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Corsicana, TX 75110
Info@VisitCorsicana.com
877-648-2688
www.VisitCorsicana.com
Things to Do in Corsicana
Stunning historical buildings, a captivating downtown full of charming shops and restaurants, and an abundance of extraordinary museums – you’ll find all of these things in Corsicana, a quaint town perched among the rolling hills of Northeast Texas. If you’re looking for a place to get away for the weekend, a romantic retreat, or a fun adventure with your family, it’s hard to beat! But before you pack your bags, pause a moment and learn just what there is to do in Corsicana. Get your next trip started right by discovering what this gem just an hour south of Dallas has to offer.
Experience Downtown Corsicana
Antique shops full of all manner of oddities, boutiques stocked with unique clothes and other goodies, and locally-owned bakeries and cafes that fill the air with the aromas of baked bread and espresso are just a few of the things you’ll find in historic downtown Corsicana, a five-block area with wide tree-shaded sidewalks, colorful 19th-century brick storefronts, and ample small-town charm. Put on your walking shoes and meander down Beaton Street past art galleries, independent retailers, and local restaurants, stopping in wherever strikes your fancy. Make sure to stop by the original Collin Street Bakery, known for its world-famous fruitcake. With so much to do, eat, and see, no two visits to downtown Corsicana are ever the same.
Hear the History
One of Corsicana’s most prominent displays of civic pride is its collection of privately-funded bronze statues that commemorate some of the personalities who have shaped the city from its founding through the present day. With 11 of the bronzes dotting downtown streets and the courthouse lawn, there’s sure to be one that catches your eye! Each also has a QR code at its base so you can listen to a short history of the person’s importance to Corsicana.
See a Show
In addition to being a great place to get a bite to eat or shop for a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, the historic downtown is also the heart of Corsicana’s performing-arts scene. For some down-home honkytonk, seek out a concert at the Corsicana Opry. Located in an eye-catching red-brick building, the Opry welcomes country musicians from across the nation for performances that will have you bouncing in your boots. If an evening at the theater is more your speed, the Palace Theatre and the Warehouse Living Arts Center conduct a variety of dramas, plays, and musicals throughout their season.
Explore the Stars
Not only can you see stars of song and stage, you can also explore the heavens. Corsicana is home to the Cook Center Planetarium, the second-largest planetarium in Texas. Nestled on the campus of Navarro College, the planetarium consists of a 60-foot-diameter dome screen used to show various astronomical presentations throughout the year. Discover the celestial bodies in our galaxy and the planets in our solar system, learn how the stars have influenced our religious beliefs and cultural practices, and more.
Go Fishing
With some of the best fishing around, you’ll be remiss if you leave your tackle box at home. Corsicana sits near three large lakes, all of which combine prime fishing with breathtaking scenery. Richland Chambers Reservoir, the third-largest lake in Texas, is an excellent option if you enjoy fishing for catfish, crappie, and white and hybrid striped bass. Catfish and crappie can also be found in abundance at Lake Halbert, located just southeast of Corsicana, and Navarro Mills Lake.
While these lakes provide plenty of great fishing, they are just as good for boating, kayaking, or simply enjoying the great outdoors. What are you waiting for?
Step Back in Time
Read letters written by a soldier on the front lines of the Civil War, then learn how the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric Texas lived. You can do both at the Pearce Museum, which also showcases paintings and sculpture depicting the American Plains. Its 15,000-document collection of Civil War letters, photographs, and artifacts is truly world-class, and the Pearce also regularly hosts visiting artists and renowned collections from other institutions.
To experience even more local history, giddy on up over to Pioneer Village. Here, you’ll see a collection of early settler homes and outposts, as well as the Lefty Frizzell Museum, which honors this Corsicana native who became a honkytonk legend.
View Stunning Architecture
Downtown Corsicana’s red-brick streets and charming storefronts have plenty of appeal, but there’s far more to see if you’re a fan of historic architecture. For example, Temple Beth-El, an 1898 synagogue with two octagonal towers topped by black onion domes, is one of the few structures in Texas built in the Moorish Revival style. Just a few blocks away sits the recently-restored 1905 Navarro County Courthouse, a three-story structure with an open clock tower and stately columns.
Aside from downtown, Corsicana has two other National Register of Historic Districts – the Carriage District and Mills Place. Both areas are full of distinctive and beautifully-restored homes dating back to the 1800s that you can see by driving through each neighborhood. Maps of the Carriage District driving tour are available at the visitor.
Sip Wine at a Local Vineyard
A wide-open blue sky above, the rolling hills of a scenic vineyard before you, and a glass of wine in your hand. Make this particular daydream a reality by visiting the Angelita Vineyard & Winery, a locally-owned purveyor of a wide variety of wines that is nestled on verdant terrain less than 10 miles south of downtown Corsicana. Samples are available at the tasting room, where you can also pair your drink choices with appetizers. Relax and enjoy the music, then step outside and admire a stunning Texas sunset from the cozy patio. Whether you’re traveling with friends or your sweetheart, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Angelita Vineyard & Winery.
