Fun Things to do in Texas

Texas Country Music Hall State Park Historic District Marshall Civic Center

Whether you travel to East Texas for leisure or business, there are scores of interesting attractions and things to do minutes from Fairfield Inn & Suites Marshall. Outdoor recreation, museums and historic sites are just a few options for visitors traveling with or without the children.

Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Celebrate the roots of country music at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in nearby Carthage. Hall of Fame inductees include Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Gene Autry and Jimmy Dean, among others. Tickets are available to the annual awards ceremony. The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame is open Monday - Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.carthagetexas.com.

Lake O’ the Pines. Fishermen, water sports enthusiasts and anyone interested in relaxing at the lake will find a special spot at Lake O’ the Pines in Northeast Texas. Lake O’ the Pines is full of bass, crappie and catfish. Ski boats, bass boats and sailboats are permitted on the lake. Marina facilities include boat rentals, food and beverage services and fuel. Visit www.lakeothepines.com.  [Top]

Caddo Lake State Park. Caddo Lake straddles the Northeast Texas and Louisiana state line, and is the only natural lake in Texas. Covering 26,800 acres, Caddo is also the largest lake in the south and is home to one of the world’s few cypress swamps. Bird watchers will find approximately 225 species of birds at Caddo Lake. Seventy-one species of fish are found in Caddo Lake. Steamboat and pontoon tours, canoeing and fishing are among the most popular things to do at Caddo Lake. Visit http://www.caddolake.info/index.htm.

Wonderland of Lights. Marshall is ablaze in twinkling lights from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. This festive celebration of lights is one of the biggest in the country. Approximately 125,000 lights adorn just the historic courthouse. Marshall’s businesses and neighborhoods share in the holiday spirit with lighted themes of their own. Visit www.marshall-chamber.com.  [Top]

Ginocchio National Historic District. Ginocchio National Historic District is situated in the heart of Marshall and was once a bustling train stops for the passengers of the Pacific Railway. Stroll the district’s three square blocks for antiques and collectibles, visit the Harrison County Historical Museum housed in the former Ginocchio Hotel, walk among historic trains at the Depot, or admire the unique character of 19th and 20th century Texas architecture. Visit www.marshall-chamber.com.

Marshall Pottery & Museum. Marshall Pottery has been supplying America with clay jugs, jars, pots and more since 1895. Today, Marshall Pottery is the nation’s largest manufacturer of red clay pots. At Marshall Pottery & Museum, visitors can shop for home wares, gifts, garden accessories and souvenirs spread over 100,000 square feet. Guided tours of the facility are available. Visit www.marshallpotterystore.com.

Michelson Museum of Art. The Michelson Museum of Art was established in 1985 for the purpose of celebrating the original works Russian-American artist Leo Michelson. Over 1,000 of his drawings and paintings are on display. Painting, lithographs, drawings and other works created by such artists as Oranzo Gasparo, Eugene Higgins, Georges Rouault are displayed in the museum, as well as an extensive collection of ornate African masks. Art classes for children and adults are offered in the summer. Visit www.michelsonmuseum.org.  [Top]

Marshall Civic Center and Theater. The Marshall Civic Center and Theater are available for meetings, small conventions and conferences, special event and stage performances. The Civic Center features Caddo Hall, a 10,000 square foot event space that can be broken into three individual rooms. The Theater offers 20,000 square feet of space, seating for 1,608 people and top-of-the-line sound and lighting systems. Professional technical staff and equipment rentals are available. Visit www.marshallciviccenter.com.

Texas and Pacific Railway Depot Museum and Amtrak Station. Originally built in 1912, the recently restored Texas and Pacific Railway Depot Museum features exhibits, photographs and artifacts of the railway’s history in Marshall. A play area for children features train icons familiar to a younger generation, while working model trains wending through a miniature Marshall intrigue adults. The museum’s gift shop features interesting train memorabilia, toys and souvenirs. The Marshall Amtrak station is accessible through the museum. Visit www.marshalldepot.org.  [Top]