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Fun Things To Do
Longview has a thriving arts and culture scene – playhouses, museums, and area historical sites. You can catch live shows at the Community Theatre or LeTourneau University Belcher Center, live entertainment in downtown or at the Arboretum and Nature Center. Dining options continue to evolve as several new locally sourced-focused restaurants have opened in the past few years.
Yet, the best part of living in East Texas is our great outdoors! Longview has plenty of recreational opportunities within the city limits and even more just a short drive away. All ages can enjoy biking, water skiing, hunting, fishing, walking, birding, golfing, or just get out and be one with nature.
Arts
Art has become a central and fast growing part of our Longview community. We offer several museums and art galleries all across our city. In 2019, Longview’s vibrant Arts and Cultural community was recognized by the Texas Commission on the Arts as they created the 42nd Cultural District in the State of Texas and 1 of only 3 in Eastern Texas. Longview’s New Cultural District encompasses the City’s original One Hundred Acres of Heritage as well as the Historic Depot and the world famous LeTourneau University.
The Great Outdoors
The best part of living in East Texas is our great outdoors! Longview has plenty of recreational opportunities within the city limits and even more just a short drive away. Our trail system is perfect for walking and biking! Area lakes provide an abundance of options for water skiing, fishing, and/or birding. Plus, we have several golf courses (including disc), tennis courts, and sports complexes to enjoy!
Explore the Longview Arboretum!
Explore our amazingly beautiful Longview Arboretum. Learn more at longviewarboretum.org!
Food
Longview is proud to offer a wide range of food options, including: famous East Texas BBQ, dine-in, fast food, coffee shops, bakeries, and food trucks!
Fun for the Kids
If you love adventure, the great outdoors, and fun things to do then you are in the right place!
Longview is a great family-friendly destination offering a wide range activities; perfect for any family outing! The Real East Fun can be experienced outdoors by playing disk golf, riding bikes or walking on one of our trails. Sports enthusiasts will be thrilled with opportunities! Longview’s youth sports programs include youth basketball, adult softball, adult basketball, adult flag football and adult kickball.
Families will also want to check out programs and activities offered by the World Of Wonders (WOW) Children’s Museum, the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, ArtsView Children’s Theatre, LeTourneau University’s summer camps, and of course the children’s area at our public library.
More about Downtown
The Christmas Holiday is a special time in downtown as thousands come together to partake in a variety of activities. Each year offers new activities ranging from ice skating, a trackless train, face painting, rock wall, the annual Christmas parade and of course cookies and cocoa with Santa at the Courthouse.
Many are beginning to call downtown home. New offerings continue to open with Alton Plaza being the most recent. Alton Plaza is transforming an old historical site into new, modern-day apartments. Alton Plaza is centered in downtown, so everything is convenient and walkable to dining, entertainment, Timpson Park, Teague Park, museums and more!
Downtown
Explore 100 acres of walkable Heritage Main Street.
Historic downtown Longview’s commercial district offers unique eateries, museums, and fun things to see and do. You can relax to the sound of local music and visit with friends in Heritage Plaza on Friday evenings in spring or fall or participate in one of the many Art Walks. Afterwards it is only a short stroll to find a cold brew or cup of coffee. Perhaps you’ll be more in the mood for a dip ice cream from the local creamery or a glass of wine at the bookstore. No matter the mood – you’ll have some fun experiencing our growing activities.