Founded in 1884 and named after Abraham P. Lufkin, the city of Lufkin is a charming and historic city, famous for its dense forests, parks, and open spaces, and is a very popular spot for outdoor recreational activities.
It is also known for its museums and cultural arts centers. Surrounded by natural scenery, it is a beautiful place for one to visit.
Things to Do in Lufkin
1. Angelina National Forest
Spread over a vast area of 153,180 acres, the national forest is rich in both wildlife and natural resources.
It has been proved that the forest has been there since 8000 years ago and there have been archaeological sites that prove the existence of man here ever since.
What to do: enjoy a picnic spot, camping, boating, fishing, and canoeing.
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2. Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Located in the middle of Angelina National Forest, it is the largest man-made lake in Texas with an area of 114,000 acres and rich in native flora and fauna, and a popular spot for many recreational activities.
What to do: camping, fishing, boating, hunting, and skiing.
3. Davy Crockett National Forest
Declared a National Forest in the year 1936 by President Franklin Roosevelt, the National forest spans over 160,000 acres and is rich in flora and fauna as well as streams and recreational areas.
The forest attracts lots of adventure lovers and is one of the most visited places Piney Woods region of Texas.
What to do: picnic, camp, hunt, hike, kayak, and explore the wildlife.
4. Kurth Lake
A 726-acre reservoir, Kurth Lake is an isolated lake situated six miles north of the city and a great place to escape the city and the crowds and escape a little from regular life.
A lake is a great place for fishing and canoeing.
What to do: hiking on the lakeside trails, watching the sunset, fishing, boating, canoeing, and enjoying the scenery.
5. Pines Theater
A historic movie theater that holds screenings of classic movies as well as dance recitals, plays, music events, and concerts from local, regional and national artists, the Pines Theater was built in 1925 and is an important landmark of the city.
What to do: catch a live show at the theater or watch a classic film on the big screen.
6. Kit McConnico Park
The Park is a great place to have a fun and relaxing day with your friends and family.
It has a soccer field, a softball field, a playground, mountain bike trails as well as a picnic area.
What to do: go on one of the mountain biking trails and spend some adventurous time in the park.
7. Texas Forestry Museum
The museum is an amazing place to visit when in Lufkin. Here, you can see exhibits that tell a lot about the forests here as well as about the rich history of forestry. The exhibits include old equipment, machinery, photographs, and many other items.
What to do: see the various items displayed and learn more about the history of forestry in East Texas as well as where it is headed.
8. Absolutely Fiction Books
A must-visit place for book lovers, this independent bookstore is a great place to find your next read.
It is a charming little bookshop and has an amazing variety of books-from classics to fiction, nonfiction, travel, history, and many more-they have it all. Besides books, they also have games.
What to do: browse through their collection and pick out your next read while you are in town.
9. Ellen Trout Zoo
Founded in 1967, the zoo is home to over 800 animals from all over the world as well as boasts of rich flora which also includes parts of natural forests.
Here you can see lions, toucans, flamingos, and many other species.
What to do: explore the zoo. They have an amazing staff and all the animals are treated with much care and love.
10. Museum of East Texas
Opened in 1976, the museum is housed in a 1906 Episcopal church building and showcases artworks such as paintings and sculptures by artists coming from various backgrounds. They also display items that carry historical significance such as artifacts, furniture, etc.
What to do: explore the artworks and historical artifacts displayed in this art and history museum
11. Angelina County Farmers Market
Here, you will find yourself in the open air, surrounded by tall pine trees as well as a market full of locally produced fruits and vegetables, honey, plants, furniture, artworks, and many more things.
There is also live music playing on certain days. It is a great place to take in the local culture.
What to do: explore the market of handmade items.
12. Crown Colony Country Club
Established in 1979 and spanning over 750 acres, this is one of the first golf facilities in East Texas and is known for its challenging golf course surrounded by tall pine trees, rolling ground, and other features meant to make it known as the “Toughest Hole”. It also has a tennis court, swimming and dining areas.
What to do: play golf amidst the beautiful natural setting and test your skills at the challenging 18-hole course.
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13. Downtown Lufkin
The downtown area of Lufkin is a historic area that is a must-visit. It has shopping centers and some of the best restaurants in the city that offer a wide variety of international cuisines including old-themed restaurants as well as fine dining restaurants.
What to do: enjoy the perfect day out exploring the different stores and restaurants downtown and tasting delicious cuisines.
14. The History Center
A history center is a place that makes one familiar with the history and ecology of the county and the state.
They have displays that include huge collections of manuscripts, photographs, and maps related to the history of the region.
What to do: get acquainted with the public history of the region and explore the various exhibits and archives.
15. Heritage Antiques & Art Studios
This antique store and art studio is a unique little place in Lufkin. Not only do they have a remarkable collection of antiques but also several exhibits by artists.
You can never be sure what you will find here and that’s what makes the experience here a memorable one. They also have a cozy book nook in the store for you to sit and explore their book collection.
What to do: explore the unique and antique items in the store and look at the various artifacts. You can also buy books and other collectibles.
16. Ratliff Lake
This 45-acre lake comes with a recreation area that was constructed in 1936 and is a great place for activities like hiking, swimming, camping, and having a picnic. You can also go fishing in the lake.
What to do: enjoy a day out at the lake, hiking, swimming, fishing, and camping. You can also have a picnic.
17. Temple Theater
A state-of-the-art theater with a seating capacity of 891 people, the Temple theater hosts several events related to music, dance, and drama with artists from Angelina College as well as touring artists.
What to do: Watch a live show at the theatre and have a fun evening
18. Atkinson’s Candy Company
a candy company founded in 1932 with the aim to provide good quality candy made with simple and clean ingredients without using anything artificial, it is popular all over the country. Some of their famous candies include Chick-O-Stick, Peanut Butter Bars, Gemstones, and Black Cow.
What to do: Enjoy the tasty candies straight from the kitchen as well as enjoy other different sweets available at the store of company.
19. Kiwanis Park
The park is a beautifully decorated space with plenty of trees and has a gazebo, a pavilion, hiking trails, up-to-date playground equipment, and other amenities like a basketball court, tennis court, football court, disc golf course, and a picnic area. It is a great place to spend time outdoors.
What to do: enjoy a chill day at the park playing sports or hiking or just having a picnic.
20. Ford Chapel Rv Park
An RV Park that spreads over 12 acres and provides facilities like to wifi, clean showers, a Laundromat, and on-site security cameras, it is a great place to stay or visit due to its closeness to several popular tourist attractions as well as the beautiful and tranquil surroundings. It also has picnic areas.
What to do: enjoy time at the RV Park, through the green and peaceful surroundings and have a picnic or visit the nearby attractions.
21. Naranjo Museum of Natural History
The museum is a great place to visit for history enthusiasts and holds items that document, specimens, and artifacts documenting the history of life on this planet and have been collected by Dr. Naranjo during his lifetime.
They have fossils, bones from dinosaurs, other extinct animals, and even early humans.
What to do: See the fantastic displays and have an educational and fascinating experience looking at the collection at the museum
22. Pawsitive Animal Encounters, LLC
A private zoo that offers close interaction with animals such as squirrel monkeys, pythons, bearded dragons, tortoises, and many more, it offers a fun experience of meeting, feeding, and playing with these animals in a safe environment.
What to do: spend a joyful day with animals from different parts of the world and interact with them in a safe way.
23. Pine Valley Raceway
An amazing place to have fun with friends and family, the raceway is one of the fastest 1/4 racetracks in Texas.
It is the perfect place to enjoy drag racing and they host race nights like nostalgia night, diesel races, and kids races.
What to do: enjoy watching or taking part in drag racing during the season. It is a family-friendly place and a sure way to have lots of fun.
24. Rose Cottage Resale
A high-quality thrift store, where you can get high-quality goods at a very low price including clothes, furniture, and other souvenirs.
What to do: explore the amazing collections at the store and buy some unique stuff for very reasonable prices.
25. Sake Café
Description: A Japanese restaurant that brings a new twist into classic dishes, the restaurant is known for its delicious food and great service.
It is an amazing place to gorge on some mouthwatering Japanese dishes.
What to do: enjoy a Sushi night at the restaurant and get a taste of other Japanese delicacies as well.
Plan a Trip to Lufkin
Lufkin, Texas is a wonderful place to visit and enjoy some time outdoors in its natural wilderness and exploring it’s National Forests and various museums and parks.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while planning your trip to Lufkin:
- Pack comfortable shoes since you will be surrounded by lots of open space including forests and parks.
- The best time to visit Lufkin is in October.
- Check the weather before the trip and pack accordingly.
- Don’t forget to carry a travel first aid kit.
- Carry an umbrella or raincoat and waterproof footwear.
Frequently Asked Qustions
Q1- Is Lufkin TX nice?
Lufkin is a great community the city is surrounded by lots of wilderness, and historical buildings and has a nice Southern charm to it and its people are very warm and welcoming.
Q2- How much does it cost to live in Lufkin Texas?
It ranks below 100 on the cost of living indices which means that the Average cost of Living in Lufkin is cheaper as compared to the other cities in the US.
Q3- What is the main industry in Lufkin Texas?
The main industries of Lufkin, Texas include forest products, aerospace and military defense, manufacturing, and medical and food products.
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