10 Best Things to Do in Longview, Texas

Longview, TX is a small city of 80,000 residents in Northeastern Texas and this small community is big on hospitality, history, and fun. The following list contains just some of the attractions, restaurants and cafes that visitors to Longview, TX will not want to miss. Photo: chayathon2000/Fotolia

The Longview Museum of Fine Arts is dedicated to preserving and promoting the visual arts in Longview and the surrounding area. The museum contains a large permanent collection of over 400 works of mostly modern art, including paintings, drawings, photographs, lithographs, and pottery. There is also a large collection of sculptures, including an outdoor sculpture garden. The museum hosts special events throughout the year, including student art invitationals, special exhibits, galas, classes, and children’s events. Museum facilities can be rented for special events. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free on Fridays.

215 E. Tyler St Longview, TX 75601, Phone: 903-753-8103 Photo: Longview Museum of Fine Arts

Longview locals know where to go for a great cup of Java. The Longview Coffee Mill is a drive-thru coffee shop that offers great drinks at a great price. The Coffee Mill’s menu includes coffee, espresso drinks in a variety of flavors, and cold espresso beverages. Don’t like coffee? The Mill has you covered with hot chocolate, chai lattes, Italian sodas, smoothies, and root beer floats. They even offer breakfast items. The Coffee Mill is open daily starting at 6:00am. Service is primarily drive-thru, but they do have a small standing room-only area where drinks can be ordered inside.

2001 Gilmer Road Longview, TX 75604, Phone: 903-759-7373 Photo: WavebreakmediaMicro/Fotolia

Gregg County, Texas, has a rich and interesting history, and that history is preserved at the Gregg County Historical Society. This museum contains exhibits of prehistoric artifacts from the earliest residents of the area as well as displays depicting what life was like for the settlers and farmers of Texas. Other exhibits showcase the Texas Oil Boom, local architecture, and the military history of the county’s residents through the years. The museum also contains an expansive audio and video collection that captures the oral history of the area. The museum is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday.

214 N. Fredonia Street Longview, TX 75601, Phone: 903-753-5840 Photo: Gregg County Historical Society

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Jucy’s has been a Longview institution since 1980. Jucy’s use fresh ingredients prepared daily for their sandwiches, salads, and sides. They even grind their own beef! It’s no wonder that Jucy’s burgers have been voted the best burger in East Texas for the last 25 years. In addition to their classic burgers, Jucy’s menu includes chicken sandwiches, steak sandwiches, veggie burgers, chicken-fried steak, and more. Add a side of fresh-cut fries or hand-cut onion rings, then top the whole meal off with a delicious ice cream float, shake, or brownie sundae. Jucy’s is open daily and has two locations in the Longview area.

816 W. Marshall Ave Longview, TX 75601, Phone: 903-758-8993 Photo: Jucy’s Hamburgers

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Need a sweet treat? La Cabane de Dessert has got you covered! This French-style bistro is owned by Longview native Calli Miller Clanton, a trained pastry chef who offers an American twist on classic French favorites. La Cabane offers delicious, freshly made cupcakes, cookies, muffins, scones, and artisan breads as well as hot or cold beverages such as coffee and tea. Catering and special orders such as birthday or wedding cakes, cookies, and cupcakes are also available. La Cabane de Dessert is open Tuesday through Friday until 6:00pm and from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays.

4315 Gilmer Road Longview, TX 75604, Phone: 903-212-5253 Photo: La Cabane de Dessert

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Martin Creek is a 286-acre state park located southeast of Longview in Rusk County. The park sits next to the 5,000-acre Martin Creek Lake. The lake provides excellent boating, swimming, and year-round fishing opportunities, including tournaments held during the winter months. The park contains backpacking and hiking trails that are excellent places to view native wildlife such as gophers, armadillos, and white-tailed deer. Campsites and rental cabins are available and can be reserved in advance on the park’s website. Martin Creek is open daily. The entrance fee is $3 for adults. Children 12 and under can enter for free.

9515 County Road 2181, D Tatum, TX 75691 Phone: 903-836-4336 Photo: Martin Creek Lake State Park

The Paul D. Boorman Trail in Longview is an excellent place to enjoy vigorous exercise or to take a relaxing nature walk. The trail stretches for 3 miles through northwest Longview and is completely paved, making it easy to walk or cycle. The trail passes through Lois Jackson Park, where visitors will find playgrounds, racquetball courts, and picnic areas. Two dog parks lie near the northern end of the trail. The Boorman Trail is open daily, weather permitting. Heavy rains can cause flooding over parts of the trail.

Off Loop 281 on Summers Drive Longview, TX 75601 Photo: rasilja/Fotolia

Pietro’s is the place to find authentic Italian pizza, pasta, and sandwiches in Longview. Pietro’s was founded in 1979 by the Filippazzo family and they specialize in making delicious, creative Italian cuisine with an attention to detail. The pizza crust is hand-tossed daily, and the pasta sauces are all made from scratch. Diners can choose from pizza, pasta dishes, calzones, sandwiches, and salads. Italian desserts such as cannoli, tiramisu, and cream cake as well as robust espresso and specialty coffee drinks are all available at Pietro’s. Pietro’s is open Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays.

2418 Gilmer Road Longview, TX 75605, Phone: 903-295-7900 Photo: Pietro’s

This stately Greek Revival-style mansion was once the home of the Starr family, a prominent family who helped settle much of Texas during the 1800s. The home was built in 1871 and stayed in the family until it was deeded to the State of Texas for use as a museum in the 1970s. The main house, named “Maplecroft,” is two stories tall and is furnished with period-specific antiques. The historic site property covers 3.1 acres and includes several other buildings used by the Starr family, such as the Rosemont Cottage. Tours are available Tuesdays through Sundays until 4:00pm.

407 West Travis Street. Marshall, TX 75670, =Phone: 903-935-3044 Photo: Starr Family Home State Historic Site

Fly through the air with the greatest of ease at Air U Trampoline Park! Air U offers large, full-room trampolines and a variety of games to play on them, including basketball and large-group dodgeball. Trampoline gymnastics and cheerleading classes are also taught at this location. Air U offers open jump throughout the week. The facility can also be rented for birthday parties, large groups, and corporate events. Air U is open daily. Reservations are requested but not required for open jump times. Parties must be booked in advance.

4300 US Highway 259 North, Longview, TX 75605, Phone: 903-663-2478 Photo: Air U Trampoline Park