Sulphur Springs, Texas, gets its name from the healing sulfur springs that the earliest settlers found in the area.
This town teems with life and history.
It’s the county seat of Hopkins, located on the western edge of northeast Texas.
From refined wine tastings to grand music festivals, the place offers an activity for every kind of traveler.
It’s a place teeming with life and culture, worth visiting several times.
Here are the best things to do in Sulphur Springs, TX:
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Of course, Sulphur Springs is not just fun and festivals; it’s also a community that honors its history and heritage.
The Hopkins County Veterans Memorial commemorates the men and women who served in the United States military.
The place itself has a park-like atmosphere, keeping the environment serene and solemn.
Its centerpiece is a granite memorial that can contain 10,000 names.
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Right next to the memorial is a computerized kiosk.
Visitors can learn about the veterans, such as their names, information about their service, and commendations.
It also allows them to view their pictures, if available.
The memorial hosts several fundraising events throughout the year, so go to their official website and mark those down in your calendar.
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Comprising a one-acre wooden castle playground built in 1997, Buford Park is an unmissable attraction.
Your kids will indeed have fun in this exciting and unique environment!
It’s an excellent place to stop over on your trip to Sulphur Springs if you want to taste the residents’ everyday leisure activities.
The grounds are opposite the Hopkins County Courthouse at the end of Connally Street.
You can find gazebos, pavilions, jogging trails, and a baseball field.
You won’t be lacking anything for anything to do, either.
There is a pond where you can fish at specific times during the year and a basketball court to test your sporting skills.
Several festivals and activities occur in Buford Park throughout the year, such as the Texas State Champion Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off and the World Champion Hopkins County Stew Cook-Off.
Don’t limit yourself to daytime explorations in Sulphur Springs.
Set aside time in the evening for more fun activities.
The Main Street Theater is located at 225 Main Street, and it’s the best place to go if you want a night filled with fun and culture.
See the local actors and theater groups of northeast Texas in action.
They host everything, from plays to jazz concerts.
They even hold an acting workshop for children in the summer.
Their company, Community Players, Inc., strives not just to further the arts but also to provide opportunities to actors, actresses, and all the people who work “behind the scenes.”
Their past shows include “The Lion King Jr,” “Forgiven: A Fairytale,” and “Jungle Book: the Musical.”
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The Southwest Dairy Museum came into being in 1982 when people from the dairy industry wanted to preserve artifacts and historical documents related to their industry.
It finally became a reality in 1991.
Head onto Houston Street and enter the museum to learn about one of rural America’s most critical industries.
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See what life was like on a dairy farm before electricity.
Don’t forget to take a picture with their giant cow statue.
You can also see the different processes involved in making various dairy products, such as separating the cream.
Cap off your trip with lunch and ice cream at the museum.
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Of course, no trip is complete without sampling the local cuisine.
Everyone loves pizza.
The best place to satisfy those cravings while sampling something unusual is through Arturo’s, conveniently located at 221 Main Street.
The owners value their community, so all their ingredients are locally sourced.
You can try their interesting flavors like Korean barbecue, Artino, and Meat–A-Saurus.
They even have vegan options.
However, what if nothing in the menu piques your interest?
Well, that’s what custom pizzas are for!
Mix and match your toppings and sauces to your tastes and have a grand old time.
Visiting a place doesn’t mean wandering around and finding cute souvenirs to take home.
It also means immersing yourself in the local culture.
For example, you shouldn’t miss the Sulphur Springs Symphony League.
With more than 25 years of service, the symphony strives to provide entertainment for locals and visitors.
The symphony’s yearly highlight is their Independence Day performance on Celebration Plaza at 100 Church Street.
If you can’t attend the performance, you can listen to select orchestra and chamber orchestra performances in several venues throughout the year.
Pick a schedule to catch a show.
Are you the type to appreciate the small and delicate things in life?
This venue might be what you’re looking for.
These days, with streaming and smartphones, music boxes sitting on desks and playing delicate symphonies are unusual.
They were prevalent back then, though, and their construction showed a lot of craft and artistry.
Each one of them has a story to tell.
Some of them were even owned by soldiers and movie stars.
The public library houses a gorgeous collection of more than 150 music boxes, free to peruse and play.
Try not to lose yourself in the gentle lullabies you hear.
If you’re still looking for some relaxing and leisurely time, go to the west end of Connally Street and visit Buford Park.
Get some exercise done on the walking/jogging trails or play a baseball game at their baseball fields.
You can also sit back and rest at their pavilion or gazebo after a long day of sightseeing.
However, one of the park’s main features is the one-acre castle playground built in 1997.
If you have kids with you, let them run around the castle and burn off some excess energy while you and the other adults take a break.
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After a long day of traveling, you and your traveling companions must have built up quite the appetite.
You need to find a place to enjoy a full and delicious meal.
Luckily, the Plain and Fancy Sandwich and Shoppe near the Town Square Antique Mall has just what you need.
Their dishes are fresh and made with local ingredients.
Order a sandwich or wrap to satisfy your hunger and give you the energy for a few more hours of sightseeing.
They also have salads and vegetarian options.
Coleman Park was built in 1997, and it has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors ever since.
The park starts at a two-mile-long concrete trail that borders a lake.
Then, it passes two gorgeous waterfalls and several bridges, into a tunnel, before finally leading you to several recreational places, such as soccer fields and baseball fields.
If you’re looking for a great view, this is where you need to go.
Snap a few pictures and make memories near the waterfalls; it’s a sight you won’t want to forget.
There’s also a picnic area and fishing pier on the site if you’re looking for more activities.
Are you craving some burgers?
Visit Burgerland at 210 Main Street, one of the best burger joints in town.
They serve a wide variety of burgers and patty melts, grilled chicken sandwiches, and cheese fries.
If you’re looking for something greasy and undeniably delicious, this restaurant has it.
After all, everyone deserves a cheat day.
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You’ll find the Hopkins County Museum and Heritage Park just east of the town square.
This place is where you’ll learn more about the local history and the many unique stories contained in Sulphur Springs.
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The museum itself is in the George H. Wilson House and contains collections featuring Civil War Memorabilia, Caddo Indian relics, women’s period apparel, and many other historical artifacts.
On the other hand, the park has 11 acres of land dotted with historical buildings from all over Hopkins County awaiting restoration and preservation.
Take a walk along the park, familiarize yourself with the surroundings, and appreciate the unique architecture of houses from different points in Hopkins County history.
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Try out Roma’s Italian Restaurant if you’re looking for a meal that’s a little on the fancier side.
Start with some fried ravioli or calamari for your appetizer; then, try their mixed fruit option if that’s more to your tastes.
Try their salads alongside their restaurant specials to enjoy a complete dining experience.
Finally, finish your meal with some tiramisu or chocolate mousse cake for dessert.
It’s time to visit the lake that lends its name to Sulphur Springs.
The place sits at White Oak Creek and serves as a backup to the city’s main water supply.
Two boat ramp facilities are open year-round if you want to explore the place.
You can go fishing here, so see if you can catch some largemouth bass, catfish, or crappies.
For a more romantic and down-to-earth setting, consider visiting this winery with your travel buddies as your trip winds down.
Treat yourself to a nice meal and taste their fine wine in their tasting room.
Don’t forget to sample their designer wines, too.
You might even catch one of their tasting or other special events.
The winery also hosts a biannual special release event in their store, so mark it on your calendar.
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Of course, Sulphur Springs isn’t just the town and establishments; it’s also the lush greenery surrounding them.
Take the time to appreciate the natural wonders surrounding this place.
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You can do that at Cooper Lake State Park, only a twenty-minute drive away.
You can have a picnic there, go fishing, ride horses, or relax and appreciate the scenery around you.
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The best travel itineraries always have activities that contain something fast and something slow, something for day trips and something for evening joyrides.
Whatever your reason for planning a getaway, Sulphur Springs.
Walk around parks, eat its food, and learn something new from their museums.
Most importantly, take the time to truly open up, relax, and lose yourself in the warm welcome and lovely scenery of a fresh and brand new place.
Discover the world.
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