The best things to do in Longview, Texas are walking the Paul Boorman Trail, spending a morning at the Longview Arboretum, and making an afternoon of downtown, where the art museum, history museum, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop and a brewery all sit within a few blocks of Tyler Street.
Here are 14 local favorites, grouped so you can plan a day. Ratings are Google ratings as of October 2026.
Outdoors
1. Paul G. Boorman Trail
About 2.9 miles of paved trail along Grace Creek, with trailheads at 919 W Marshall Ave and 121 Summers Dr, restrooms, workout stations and a dog park, per Visit Longview. Free. Rated 4.6 stars from 836 reviews.
2. Longview Arboretum and Nature Center
A 26-acre garden along Grace Creek at 706 W Cotton St, open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $5, and children 6 and under are free, per the Arboretum.
3. Lear Park and KidsView Playground
Sports fields, a walking trail, a fishing pier, and one of the city's biggest playgrounds at 100 H.G. Mosley Pkwy. A top spot for family-friendly activities.
4. Martin Creek Lake State Park
About 45 minutes south, with warm water year-round, pier fishing with no license needed inside the park, trails and cabins, per Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Downtown
5. Longview Museum of Fine Arts
215 E Tyler St. Free exhibitions, Tuesday through Saturday, per the museum. Rated 4.8 stars.
6. Gregg County Historical Museum
214 N Fredonia St. The county's history museum, downtown. Tuesday through Saturday, $5 for adults, per the museum. Rated 4.8 stars.
7. Longview World of Wonders
112 E Tyler St. A hands-on science and discovery museum, per KLTV, rated 4.5 stars. Check longviewwow.org for current hours.
8. Coffee and ice cream on Tyler Street
Silver Grizzly Espresso (100 W Tyler, 4.7 stars) and Wild Honey Creamery (108 E Tyler, 4.8 stars) are two of the best-rated stops downtown. See our coffee shop guide.
9. Oil Horse Brewing Company
101 W Tyler St. A taproom pouring eight to 10 house beers named for Longview history, per East Texas Weekend.
10. Downtown Live (spring and fall)
Free Friday concerts at Heritage Plaza from 5 to about 8 p.m., with food trucks, per Visit Longview.
Entertainment
11. A show at the Belcher Center
LeTourneau University's performing arts hall books touring comedians and concerts. Jim Gaffigan is on the calendar for Nov. 19, 2026. Check belchercenter.com.
12. Longview Escape Room and Lazer X
An escape room downtown (438 N Fredonia St, 4.4 stars) and laser tag on Judson Road (2523 Judson Rd, 4.3 stars) for group nights out.
Seasonal
13. Bright! A Season of Lights and the Christmas parade
From late November, the Arboretum lights up on Thursday through Saturday nights, and the AMBUCS Christmas Parade runs downtown on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026. Full dates in our Christmas events guide.
14. The Great Texas Balloon Race and summer swimming
Longview's signature summer event is still going: the 49th Great Texas Balloon Race ran June 12 to 14, 2026, per KLTV. Summer also brings the new Stamper Park Family Aquatic Center, which opened July 18, 2026, per KLTV, and free splash pads (closed Nov. 1 through April 1).
Plan a Longview day
- Morning: Boorman Trail walk, then coffee downtown.
- Midday: Fine Arts museum and Gregg County Historical Museum, lunch on Tyler Street.
- Afternoon: the Arboretum.
- Evening: dinner from our best restaurants in Longview list, then a beer at Oil Horse.
On a budget? See free things to do in Longview. Looking for this weekend? Try things to do in Longview this weekend. Want to get out of town? See day trips from Longview.
Getting there from Grace Pointe
Grace Pointe Apartments at 113 Magnolia Ln is about 10 minutes from downtown and the Arboretum, and 5 to 10 minutes from the Boorman Trail. If you're planning a move, you can schedule a tour or call 903-414-6336.
Get the Longview move-in checklist
Moving to Longview, TX? Leave your name, email and phone below for our free Longview move-in checklist, plus current availability at Grace Pointe.