Temple is a beautiful town situated in Bell County, Texas, in the United States.
Also known as Central Texas, it is the hub of the regional medical center as it gives a base to three major hospitals.
Temple is usually on every tourist’s go-to list, but visitors can ultimately find something surprising at each corner.
If your next trip will be to Texas, make sure to read our list of the best things to do in Temple, Texas.
Formed upstream of the confluence of the Leon and Little rivers, Temple Lake Park is a day-use facility.
The park provides one reservable area called the Temple’s Pavilion and over 60 picnic sites which do not need a reservation for public use.
A playground, a swim beach, and showers are incorporated within the park for public convenience.
A manmade wetland was constructed on the site covering 25 acres. Small animals like deers and turkeys can be spotted occasionally.
Fishing enthusiasts particularly enjoy visiting Temple Park, as it’s home to a wide range of fish.
The park is also perfect for hosting a barbecue with a group of friends.
The visitors can also enjoy boating facilities.
Daniel Mendiola / shutterstock.com
Situated in the Temple’s historic land of Santa Fe Depot, the Santa Fe Railway exhibits everything that elaborates traveling and working of railroads.
The museum hosts educational events and programs and changes temporary exhibitions from time to time.
The museum presents on the ground exhibitions of railroad equipment, with an active railroad present alongside for visitors to perceive it acts for daily operations.
Temple has not just one but many water parks that promise a fun time for kids.
These parks also offer the perfect opportunity to beat the Texas heat.
Lions Junction Family Water Park is considered the best in the town.
The water park contains something for every age, including beach chairs.
Attentive lifeguards are deployed to keep security tight.
Summer Fun Water Park is considered one of the best water parks in Temple.
It is a water park where adults can enjoy just as much as children, as it has something to offer for visitors all ages.
The park has three giant water slides and a 40-foot tower perfect for teens and adults.
If you want to spend a good time in the renowned Texas heat, then head to this water park to cool down.
The museum aims to preserve and promote history and culture for those who want to learn a thing or two about the former Austro-Hungarian Empire or the present Czech Republic.
It can be considered as an educational place for kids as well as adults.
The exhibitions in the museum cover everything from traditional marionettes to military pieces of equipment.
Also, the museum has a collection of Czech-related genealogy, which is considered to be the largest in the state.
Their collection also includes a well-preserved Bible from 1549 that contains mesmerizing white pages with inscriptions written in Slavic ink.
This 260-acre piece of land is one of the most peaceful spots in Temple, Texas.
It’s situated between the east of Lake Belton Dam and the Leon River.
The center offers natural overlooks, wildlife, waterways, and winding trails.
Visits must be self-guided, as no tour guides are available.
You can enjoy many different activities in the area, including picnicking, jogging, and fishing.
If you want to intersperse your visit with a bit of adventure, you can also take part in activities like hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
Just remember to take all the precautions to ensure your safety.
For educational purposes, wildlife observation, ecological study, and school group visits can take place here, too.
Miller Park engulfs 30 acres of land and is one of the best spots to have a picnic.
This community park includes a playground, a splash pad for children, and a 0.75-mile walk or jog trail pocket for morning walks and jogging.
If you are in search of some aesthetics, this park has a small lake flowing through it.
Restrooms are located inside the park for public use.
Miller Park also has a soccer playground with two soccer goals.
There’s also a barbecue station, as well as a picnic pavilion, so you can enjoy an outdoor barbecue with your friends and family.
Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pepper Creek is known for its famous Pepper Creek Trail, which provides a mesmerizing view and unique pathways.
The trail runs across a wooded area that further runs along the creek’s western bank.
When visiting Temple, hiking and biking along the trails at Pepper Creek should definitely be on everyone’s to-do list.
Space for parking is available at Scott & White West Campus, off North Kegley Road, near the hospital’s parking lot.
Currently managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the park is well known for its boating services.
The park consists of a courtesy dock and a two-lane boat ramp to make boat service quite efficient.
For public convenience, restrooms are constructed inside the park.
In case you decide to bring a vehicle, you can park it in the lot arranged for visitors.
Temple, Texas has a side to it that not everyone is aware of—it’s actually home to wineries that produce exquisite fine wines.
Stores like Pignetti’s and Moose and Goose Winery provide fine wines that you definitely won’t want to miss.
Both wine tasting and purchasing options are available at these wine shops.
At 3 Texans Winery and Vineyards, you can taste wine, purchase it, and also take a stroll in the vineyards.
Also, private events are encouraged at 3 Texans wineries.
So just in case you want to host a small meeting or a private event, what better way to do it than with a selection of fine wine?
The Santa Fe Wine Festival is conducted in Central Texas annually.
It not only involves the town’s wineries, but local restaurants and food trucks with their mouth-watering dishes, retailers, and artisans also participate to promote their businesses.
If you happen to visit Temple in time for the Sante Fe Wine Festival, make sure to take the opportunity to join in on the festivities!
The festival is a one-day-only event, so you’re advised to book your tickets early.
The Historic Wilson House was built in 1959 by Ralph Wilson Sr. himself.
It was his private residence and acted as a test lab for the durability of the products his company manufactured.
His house was also used as a model for the company’s products.
It was hence featured in the Ralph Wilson Plastic Company magazine and advertisements for being an icon of stylish and affordable living.
Wilsonart, the current owner of the house, purchased it from Mr. Wilson’s widow in 1991.
He successfully maintained the original appearance of the house.
In 1988, the Historic Wilson House was registered in the US National Register of Historic Places and was considered as a Historical Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.
If you are a fashion or architecture enthusiast, this house should be on top of your bucket list.
The Hindu Temple, which was built in 2001, is situated in the heart of Texas.
It’s committed to several community programs such as giving away food to the poor and needy.
One can visit the temple to join yoga classes every Thursday, and Bhagavad Gita classes are held for both children and adults weekly.
The temple consists of both North Indian architecture and South Indian architecture, as the two are very different from each other.
Lord Ganesh is the main deity of the temple.
Other deities include Sri Venkateswara&Padmavathi, Radha Krishna, Lord Shiva & Parvathi, Ram Parivar, AmbaMatha, Subramanya, Swami Ayyappa, and Navagraha.
Spare Time Texas is the best place to enjoy your spare time in Temple, regardless of your age.
The dark and neon lights will give you a feel of a nightclub-like environment, but the complex is far from one.
The indoor play arena consists of several lanes that boast fun, engaging games.
In case you want to host a meeting or a small event, you can do so in a special room which can be accessed by over 200 people.
Spare Time Texas has managed to carve a name for its own because of its unique and special games.
Thanks to the high technology and features such as lasers, mirrors, and special effects, you are guaranteed to have a good time in this arena.
The safe environment and facilities at Whistle Stop Playground are quite impressive.
If you’re traveling with little ones, they will be delighted after spending time in this amusing kid’s arena.
The playground provides children with many swinging, climbing, and balancing areas.
If you arrive there with any vehicle, a special parking lot is allotted for visitors.
Considering the playground also has lunch tables and restrooms, it makes a perfect spot for parents to have lunch while waiting for their kids.
Another way to make your stay at Temple, Texas, memorable is by watching the latest blockbuster flicks at Cinemark Temple and XD and Temple PREMIERE 15 IMAX Temple Mall.
Primarily a chain of movie theaters, Cinemark Temple and XD is the best option for catching first-run movies.
The brand’s most popular features are the luxury reclining seats.
You can fully recline and watch your chosen film with no obstructions.
Besides its comfort, Cinemark offers online tickets, so you don’t have to stand in line at the box office.
Temple PREMIERE 15 IMAX Temple Mall is another excellent movie theater you can find at 31st Street.
This movie theater provides an incredibly enriching experience that promises remarkable customer service.
Customers always come out of the theater feeling well-attended to, with an aura of the old shows accompanied by the remote antiquity of their building.
When enjoying a blockbuster, Temple PREMIERE 15 IMAX Temple Mall has everything from truly enhanced viewing to an extraordinary sound system.
Sammons Golf Course is a top-rated 18-hole golf course conveniently located only minutes off Interstate 35 in the city of Temple, Texas.
This golfers’ paradise has been open since 1922 and has held the community’s attention since that first day.
Sammons Golf Course offers an Emerald Bermuda grass green golf course that allows for the most challenging par 5 in all of Central Texas, not to mention an outstanding collection of challenging par 3’s.
This golf course is full of holes that surround the beautiful Lake Polk and run along the adjacent wooden walkways next to Bird Creek.
With 16 different holes in play each course, there’s a level of strategy and care needed for each shot, as you may find yourself potentially landing in one of these two bodies.
The par-70 golf course features four sets of tee boxes, ranging from a manageable 4727 yards from the forward tees to an exciting 6562 yards from the championship tees.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Temple, The Parlour Antiques and Oddities is a gem with a variety of beautiful antiques, vintage clothing, furniture, and accessories offered at incredible prices.
This store specializes in all things vintage and antique, so you’ll have the chance to take home some truly one-of-a-kind pieces for your own home.
The family-owned business has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that will charm everyone who visits.
It’s a great spot to visit if you’re looking to furnish or decorate, thanks to its wide assortment of incredible pieces.
Take amazing photos in front of their feature wall when you have time to visit; you won’t regret it!
Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There are four significant department store anchors in Temple Mall, a local shopping center and trade sector.
More than 50 businesses occupy around 555,400 square feet of total leasable space.
Among the two regional outlet malls in Bell County is Temple Mall, while the other is Killeen Mall, located in adjacent Killeen, Texas.
Make your way to Temple Mall to check out the stores there; you’re sure to find what you’re searching for among the local stores and national chains.
Browse restaurants, clothing, cosmetic products, and much more!
Since 2010, Megg’s Café has offered contemporary and inventive Central Texas food.
If you’ve visited the restaurant before, you’ve likely observed sisters Holly & Meghan at work, ensuring your mealtime experience is pleasant and carefree.
They delight in serving fresh and distinctive food to you and your family while also helping sustain the local farming economy where they grew up.
Regular menu updates consider what’s in season and readily accessible in the area.
When you stop by, don’t forget to look at the vegetable garden on the structure’s side.
Megg’s Café is open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 3 pm.
Everything you need to explore Belton Lake is available at North Point Marina, a freshly restored marina.
The staff at North Point works hard to make it simple for customers to unwind at the lake, and they do so in a cheerful manner.
They are certain that their team and wide range of maritime services will satisfy your watercraft requirements for lakeside family entertainment.
On Belton Lake, North Point Marina is dedicated to offering a family-friendly, secure, and safe atmosphere.
For hassle-free sailing, they provide boat slips with yearly contracts, a Ship Store for all essential fuel and necessities, and various aquatic services.
The Hawkeye Shooting Academy provides shooters with handguns and long guns in a secure and comfortable setting.
The facility has ten lanes featuring a fifteen-yard maximum firing range.
It was created with the cooperation of architectural and industrial specialists to secure the members, the companies, and the homes that encircle them.
They provide a Learn to Shoot course to impart weapon safety, holding, and range etiquette to new shooters.
You will handle a variety of handguns in this session, including semi-automatics and revolvers.
Hawkeye Shooting Academy is designed to provide a venue where you may securely practice and acquire the skills essential for the safe and efficient usage of a firearm, whether you are interested in hunting, target shooting, or home protection.
A true treasure in the Temple golf neighborhood is Wildflower Country Club.
The 18-hole golf course at Wildflower offers some of the most exceptional holes in the Central Texas region. It is tucked away among undulating, lush hills and decorated with flowing natural ponds.
For the keen golfer, inexperienced or veteran, Leon Howard’s Wildflower delivers a demanding and gratifying experience.
The laid-back and welcoming atmosphere of Wildflower Country Club makes it the ideal spot for friends, business associates, and families to mingle and enjoy various amenities and activities.
A championship golf course created by Leon Howard, six-lit tennis courts, a pool, a kiddie pool, a cutting-edge fitness center, fine dining rooms, and the more laid-back Wildflower Grill are all available.
Formal meals, entertainment, and special Membership functions are arranged in the exquisite main dining room with its breathtaking sight of the golf course.
Wildflower offers a range of banquet services and can entertain 10 to 200 guests.
From natural wonders to manmade gems, Temple’s unique attractions add a dash of pizzazz to classic getaways in Texas.
Whether you’re going solo, on a couple’s retreat, or sticking together as a family, these standouts offer unforgettable glimpses into irresistible Lone Star State adventures.
So if you want to get an authentic taste of what Temple has to offer, bookmark this bucket list that’s packed from bottom to top with local favorite places.
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