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Longview Texas

Balloon glow in Longview Texas
Balloon glow in Longview Texas

Longview is located on Historic U.S. Highway 80 and U.S. Highway 259 in addition to Interstate Highway I-20. Loop 281 traverses the northern sector of the city.

Its economy is strong and diverse, and the oil and gas industry continues to play a major role in economic development. Longview is the county seat of Gregg County.

In 2014, Forbes magazine ranked Longview as the sixth fastest-growing small city in the US. Residents of Longview enjoy an attractive quality of life with a wide range of educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Longview is certified as a Texas Urban Main Street City, and also is designated as a Certified Texas Retirement Community.

Longview's population in 2020 was about 82,000 residents. It is assigned Zip Codes 75601-75606, and is in Area Code 903.

Communities in the Longview area include Kilgore, Gladewater, Mineola, Marshall, Jefferson, Mt. Pleasant, and Henderson.

 

Downtown Longview Redevelopment and Restoration

One Hundred Acres of Heritage Main Street is a volunteer driven alliance whose objective is to improve the quality of life in Downtown Longview through preservation, promotion and economic revitalization.

Downtown Longview, a successful business district, is envisioned to be a premier destination for working, living, and socializing. Longview residents and visitors will enjoy the arts, entertainment, outstanding eateries, and unique shopping.

Aerial view of downtown, Longview, Texas (photo courtesy of the Longview Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Aerial view of downtown, Longview, Texas

Gregg County Historical Museum

Gregg County Historical Museum
Gregg County Historical Museum in Longview Texas

Chartered in 1964, the Gregg County Historical Museum is now home to a very rich history for the Longview community to experience. Our permanent exhibits offer basic history of Gregg County, rotating exhibits and large events throughout the year

Officially opened as a historical museum in 1984, the Everett Building has a rich history of its own. Originally constructed as Citizen's National Bank in 1910, it would be over 50 years before the building would become the Everett building. Named after Citizen's National Bank president L. J. Everett, the building remained empty until it was taken over by the Gregg County Historical Foundation. As it stands today, the building maintains its original beauty and serves to preserve Gregg County's history

The museum is located at 214 N. Fredonia Street in Longview.

website of the Gregg County Historical Museum

 

Exterior view of the Gregg County Museum
Exterior of the Gregg County Historical Museum in Longview, Texas
One of the many exhibit areas at the Gregg County Museum
Exhibit at the Gregg County Historical Museum in Longview, Texas


Longview Museum of Fine Arts

Longview Museum of Fine Arts in East Texas

The Longview Museum of Fine Arts (LMFA) is a non-profit organization which seeks to create interest in, and promote knowledge of, the visual arts throughout the City of Longview and vicinity by exhibiting, interpreting and preserving works of art and providing educational opportunities to a diverse audience.

In February of 2021, LMFA sold its current home on Tyler Street and purchased the former mid-century modern Regions Bank Building across from the courthouse. This purchase and move will aid in fulfilling the Board’s vision and mission to create a world-class regional destination museum that will “enrich lives and ignite a passion for the arts.”

The museum will operate in its current home through 2022 with the goal of opening in its new location in January 2023. Phone the museum at 903.753.8103 for current status and rental information.

website of the Longview Museum of Fine Arts

 

Gregg County Fair

The Gregg County Fair began in 1949 as a venture started by the Jaycee chapter in the area. Since its inception, the fair has brought in vendors, families, and anyone interested in a fun time from all over Gregg County and the surrounding areas. The Gregg County Fair is home to plenty of different attractions, including rides, shopping, local artisans' wares, petting zoos and more. The fair provides something for everyone.

It is held at 1123 Jaycee Drive in Longview.

website of the Gregg County Fair

 

Aerial view of the Gregg County Fair in Longview (photo courtesy of the Gregg County Fair)

Aerial view of the Gregg County Fair in Longview


Hot air balloon races in Longview Texas
Hot air balloon races in Longview Texas

Great Texas Balloon Race

The Great Texas Balloon Race has earned Longview the official designation as "The Balloon Capital of Texas" by the Governor of Texas.

Launch and landing sites change each day as they are determined by wind and the weather.

Balloon Glows at night entertain crowds with an awesome display of color and excitement. One of the most popular things to do at the event as the public is able to get up close and watch how balloons are inflated and operate.

website of the Great Texas Balloon Race

 

Longview Symphony Orchestra

Since 1968, the Longview Symphony has provided live orchestral performances of classical music to audiences in Longview.

Longview Symphony Orchestra
The Longview Symphony Orchestra

Starting as an amateur group with a few conservatory-trained musicians volunteering their time, today the orchestra is composed entirely of professional musicians from Longview, the greater East Texas area, Shreveport and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Fourteen members are on staff at area universities and colleges, others are music educators in primary and secondary schools and many teach lessons privately.

The Longview Symphony takes pride in sponsoring the Longview Area Youth Symphony Orchestra (LAYSO) and the Longview Area Preparatory Strings (LAPS) for school-age children.

You can reach the Symphony at P.O. Box 1825, Longview, TX 75707. Phone 903.236.9739

website of the Longview Symphony Orchestra or the Symphony on Facebook 


Shopping in Longview

The Longview area includes a wide variety of shopping experiences, from national retailers to local specialty stores and businesses. Area retail outlets serve not only Longview, but the communities of Kilgore, Gladewater, Gilmer and other neighboring East Texas cities and towns.

Shopping in Longview, Texas

The Longview Mall offers shoppers a retail mix of more than 70 fashion-forward retailers, eateries and entertainment options. Shoppers enjoy a variety of popular stores, including Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Charming Charlie's, Victoria's Secret, Yankee Candle, Zumiez, Foot Locker, Justice, Francesca's, Buckle and more. There are also family-friendly dining and entertainment options like Chick-fil-A, Subway, Mama DeLuca's Pizza, Famous Wok, Auntie Anne's, BJ's Brewhouse and Restaurant, On The Border, and Chuck E. Cheese's for everyone to enjoy. Located at 3500 McCann Road at W. Loop 281. Open seven days a week; Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Longview Towne Crossing, on North Eastman Road, features stores such as Kohl's, Old Navy, Lane Bryant, PetSmart, Target, James Avery Jewelers, Famous Footwear and many more.

Other shopping areas are located all around the city, for example, the Northwest Village Shopping Center on West Loop 281.

80acreMarket - Situated in a lovely country setting, about 12 miles north of downtown Longview, and southeast of Gilmer. Shopping, dining, live music and family fun, on selected weekends. 12229 FM-1650 Gilmer, TX 75645. Phone 903.321.2429


Longview Ballet Theatre

Over the years Company members of the Longview Ballet Theatre and students of the Studio of Creative Arts have had the opportunity to dance original ballets choreographed and designed by Pat George Mitchell as well as great classics like Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Cinderella and Nutcracker

website of the Longview Ballet Theatre

 

Longview Theatre

Theatre Longview began with a small group of theatre enthusiasts who dreamed of bringing live performances of adult subjects to the Longview and greater East Texas community. The organization was officially chartered with the Secretary of State’s offices in 2012.

Its goal is to provide a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere for theatre artists of all levels and backgrounds to use their talents, express themselves, and develop their expertise in theatre arts. Its contribution of entertaining, challenging, and inspiring theatrical productions adds to the vital tapestry of the arts community in the Greater East Texas Area.

website of the Longview Theatre

 

Master plan for the Longview Arboretum
Master plan for the Longview Arboretum

Longview Arboretum

The Longview Arboretum & Nature Center  provides an ecologically sustainable city park that reflects the character of Longview and fosters interaction between the landscape and its visitors.

The gardens were opened in November of 2019, and include the Longview Arboretum Visitor Center at 706 West Cotton Street.

The Arboretum shares parking with Maude Cobb Activity and Event Center, it covers 26 acres of watershed from Grace Creek and borders the JR Curtis Garden for the Blind and The Green.

Dirt work began in August of 2017, and a formal ground breaking for the Longview Arboretum was celebrated in September of 2017.


Other Longview Attractions and Things to Do

Longview and the surrounding area has a wide range of attractions to visit year-round for residents and tourists as well as those attending business meetings and conventions.

From museums to outdoor activities, from art and culture to entertainment venues, Longview has it all!

Museums

  • Gregg County Historical Museum
  • Longview Museum of Fine Arts
  • R.G. LeTourneau Museum

Area golf courses and centers

  • Alpine Golf Club
  • Longview Country Club
  • The Challenge at Oak Forest
  • Wood Hollow Golf Club
  • Southern Hills Golf Club
  • Nip It Golf - indoor golf center - 414 W Loop 281 Suite 8

Other popular area attractions

  • Carmike 10 Movie Theater
  • Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
  • Fairhaven Vineyards
  • Longview Symphony
  • Opera East Texas
  • Longview Ballet Theatre

Things to Do in Longview
Traveler reviews and photos at TripAdvisor

Meetings and Convention Facilities in Longview

Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Center

The Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex encompasses the Maude Cobb Convention Center, Longview Exhibit Building, PRCA approved Rodeo Arena, Agricultural Pavilion and Fairgrounds, providing a multipurpose complex suitable for a variety of activities and events.

A joint project of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and the City of Longview, Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex was built and furnished debt free with money from the hotel/motel occupancy fund and personal contributions.

It is located at 100 Grand Boulevard, Longview, Texas, 75604.

website of the Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Complex


Longview Dining and Restaurants

Longview offers over 180 restaurants, cafes, grills and other dining venues, from small local eateries to national chain restaurants.

Cuisine choices include traditional American fare, Mexican, Italian, Bar-B-Que, hamburgers, seafood, Asian, and more.

reviews of Longview restaurants at TripAdvisor

 

East Texas Regional Airport (GGG)

East Texas Regional Airport terminal
East Texas Regional Airport terminal in Longview

East Texas Regional Airport is a county owned, public use airport located eight nautical miles south of the central business district of Longview at 269 Terminal Circle. Phone the airport at 903.643.3031.

Its IATA identifier "GGG" is derived from its prior name, Gregg County Airport. Scheduled airline service to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is provided by American Airlines/American Eagle.

The airport also supports extensive general aviation aircraft and services.

website of the East Texas Regional Airport

 


Amtrak and Rail Service

Amtrak Station, Longview Texas
Amtrak Station, Longview Texas

Amtrak passenger rail service is offered on the Texas Eagle. The Amtrak station is located at 905 Pacific Avenue, on the east side of downtown, 1/2 block north of the intersection of Cotton Street and Mobberly Avenue.

This station, an authentic Longview landmark, is a former Texas & Pacific Railway passenger station. The 1940 Colonial Revival depot, recently renovated by the city to serve as a multimodal center, provides modern amenities while retaining historic features.

Two freight railroads serve the area: Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Union Pacific.

website of the Amtrak Longview Station


Longview Economy and Job Market

Texas oil and gas industry and job market

Although forged from a rich history in the oil and gas industry, Longview has a strong health care industry, manufacturing and technology. Among the largest employers in Longview, along with their approximate number of employees, are the following:

  • Good Shepherd Medical Center (3,200)
  • Trinity Rail, LLC (1,898)
  • Eastman Chemical (1,515)
  • Longview Independent School District (1,176)
  • Wal-Mart, 3 Supercenters (1,113)
  • Longview Regional Medical Center (1,000)
  • City of Longview (828)
  • Joy Global (743)
  • Pine Tree Independent School District (680)
  • Diagnostic Clinic of Longview (669)
  • Gregg County (543)
  • LeTourneau University (400)
  • Crosby Group/Lebus Manufacturing Co. (383)
  • Neiman Marcus National Service Center (328)

Longview Area Lakes and State Parks

  • Caddo Lake
    Caddo Lake

    Lake O' the Pines is located on Big Cypress Creek in the Cypress River Basin, 25 miles northeast of Longview in Marion, Morris, Upshur, and Camp counties.
  • Caddo Lake is a 25,400 acres lake and wetland on the border between Texas and Louisiana, in northern Harrison County and southern Marion County in Texas and western Caddo Parish in Louisiana.
  • Lake Fork, at 27,264 acres and 315 miles of shoreline, was designed to be a premier bass fishing lake and currently holds records for 34 out of the Top 50 largemouth bass caught in Texas.
  • Martin Creek Lake is located in Rusk County, on Martin Creek 3 miles southwest of Tatum on Texas Highway 43. It covers a surface area of 4,981 acres, with a maximum depth of 35 feet.
  • Tyler State Park, north of Tyler

 

Education and Schools in Longview

Longview offers a full-spectrum of educational options for children and adults.

LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas
LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas

 

Colleges and Universities

Public Schools

Other Schools

Longview Area RV Parks, Campgrounds, and Resorts

RV parks in and around Longview, Texas

The Longview area offers a large variety of RV parks, resorts and campgrounds, such as the following:

  • Martin Creek Lake State Park
  • Pineridge RV Park
  • Emerald Glen RV Park
  • Hitchin Post RV Park
  • North Point RV Park
  • Fernbrook Park
  • American Dream Inn RV Park
  • Cowboy Camp RV Park
  • Antique RV Park
  • Shallow Creek RV Resort
  • Secluded Acres RV Park
  • Riverside RV Park


Additional Information About Longview

Gregg County Court House, Longview, Texas
Gregg County Courthouse

For more information on Longview, we recommend a visit to...

Map of Longview Texas (courtesy of Google Maps)


Map Showing the Location of Longview in East Texas

Map of Upper East Texas Showing Location of Longview


Historic Images of Longview

Johnny Cace's Seafood & Steak House

Vintage matchbook cover from Johnny Cace's - Famous for New Orleans Seafood ... "On the Mile of Smiles" (From the author's East Texas collection)
Johnny Cace's Seafood & Steak House

This long-time, local restaurant was located at 1501 East Marshall (Highway 80) in Longview for decades. We dined there on multiple occasions.

It opened in 1949 at the corner of Tyler and Green Streets with tables for 37 guests, and remodeled over the years to seat 200.

In 1964, the Cace family moved the business to Marshall Avenue. This location eventually expanded to accommodate 450 diners.

The restaurant was closed in 2015. However, in 2017 the family opened a new restaurant  at 415 N. High Street ...

The Cace Kitchen

In the summer of 2022, the Cace family announced it was closing the Kitchen, and has plans to reopen a restaurant at the site of the original 1949 location in downtown Longview.

High School, Longview, Texas
High School, Longview, Texas
Texas & Pacific (T&P) - I. & G.N. Railroad Depot
Texas & Pacific (T&P) - I. & G.N. Railroad Depot, Longview, Texas
Dun Roamin Ranch Motel, Longview - Overview
Dun Roamin Ranch Motel, Longview, Texas
Dun Roamin Ranch Motel - Pool
Dun Roamin Ranch Motel, Longview, Texas
Voyger Motel, Longview, Texas
Voyger Motel, Longview, Texas
Lone Star Motel on Highway 80, Longview
Lone Star Motel on Highway 80 E, Longview
Broadway Terrace Motel, Longview, Texas
Broadway Terrace Motel, Longview, Texas
New Post Office & Hilton Hotel, Longview
New Post Office & Hilton Hotel, Longview, Texas
First Presbyterian Church, Longview, Texas
First Presbyterian Church, Longview, Texas
First Christian Church, Longview, Texas
First Christian Church, Longview, Texas

Booth's Tourist Court, Longview, Texas, on U.S. 80
"Center of Largest Oil Field in the World"
90 modern cottages - free radio - fans & garage - reasonable rates - second guest free
Booth's Tourist Court, Longview, Texas, on U.S. 80, in the center of the largest oil field in the world