Longview
Around Longview
Illustration made for Popchat
Metro area · Texas · 295k people
Longview
Locals say East Texas
Where the pines meet the oil fields, and the tea is always sweet.
Pine Forest GreenOil Gold
Welcome to East Texas, y'all! Get ready for sweet tea, piney woods, and some of the friendliest folks around. Whether you're here for the oil boom history or just passing through, you'll find a place to call home.
Clubs for Longview
No clubs for Longview yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Longview. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Longview. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- East Texas Oil Museum Oil boom history in Kilgore.
- Longview Museum of Fine Arts Regional art exhibitions in downtown Longview.
- Gregg County Historical Museum Local history in Longview.
- Gladewater Museum Oil town heritage and artifacts.
- Texas & Pacific Railway Depot Historic train station in Marshall.
- Starr Family Home State Historic Site Antebellum mansion in Marshall.
- Outdoors Fishing on Caddo Lake
- Outdoors Hiking the Piney Woods trails
- With kids East Texas Oil Museum
- With kids Longview World of Wonders
- Evenings honky-tonks
- Evenings dance halls
- Locals love barbecue joints
- Locals love cafes and diners
Through the year
- Great Texas Balloon Race July Hot air balloon festival with mass ascensions and night glows in Longview.
- Gilmer Yamboree October Sweet potato festival with parades, carnival, and yam-themed food in Gilmer.
- FireAnt Festival April Community festival in Marshall with live music, vendors, and a fire ant roundup.
- Texas Shakespeare Festival Summer Summer theater performances at Kilgore College.
Humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Frequent rain year-round. Best: Spring and fall are perfect – mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “fixin' to”
- About to do something
- “y'all”
- You all
- “piney”
- The wooded areas of East Texas
- “oil patch”
- The oil fields and industry
Getaways
- Tyler Rose gardens and the East Texas State Fair.
- Shreveport Casinos, riverfront, and the Louisiana Boardwalk.
- Nacogdoches Historic downtown and Stephen F. Austin State University.
- Mount Pleasant Titus County Courthouse and local lakes.
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL), Texas A&M Aggies (NCAA), University of Texas Longhorns (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- East Texas Barbecue Slow-smoked brisket and sausage, often served with white bread and pickles.
- Chicken Fried Steak A Texas staple, especially in local diners and cafes.
- Pecan Pie A sweet Southern classic, often made with local pecans.
- Sweet Tea The default drink at every meal, served over ice.
- Bodacious Bar-B-Q A local chain beloved for its barbecue and sides.
Where people go
- Piney woods Forested areas with tall pines, a defining feature of the landscape.
- Oil fields and derricks Historic and active oil production sites, often with iconic pumping units.
- Barbecue joints Casual, wood-paneled eateries serving slow-smoked meats.
- Cafes and diners Homey spots for chicken fried steak, pie, and coffee.
- Lakes Reservoirs like Lake O' the Pines, popular for fishing and boating.
- Antique shops Small-town stores with vintage finds and local crafts.
Heritage and traditions
East Texans are proud of their piney woods, oil heritage, and small-town charm, with a strong sense of community and hospitality that makes newcomers feel at home.
This time of year in Longview
- Friday night high school football Fall Fall evenings are devoted to cheering on local teams, with the Rangerettes performing at halftime.
- Hunting season Fall/Winter Deer and turkey hunting draw locals into the woods in fall and winter.
- East Texas Oil Museum Oil Boom Days October A celebration of the 1930s oil boom with reenactments, vintage equipment, and oilfield tales.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something
Festivals
- Wonderland of Lights December Marshall's downtown transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of lights, a parade, and holiday activities.
- Kilgore Rangerettes Spring Show April The world-famous drill team performs their annual showcase of dance and precision.
- East Texas Oil Museum Oil Boom Days October A celebration of the 1930s oil boom with reenactments, vintage equipment, and oilfield tales.
Landmarks with a story
- Michelson Museum of Art Housed in a historic building in Marshall, it features a diverse collection of American and European art.
- Harrison County Historical Museum Located in Marshall, it preserves the area's history, including its role as a Confederate capital.
- Kilgore College Rangerette Museum Celebrates the world-famous drill team with costumes, trophies, and memorabilia.
- World's Richest Acre A park in Kilgore marking the spot where oil derricks once stood so densely that the acre produced millions of barrels.
Food traditions
- Fried catfish Local fish camps and diners serve all-you-can-eat fried catfish, often on Friday nights, a tradition from the region's lakes and rivers.
- Crawfish boils In spring, families and friends gather for crawfish boils seasoned with Cajun spices, a nod to nearby Louisiana influence.
- Peach cobbler Summer brings fresh peaches from East Texas orchards, baked into warm cobbler, often served with vanilla ice cream.
- Pinto beans and cornbread A hearty Southern staple, often cooked with ham hock and served with skillet cornbread, especially in cooler months.
- Hushpuppies Cornmeal fritters served alongside fried fish, a classic side at every fish camp.
Music and arts
- Country and gospel music The region has deep roots in country and gospel, with local churches and venues hosting regular performances.
- Rangerettes precision dance The Kilgore College Rangerettes created a unique art form of high-kicking, synchronized dance that has inspired drill teams worldwide.
- Texas Shakespeare Festival Held each summer at Kilgore College, it brings professional theatre to the piney woods.
- Blues and zydeco influence Proximity to Louisiana brings blues and zydeco into local juke joints and festivals.
A little history
- 1930 Discovery of the East Texas Oil Field
- 1861–1865 Marshall served as the temporary capital of Missouri during the Civil War
- 1870 Longview founded as a railroad town
- 1939 Kilgore College Rangerettes founded, the first precision drill team
- 1895 Marshall Pottery established, becoming a regional craft icon
Rivalries
- Longview vs Marshall football Long-standing high school gridiron rivalry.
- Kilgore vs Henderson football Local district showdown.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Kilgore College Rangerettes halftime shows
- Outdoors Canoeing on Caddo Lake
- Outdoors Hunting in the Piney Woods
- With kids Visiting the Rangerette Museum
- With kids Going to Marshall Pottery
East Texans speak with a Southern drawl, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The accent is relaxed, with a slower pace, and locals are known for their polite, hospitable manner.
Only here
- The World's Richest Acre in Kilgore, where oil derricks once stood so thick they made the land incredibly valuable.
- The Kilgore College Rangerettes, the world's first precision drill team, still performing today.
- Marshall was the temporary capital of Missouri during the Civil War – a unique historical footnote.
- The East Texas Oil Field, discovered in 1930, is one of the largest oil fields in the world.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and mild winters; air conditioning is essential.
- Try the local barbecue and fried catfish – they're a point of pride.
- Get used to saying 'y'all' and 'fixin' to' – it's part of the friendly local charm.
- Traffic is light, but watch out for deer on rural roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Visit the East Texas Oil Museum and the Rangerette Museum to understand the area's heritage.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaCarthage–CenterTexasWhere the pines meet the lake and the talk is slow.TylerTexasWhere roses bloom and pines whisper.MineolaTexasWhere the pines meet the water.Mount PleasantTexasWhere the pines meet the water and the barbecue is always hot.JacksonvilleTexasWhere the pines meet the tomatoesAtlanta–JeffersonTexasWhere the pines meet the bayou, and history lingers in the air.Shreveport–Bossier CityLouisianaRed River hospitality and piney woods charm.NacogdochesTexasWhere Texas history meets the Piney Woods
Longview, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.