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Longview is a city of about 82,000 people in the Piney Woods of East Texas, about two hours east of Dallas. It boomed after the 1930 discovery of the East Texas Oil Field, one of the largest in the country, and oil-era buildings like the Petroleum Building still stand downtown.
Heritage Plaza and Depot Park anchor a revived downtown with murals, events and the Historic Longview Farmers Market, while the Gregg County Historical Museum tells the oil boom story in a former bank. LeTourneau University's Belcher Center hosts concerts and performances, and the Maude Cobb Convention Center holds rodeos and festivals.
The Paul G. Boorman Trail winds through wooded neighborhoods, and the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center showcases East Texas plants and gardens. Each summer the Great Texas Balloon Race fills the sky with hot air balloons. Lake Cherokee, Caddo Lake and the pine forests of the region are an easy drive for fishing and paddling.
Heritage Plaza is a downtown Longview plaza with green space, a stage and a historic marker area, used for concerts, festivals and community gatherings. It is near the old commercial buildings of the historic district. Check the city calendar for events, and explore nearby downtown shops after.
The Belcher Center at LeTourneau University is a performing arts venue that hosts touring shows, concerts, the Longview Symphony and community performances. It also has a planetarium with star shows. Check the show schedule, and arrive early to enjoy the campus grounds and the lobby.
Gregg County Historical Museum is in a 1910 downtown bank building and covers the area's history from early settlers to the East Texas oil boom of the 1930s. It has period rooms and oil field displays. Allow an hour, and check opening days ahead, as hours are limited during the week.
Longview Museum of Fine Arts is a downtown art museum with changing exhibitions of Texas and American art, a permanent collection and an annual invitational show. It also offers classes and events. Admission is low cost, and an hour is enough to see the galleries before lunch downtown.
Longview World of Wonders is a hands-on children's museum downtown with science exhibits, a play town, art areas and building activities designed for young kids. It is a good rainy day stop for families. Check hours before visiting, and plan for about two hours of play for small children.
Longview Arboretum and Nature Center is a botanical garden with themed gardens, a lake, walking paths and native East Texas plants. It hosts seasonal events and plant sales. Walk the loop in the morning, and visit in spring when the azaleas and other flowering plants are at their best.
Paul G. Boorman Trail is a paved walking and biking trail of about five miles through Longview, passing creeks, woods and neighborhoods. It is shaded in parts and popular with runners. Start near Guthrie Creek Park, and bring water in summer, as East Texas heat and humidity are high.
Lear Park is a large city park in north Longview with softball fields, soccer fields, a playground, walking trails and ponds. It hosts youth tournaments and community events through the year. Walk the trail around the ponds in the evening, and check for festivals held on the park grounds.
Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center in downtown Longview hosts trade shows, rodeos, festivals, gun shows and community events in its exhibit halls and arena. It is the city's main event venue. Check the event calendar, and look for the annual festivals and holiday markets held here.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: pasa47, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: pasa47, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: pasa47, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: pasa47, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
