ashenUnlike Napa or North Carolina, this location isn’t exactly adventure built, geographically. Kind of like Thackerville. But one thing is for certain. The city of Marshall in Texas does have a lot to offer and you don’t exactly need to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy those. So in this post, we will present you with some of the best and memorable things to do in Marshall TX. We hope it will help you in planning an unforgettable trip to this renowned location in the states.
A Few Trivia About Marshall TX
- Settlement in Marshall dates back to 1839.
- The state is named after John Marshall, the nation’s longest serving Supreme Court Justice.
- Marshall was the first city in Texas to have telegraph service.
- The region spans 76.81 square kilometers in area.
- Many famous celebrities come from Marhsall, TX which includes George Forman, Martha Josey.
- Center of the square in downtown is where they hold most annual events.
We will try to be as adventurous as possible, must Marshall is more of a location for admiring the regional history and relaxation with a glass of wine.
Caddo Lake State Park
I guess this is the only sightseeing spot that you get to be a little adventurous. About four miles upstream from Caddo Lake is the Big Cypress Bayou, and in this bank is where you get the state park. Caddo lake spans across nearly 27,000 acres of cypress swamp and consists of bottomlands, mesic and uplands. This area is called the East Texas treasure and for several good reasons. Gigantic bald cypress trees shade the lake waters and it is truly a unique experience to paddle through these waters. Not just that. You can hike, picnic, fish, camp or stay in a cabin. They do have a fishing pier and a boat ramp. Choose to bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one. There are 46 campsites for you to choose from or you can lodge in one of the historic cabins. As for hiking, the forest awaits to be explored!
Bear Creek Smokehouse
It would be a huge mistake to eliminate this from the checklist. The Bear Creek Smokehouse started as a local smokehouse and has been operational for over 77 long years. Here you can enjoy smoked brisket, chicken and turkey. Additionally, they also offer jarred goods, soups and sweets. They pride in themselves for being a family owned business for so long and as they say It has Always Been About Family & Quality… Always Will Be!
Wonderland of Lights
This is definitely one of the fun things to do in Marshall, TX. We haven’t introduced the Historic 1901 Courthouse yet, but this event concerns this particular location. You will get to enjoy quite a sight as the Courthouse illuminates with millions of lights sparkling up the area. You can have plenty of fun participating in the carriage rides, ice rink, the parade and the car show. Not to mention the Santa village. This location is truly to enjoy the seasonal spirit. It starts late November and runs through December. There are also tiny homes which consists of their own activities, let your kids ride in the Herschel carousel. Finally, visit the Telegraph Park to catch the local musicians and church groups performing.
Harvest Festival
Well, this is another unusual yet dynamic event in Marshall. Happens in the month of October and it is the annual Halloween celebration. Downtown Marshall hosts all the events that include face paintings, hay rides, a petting zoo and much more. The kids can go around doing the signatory trick and treat and having fun at a bounce house.
Starr Family Home State Historic Site
By no means should you skip this one. This site in the West Travis Street is a symbolic attraction site in Marshall, TX. The Starr clan was significant during the early settling days of Texas and they set down their roots in Marshall, building this home in the 1870’s which turned into this unique attraction spot. Maplecroft is the name of this mansion and it holds many Starr family heirlooms. These include old furniture and clothing. This is a valuable spot for history lovers who want to gain an understanding of the local history of Marshall.
Michelson Museum of Art
Leo Michelson isn’t as world famous as Michael Angelo. But he was quite a well known artist during the early 20th century. He was a Latvian American artist who created paintings, prints, and sculptures and he was a member of the world-renowned École de Paris. The Michelson Museum of Art houses more than 1000 of his paintings and illustrations since 1985. The museum is a 11,000-square-foot facility and it also includes creations by other artists such as the Chinese Opera Puppets and Gloria and Bernard Kronenberg Collection. The museum also has summer classes in addition to these artistic works.
FireAnt Festival
Another fall activity in Marshall. The Marshall Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual event each year in downtown Marshall. It has food festivals, family outdoor activities, more than 100s of vendors and a variety of contests. You sure are in for loads of fun if you plan your travel from the latter part of fall season until early winter.
Historic 1901 Harrison County Courthouse
This is an architectural monument in the state of Texas and adds quite a significance to downtown Marshall. It has that townhall vibe because of the dome on top of the pink granite columns. This was completed in 1901 and you can learn all about the county’s history here. Peter Whetstone Square and East Houston have exhibits to learn about the county’s history and it also hosts volunteer and educational programs.
Josey Ranch Reunion
The Josey Ranch is the longest operating rodeo school in the country and Marshall is the hometown for R.E. & Martha Josey for more than half a century. If you dream of being a rodeo athlete , this is a place you don’t want to miss on your trip to Marshall. They host a couple of world class events each year and some prominent clinics too. The Josey Reunion Barrel Race and the Josey Jr. World Barrel Race are some of the popular ones among them. These are free events open to the public and you can join the hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls during May. Founded in 1967 they simultaneously taught more than 200,00 students and competed professionally winning multiple world championships, hall of fame trophies and more.
There are more events throughout the year in Marshall. To name a few others other than the ones already mentioned would be Touch a Truck, Market on the Square and Second Saturdays. One thing is for certain. You will never get bored in this town as there is always something going on to keep you occupied in Marshall TX!
