Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Borger, TX

  • Published 2022/09/06

Borger is the biggest city in Hutchinson County, Texas, with a population of 13,251.

This Texan City is in the middle of a vast desert landscape near New Mexico and Oklahoma.

Historically, this city gets its name from businessman Asa Philip “Ace” Borger.

He founded Hutchinson County back in the day.

Also known as “Booger Town,” Borger was infamous back in the day as a haven for outlaws in the Southwest.

Outlaws such as Ray Terrill, Yellow Young, Spider Gibson, and Waltine Popejoy lived in the area in the 1920s.

This city also became famous during the Texas Panhandle oil boom, which helped the city grow in the 1920s.

Today, Borger has moved on from its colorful past and become a sleepy and peaceful landscape in the Texan desert.

If you want to explore this city, expect a quaint city with numerous historical attractions, parks, and outdoor recreation.

Get your trip started with this list of the best things to do in Borger, Texas.

Roam the Hutchinson County Museum

Exterior of the Hutchinson County Museum

Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

The Hutchinson County Museum is the county’s official and local museum.

You’ll find this museum in Boger’s N. Main Street.

Inside the museum, you’ll find exhibits featuring prehistoric animals that once ruled the lands of Hutchinson County.

In addition, you’ll see ancient cultural artifacts such as tools, weapons, and other items.

Back in the day, the Native Americans used these instruments.

Moreover, this museum also covers the journey of Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.

Coronado discovered the area; he noted a fascination with the herds of buffalos roaming the land.

Also, you’ll find information about the county’s first ranch, which Thomas Bugbee established in the 1800s.

Moreover, you will see other historical figures in Hutchinson county.

Spending an hour or two at the Hutchinson County Museum should give you a deeper insight into county history.

Play Disc Golf at the Johnson Park Disc Golf Course

The Johnson Park Disc Golf Course is a famous place for this particular sport.

It features a technical and lengthy course winding through rugged terrain.

This place is also a haven for hardcore disc golfers who want to challenge themselves through this 18-hole course.

This sports venue along Bulldog Boulevard has a length of 5,999 feet with a rubber mat tee.

Check out the Johnson Park Disc Golf Course if you want to learn disc golf.

You’ll likely spend your day throwing your best shot at the course’s technical landscape.

Overall, it’s a fun experience you mustn’t miss while exploring Borger.

Test Your Marksmanship at the Calavera Gun Range and Event Center

You will find Calavera Gun Range and Event Center along E. Jefferson Street.

This family-owned private gun range welcomes those who want to test their marksmanship and gun-slinging skills.

At the same time, it’s an event center that can host weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and parties.

If you’re a gun enthusiast, visit the gun range to test your skills.

While visiting, you can use its gun range to check if you can hit your targets.

Likewise, you can always book an event at this place if you have something to celebrate, like birthdays or parties.

Go and See the Ice House

Formerly the “El Reno Ice Company of Borger,” the Ice House is a historical house along Whittenburg Street.

It’s one of the oldest buildings in Borger, a fascinating place to check out on a short historical side trip.

The building follows the Old Western style.

Likewise, it was once an ice plant that operated back in the 1920s.

The Ice House features special insulation, which helps keep the ice from melting.

Even after it sold, its original architecture and furnishings remained intact, taking you back to a bygone age.

While visiting this historic house, you can take photos as your souvenir from Borger.

Spend Your Day at Huber Park

Lawn at Huber Park

Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Huber Park is one of the several community parks in the city.

This particular park along Main Street contains a special memorial about the September 11 terror attacks in New York.

The memorial features the original steel beams of the World Trade Center.

Inscribed on the marble tablets surrounding the memorial are the events that happened on that fateful day.

In addition, the park has a playground, a splash pad, walking trails, a campground, and a mini zoo featuring numerous bird species.

Huber Park also features several RV hookups for visitors in the city.

Those visiting this city with their RV can head to this park to set up camp.

Enjoy Wholesome Activities at the Cofield Community Center

Cofield Community Center is an indoor and outdoor recreation area where locals enjoy outdoor activities.

You can find this community center at Cofield Park along Brain Street.

Its primary purpose is to provide the locals with some wholesome activities.

The Cofield Community Center has a playground, walking paths, and a spacious parking area for everyone to use.

It’s an ideal place to visit with your loved ones for some outdoor activities.

In addition, it has a peaceful ambiance, making it an ideal place to retreat and relax.

Chug Down Craft Beer at the Auld Brewing Company

Auld Brewing Company is a local brewery and taproom.

You can find this brewery along Main Street, which serves freshly-brewed craft beer on tap.

This brewery has different craft beer flavors and variations worth tasting at its taproom.

It regularly serves locals and visitors with its signature brews, making it an ideal watering hole to relax and even meet some locals.

It has an inviting and friendly atmosphere that instantly loosens you up and sets you in a mood to unwind.

Learn Wall Climbing at Johnson Park Youth Center Complex

Johnson Park doesn’t just have a massive disc golf course.

You can also visit the indoor recreation center.

This complex is at the Johnson Park Youth Center Complex along Bulldog Boulevard.

This city-owned recreation center has a gymnasium for various sports and events such as volleyball and basketball.

Likewise, this place has a wall climbing facility, which you can enjoy, whether experienced climbers or rookies.

In addition, it has a swimming pool named “Johnson Park Swimming Pool,” which opens seasonally from June to August.

It’s an ideal place to play sports and try something new, especially wall climbing.

Find your next favorite sport at the Johnson Park Youth Center Complex!

See Movies at the Morley Theater

Outside view of Morley Theater

Billy Hathorn at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Morley Theater is the oldest place for entertainment in Borger.

This theater has operated since 1947, with 1,200 seats and balconies for other patrons.

Dallas architect Jack Corgan designed this theater and operated it under the Griffith-Consolidated Theater chain.

Today, this theater is a vital component of Borger’s downtown revitalization project.

It witnessed the city’s changing landscape from a lawless boomtown to a modern industrialized city.

Like most vintage theaters, the Morley Theater also suffered neglect and abandonment in the 1980s when the oil industry in Borger started to decline.

In 2002, it underwent massive restoration and re-opened in 2017 under Mitchell Theatres.

Watching a movie at this historic local theatre gives you a nostalgic feel.

At the same time, you’ll have guaranteed entertained with the latest Hollywood flicks screened there.

Buy tickets and grab some popcorn to see the latest movies at the Morley Theater.

Score Unique Finds at the Bargain Boutique

Bargain Boutique is one of the few shops you can find in this city.

This locally-owned boutique is along N. Main Street.

It sells various products, mainly clothing and fashion accessories.

This boutique offers customers a wide array of mainstream brands, from Kate Spade, Coach, Michael Kors, Oakley, Kendra Scott, Avon, Dooney & Bourke, and Corkcicle.

It has excellent finds that will surely make you buy something as your souvenir from Borger.

Besides clothing and fashion accessories, you’ll find key chains, cups, tumblers, and other novelty items in this boutique.

Tee up at the Phillips Municipal Course

Phillips Municipal Course is an 18-hole public golf course.

You can find this golf course along Sterling Street.

It offers golfers an extensive fairway with fair landing areas and greens in pristine condition.

Beginners and intermediate golfers will have a fun time rather than a tough challenge.

It has a par four with over 300 yards.

Hole No. 8 is the course’s signature hole with a 373-yard par 4, offering golfers an excellent birdie opportunity.

If you want to play golf, go to the Phillips Municipal Course with your buddies.

Watch Youngsters Play Sports at Agnes Howe Field

Agnes Howe Field is a multi-sport open field situated along Huber Avenue.

It’s where most of the city’s youth-oriented leagues and mini-leagues for youngsters happen.

This field along Huber Avenue hosts football and baseball.

While visiting this place, you’ll likely end up cheering for the local football and baseball teams in various tournaments.

At the same time, you can meet locals, particularly the parents of the players on the field.

Watching a game at Agnes Howe Field is a wholesome cost-free experience you can enjoy during your stay in this city.

Other Things to do Nearby

Uncover Prehistoric Artifacts at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Landscape of Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Traveller70 / Shutterstock.com

The Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument is a national park with thousands of years of history.

This historical attraction is 29 minutes southwest of Borger in the neighboring city of Fritch, Texas.

Historically, the area became a location for prehistoric people to gather raw materials such as flints.

Native Americans used these tools and weapons about 13,000 years ago.

Thousands of years later, the area remained valuable, especially during the Texas Panhandle era.

Today, it’s a famous historical and outdoor recreational attraction.

Exhibits at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

One of the best activities at this place is hiking the quarries, where you can find various Native American artifacts.

At the same time, you can proceed to the Alibates Visitor Center for some educational and fun tours and programs.

To complete your experience, see the prehistoric petroglyphs and ancient carvings uncovered from the quarries.

Spend the day at the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.

Building at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

Hike the South Turkey Creek Trail

South Turkey Creek Trail is on the shores of Lake Meredith, about 15 miles southwest of Borger in Fritch.

You can find it 20 minutes from Borger.

This trail takes you to the hiking area that meanders through the lake spanning ten miles.

The first portion of the trail covers about 6.17 miles along South Turkey Creek.

Meanwhile, an additional looped trail of about 4.17 miles takes you to other natural areas, such as lake views, rolling hills, and deep canyons.

If you want to take an outdoor adventure near Borger, bring your buddies to this trail for a grand time outdoors.

Explore Lake Meredith

Aerial view of Lake Meredith

Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock.com

Lake Meredith in Fritch is about 22-minutes Southwest of Borger.

This massive lake is a welcoming sight amidst the desert landscape of this region in Texas.

It’s a hidden oasis where you can enjoy various outdoor activities with your loved ones or travel buddies.

This lake served as a settlement for early humans 13,000 years ago.

Lake Meredith National Wildlife Refuge

Traveller70 / Shutterstock.com

Today, it’s one of the most famous natural attractions in Hutchinson County.

It has hidden coves, cliffs, and canyon towers above the lakes.

At the same time, thousands of migratory birds and local wildlife teem the area.

Sunset at Lake Meredith

Aeriea / Shutterstock.com

Camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and boating are some of the best outdoor activities at Lake Meredith.

You can rent boats at the Lake Meredith Marina and camp at the Sanford-Yake campgrounds.

At the same time, you can proceed to the Spring Canyon Recreation area to enjoy various outdoor activities.

Final Thoughts

Borger may not be as famous as other destinations in Texas.

However, it has something unique to offer visitors you won’t find anywhere else.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Borger, Texas!

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