Rainy Day Trips from Texarkana (Indoor Adventures Within 3 Hours)

Rainy day trips from Texarkana make it easy to keep exploring, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Several nearby cities offer indoor attractions, museums, and unique experiences that turn a gray day into something memorable. With a little planning, a rainy forecast can lead to a fun and unexpected adventure. In this post I’ll share some of my favorite indoor things to do in Texarkana, and four select cities across the ArkLaTex. Plus, I’ve included a few of my favorite coffee shops to visit for cozy vibes in each city as well. Don’t let the rainy day get you down, get out and chase some (indoor) adventures in the ArkLaTex.

Quick Rainy Day Trip Ideas from Texarkana:

• Shreveport-Bossier City (Louisiana): An aquarium, a science center, and a great art museum.
• Hot Springs (Arkansas): National Park visitor center, museums, and great food.
• Idabel (Oklahoma): unique cultural museum and a Bigfoot themed gas station.
• Tyler (Texas): science center and shopping.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Texarkana, here’s my ultimate guide to the city.

Things to do in Texarkana when it rains.

When the weather isn’t working out and you’re looking for something to do when it’s raining in Texarkana, I promise you’ll find something. Texarkana has plenty of indoor things to do, with something for everyone. There are the obvious things like G-Jump trampoline park (for families) and the Cinemark movie theatre (don’t ask me how many times I saw Project Hail Mary), there are still even more indoor things to do on a rain day. Here are some more ideas to explore:

• Visit the Texarkana Public Library.
• Make art at the TRAHC Mayo Arts Makerspace.
• Create something at The Crafty Nook.
• Browse the galleries at the 1894 Art Gallery.
• Explore the Texarkana Museum System’s Museum of Regional History or take a tour at the Ace of Clubs House.
• Stroll through the Four States Auto Museum.
• Play mini golf or do the arcade games at the Starlight at the Central Mall.
• Go bowling and play laser tag at Holiday Bowl, or go bowling at College Bowl.
• Sip on a fun drink and look for books at The Stained Page.
• Pick out a mystery book at Salty Books & Boutique.
• Play some games at MeepleCity, grab coffee and play games at Mana Brew, or shop for games at Brandon’s Nerdy Nexus or Mom and Pop’s Game Shop.

Plus, don’t forget about thrifting! Here are the best antique shops and flea markets in Texarkana. Or, if you haven’t taken a trip to Fouke lately, go stop by the Monster Mart to grab some updated selfies.

The best indoor day trips from Texarkana.

One of my favorite things about living in Texarkana, at the heart of the ArkLaTex, is how easy it is to take day trips to nearby cities. Whether you want to drive one, two, or three hours, you’ll find a variety of small to large cities to explore and find a way to spend the day. Here are ideas for rainy day trips from Texarkana.

Shreveport & Bossier City (Louisiana).

Shreveport-Bossier City in northwest Louisiana is just over an hour drive south of Texarkana, on Interstate 49. The city is larger than Texarkana and has some great ways to spend time on a rainy day. Here are some of our favorite indoor things to do in Shreveport. A tip – my number one recommendation for anyone, of any age, will always be the R. W. Norton Art Gallery. It’s a phenomenal (and free) art museum that’s not too far from Rhino Coffee Uptown and paired together it’s a great way to spend the day. Here are more ideas.

• Risen Rock Climbing Gym – indoor climbing gym with bouldering and rope climbing (with auto belay!). Five stars, one of our favorite places. Auto belay means I get to climb too, without needing a climbing partner.
• Sci Port science museum & the Shreveport Aquarium – they’re right next to each other and you could easily do both in one day.
• Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
• Walter B Jacobs Nature Center – recently reopened after a huge renovation. It’s a state of the art nature center that’s just outside of Shreveport and it’s worth seeing, for all ages.
• Paint some pottery or make some potter at The Clayground and Magnolia Mudroom. Hot tip: check out Magnolia Mudroom then walk up the street and get some sweet treats at Streetcar Station.
• Check out High Gravity Glassworks to observe (or even participate in) glassblowing.
• Shop and browse at the Agora Borealis – part art gallery and part gift shop, filled with items from local artists.
• Moor Coffee – enjoy coffee while the younger kids play at the indoor playground. Also check out Sprout Play Cafe for young children.

Cozy vibes: check out the Thrifty Peanut/Book Warehouse and spend an afternoon browsing the stacks of used books, in all niches and genres (plus a HUGE kids section).

Don’t forget – my ultimate guide to family fun in Shreveport-Bossier for even more things to do in northwest Louisiana.

Hot Springs (Arkansas).

This charming city closer to central Arkansas is always one of my favorite day trips, no matter the weather, all year round. Hot Springs, Arkansas is one of the best rainy day trips from Texarkana and has something for everyone. It’s a bit over a two hour drive from Texarkana. Truthfully, sitting at Kollective Coffee all day while it rains sounds perfect to me. Here are more indoor things to do in Hot Springs.

• Mid America Science Museum – an award winning science museum that’s fun for kids and the kids at heart.
• For the grown ups – have a spa day at the Astral spa at Oaklawn, visit the historic bathhouse experience at Quapaw Bath and Spa or Buckstaff Bathhouse, or try a unique soaking experience at Thai Me Spa.
• Check out the Gangster Museum.
• Play at T-Rex Fun Spot with an indoor obstacle course, laser tag, mini golf and more.
• Wander and learn at the national park Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.
• Visit Mystic Ozark – part museum, part immersive art gallery, all telling the story of the water in Hot Springs.

Cozy vibes – linger a little while at Red Light Roastery coffee shop and then browse the aisles at Black Ribbon Books.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway (especially at Christmas, but really any time of year) check out this romantic getaway in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Tyler (Texas).

Moving the other direction from Texarkana, Tyler (Texas) is a two hour drive. This city is also a little larger and has some unique things to do that make it another one of the fun rainy day trips from Texarkana. Our family spends quite a bit of time in Tyler for tennis tournaments ( all year round) and have discovered some neat things to do over the years.

• Discovery Science Place – we love this museum. It’s great for kids and there’s even a huge ship structure inside that makes it extra fun.
• Times Square Grand Slam – part movie theatre, part entertainment venue with bowling, arcade, laser tag and a ropes course.
• Earth and Space Science Center – a science museum at Tyler Junior College that also as a planetarium.
• Waterpark at the Villages – Holiday Inn indoor water park.
• Old School Arcade Room – vintage arcade games and pinball.
• Escapeology Escape Rooms
• Kawaii Klaws – Japanese style claw machine arcade.

Cozy vibes – stay and relax at The Foundry coffeehouse in downtown Tyler. Plus check out The Dreaming Peddler in nearby Longview.

Idabel (OK).

You’ve probably driven through here on your way to Broken Bow. Idabel, Oklahoma is a great rainy day trip from Texarkana and while there aren’t tons of things to do, there are a few really unique things to enjoy! It’s a small town that’s worth stopping in. Here is what I recommend:

• The Museum of the Red River – an art and archaeology museum that’s also home to a (nearly complete) dinosaur skeleton. The museum is an incredible, cultural gem and a must visit for all ages. Check their Facebook page for events and the schedule.
• Gasquatch – while technically closer to Broken Bow, it’s still in Idabel. This bigfoot themed gas station is worth a stop and you can even eat lunch there. It has great food (and great desserts). Plus enjoy photo ops, fun merch, and a classic car museum to look at too.
• Phat Tabb’s BBQ – an award winning, hidden gem barbecue spot. Check their Facebook page for hours and specials.

Cozy vibes – Local Habit Coffee in nearby Broken Bow, at the Hochabow Shopping Center.

More rainy day coffee shops & cozy spots.

I’m always looking for great, local cafes and coffee shops. There are so many local gems to enjoy and I enjoy featuring them to help out some local businesses. Here are a few more spots to linger on a rainy day.

• In Texarkana – GoodLuxe Coffee and Rolling Sweet Cafe, and here’s more of the best coffee shops in Texarkana.
• Shreveport – Overflow Coffee, Coffee on the Red, and Sipp House.
• Hot Springs – Outfitters Coffee Co, and Espresso Yourselfie Coffee Lounge.
• Tyler – the Headless Librarian Book Boutique, the Last Bookstore, and Likewise Coffee.
• Idabel – Accent Coffee, and Gemini Coffee Shop and Cafe.

Tips for planning a rainy day in the ArkLaTex.

TA rainy day adventure can be lots of fun, especially if you’re well prepared. Even though you will most likely be indoors all day, you still have to be ready to dry off and get to and from your car in the rain. Here are the things I recommend to pack in the car for a rainy day adventure:

• Rain boots or sandals, plus a change of shoes and socks.
• Umbrellas – one for each person.
• Raincoats.
• Towels in the car to dry off with or cover car seats.
• Microfiber wipes for glasses if they get water droplets on them. As a glasses wearer, this is critical for me.
• Water-resistant or water-proof bag or purse.

Make the most of a rainy day trip.

My best recommendation for your rainy day trip from Texarkana – go with the flow. Have a plan, but hold on to it loosely just in case the weather shifts or curiosity takes you down a bunny trail. Be sure to check the open hours ahead of time for each place you plan to visit, and also check for any special events on the calendar. A rainy day doesn’t have to stop your adventures, it just shifts it a bit. Lucky for the ArkLaTex, there are plenty of ways to enjoy indoor adventures across the four states area. Happy adventuring!

• Looking for more day trips? Here are even more ideas with some great day trips from Texarkana.
• If you love quirky – check out this guide to unique things to do in Texarkana.
• Plus, more ideas with these free things to do in Texarkana.

Did you go on a really fun adventure that you’d like to share about? Post it in my ArkLaTex Adventure Club on Facebook! Everyone is welcome there and it’s meant to be a resource to help locals (and tourists) alike live their best life in Texarkana and the ArkLaTex.