Wichita Falls, Texas, is Wichita County’s county seat.
It serves as the economic and cultural hub of the Wichita Falls MSA.
The record-breaking 1919 Newby-McMahon Building, also called the “world’s littlest skyscraper,” is part of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Wichita Falls, established in 1876, attributes its name to Wichita Indians and the nearby low-water river Falls, which had been there until a flood in 1886 destroyed it.
Over a hundred years later, the city built a new one with a height of 54 feet.
Beaches, museums, parks, gardens, nature reserves, and more await you in this stunning metropolis.
Wichita Falls also offers free attractions to those looking for budget-friendly options.
Read on to discover the free things to do in Wichita Falls, Texas:
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Visiting the “World’s Littlest Skyscraper” is a must-see for each visitor to Wichita Falls.
J.D. McMahon reportedly raised $800,000 from investors in 1919 to build the 480-foot skyscraper on 7th Street in downtown Wichita Falls.
The investors who greenlit the building did not notice that the specs were inches rather than feet.
After the construction, the structure measured a mere 480 inches in height, not 480 feet!
The investors that took McMahon to court failed to get any compensation for their losses.
The judge sided with McMahon since the investors had already given their blessing to the proposed changes.
After being named “World’s Littlest Skyscraper” by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, the moniker persisted.
The four-story tower is on the National Register of Historic Places.
No machine-readable author provided. Billy Hathorn assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The history of the Kemp Center for the Arts is a beautiful tale of support and cooperation between neighbors.
Mrs. Kemp petitioned industrialist Joseph Alexander Kemp to construct a public library in 1916, and the Wichita Falls residents banded together in 1918 to gather money and contribute 4,000 books to the center.
A trip to this museum will not disappoint any art enthusiast.
Many people go here specifically to experience the region’s renowned cultural offerings and artistic excellence.
Kemp Center for the Arts has a permanent outdoor sculpture garden, public seminars, and a banquet area perfect for celebrations of all kinds.
You can visit it on Lamar Street.
Wichita Falls is home to the antique car museum P’s Crazy Car Museum on Midwestern Parkway.
Here you may see how automobiles have changed through time in various nations through the collection of over 40 antique cars, trucks, tractors, and other fascinating vehicles.
A 1930s race vehicle and a 1941 Lincoln Zephyr are just two of the cars you can see here.
You can also buy cars from the collection.
As a result, you can take home a genuine vintage automobile.
While you may only visit on Saturdays, it won’t cost you a dime to check out the P’s Crazy Car Museum’s collection of vintage automobiles.
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A visit to the Wichita Falls Museum of Arts is a must for any art enthusiast.
It’s undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable attractions in Wichita Falls.
The arts of Northern Texas and Southern Oklahoma are the highlights of this museum; the museum aims to preserve regional history and educate the public.
The Wichita Falls Museum of Art, perched above Sites Lake on the Midwestern State University campus, exudes beauty and sophistication.
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Visit this museum full of fascinating antiques and relics from the past.
It features more than 3,000 artworks, most of which are examples of American art from the previous 50 years.
These include paper lithographs, etchings, Smezzo-tinted works, watercolors, sketches, and pastels.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
No machine-readable author provided. Billy Hathorn assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Catch exciting exhibits at the Museum of North Texas History on Indiana Avenue.
It is a good starting point for exploring Wichita Falls because of its central location.
Residents in the neighborhood have been generous in their donations to this museum.
Don’t miss the cowboy boot exhibit and the extensive hat collection!
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There are also clothes and accessories here that formerly belonged to rodeo stars and other well-known people from the area.
Many of the museum’s exhibits belong to its historic residents.
Learning about the backgrounds of the previous owners gives you a peek into the city’s past.
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You may take your dog for a walk around Wichita Falls Dog Park on Fairway Boulevard.
It is located at the corner of Fairway and Langford.
There is a grassy area here for tiny dogs and another for big dogs.
The goal is to provide a secure site where dog owners may let their pets run free.
Ensure to monitor your pets at all times and pick up after them if they make a mess.
Wichita Falls Dog Park is accessible for daily use.
No machine-readable author provided. Billy Hathorn assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Wichita Falls is home to Midwestern State University on Taft Boulevard.
Formerly known as Wichita Falls Junior College, Midwestern State University has been educating students in the liberal arts since 1922.
Spread out on more than 255 acres (103 hectares), the campus is home to more than 70 structures.
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The stunning campus boasts lush landscaping, towering trees, and impressive stone structures.
Tours are free, but you must register in advance if you want to explore the campus.
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The Wichita Falls Historical Society maintains and manages the Depot Square Historic District, widely considered the city’s cultural and historical center.
Specifically, it’s the six blocks between Eighth Street and Ohio Street.
It’s worth visiting for tourists and locals alike because it’s home to some of the city’s most revered historical and artistic landmarks.
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The city has preserved many of the ancient and well-known structures.
Depot Square Historic District also has many antique shops.
Feel free to stroll around and see what this neighborhood offers.
Holliday Creek Trails are a must-see for any serious hiker.
It begins at the lake’s upper end and winds around in various directions before returning full circle.
You may engage in multiple activities, such as walking, cycling, trekking, etc.
You and your significant other can also share a private moment on any of these paths.
Holliday Creek Trails is one of the best ways to see the region’s unique flora and animals.
Here, you will pass a wealth of interesting sights, such as an artificial mountain.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you should not miss these trails.
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Located on the eastern side of Lake Wichita, Lake Wichita Park spans 234 acres.
You’ll find a 2.6-mile route for walkers and cyclists around the park and its lake.
You may hike towards Lucy Park in the north on this trail.
In addition to its numerous picnic tables, Lake Wichita Park also features public toilets, a modular playground, basketball hoops, drinking fountains, and plenty of open green space.
Approximately 15 feet in height, the gigantic shovel that locals call the “Largest Shovel in Texas” may be found in front of the Bowles Construction Company’s main building.
Don’t confuse it with the 40-foot-tall, seven-foot-wide Largest Shovel in the World, located in Creedmoor, Texas.
It’s not the largest in Texas or the world, but it’s still worth checking out if you find yourself in Wichita Falls.
Also, there’s no cost to see the “Largest Shovel in Texas.”
Don’t rush during your trip along Texas’ U.S. Route 281; stop by to take pictures!
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There’s much more to see in Lucy Park on Sunset Drive than just the Wichita Falls cascade for which it is known.
The park’s picturesque picnic sites, quiet pathways, and comfortable seats make it a great place to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.
It’s located in a sweeping bend of the Wichita River and spans 178 acres (72 hectares).
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The park has an excellent path for jogging and strolling made of concrete slabs.
There is also a duck pond in Lucy Park where you can see ducks and geese.
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In Wichita Falls, the Wee-Chi-Ta Mountain Bike Trail is the ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts.
People who enjoy hiking, biking, picnicking, running, and exploring nature will love this trail.
It’s a 13-mile section of hand-built singletrack that features moderate challenges, some quick ascents, and a few twists and turns.
The course is a loop, making it simple to explore regardless of your fitness level.
Note though that campfires, motorized vehicles, and horses are not allowed on the trail.
If you have more time, Wichita Falls’ surrounding attractions, accessible within 30 minutes, are also worth visiting.
Here are other free things to do near Wichita Falls, Texas:
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In 1857, people began moving into what is now Clay County.
Indian raids on settlers after the Civil War’s end drove them away, and it wasn’t until the early 1870s that they returned, making Henrietta the county seat.
The city built a red brick and sandstone courthouse in 1884 and a small prison in 1890.
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The dome on the courthouse is still there, and the old jail is now a museum named the Clay County 1890 Jail Museum, which is only 19 minutes from Wichita Falls.
Take a peek at life in prison in the newly renovated sheriff’s quarters.
Visit the Clay County 1890 Jail Museum and learn about life on the Texas frontier in the early days of Clay County.
The North Fork Buffalo Creek Reservoir is in west-central Wichita County, around 21 minutes from Wichita Falls.
North Fork Buffalo Creek is a tributary of the Red River, and between May 14 and November 10, 1964, the local authorities built a dam on the creek.
As of the date of finalization, deliberate impoundment had begun.
Wichita County Water Control and Improvement District #3 owns and manages the facility, which serves as a water source for the Iowa Park Township and a recreational area.
Flathead catfish, bream/bluegill, blue catfish, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass are just a few fish you may catch at North Fork Buffalo Creek Reservoir.
Before you get there, check out the rules for fishing in the area.
Dinosaur Parade features professionally created life-size dinosaurs, including a Spinosaurus, Allosaurus, and a massive Brachiosaurus.
You may catch it at Henrietta, Clay County, 21 minutes from Wichita Falls.
Marvel at the majesty of these ancient beasts while charging your electric vehicle.
Dinosaur Parade is worth a visit if you have a dino-obsessed youngster in the family.
Wichita Falls is a fantastic destination as it offers outdoor adventures, cultural explorations, and free activities.
Its wealth of free attractions makes it an ideal destination for budget-conscious travelers.
Save up while having fun with our list of free things to do in Wichita Falls, Texas!
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