| North Texas ( Wichita Falls ) Attractions MUSEUMS, GALLERIES CLAY COUNTY 1890 JAIL MUSEUM-HERITAGE CENTER Jail and sheriff’s living quarters in 1800s-1900s style depicting life on the frontier. At the corner of Graham and Ikard, Henrietta. 10am-2pm Thur-Fri, 1-4pm Sat. $2, $1 students. (940) 538-5655, 524-3465 or ccmuseum(at)wf.quik.com. KELL HOUSE MUSEUM 1909 neoclassical home of one of Wichita Falls’ founding fathers, Frank Kell, with 1890s-1950s antiques. 900 Bluff. 9am-3pm Tue and Thur, 1-3pm Fri and Sun, noon-4pm Sat. $3, $1 children. (940) 723-2712. KEMP CENTER FOR THE ARTS Houses the offices of the Kemp Center for the Arts group and the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. Has a performance hall, gift shop, the NorthLight Gallery, the West End Studio and the What’s Up Downstairs Gallery. 1300 Lamar St. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat and noon-4pm Sun. (940) 767-2787. ? Through Jan. 19: Vintage-styled photographs by Peter B. Graf. Free admission. Through Jan. 11: A Dickens display by toy soldier artist Jeff Lawrence. Free admission. Jan. 20-Feb. 28: Kemp Student Show. Free admission. Jan. 22: Kemp Karnevale "The Great Gatsby Gala and All That Jazz." $50 in advance/$60 at door. Jan. 27-Feb. 28: An exhibit by Gary Lawson. Free admission. Feb. 3: Foreign Film Series, 7pm. Free admission. Feb. 15: Classic Film Series, 7pm. Free admission. LIVING TREE STUDIO Watch local potters Stan Todd and Ron Kuyerkendall at work in their studio, 7740B Seymour Highway. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. (940) 692-9422. MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY HISTORICAL DISPLAY Memorabilia from the five periods of the institution as Wichita Falls Junior College (1922-1937), Hardin Junior College (1937-1946), Hardin College (1946-1950), Midwestern University (1950-1975) and Midwestern State University (1975 to present). Second floor of Moffett Library, MSU. Free. (940) 397-4352. MUSEUM OF NORTH TEXAS HISTORY Includes the Military History Collection, a permanent exhibit in the museum shown in six rooms. Also includes changing exhibits in the Ralph O. Harvey Jr. Exhibit Hall. 720 Indiana. Open from 9:30-11:30am and 1-4pm Tues, Wed and Thur, and by appointment. (940) 322-7628. RED RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM Exhibits on ranching and archaeological heritage. Adjacent to Vernon College, Vernon, off US 287 on US 70. 1-5pm Tue-Sun. Free. (940) 553-1848. STUDIO BRAZOS GALLERY Bob Beck’s Southwest art. 2407 Kemp. 10am-5:30pm Mon-Fri. Free. UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY Fain Fine Arts Center, corner of Louis Rodriguez Drive and Nocona Trail, Midwestern State University. 10am-noon and 2-4pm Mon-Fri, while classes are in session. Free. (940) 397-4386. ? Through Jan. 18: Senior show of Brooke Calcote and Stacy Tompkins in the atrium of the Fain Fine Arts Center. WICHITA FALLS FIRE AND POLICE MUSEUM Restored 1925 fire station with firefighting and law-enforcement memorabilia. Avenue H and Giddings. Noon-4pm Sat or by appointment. Free. (940) 767-2412. WICHITA FALLS MUSEUM AND ART CENTER Traveling art exhibits. The Discovery Room, featuring a 900-sq. ft. maze. A planetarium. ? 2 Eureka Circle. 9:30am-4:30pm Tue, Wed and Fri; 9:30am-7:30pm Thur; 10:30am-4:30pm Sat. $4 for 12 and older, $3 for children 2-11, free for museum members. (940) 692-0923. ? Jan. 21-March 5: Exhibit by Karen Blessen. Opening reception 8pm Jan. 21 with gallery talk at 8:15pm. Jan. 29: "Miss Goosey and the Wolf" by the Story Patch Players, 10:30am and 2:30pm. For children 2 1/2 and older. $3. WICHITA FALLS RAILROAD MUSEUM Antique railroad rolling stock, passenger cars, locomotives, train-related memorabilia. 500 Ninth St. Noon-4pm Mon-Sat. Free. (940) 723-2661. ATTRACTIONS BACKDOOR THEATRE Wichita Falls’ community theater, located in an old ice house, produces around 10 shows annually on its main stage and second stage. The theater was named Best Community Theater in the state by the American Association of Community Theatres in 2001. 501 Indiana. (940) 322-5000. ? Jan. 14-15, Jan. 20-22 and Jan. 27-29: "Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune." Shows are at 7:30pm Thursdays, 8pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30pm Sundays. $10 and $12. CASTAWAY COVE WATERPARK A water park on 15 acres. Includes four slides, like Tommy’s Torrent and Annie’s Quest, as well as the Buccaneer Bay children’s area, a water volleyball area, the Cove Café, wave pool, lazy river, and a stage overlooking the wave pool. On the corner of U.S. 287 and Windthorst Road. Closed until spring/summer 2005. (940) 322-5500 or www.castawaycovewaterpark.com. CHAPARRAL RANCH A country club for cowboys and those who want to play cowboy. Horseback riding. Day trips. Half day and hour rides. Chuck wagon campouts. Dances, canoe trips, lessons. Call for directions. (940) 723-0297. ELEVATOR ROCK CLIMBING GYM Indoor climbing gym in a 100-year-old wood grain elevator. Has several 40-foot walls and a 100-foot wall. Located at Berend’s Landing, 400 Bridge St. (940) 767-0620. FIELD OF HONOR Outdoor paintball w/ playing fields on 30 acres. Reservations required during week. Open games on Sat and Sun. 2317 Hampton Road. 3-8pm Wed-Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, 11am-6pm Sun. All-day pump rental, $14. All-day semi-automatic rental. $18-$24. (940) 761-5566 or www.fieldofhonor.com. LAKE ARROWHEAD STATE RECREATION AREA Camping sites, picnic tables, lighted fishing pier, boating ramps. FM 1954 East, 18 miles southeast of Wichita Falls. Open daily, year-round. $2. Year-round passes available; additional camping fees. (940) 528-2211 or 389-8900. LEGEND OF WEE-CHI-TAH SCULPTURE This bigger-than-life-sized sculpture by Jack Stevens at Berend’s Landing tells the legend of how Wichita Falls got its name. It is located where the city’s original waterfall used to be. Open daily, year round. Across from Texoma Cycling Center, which is at 502 Wichita St. LOST RIVER RANCH HORSE BOARDING STABLES 19-stall barn with large lighted arena and round pen, turnouts, riding trails and private lake. Riding lessons available. (940) 704-5492 or www.lostriverranch.com. OLD CITY LIGHT PLANT, ELECTRA The WPA-built brick building houses the municipal power system that formerly supplied Electra residents with electrical power. Located on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Wilbarger St. (940) 495-3758. ? Every Fri: Free tours from 10am-noon, except holidays. THE PLEX No-alcohol, no-smoking facility. Go-carts, bumper boats, two 18-hole miniature golf courses, driving range, Laser Trek, outdoor batting cage, video arcade with children’s rides and two-story ball crawl. Salad bar, pizza, hamburgers in the Plex restaurant. 4131 Southwest Parkway. (940) 696-1222 or www.theplexfec.com. RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER Environmental education-nature center. On Sunset Drive and Third Street, at entrance to Lucy Park. Appointments for weekday ecology tours and pavilion rentals available by calling (940) 767-0843. $3/person for guided tours (minimum group size for tours is eight; maximum is 60). ROYAL THEATER ARTS CENTER An arts center that plays host to stage productions, musical productions like the Texasville Opry and Late Week Lazy Boy Supper Club, arts camps and more. The historic landmark arts center was made famous as the picture show referred to in the title of Larry McMurtry’s "The Last Picture Show." On the courthouse square, Archer City. (877) 729-7692 or (940) 574-2489 or www.royaltheater.org. ? Jan. 15: Late Week Lazy Boy Supper Club with Kevin Deal. Dinner at 6:45pm, show at 7:30pm. $35. Feb. 4-7 and Feb. 10-12: "A Night of Shakespeare." $8, $10 and $12. SAND BEACH SKATING RINK A 10,000-square foot hardwood floor, stereo sound system, rental skates, pool table and video games. In-line skates allowed if clean and in good repair. 4490 Iowa Park Road. Open year round from 7-11:30pm Fri and Sat and 2-4:30pm Sun. The rink is open from 7:30-9:30pm Sundays for Christian Night. (940) 855-2711. SKATE WHIRL 25,000 square-foot building w/14,400-square-foot maple wood floor. Roller hockey programs, birthday parties with large private birthday party room. Video games and pool. Snack bar. Music from ‘60s to current radio hits. Open afternoon and nights Thur-Mon. Open Tue and Wed for private parties. 4208 Jacksboro Highway. (940) 767-1552 or www.skatewhirl.com. TEXOMA MOTOR SPEEDWAY Dirt-track racing every weekend. 7567 Seymour Highway, 1 mile west of FM 369 on Seymour Highway (Texas Highway 82). (940) 691-3436. TRAILS AND TALES OF BOOMTOWN USA Historical tours (including video) by reservation of sites such as Fowler’s Folly and Hawkins House. Tours throughout the year by special arrangement. Located at the railroad depot in downtown historic district, 104 W. Third, Burkburnett. $7.50. Group rates and senior discounts available. (940) 569-3304, 569-0460 or www.trailsandtales.org. TURTLE CREEK STABLES AND ARENA Horseback riding, fishing, bonfires, cookouts, live music, other outdoor entertainment. Boarding and lessons available. Corporate and birthday parties available. Call for directions. (940) 691-6291 or (940) 692-8130. U.S. POST OFFICE MURALS, ELECTRA Created by sculptor Allie Victoria Tennant, these murals are located inside the downtown post office at 200 W. Cleveland in historical downtown Electra. The reliefs depict the basis of the area’s economy, cattle, oil and wheat. Tennant is best known for creating the huge work called "Tejas Warrior," a nine-foot tall sculpture above the Texas Centennial Hall of the State Building on the State Fairgrounds in Dallas. VILLAGE BOWL A family recreation, non-alcohol bowling center. Automatic scoring. Snack room. 4022 1/2 Kemp Blvd. 9am-11pm Sat and Mon. 11am-11pm Tue, Thur and Fri; 8-11pm Wed; 1-11pm Sun. Weekend hours may be extended. (940) 696-2695. WICHITA THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE Historic Art Deco downtown theater features family-oriented events, from classic movies to plays and concerts. 925 Indiana. (940) 723-9037. ? Jan. 29: Veggie Tales premiere party, 10am and 1pm. Jan. 29: Frankie Valens 60s/70s concert. Feb. 12: The Braschlers Music Show. Reprinted from the Wichita Falls Times Record News. |