Memphis TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Memphis, Texas.
1. Memphis City Park
SERENE OUTDOOR RECREATION SPACE
Memphis City Park is a beautiful 40-acre outdoor space that serves as the recreational heart of the community. The park features an amphitheater with seating for around 2,000 people, a 188,000-gallon swimming pool, and 8 RV park hookups for visitors. Open daily from sunrise until 10:00 p.m., it offers an ideal setting for family gatherings, group parties, picnics, and various community events.
2. Memphis Amphitheater
HISTORIC ACOUSTICALLY PERFECT VENUE
The Memphis Amphitheater is a historic venue located within the city park that was part of a development project started in 1938. With seating for approximately 2,000 people, it boasts acoustically perfect sound that makes it ideal for concerts and performances. The amphitheater has deep community roots, having been developed with help from C.C. Hodges, former Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, who led the park committee that championed the project.
3. Hall County Courthouse
CLASSICAL REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE LANDMARK
The Hall County Courthouse, located in the center of Memphis square, is a stunning Classical Revival structure completed in 1923. The active courthouse features reinforced concrete and clay tile construction with dark brick and cast stone veneer, showcasing beautiful Classical and Beaux Arts detailing including Corinthian columns and decorative stone garlands. This historic building represents Memphis's third courthouse, earned after achieving county seat status in 1890, fourteen years after the Texas Legislature created Hall County.
4. Hall County Heritage Hall Museum
LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURE
The Hall County Heritage Hall Museum is housed in the historic First National Bank building in downtown Memphis. This cultural institution preserves and showcases the rich history of Hall County and the Memphis area through various exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can explore the museum to learn about the development of the region, from its early settlement to its growth as an important Texas Panhandle community.
5. Red Brick Streets
HISTORIC PAVED PATHWAYS
Memphis features fifty blocks of distinctive brick paving along its streets, installed in 1926, providing a charming brick-red aesthetic throughout the town. This historic paving is reflected in several of the town's historic brick buildings, creating a cohesive architectural character. Walking these brick streets offers visitors a glimpse into the past while enjoying the unique atmosphere of this Texas Panhandle town.
6. First Presbyterian Church
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The First Presbyterian Church, now called the Presbyterian Building, is a Neo-classical Revival masterpiece built in 1911 that no longer serves as an active congregation. The building features arched windows, a domed roof, and an impressive collection of ninety stained-glass windows that create a stunning visual display. Its most unique feature is the large pipe organ, originally powered by manually controlled waterworks that regulated the pipes' air pressure to create musical notes.
7. Memphis Swimming Pool
REFRESHING COMMUNITY WATERS
The Memphis Swimming Pool is a substantial 188,000-gallon aquatic facility located within the city park. This popular summer destination offers residents and visitors a refreshing escape from the Texas heat. The pool serves as a central gathering place for community recreation and social activities during the warmer months.
8. Memphis RV Park
CONVENIENT TRAVELER ACCOMMODATIONS
The Memphis RV Park offers 8 hookup spots for travelers looking to experience the charm of this Texas Panhandle town. Located within the city park grounds, these accommodations provide visitors with convenient access to all the park's amenities and the town's attractions. The RV park's central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Memphis and the surrounding Hall County area.
9. Caprock Canyons State Park
STUNNING NATURAL WILDERNESS
Caprock Canyons State Park, located about 45 minutes from Memphis, features dramatic canyon landscapes, colorful rock formations, and the official Texas State Bison Herd. Visitors can explore more than 90 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding through diverse terrain including canyon lands, badlands, bottomlands, and a rippling prairie. The park also offers camping, wildlife viewing, and Lake Theo for fishing and non-motorized boating experiences.
10. Memphis Farmers Market
LOCAL PRODUCE AND CRAFTS
The Memphis Farmers Market provides a vibrant venue for local farmers and artisans to sell their goods directly to the community. Visitors can browse seasonal produce, homemade foods, and handcrafted items while connecting with local producers. The market serves as both a shopping destination and a community gathering space that celebrates the agricultural heritage of the region.
11. Childress Vineyard
TEXAS PANHANDLE WINE EXPERIENCE
Childress Vineyard is a charming winery located in nearby Childress, offering a taste of Texas wine culture just a short drive from Memphis. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings featuring varieties grown in the challenging but rewarding Texas Panhandle climate. The vineyard provides a relaxing setting for experiencing locally produced wines while learning about the region's emerging viticulture.
12. Bob Wills Museum
WESTERN SWING MUSIC HERITAGE
The Bob Wills Museum in nearby Turkey honors the life and legacy of the King of Western Swing, who spent his formative years in the area. The museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia, photographs, and artifacts related to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys band. Music enthusiasts can explore exhibits documenting the development of Western Swing and the profound influence Wills had on American music history.
13. Copper Breaks State Park
STARGAZING AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Copper Breaks State Park, located near Quanah about an hour from Memphis, offers 1,898 acres of natural beauty featuring two small lakes, camping areas, and trails through mesquite covered hills. The park is renowned for its exceptional stargazing opportunities as an International Dark Sky Park, where visitors can observe the night sky with minimal light pollution. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, swimming, hiking, and learning about the area's Native American history through interpretive programs.
14. Clarendon College
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Clarendon College, founded in 1898, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Texas Panhandle region, located a short drive from Memphis. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings that reflect its long-standing commitment to education in rural Texas. Visitors can explore the grounds and appreciate the college's role in the cultural and educational development of the region.
15. Saints' Roost Museum
PIONEER HERITAGE COLLECTION
Saints' Roost Museum in nearby Clarendon preserves the rich pioneer history of Donley County and the surrounding Texas Panhandle area. Housed in a historic building, the museum features an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of early settlement in the region. Exhibits include period furnishings, clothing, tools, and other items that provide insight into the daily lives of the area's pioneering families.