CLAY COUNTY 1890 JAIL MUSEUM-HERITAGE CENTER - Jail and sheriff’s living quarters in 1800-1900s 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 or (940) 524-3465. http://claycountyjailmuseum.org/index.html
BACKDOOR THEATRE - Wichita Falls’ community theater, located in an old icehouse, 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. 322-5000. http://www.backdoortheatre.org/
GALERIE PAVILION - Wichita Falls’ only fine art gallery featuring original works from national/international artists. 2601 Harrison St., Ste. 300 (next to Pasqual’s Restaurant). Hours: 10am-4pm. 761-0058.
GILROSE STUDIOS - An alternative gallery space incorporated in the BC Country custom iron shop downtown. The venue is a work space for visual artists Danny Bill, B.C. Gilbert and Catherine Prose and features contemporary works of art for local, regional and international artists seeking to exhibit their works. 600 Sixth St., downtown. (940) 224-4453.
KELL HOUSE MUSEUM 1909 - neoclassical home of one of Wichita Falls’ founding fathers, Frank Kell, with 1890s-1950s antiques. 900 Bluff. 10am-3pm Tue to Fri and 2pm-4pm Sat and Sun. $3 for adults, $1 children. 723-2712 or www.wichitaheritage.org/kellhouse.html .
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, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden featuring works of art by Texas sculptors. 1300 Lamar St. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri and 10am-4pm Sat. Free admission. 767-2787 or www.kempcenter.org .
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.
LIVING TREE STUDIO Watch local potter Ron Kuyerkendall at work in his studio, 7740B Seymour Highway. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. 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. 397-4352.
MUSEUM OF NORTH TEXAS HISTORY - Includes the Military History Collection, a permanent exhibit in the museum shown in eight rooms. See the tribute to Medal of Honor recipients, including Wichita Falls’ Thomas C. Fowler. Other exhibits include the final days of World War II. 720 Indiana. Open 10am-noon and 1-4pm Tue, Wed and Thur, and 10am-2pm Sat. 322-7628. http://www.month-ntx.org/
OLD POST OFFICE MUSEUM AND ART CENTER - This museum and art center is in the former U.S. Post Office. The city of Graham purchased the building, which contains one of the post office murals of Texas artist Alexander Hogue called “Oil Fields of Graham.” The mural is on permanent loan from the postal service. 510 E. Third St., Graham. Open 10am-4pm Wed to Fri; 10am-2pm Sat. Open for tours, by special arrangement. (940) 549-1470. www.opomac.org .
RED RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM - Exhibits on ranching and archaeological heritage. Adjacent to Vernon College, Vernon, off U.S. 287 on U.S. 70. 1-5pm Tue-Sun. Free. (940) 553-1848. http://www.redrivervalleymuseum.org/
RIVER BEND NATURE CENTER - An environmental education and nature center. The complex includes the Elizabeth Prothro Pavilion, nature trails and the new 7,000-square-foot glass Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly Conservatory. River Bend Nature Center is on Sunset Drive and Third Street, at the entrance to Lucy Park. Hours for the butterfly conservatory are from 10am-4pm Thurs, Fri and Sat and from noon to 4pm Sun. Admission to the conservatory is $6 for adults and $4 for children (children 2 and younger are admitted free). River Bend also offers guided trail tours by appointment for $3 a person. http://www.riverbendnaturecenter.org/
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 .
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. Open 9:30am-4pm Mon-Fri while classes are in session. Free. 397-4386.
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 OF ART AT MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY, 2 Eureka Circle. 9:30am-5pm Tue-Fri and 10:30am-5pm Sat. Free admission. (940) 692-0923. http://www.mwsu.edu/wfma/
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. http://www.wfrrm.com
WICHITA THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE - Historic Art Deco downtown theater features family-oriented events, from classic movies to plays and concerts. 925 Indiana. 723-9037. http://www.wichitatheatre.com/
Just Plain Fun Attractions:
CASTAWAY COVE WATERPARK - A waterpark 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. 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. 723-0297.
COPPER BREAKS STATE PARK - The park consists of 1,898 acres, 12 miles south of Quanah and 9 miles north of Crowell in Hardeman County. Camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, wildlife viewing, backpacking, kite flying, summer educational programs, astronomy and natural and historical exhibits. A portion of the official Texas longhorn herd is maintained at the park. Park admission is $2 for adults and $1 for senior citizens. 777 Park Road 62, Quanah. (940) 839-4331.
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. 4-10pm Fri, noon-10pm Sat, noon-6pm Sun. Individual day passes are $10. 767-0620.
FIELD OF HONOR - Outdoor paintball w/ playing fields on 30 acres. Reservations required during week. Open games Sat and Sun. 2317 Hampton Road. 3-8 pm Wed-Fri, 10 am-8 pm Sat, 11am-6pm Sun. All-day pump rental, $14. All-day semi-automatic rental. $18-$24. 761-5566 or www.fieldofhonor.com .
LAKE ARROWHEAD STATE PARK - 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. 528-2211 or 389-8900.
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 Street. (940) 495-3758. Every Fri: Free tours, 10 am-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. 696-1222 or www.theplexfec.com .
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 7:30-9:30pm Sun for Christian Night. 855-2711.
SKATE WHIRL - 25,000-square-foot building w/14,000-square-foot maple wood floor. Video games, redemption games, pool, 16-foot HDTV video screen. Music from ‘60s to now. Full-service snack bar. 4208 Jacksboro Highway. 767-1552 or www.skatewhirlrollerskating.com .
TEXOMA MOTOR SPEEDWAY - Dirt-track racing every weekend. 7567 Seymour Highway, 1 mile west of FM 369 on Seymour Highway (Texas 82). 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 historic 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 9-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. 696-2695.
WICHITA FALLS VINEYARDS AND WINERY Tours, tasting room. Gift shop open daily. Party, reception, meeting space available. 3399 B Peterson Road South, Iowa Park. 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat and 2-6pm, Sun. 855-2093 or www.wichitafallsvineyardsandwinery.com .
WILDCATTER RANCH & RESORT - Developed to showcase the scenic vistas from the top of the Texas Hill Country. Roping clinics, chuck wagon cookouts, cooking classes, history talks, hiking, horseback riding. 6062 Highway 16 South, Graham. (940) 549-3500. www.wildcatterranch.com .
WORLD’S LITTLEST SKYSCRAPER - Built in 1920 during the North Texas oil boom, the World’s Littlest Skyscraper was to be Wichita Falls’ first skyscraper and the solution to a shortage of office space. The historic small four-story structure is now open to the public and accessible through The Antique Wood, 511 Seventh St., 10:30am-5pm Tue-Sat. (940) 851-7800.
CREDIT: This LISTING is from the Wichita Falls, Times Record News’ entertainment guide.
North Texas Attractions, October 12, 2007 from the Times and Record Newspaper.
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2007/oct/12/museums-galleries-attractions/