Texarkana Spring Break Guide

Spring break is the perfect excuse to slow down, get outside, and explore the places right in our own backyard. Whether you’re planning a full week of adventure or just looking for a few fun days with the kids, Texarkana and the surrounding ArkLaTex region offer plenty of ways to enjoy the season. From hiking trails and lakeside picnics to museums, parks, and easy day trips, spring is one of the best times of year to get out and explore before the summer heat arrives. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of my family’s favorite Texarkana spring break ideas for families.

If you want a huge list of ideas, here’s my FREE LIST of over 100 things to do in the ArkLaTex!

Quick ideas for spring break around Texarkana.

• Grab an updated selfie on the State Line using the selfie stand (tag @experiencetexarkana in your post)!
• Visit all 3 downtown coffee shops: The Stained Page, Alley Cats Coffee, and Good Luxe.
• Visit the Four States Auto Museum (weekends).
• Check out The Crafty Nook and also the TRAHC Mayo Arts Makersapce.
• Find gnome homes on the trails at Bringle Lake Park.
• Take a tour at the Texarkana Museum of Regional History.
• Snap photos at downtown murals.

Why adventure on spring break?

In our family, we believe that adventures together help build stronger relationships. We also believe that loving where we live and exploring locally is lots of fun. Lucky for us here in the ArkLaTex, there are so many great things to do within a day trip. This year for your Texarkana spring break I’d like to invite you to explore home base and a little bit beyond. Maybe you’ll discover something you didn’t know or maybe you’ll find a new favorite place.

Explore parks trails around Texarkana.

Spring weather in Texarkana is ideal for getting outside and the area has several scenic trails that are perfect for a family walk or a casual bike ride. Bring bikes, skates, or scooters to enjoy some outdoor time this spring break. Some of our family’s local favorites include:

• Bringle Lake Trail – A paved trail winding through trees and around the lake, with several bridges that make it especially fun for kids. The boardwalk is beautiful! Plus, there are 10 miles of single track hiking and biking trails as well. This is my family’s favorite park and we’ve hiked (and biked) the trails many times! The wildflowers start to show up in March and they’re fun to find along the trail.
• Spring Lake Park – The biggest park in Texarkana, it has a paved walking trail, multiple playgrounds, a history trail, and disc golf course.
• Bobby Ferguson Park – An almost one mile paved path that winds around the lake and through beautiful trees. There are two fishing piers and playgrounds to enjoy as well.

For a full guide to parks, here are the best parks in Texarkana.

Want more hiking? Here are the best hiking trails near Texarkana. Or, for an entire hiking guide, check out my Ultimate Hiking Guide to the ArkLaTex.

Downtown Texarkana.

Downtown Texarkana has seen so much growth and revitalization over the last five years. Our family loves spending time downtown, on both sides of the state line. Here are some of our favorite things to do downtown:

• Pick out books and enjoy a treat at The Stained Page
• Go on a mural walk and snap selfies at the photo ops
• Browse the 1894 Art Gallery
• Visit the Four States Auto Museum
• Take a tour at the Texarkana Museum of Regional History or at the Ace of Clubs House
• Drop in to the TRAHC Mayo Arts Makerspace for some creative fun
• Make a project at The Crafty Nook
• Eat at Cafe Lucille
• Visit the Gateway Farmer’s Market (Arkansa side) which runs year round
• Stop by the Texarkana Public Library and the parks across the street (including the skate park)
• Check the schedules for the Perot Theatre and Silvermoon Theatre.

Check out this ultimate guide to Texarkana for more fun things to do downtown and across the city.

Here’s my guide for the best coffee shops in Texarkana.

Family friendly attractions in Texarkana.

Texarkana has many family friendly attractions, and they’re all great options for spring break fun. Be sure to check the hours for each place listed as they may shift during school holidays. Here are some of our family’s favorite things to do:

• Starlite Mini Golf – inside Central Mall – an arcade and black light, glow in the dark mini golf
• RK City Arcade
• Fun Country Park – Go Karts, mini golf, and more. Check their Facebook page for hours.
• Holiday Bowl – bowling and arcade. Don’t miss their $2 Tuesday deals for bowling and laser tag.
• Spring Lake Park, Grady T. Wallace Park, Bringle Lake East and West, and Bobby Ferguson Park

Take a day trip from Texarkana.

One of my favorite things about living in Texarkana is the proximity to other cities and great road trip options. The city sits at the heart of the ArkLaTex and you can find really fun things to do within a 2 hour drive in any direction. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure and nature, or big city escapes, or cute small towns, you can find it. Here are some of our favorite getaways and day trips that would be ideal for your spring break in Texarkana.

• Broken Bow and Hochatown with Kids – an hour and half drive from Texarkana and it’s such a fun place, with lots of things to do. Don’t miss the Maze of Hochatown and Beaver’s Bend State Park. Here are my favorite hiking trails in Broken Bow.
• Ultimate Guide to Family Fun in Shreveport Bossier – This is one of our family’s favorite day trips, that we do often. Be sure to add the Norton Art Gallery to your list, and the newly re-opened Walter B Jacobs Nature Center.
• Things to do in Mena (AR) – We love this mountain town. It’s great for a day trip or a little overnight getaway.
• Here are some of the best day trips from Texarkana for more ideas.

Don’t miss my Weekend Getaway Guide to the best weekend getaways across the ArkLaTex.

More day trip ideas.

There are more ideas than I can possibly list here for fun day trip ideas for spring break in Texarkana. Here are a few more just to get you thinking:

• Go see the mirror bathrooms on the square in Sulphur Springs, (TX). Check out the dairy museum while there, hit up the cute shops, and play at the adorable wood playground at Buford Park
• Go digging for fossils at the Ladonia Fossil Park on the North Sulphur River
• Visit the Lonesome Dove Safari Park in Jefferson, Texas. Also stop by the Jefferson General Store while you’re there, shop for antiques, and see some fun gifts at Made in the Shade
• Go digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas
• Go crystal digging atRon Coleman crystal mine in Hot Springs, Arkansas – plus stop downtown and earn a Junior Ranger badge at the national park while you’re there too. Don’t miss the Mid America Science Museum and Garvan Gardens too.

Outdoor spring break adventures near Texarkana.

The weather is so nice in the springtime, it’s actually my family’s favorite time of year to go hiking (along with the fall). There are lots of great ways to enjoy the outdoors during your Texarkana spring break. Keep reading for more ideas to disconnect and touch grass.

Outdoor spring break: Texarkana.

• Play tennis or pickleball at the Southwest Recreation Center
• Play basketball at Grady T Wallace park or go for a walk around the pond
• Play a round of disc golf at Spring Lake Park, or try the fitness court circuit while you’re there
• Go on a walking tour of downtown Texarkana
• Walk the Nix Creek Trail on the Arkansas side (by the Gateway Farmer’s Market)
• Go fishing at Lake Dieffenbacher (Bobby Ferguson Park ) – 16 and under do not need a fishing license
• Shop at the Gateway Farmer’s Market on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday

Spring break outdoor activities: across the ArkLaTex.

One of the coolest things about Texarkana and the ArkLaTex is the proximity to all kinds of different adventures, in different geography and regions. Just a short drive from any where in the ArkLaTex, you’ll find even more outdoor adventures. Here are a few of my favorites, including some spots to see spring flowers in the ArkLaTex:

• Attend the Jonquil Festival at Historic Washington State Park – March 20 and 21 in 2026
• Pick your own tulips at Moody Blooms Farm in Mt. Pleasant (TX) – add a stop at Huey’s coffee while you’re there to see the helicopter on the roof
• Pick tulips at Plantation Pines in Tyler, Texas
• Attend Bunnypalooza at Yesterland Farms in Canton, Texas – this farm is more of an entertainment attraction but it’s over the top fun, even if it’s a bit of a drive.
• Visit Rick Evans Grandview Prairie to look for wildflowers (they peak in May)
• Chase waterfalls with the best waterfalls near Texarkana

Rainy day spring break activities.

The weather can be unpredictable in March and April, but it doesn’t have to ruin your Texarkana spring break plans! There are still plenty of things to do, even if it’s raining or less than idea weather. My family and I have some favorite spots we like to go to, and things we like to do when the weather isn’t so great.

Texarkana rainy day activities.

• G-Jump – indoor trampoline park
• Holiday Bowl – bowling alley and arcade. Bonus – it has an amazing laser tag area
• College Bowl – another bowling alley, by Texarkana College
• Try hitting some golf balls at Tee It Up Golf Lounge or Fairways Golf
• Pick out a new book and enjoy some coffee at Books A Million

Across the ArkLatex: rainy day activities.

A rainy day doesn’t have to stop your adventures for spring break. We have some favorite, indoor activities at many places across the four states region. Here are some of our favorite things to do, indoors, in some of our favorite cities:

• Shreveport – Bossier (LA) – visit the Norton Art Gallery, go to the Shreveport Aquarium, play at Sci-Port, stop by King’s Antiques, browse the Thrifty Peanut/Book Warehouse, get coffee at Rhino Coffee Uptown, go climbing at Risen Rock, and play at Surge Entertainment Center
• Hot Springs (AR) – go to the Mid America Science Museum, stop by Kollective coffee
• Tyler (TX) – Visit the Discovery Science Place museum, and The Foundry Coffee house

The R.W. Norton Art Gallery in Shreveport has a delightful, juried exhibit every spring called Bloom. It features artists from around the world, and all of the selected works are floral themed. It’s always so beautiful. The gallery always has free admission.

Tips for planning a Texarkana spring break.

My number one tip: look up the tourism website for whichever city you’re hoping to explore. For Texarkana, check out the Experience Texarkana website. The city you’re looking up most likely has a guide of things to do, places to see, and spots to eat. Sometimes, it’s also a seasonal guide. You can also search a specific destination on Facebook and see what pops up! Here are a few more tips for planning your spring break in Texarkana and the ArkLaTex:

• Check the weather forecast, then check it again. It can change that fast
• Pack a raincoat, umbrella, and change of shoes in your car so you’re ready for whatever adventure lies ahead
• Stock up on grab and go snacks to fill your bags as you head out the door
• Plan one to two main activities per day, but leave wiggle room for shenanigans that show up along the way
• Most of all, stay flexible and have fun!
• Check out this spring break road trip guide from Texarkana Parent Magazine

If you’re out adventuring this spring, I’d love to see what you’re up to! Feel free to share your photos in the ArkLaTex Adventure Club on Facebook. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Texarkana spring break and you see the wonder wherever you wander across the ArkLaTex. Don’t forget to follow my Facebook page, Coleyraeh in the ArkLaTex for more adventure ideas.

It’s a little bit beyond spring break, but be sure to add the Four States Fair and Rodeo to your list! It’s usually at the beginning of April.