lived near waterfalls on what is now the Wichita River. In 1882, Fort Worth and Denver Railroad brought the first train to the area, establishing the town as an agricultural and trade center. The oil boom in the early 1900s made city headquarters for north Texas petroleum production, service and manufacturing. The city is the seat for Wichita County and a leading gateway to Texas on I-44. It's a major trade and industrial center with economy based on Sheppard Air Force Base, oil processing and other varied manufacturing.

Get in

By plane

• Wichita Falls Municipal Airport (IATA: SPS), 33.988889°, -98.491944°. American Eagle offers service from Dallas/Fort Worth.

By bus

• Greyhound Bus Station, 306 W Scott Ave (at the intermodal transit station), 33.916248°, -98.495717°, +1 940-761-7433.

Get around

By bus

Falls Ride is the local bus service. Fare is: $1.50 - adult, $0.75 - adult, $0.75 - 5-18 years old, children under 5 are free. You can receive one free transfer for each fare you pay. A pass for 20 rides is available for $25 for adults. Senior citizens pay $12 for the 20 ride pass. Buses run every hour between 5AM and 7:30PM. Some bus lines stop running at 5PM. Some buses run in a big loop in one direction only. There are two main transfer stations: the downtown travel center where the Greyhound bus stops and Sikes Mall. Routes 2, 6 and 7 travel between the downtown travel center and the Sikes Center Mall.

See

• Symphony Orchestra and Ballet, 1300 Lamar St, 33.905798°, -98.489554°, +1 940 723-6202.

• Wichita Theatre Performing Arts Center, 919 Indiana Ave, 33.911409°, -98.489968°, +1 940 723-9037. A historic community localle since 1908. The theater features mainstream musical and drama productions. Their website lists an upcoming production calendar.

• Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University, 2 Eureka Cir, 33.869264°, -98.524954°, +1 940 397-8900.

• Museum of North Texas History, 720 Indiana Ave, 33.912966°, -98.491254°, +1 940 322-7628.

• Sheppard Air Force Base, 1810 J Ave, 33.9889°, -98.4919°, +1 940-676-7441. A technical training center, one of the largest of five in the U.S. and hosts the largest NATO pilot training program in the world. 2020-11-10

• WWI & Call Field Museum, Jacksboro Hwy.

• Historic Kell House Museum, 900 Bluff St, 33.9074°, -98.497°, +1 940-723-2712. 2020-11-10

• The World's Littlest Skyscraper, 701 La Salle, 33.91438°, -98.48978°, +1 940-761-9955. An architectural curiosity 40 feet tall with a 118 square foot base with a big claim for itself.

• Wichita Falls, 33.9132701°, -98.5066534°. A recreation of the tumbly little cascade after which the town was named. You can see it from the southbound approach on I-44 or alternatively hike to it from a small parking area just west of the Broad Street underpass with I-44 (remember to secure belongings).

Do

There are many things you can find to do in or around Wichita Falls. It has a bowling alley, a central shopping mall, and two movie theaters (Carmike Cinemas in the mall and Cinemark Theaters in Parker Square).

For the outdoorsman, there are several lakes nearby, including Lake Wichita, and the larger Lake Arrowhead. The long and winding shape of Lake Arrowhead and its location make it a great lake for sailing at high speeds. Fishing and other activities are permitted on the lakes. Additionally, Wichita Falls has some fishing ponds located inside the city (Plum Lake to the north of town and the new fishing pond on Southwest Parkway).

• Lucy Park, 100 Sunset Dr, 33.917133°, -98.516017°, +1 940 761-7490. One of the city's largest parks, which is near downtown Wichita Falls and includes the walking trail which follows the river and leads up to the waterfalls. Lucy Park includes some great bike trails, a frisbee golf field, a swinging bridge, nice playgrounds, and picnic areas.
• Castaway Cove Waterpark, 1000 Central E Fwy East (Route 287), 33.886999°, -98.472451°, +1 940 322-5500. The park is a fun and family-friendly place to spend those hot Texas summer days. With several water slides, a wavepool, and a lazy river, Casaway Cove is excellent fun for the price. Season passes are available.
• Golf. As the host of the annual Texas & Oklahoma (T&O) Junior Golf Tournament, the city has spent a lot of time and effort in maintaining the 18-hole golf courses. The Champions Course at Weeks Park is a newly renovated course, with excellent greens and long, wide fairways. The Wichita Falls Country Club course is beautifully designed and well-kept. It features many challenging holes, with water hazards and carry-over shots. In Bearby Burkburnett is Rivercreek Golf Course. A great course for any level of player, Rivercreek features very open fairways.

• Local farmer's market, 725 Ohio Ave, 33.913809°, -98.489408°. Downtown near the old train depot, at Ohio and 8th Street. The market features peaches, plums, berries, melons, and veggies.

Events

There is a full throughout the year.

Annual events include:

• Texas-Oklahoma Oil Bowl Classic. In June.
• Ranch Round-Up. In Aug.
• Hotter 'N Hell Hundred Bike Race Festival. In Aug.
• Texas-Oklahoma Fair. In Sept.
• MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights. In Dec.
• City Lights Festival. In Dec.

Buy

Wichita Falls is also home to many retail chains including Kohl's, Lane Bryant, Ross, TJ Maxx, Dillards, JC Penney, Old Navy, Maurices, and many more.

• Horsin' Around, 1448 Kemp Blvd, 33.908570°, -98.430396°, +1 940 766-1643. For a uniquely Texan gift or apparel, try Horsin' Around. This charming store boasts a wide collection and variety of western home decor, apparel, art, and furnishings. And there is a charming sandwich and rootbeer bar in the center of the store, so stop in for lunch from 11AM-2PM.
• Shoe Closet, 2912 Garnett Ave (Parker Square Shopping Center), 33.883964°, -98.526944°, +1 940 322-6300. High-end shoes and apparel. Brands include Tory Burch, Donald J Pliner, Ugg, and Toms. Also a great spot to pick up a designer handbag or special occasion dress.
• Echoes From The Past, 908 Indiana Ave, -98.489871°, 33.911262°, +1 940 733-0924. M-Sa 8AM-5PM. Antiques, collectibles, decor and unique items.

Eat

Wichita Falls is home to many great local "dives". This is one of the few cities featuring a drive-in style bar. (Yes, they actually bring your beer out to you while you sit in your car!) And of course, as a proud Texas town, there are a multitude of BBQ and Tex-Mex restaurants to choose from.

There is also an abundance of restaurant chains to choose from, including: Cheddar's, Applebee's, On the Border, McAllister's Deli, The Olive Garden, Johnny Carino's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Cracker Barrel.

• The Branding Iron, 104 E Scott Ave, 33.904020°, -98.485749°, +1 940 723-0338. Smoked beef barbeque. The sauce is to die for. A hole-in-the-wall dive, Branding Iron is a favorite to Wichitans and visitors from all over!
• Casa Mañana, 609 8th St, 33.912936°, -98.490174°, +1 940 723-5661. Homestyle Tex-Mex in a historic part of downtown, across from the renovated Holt Hotel & Lofts. Casa Mañana has been here for decades and is "home of the red taco", a wonderfully creative and authentic spin on your basic taco. The salsa is hot and addictive.
• Samurai of Tokyo, 2518 Mallard Dr, 33.860856°, -98.534431°, +1 940 696-2626. A locally owned Japanese hibachi grill. But this is not your average hibachi grill. The special hibachi steak sauce is amazing. Another great favorite of locals and visitors.

Drink

• Parkway Grill, 2719 Southwest Pkwy, 33.857617°, -98.534394°, +1 940 691-7640. Parkway is a local sports bar with memorabilia collected by the owner over many years.
• Salt & Pepper, 2611 Plaza Pkwy, 33.868839°, -98.528379°, +1 940 691-9800. Mediterranean grill, for a more upscale place to relax.
• Koch's Liquor, 4505 Kemp Blvd, 33.861721°, -98.535648°, +1 940 696-9229. Koch's Liquor is a good liquor store to find almost any of your favorite brands.

Sleep

• Comfort Inn Wichita Falls North, 1317 Kenley Ave, +1 940 766-3300. $63 (Jan 2022)
• Courtyard by Marriott Wichita Falls TX Hotel, 3800 Tarry St, +1 940-696-0010, gm@courtyardwichitafalls.com.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 5300 Kell Blvd, +1 940 692-8300.

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