Looking for East Texas charm with a side of outdoor fun? Visit Longview! Known for its piney woods, hot air balloons, and Southern hospitality, Longview blends nature, history, and culture. Whether you're exploring trails, museums, or barbecue joints, Longview offers something for everyone.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Longview is from spring through early fall (March through October). Warm weather means ideal conditions for festivals, lake trips, and patio dining. Visit in July for the annual hot air balloon festival!
How to Get There
- If you are traveling by car: Longview is located at the crossroads of I-20 and US-80, about 2.5 hours east of Dallas and 1 hour west of Shreveport, Louisiana.
- By Air: East Texas Regional Airport (GGG) serves Longview with daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
- By Train: Amtrak’s Texas Eagle line stops in Longview, connecting the city to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and beyond.
Where to Stay
- Hilton Garden Inn Longview – Sleek, modern hotel with an indoor pool and convenient location near shopping and dining.
- Staybridge Suites – Extended-stay comfort with spacious rooms and free breakfast, great for families and business travelers.
- Stirling Inn – A boutique alternative in a historic setting, offering Southern charm and local character.
Top Attractions
1. Admire modern art at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts
Rating: ★★★★★
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.
Address: 215 E. Tyler St Longview, TX 75601, Phone: 903-753-8103
2. See prehistoric artifacts at the Gregg County Historical Society
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.
Address: 214 N. Fredonia Street Longview, TX 75601, Phone: 903-753-5840
3. Take the kids to Jucy’s Hamburgers
Jucy’s Hamburgers 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.
Address: 816 W. Marshall Ave Longview, TX 75601, Phone: 903-758-8993
4. Savor the flavors at La Cabane de Dessert
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.
Address: 4315 Gilmer Road Longview, TX 75604, Phone: 903-212-5253
5. Visit the monuments at Veterans Plaza
Veterans Plaza in Longview, Texas is home to individual, unique monuments designed to honor all veterans, all generations, and conflicts. It is distinguished by a grand 760-square-foot United States flag that flies high above a scenic hilltop.
There are over twenty engravings and monuments on the hillside that honor the sacrifices made by men and women in places such as Bosnia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Panama, Iraq, Grenada, Korea, and Iwo Jima. There is also an exact-scale replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Memorial Wall and special tributes to women who serve, POWs, MIAs, and the sacrifices made by friends and family.
If you are traveling with kids:
6. Go hiking in Martin Creek Lake State Park
Martin Creek Lake State Park 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. Children 12 and under can enter for free.
Address: 9515 County Road 2181, D Tatum, TX 75691 Phone: 903-836-4336
7. Go to a playground and walk along the Paul D. Boorman Trail
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.
Address: Off Loop 281 on Summers Drive Longview, TX 75601
8. Order an authentic Italian pizza at Pietro’s
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.
Address: 2418 Gilmer Road Longview, TX 75605, Phone: 903-295-7900
9. Take a tour of Starr Family Home State Historic Site
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 Starr Family Home State Historic Site covers 3.1 acres and includes several other buildings used by the Starr family, such as the Rosemont Cottage. Tours are available on certain days.
Address: 407 West Travis Street. Marshall, TX 75670, Phone: 903-935-3044
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