CITY SPOTLIGHT:

YOUR GUIDE TO Texarkana, Texas

fajita skillet

Know Before You Go: About Texarkana

Before you go there, let us help you map out your visit to Texarkana, a town teeming with awesome Texas barbecue and plenty of fun.

A relaxed and innovative atmosphere greets families and friends on getaways in Texarkana. Teeming with kid-friendly attractions, outdoor exploration, fine arts and awesome Texas barbecue, Texarkana is a real joy to explore for all ages and walks of life.

When it Rains in Texas

Winters are mild—with lows above freezing and daily temps averaging in the mid-50s—but July hands up real Texas weather with high temperatures in the low 90s. You probably won't see snow in the winter, but bring your rain boots in spring and late fall. Rainfall in Texarkana is well above the national average, and summers can be very humid—not a problem if you're spending the day boating or swimming in nearby Wright Patman Lake.

Post Office Two-Fer and Ghostly Goings on

The Texarkana post office sits right on the state border between Texas and Arkansas—the only post office to do that in the U.S. Take a kitschy photo in front of the sign by the front steps and the broken line up the middle of the sidewalk that marks the actual border. Then check the calendar of the Perot Theatre, a restored 1924 landmark that's listed in the National Register of Historic Places, for plays, musicals, concerts, ballets and more. The venue offers plenty of quirky and classical offerings for every age range in your group. Around Halloween, take a ghost tour of the theatre to encounter the spooky sounds of applause in empty halls and the lingering spirits of long-departed stagehands and performers.

Texarkana Local Economy

Texarkana's biggest employer is the defense industry—the Red River Army Depot supplies maintenance and repair for all the U.S. Army's Humvees. Paper product manufacturing is another job source, as are major retail stores and the Texarkana school district. Health care and the prison industry round out the economic drivers along with agriculture—regional farms still produce corn, cotton, pecans, rice, soybeans, livestock and poultry. If you’re in town at the end of summer, head to the annual Four States Fair & Rodeo, held for 10 days in September. The fair showcases Texarkana roping and riding skills and agricultural products.

Transportation Hub

A location on the cusp of three states—Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana—and straddles the border of two, has to be accessible. Texarkana visitors drive in via Interstates 30 and 49 and U.S. Highways 59, 67, 71 and 82. But you can ride the rails and end up in two places at one time. Historic Texarkana Union Station is built right on the border with Arkansas. When the Amtrak Texas Eagle pulls in, the west end of the train is in Texas, and the east end is in Arkansas. The Texarkana Regional Airport is served by several different major airlines.

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Things to Do in Texarkana

We know the best things to do in Texarkana—a Texas town that borders Arkansas—and our guide will help you plan a great vacation.