Overview
Wichita Falls is a town in the North Central Plains of Texas, named for Wichita Indians who lived near waterfalls on what is now the Wichita River. In 1882, Fort Worth and Denver Railroad brought the first train to the area, establishing the town as an agricultural and trade center. The oil boom in the early 1900s made city headquarters for north Texas petroleum production, service and manufacturing. The city is the seat for Wichita County and a leading gateway to Texas on I-44. It's a major trade and industrial center with economy based on Sheppard Air Force Base, oil processing and other varied manufacturing.
8 sights · 10 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wichita Falls
Wichita Theatre Performing Arts Center
A historic community localle since 1908. The theater features mainstream musical and drama productions. Their website lists an upcoming production calendar.
Sheppard Air Force Base
A technical training center, one of the largest of five in the U.S. and hosts the largest NATO pilot training program in the world.
Historic Kell House Museum
The World's Littlest Skyscraper
An architectural curiosity 40 feet tall with a 118 square foot base with a big claim for itself.
Wichita Falls
A recreation of the tumbly little cascade after which the town was named. You can see it from the southbound approach on I-44 or alternatively hike to it from a small parking area just west of the Broad Street underpass …
Symphony Orchestra and Ballet
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Graham)
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.
- SPS Wichita Falls Municipal Airport / Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls — 6 mi away. Directions
- LAW Lawton Fort Sill Regional Airport, Lawton — 47 mi away. Directions
- DFW Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth — 110 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Symphony Orchestra and Ballet, Wichita Theatre Performing Arts Center, Museum of North Texas History
- Lunch Casa Mañana
- Afternoon Local farmer's market, The World's Littlest Skyscraper
- Dinner The Branding Iron
- Evening Koch's Liquor
Day 2
- Morning Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Lucy Park
- Lunch Samurai of Tokyo
- Afternoon Ranch Round-Up, MSU-Burns Fantasy of Lights
- Evening Parkway Grill
Day 3
- Morning Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas-Oklahoma Oil Bowl Classic
- Afternoon Texas-Oklahoma Fair
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Wichita Falls is home to many great local "dives". This is one of the few cities featuring a drive-in style bar. (Yes, they actually bring your beer out to you while you sit in your car!) And of course, as a proud Texas town, there are a multitude of BBQ and Tex-Mex restaurants to choose from.
There is also an abundance of restaurant chains to choose from, including: Cheddar's, Applebee's, On the Border, McAllister's Deli, The Olive Garden, Johnny Carino's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Cracker Barrel.
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
By bus
Get around
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By bus
Falls Ride is the local bus service. Fare is: $1.50 - adult, $0.75 - adult, $0.75 - 5-18 years old, children under 5 are free. You can receive one free transfer for each fare you pay. A pass for 20 rides is available for $25 for adults. Senior citizens pay $12 for the 20 ride pass. Buses run every hour between 5AM and 7:30PM. Some bus lines stop running at 5PM. Some buses run in a big loop in one direction only. There are two main transfer stations: the downtown travel center where the Greyhound bus stops and Sikes Mall. Routes 2, 6 and 7 travel between the downtown travel center and the Sikes Center Mall.
See
Do
There are many things you can find to do in or around Wichita Falls. It has a bowling alley, a central shopping mall, and two movie theaters (AMC Sikes Senter 10 in the mall and Cinemark Theaters in Parker Square).
For the outdoorsman, there are several lakes nearby, including Lake Wichita, and the larger Lake Arrowhead. The long and winding shape of Lake Arrowhead and its location make it a great lake for sailing at high speeds. Fishing and other activities are permitted on the lakes. Additionally, Wichita Falls has some fishing ponds located inside the city (Plum Lake to the north of town and the new fishing pond on Southwest Parkway).
Do Golf
As the host of the annual Texas & Oklahoma (T&O) Junior Golf Tournament, the city has spent a lot of time and effort in maintaining the 18-hole golf courses. The Champions Course at Weeks Park is a newly renovated course, with excellent greens and long, wide fairways. The Wichita Falls Country Club course is beautifully designed and well-kept. It features many challenging holes, with water hazards and carry-over shots. In Bearby Burkburnett is Rivercreek Golf Course. A great course for any level of player, Rivercreek features very open fairways.
Events
There is a full throughout the year.
Annual events include:
Buy
Wichita Falls is also home to many retail chains including Kohl's, Ross, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, and many more.
Eat
Wichita Falls is home to many great local "dives". This is one of the few cities featuring a drive-in style bar. (Yes, they actually bring your beer out to you while you sit in your car!) And of course, as a proud Texas town, there are a multitude of BBQ and Tex-Mex restaurants to choose from.
There is also an abundance of restaurant chains to choose from, including: Cheddar's, Applebee's, On the Border, McAllister's Deli, The Olive Garden, Johnny Carino's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Cracker Barrel.
Eat The Branding Iron
Smoked beef barbeque. The sauce is to die for. A hole-in-the-wall dive, Branding Iron is a favorite to Wichitans and visitors from all over!
Eat Casa Mañana
Homestyle Tex-Mex in a historic part of downtown, across from the renovated Holt Hotel & Lofts. Casa Mañana has been here for decades and is "home of the red taco", a wonderfully creative and authentic spin on your basic taco. The salsa is hot and addictive.
Eat Samurai of Tokyo
A locally owned Japanese hibachi grill. But this is not your average hibachi grill. The special hibachi steak sauce is amazing. Another great favorite of locals and visitors.
Drink
Drink Parkway Grill
Parkway is a local sports bar with memorabilia collected by the owner over many years.
Drink Koch's Liquor
Koch's Liquor is a good liquor store to find almost any of your favorite brands.
Sleep
Nearby
Nocona
City / town · 1 listings · 46 mi away
Vernon
City / town · 13 listings · 46 mi away
Lawton
City / town · 16 listings · 50 mi away
Indiahoma
City / town · 1 listings · 52 mi away
Duncan
City / town · 13 listings · 54 mi away
Graham
City / town · 11 listings · 55 mi away
Snyder
City / town · 1 listings · 58 mi away
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Park · 61 mi away
My experience
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