Wichita Falls
Around Wichita Falls
Illustration made for Popchat
Metro area · Texas · 149k people
Wichita Falls
“The City of Falls”, “The Falls”
Where the falls roar and the plains stretch forever.
Midwestern State University goldMidwestern State University maroonPrairie earth brown
Welcome to Wichita Falls, where the Red River meets the prairie and the sunsets are big. Whether you're here for the cycling, the rodeo, or just to soak up some Texas hospitality, you'll find a friendly crowd.
Clubs for Wichita Falls
No clubs for Wichita Falls yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Wichita Falls. 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 Wichita Falls. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wichita Falls Waterfall Rebuilt cascade in Lucy Park, a symbol of the city.
- The Red River Forms the northern border with Oklahoma.
- Lake Wichita Popular for boating, fishing, and lakeside parks.
- Downtown Historic District Brick streets and early 20th-century architecture.
- World's Littlest Skyscraper A 40-foot 'skyscraper' with a quirky history.
- Lucy Park Large park with trails, the falls, and picnic areas.
- Outdoors Hike the Circle Trail
- Outdoors Fish at Lake Wichita
- With kids Visit River Bend Nature Center
- With kids Cool off at Castaway Cove Waterpark
- Evenings Catch a concert at MPEC
- Evenings Listen to live music at downtown bars
- Locals love Lake recreation spots
- Locals love Local barbecue joints
Through the year
- Hotter 'N Hell Hundred August One of the largest cycling events in the US, drawing thousands of riders.
- Wichita Falls Livestock Show and Rodeo January Annual rodeo and livestock show with a carnival.
- Texas Ranch Roundup August Ranch skills competition showcasing working cowboys.
- Art on the Falls April Outdoor arts and crafts festival near the falls.
- Downtown Concert Series Summer Free summer concerts in the historic district.
Hot, semi-arid climate with frequent severe storms in spring and mild winters. Best: April-May and September-October
Talk like a local
- “Falls”
- Short for Wichita Falls
- “Burk”
- Short for Burkburnett
- “HNH”
- Hotter 'N Hell Hundred bike race
- “Circle Trail”
- The paved trail system
Getaways
- Lawton, OK Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge for hiking and bison viewing.
- Ardmore, OK Lake Murray for boating and fishing.
- Mineral Wells, TX Historic Baker Hotel and mineral baths.
- Granbury, TX Historic square and Lake Granbury.
Local flavour
Teams
- Wichita Falls Warriors NAHL
- Wichita Falls Roughnecks Pecos League
Also rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL), FC Dallas (MLS), Texas A&M Aggies (NCAA), University of Texas Longhorns (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Chicken-fried steak A Texas staple, often served with cream gravy.
- Texas-style smoked brisket Slow-smoked over mesquite or oak, a barbecue tradition.
- Pecan pie Pecans are common in the region, and the pie is a local dessert favorite.
- Dr Pepper Though Texas-wide, it's a beloved local drink with a strong following.
Where people go
- The Wichita Falls waterfall A man-made waterfall that is the city's namesake and a central landmark.
- The Red River The river that forms the northern boundary, a key geographic feature.
- Oil derricks The area is part of the North Texas oil patch, with pumps and derricks visible across the landscape.
- Ranch land Vast cattle ranches and open prairie define the surrounding countryside.
- Downtown historic district A collection of early 20th-century buildings, including the art deco Wichita County Courthouse.
- Lake Wichita A popular local reservoir for fishing and recreation.
Heritage and traditions
Wichita Falls is proud of its resilient, can-do spirit – from rebuilding after a devastating tornado to hosting the world's largest 100-mile bike ride. The region celebrates its oil and ranching heritage, with a down-home friendliness that makes newcomers feel welcome.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — About to do something, or preparing to do it.
Festivals
- Hotter 'N Hell Hundred August The largest 100-mile bike ride in the US, held in August with live music and a finish-line festival.
- Wichita Falls Livestock Show and Rodeo February A week-long rodeo and livestock exhibition celebrating ranching heritage.
- Texas Ranch Roundup August A ranch rodeo and heritage festival showcasing working ranches from across Texas.
- Art on the Falls May A juried art fair set along the Wichita Falls waterfall, featuring regional artists.
- Downtown Concert Series Summer evenings Free outdoor concerts in the historic downtown district, popular with locals.
- Burkburnett Oil Festival April Celebrates the oil boom era with a parade, food vendors, and historical reenactments.
Landmarks with a story
- Kell House Museum A 1909 Victorian home preserved as a museum, showcasing early Wichita Falls life.
- Wichita County Courthouse A historic 1890s courthouse in the downtown district, an architectural landmark.
- Museum of North Texas History Exhibits on the region's oil, ranching, and military heritage.
- Burkburnett Oil Field The site of a major 1918 oil boom that transformed the town; a few derricks and markers remain.
- Archer City Courthouse A classic Texas courthouse square, immortalized in Larry McMurtry's novels.
Food traditions
- Frito pie A Texas classic – a bag of Fritos topped with chili, cheese, and onions, often served at football games and rodeo events.
- Texas caviar A black-eyed pea salad with peppers, onions, and vinaigrette, a potluck staple in the region.
- Chicken-fried steak breakfast Some diners serve chicken-fried steak with eggs and gravy, a hearty start to a ranch day.
- Kolaches Though more common in Central Texas, Czech kolaches have spread to North Texas bakeries, often filled with sausage or fruit.
- Dr Pepper float A sweet treat made with Dr Pepper and vanilla ice cream, popular at summer gatherings.
Music and arts
- Country music and Western swing Deep roots in honky-tonk and cowboy culture, with local bands playing at dance halls and rodeos.
- Cowboy poetry A tradition of reciting verse about ranch life, celebrated at gatherings and festivals.
- Downtown murals Colorful murals depicting local history and oil boom scenes adorn buildings in the historic district.
- Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra that performs classical and pops concerts at the MPEC.
A little history
- 1882 The city of Wichita Falls was founded.
- 1886 The original waterfall was destroyed by a flood; a replica was later built.
- 1918 The Burkburnett oil boom brought a massive influx of people and wealth.
- 1941 Sheppard Air Force Base was established, becoming a major training center.
- 1979 A devastating tornado struck Wichita Falls, destroying much of the city; the community rebuilt.
Rivalries
- Wichita Falls High vs. Rider High Crosstown football rivalry.
- Midwestern State vs. Cameron College basketball rivalry.
- Roughnecks vs. Lone Star Brahmas Hockey rivalry.
- Texas vs. Oklahoma College football Red River Showdown.
- Game day High school football (Friday Night Lights)
- Game day Hotter 'N Hell Hundred cycling
- Outdoors Hike or bike the Circle Trail
- Outdoors Fish at Lake Wichita
- With kids Visit the Wichita Falls Museum of Art
- With kids Ride bikes on the Circle Trail
A classic North Texas drawl with a relaxed pace, dropping 'g's in gerunds ('fishin''), and using 'y'all' liberally. The speech is influenced by rural and cowboy heritage, with a touch of oil-field jargon.
Only here
- The World's Littlest Skyscraper – a 4-story building that's only 10 feet wide, built as a scam in 1919.
- The Wichita Falls waterfall is man-made, rebuilt after the original was destroyed by a flood in 1886.
- Sheppard Air Force Base is one of the largest and most important training bases in the US Air Force.
- The Hotter 'N Hell Hundred is the largest 100-mile bike ride in the country, drawing thousands each August.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for the heat – summers are brutal, with highs often over 100°F. Stay hydrated and plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
- Learn to pronounce 'Wichita' as 'WITCH-i-taw' – the locals will appreciate it.
- Embrace the wind – it's a constant companion, especially in spring. It can also make summer feel a bit more bearable.
- Try a chicken-fried steak at a local diner within your first week – it's a rite of passage.
- Don't be surprised if people wave at you on country roads – it's a friendly habit.
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Nearby
Every areaBowieTexasWhere the Red River runs through the heart of Texas.HobartOklahomaWhere the plains meet the skyVernonTexasWhere the plains meet the Red River.LawtonOklahomaWhere the plains meet the granite hills.DuncanOklahomaWhere the prairie meets the oil patchGrahamTexasBig skies, red dirt, and a slower pace.AltusOklahomaWide skies, warm hearts, and wheat fields as far as you can see.ArdmoreOklahomaWhere the plains meet the pines, and the lakes welcome you home.
Wichita Falls, 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.