Wichita Falls, Texas

1. River Bend Nature Center

River Bend Nature Center is a lovely 20-acre private nonprofit reserve in Wichita Falls, offering environmental educational programming to the northern Texas and southern Oklahoma communities. The nature center was founded in 1995 with the cooperation of the Junior League of Wichita Falls, who worked with the city to develop its first regional environmental recreation center. Visitors can explore exhibit areas such as the Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the Bryant Edwards Learning Center, and the United Children's Garden between dawn and dusk throughout the week. The River Bottom Forest Trail also showcases beautiful forest and wetland habitats.

2200 3rd St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, Phone: 940-767-0843

2. Wichita Theatre

Wichita Theatre is a designated Texas Historic Landmark, originally founded by the Whitman's Comedians musical comedy company in 1907. A year later, the venue was rebranded as the Wichita Falls Opera House for performances by the newly-formed Wichita Falls Opera Company. Following extensive renovations, the opera house was converted into a state-of-the-art motion picture cinema in 1939, reverting to its original name. Today, the theater has yet again been repurposed to present live theatrical performances, presenting a full season of family-friendly musicals and comedies throughout the year. Stage adaptations of Disney musicals are frequently presented, along with musical revues and other performances for the entire family to enjoy.

919 Indiana Ave, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, Phone: 940-723-9037

3. The Museum of North Texas History

The Museum of North Texas History preserves the social and cultural history of the Wichita Falls and northern Texas regions through a variety of interactive exhibits. The museum was founded in 2000 and opened to the public a year later as the result of fundraising and membership drive efforts. Visitors can explore the museum's Ralph O. Harvey, Jr. Exhibit Hall, named in honor of the prominent North Texas philanthropist and civic leader. More of the museum's permanent collections are showcased throughout its 15 other display rooms, including an authentic Curtiss JN4-D biplane named Jenny. Its theater and assembly hall showcases lectures, documentary showings, historical fashion shows, and live music performances throughout the year.

720 Indiana Ave, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, Phone: 940-322-7628

4. The World's Littlest Skyscraper

The World's Littlest Skyscraper, officially known as the Newby-McMahon Building, is a unique miniature Neoclassic-style red brick structure in Wichita Falls' downtown district The four-story building was constructed in 1906 by Augustus Newby as part of a fraudulent investment scheme that has become a local legend. The building was controversially constructed in cooperation with petroleum engineer J.D. McMahon, who bragged that he would build an elaborate high-rise in the city's downtown district. A swindling scheme resulted in the building being constructed at a height of 480 inches instead of 480 feet tall. In the 1920s, the structure was featured by the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Syndicated column, garnering national attention. Though the building was once a source of embarrassment for the community, today it has become a regional landmark, named as a Texas Historic Landmark within the Depot Square Historic District of Wichita Falls.