Overview
Longview is a city in the Piney Woods region of Texas. At one time a major headquarters of the vast East Texas Oil Field, petroleum remains a large part of the city's economy. Founded in 1871, the city earned its name when surveyors for the Southern Pacific Railroad noted what a "long view" they could see from a hill near the center of the new town. Longview is now home to more than 75,000 residents and has grown to be an important center of commerce and industry for the Piney Woods region of Texas.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Longview
Gregg County Historical Museum
Guns and archeological finds and other pieces of local history.
Longview Museum of Fine Arts
Paintings and other artworks and performing arts.
Longview Arboretum and Nature Center
A quiet spot in the Piney Woods with concrete paths and lagoons and an interpretive center.
Fridays In The Park
Friday concerts and food vendors at Heritage Plaza in season (summer and fall).
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Mar and Dec. (climate data from nearby Mansfield)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GGG East Texas Regional Airport, Longview — 8 mi away. Directions
- TYR Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, Tyler — 40 mi away. Directions
- DAL Dallas Love Field, Dallas — 125 mi away (major hub). Directions
Longview is easily accessed by auto, lying just north of Interstate 20 and along US Highway 80, and Texas Highway 31. There is a bus station downtown, which is serviced by Greyhound Lines. The city does have a small airport, East Texas Regional Airport, which is mainly a private airfield. However, American Airlines' commuter line, American Eagle, operates daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Gregg County Historical Museum, Longview Museum of Fine Arts
- Lunch Butcher Shop
- Afternoon Fridays In The Park, Longview Arboretum and Nature Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Longview is easily accessed by auto, lying just north of Interstate 20 and along US Highway 80, and Texas Highway 31. There is a bus station downtown, which is serviced by Greyhound Lines. The city does have a small airport, East Texas Regional Airport, which is mainly a private airfield. However, American Airlines' commuter line, American Eagle, operates daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Get around
Longview has a bus system called COLT (City of Longview Transportation). The COLT buses have stops throughout the city making it relatively easy to get around if you are not in a hurry and know where you need to go.
Several major highways traverse the city; Historic US Route 80 bisects Longview and serves as its "main drag". Longview also has an outer beltway, Texas State Highway Loop 281, which forms a three-quarter loop around the city.
See
Do
There isn't much to do in Longview, but the locals generally find themselves at the Longview Mall, which is on Loop 281 (or 'the loop' as the locals call it), the Books-A-Million bookstore, also on the loop, or one of the many restaurants around town.
Do Fridays In The Park
Friday concerts and food vendors at Heritage Plaza in season (summer and fall).
Eat
Eat Butcher Shop
Despite what the name suggests, this local hangout is actually a bakery and burger joint. Try their chili or a hickory burger.
Sleep
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My experience
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