Arts!Longview

What are the arts but self-expression? In Longview’s cultural district, Arts!Longview, you’ll find something more than self-expression: community-expression. It’s apparent in all 343 acres ranging from downtown Longview all the way to its Historic Junction district and beyond. Longview’s inspiration isn’t just kept to museums, theaters, and galleries, either, but can be found all over the district on eye-popping murals and elegant sculptures. Even the banners along the district come in over 120 custom designs.

If you’re looking for a laid-back weekend where you can walk quiet streets, take in the arts, and find your spiritual center, Arts!Longview is just the place.

Run to the ArtWalk

Four times a year—that’s April, June, October, and December—downtown Longview turns itself over to the artists. ArtWalk is a free, self-guided tour of downtown venues exhibiting and selling artwork. What started modestly in 2007 as a way to attract visitors downtown now draws more than 100 artists, as well as food trucks and street musicians.

Rain or shine, ArtWalk runs in the evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you’d like to come as an artist rather than purely a spectator, it’s free to do that, as well. If your schedule allows for it, we highly suggest planning your trip around one of the four ArtWalk events.

Three Museums in One District

Some might say the Longview Museum of Fine Arts is the centerpiece of Arts!Longview. It features nearly 1,200 works that include early Texas regional painting and contemporary works. In addition, you can expect about a dozen curated exhibitions each year. Just as with the ArtWalk, and keeping with Longview’s belief that art should be accessible to everyone, the museum is completely free.

A few blocks away, the Gregg County Historical Museum tells the history of Longview and Gregg County from inside the historic Everett Building, which happens to be a former bank that was famously robbed by the Dalton Gang.  

If you have kids with you and they’re about to explode from being quiet at museums all day, Longview hasn’t forgotten about them. In downtown, you’ll find the Longview World of Wonders in another historic building, this time converted from a furniture store. Inside, kids can participate in hands-on exhibits on the premise that everyone learns best when they’re having fun. A giant chessboard, kid-sized flower bed for gardening, and pretend hen-house are just a few of the activities waiting for them.  

Check the Calendar for Upcoming Events

If you’re wondering what the best time to visit Arts!Longview is, you might want to plan your stay around what’s going on 

at the LeTourneau University Belcher Center. This is where all the big acts—music and comedy—come through town.

For something with a distinctly local flavor, keep an eye on the schedule of the Longview Symphony Orchestra. Their season encompasses classic compositions, holiday shows, and family concerts.

From the Palette to the Palate

In all this talk about the arts, let’s not forget about the people’s art: food. Arts!Longview isn’t just paintings, sculptures, and music; there are also plenty of restaurants that apply the same ingenuity and appreciation of craft.

Let’s talk barbecue first, because, you know, Texas and all. There’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q on Mobberly and Sunbird Barbecue, both of which have earned high marks well beyond city limits. And we all know how hard it is to stand out from the crowd in the Texas BBQ business.

If you’re not in a barbecue mood, the options just keep coming. There’s Ki Mexico ETX, Cajun food at Cace’s Kitchen, Italian at Roma’s, Southern classics at Hawkins Divine Catering, and a menu with a little bit of everything at Judd’s.

For the perfect culinary bookends, we recommend starting your day with coffee at Silver Grizzly Espresso and ending the day with some ice cream at Wild Honey Creamery.

When is Arts!Longview Open?

Venue	Hours
Longview Museum of Fine Arts	Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; closed Sun–Mon
Gregg County Historical Museum	Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; closed Sun–Mon
Longview World of Wonders	Thu 2–6 p.m.; Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun 2–6 p.m.; closed Mon–Wed
ArtWalk	5–8 p.m., four evenings a year (April, June, October, December)

How Much Does Arts!Longview Cost?

Venue	Prices
Longview Museum of Fine Arts	Free
Gregg County Historical Museum	$5 adults, $2 seniors, $1 ages 18 and under, free under 4
Longview World of Wonders	$8 general, $7 seniors 65+ and military/educators with ID, free under 2
ArtWalk	Free

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Prices and hours are subject to change. Please check Arts!Longview's website for up-to-date information before making plans to visit.