Kilgore TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Kilgore, Texas.
1. East Texas Oil Museum
OIL HISTORY AND HERITAGE
The East Texas Oil Museum immerses visitors in the history of East Texas oil discovery and production, located on the campus of Kilgore College. Visitors can tour exhibits, watch a film, and take a simulated elevator ride to see how oil is formed and drilled. The museum features an authentic recreation of a 1930's Boomtown, USA and educates guests about the mammoth East Texas Oil Field.
2. Texas Museum of Broadcasting & Communications
GOLDEN AGE OF MEDIA
The Texas Museum of Broadcasting & Communications offers visitors a first-hand look at the golden age of broadcasting. The museum features working TV and radio studios, vintage equipment, and a 1949 Dumont Telecruiser. Visitors can experience the evolution of media technology through interactive exhibits that bring broadcasting history to life.
3. Downtown Kilgore Texas
HISTORIC SHOPPING DISTRICT
Downtown Kilgore Texas offers a vibrant shopping district with charming boutiques and local businesses. Visitors can explore the historic downtown area, which features the iconic Coca-Cola mural that pays nostalgic tribute to vintage advertising. The downtown area blends timeless charm with small-town Texas atmosphere, making it perfect for an afternoon of shopping and exploration.
4. Rangerette Showcase & Museum
LEGENDARY DANCE TEAM HISTORY
The Rangerette Showcase & Museum celebrates the distinguished history of the legendary Kilgore College Rangerettes. Visitors can learn about the world-famous precision dance team that revolutionized halftime performances since their founding. The museum displays memorabilia, uniforms, and artifacts chronicling the Rangerettes' impressive history and cultural impact.
5. World's Richest Acre Park
HISTORIC OIL DERRICKS
World's Richest Acre Park showcases Kilgore's one original and 12 restored oil derricks that represent the city's oil boom heritage. The park commemorates a small plot of land that once held the highest concentration of oil wells in the world during the 1930s oil boom. Visitors can walk among these towering structures to gain perspective on Kilgore's colorful past and the industry that shaped the region.
6. Creekside Trail
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
The Creekside Trail offers 2.58 miles of winding path that takes walkers, runners, and bikers through beautiful woods alongside Bighead Creek. Opened in October 2018, it serves as the first phase of the larger Kilgore Trails System. Trail heads are located at Stone Road, Houston Street, and Dudley Road, with an additional access point available at Moccasin Trail.
7. Kilgore Bowling Center
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Kilgore Bowling Center features 16 synthetic bowling lanes with automatic scoring for family-friendly entertainment. The center offers additional amenities including a snack bar, game room, and pro shop for bowling enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy the modernized arcade and pool room, making it a complete entertainment destination.
8. 4 Star Cinema
LUXURY MOVIE EXPERIENCE
4 Star Cinema offers a premium movie-watching experience with luxury seating options for maximum comfort. On Thursday nights, moviegoers can enjoy a glass of wine or beer while watching films in ultimate comfort. The cinema also hosts film festivals throughout the year, providing a cultural entertainment option for residents and visitors.
9. W.L. Dodson Auditorium
PREMIER ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
W.L. Dodson Auditorium serves as a premiere entertainment destination for East Texas, located on the Kilgore College campus. The auditorium, which opened in 1952, seats 1,635 people and annually hosts graduation ceremonies and Rangerette Revels. Many concerts and theatre productions are held in the venue throughout the year, making it a cultural centerpiece for the community.
10. Harris Street Park and Friendship Playground
FAMILY RECREATION AREA
Harris Street Park and Friendship Playground offer comprehensive recreational facilities for families visiting Kilgore. The park includes a pavilion, picnic tables, playground, restrooms, tennis court, and walking trail. This versatile outdoor space provides multiple options for physical activity and relaxation in a well-maintained setting.
11. Texas Shakespeare Festival
PROFESSIONAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS
The Texas Shakespeare Festival brings professional theater to Kilgore each summer when actors travel from across the country to perform. The festival features Shakespeare's classic plays alongside other beloved theatrical works. Theater enthusiasts should plan their visits for July when this cultural highlight transforms the city into a destination for performing arts appreciation.
12. Country Tavern
LEGENDARY BBQ DESTINATION
Country Tavern is a renowned barbecue restaurant that offers delicious East Texas-style barbecue in a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant has earned a reputation for its mouthwatering ribs and authentic smoked meats that attract visitors from throughout the region. Country Tavern exemplifies the rich culinary tradition of East Texas barbecue that makes dining in Kilgore a memorable experience.
13. Shakespeare Garden
LITERARY THEMED GREENSPACE
The Shakespeare Garden provides a tranquil greenspace with plantings and design elements inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. This thoughtfully designed garden creates a contemplative space that complements Kilgore's connection to Shakespearean theater through the annual festival. Visitors can enjoy the botanical displays while reflecting on literary themes in this unique cultural attraction.
14. Rangerette Gymnasium
HISTORIC DANCE FACILITY
The Rangerette Gymnasium was one of the first two buildings erected on the Kilgore College campus and serves as the training facility for the famous dance team. After a $250,000 renovation in 2001, the gym was named after former director Deana Bolton-Covin. Visitors can observe where the world-famous precision dance team practices their routines that have made them a cultural institution in Texas.
15. East Texas Treatment Center Mural
LOCAL PRIDE ARTWORK
The East Texas Treatment Center mural showcases the best that Kilgore has to offer through vibrant public artwork. The colorful display features oil derricks, local school mascots, and the pine trees that are characteristic of East Texas landscapes. This artistic installation celebrates the community's heritage and pride while enhancing the visual appeal of the city for visitors and residents alike.