Marshall Convention & Visitors Bureau

     

ITINERARY: The Spirit of the Season

Tour Marshall's museums dressed up for the holiday season.

DAY 1: Arrive in Marshall and check in your hotel.
The first stop should be at what has been called the best little museum in Texas - the Michelson Museum of Art. From the reception area where tall arched windows allow light to flood the room your guide will take you to the first gallery to see the museum's permanent collection of the work of Leo Michelson then on to 2008 Christmas exhibition, "Paint the Beautiful: American Impressionist Paintings from the Michener Art Museum Collection."

For train buffs and children alike see the train exhibits, both moving and static, in the Museum's The Kronenberg Gallery.

From there enjoy a dinner at one of Marshall's downtown restaurants -- looking out over Marshall's downtown square when at dusk Wonderland of Lights' crown jewel, the Harrison County Courthouse, becomes a dazzling display of over 125,000 tiny lights.

Following dinner, enjoy the "Candlelight Tour of Homes" or do a Christmas walk-about under the lights downtown, shopping, enjoying a cup of cappuccino, taking a carriage ride and watching the ice skaters.

DAY 2: In the morning it's off to the Ginocchio Historic District for a tour of the Texas & Pacific Depot Train Station and Railway Museum. Dressed up for Christmas, the museum is housed in the restored 1912 Texas and Pacific Railway Depot. At noon, take a long shopping lunch in historic downtown at the Weisman Center and other quaint stores.

In the afternoon, tour the Starr Family Mansion, a house museum.

Enjoy dinner in a restaurant housed in one of downtowns many historic buildings and then at dusk you'll be ready for a Wonderland of Lights narrated tour of our Holiday Neighborhoods, dressed out in their finest.

ITINERARY: Art, Artists & Antiques

Day One: Check into accommodations

Marshall Visual Art Center
Location: Historic Downtown Marshall
Two blocks from Washington square. Catch artists working in their studios in 1930s industrial building. Artwork for sale. No admission fees. Mon - Fri 10 - 5. 903-938-9860 Time: 1-1.5 hours

Lunch - Dine with local flare at one of our unique locally owned restaurants or one of Marshall's regional/national chains.

Shop for Antiques Downtown - Antique stores & antiques in home decor shops on historic N. Washington Street.

Evening - Check the Events Calendar for plays, live music venues and other fun ways to spend your evening in Marshall.

Day Two: Continental breakfast at accommodations or seek-out a "home cooked" breakfast at a local diner. Shop for Art in Historic Downtown
Seek out artwork for sale in shops and restaurants in downtown. J. Weisman & Company, Design Center, OS2 and OS Square Restaurant and Pub on the Square & more.

Lunch

Michelson Museum of Art
Location: Historic Downtown Marshall, One block from Washington square. Tall arched windows allow light to flood the reception area where a volunteer guides you to the first gallery to see the museum's permanent collection of the work of Leo Michelson then on to traveling exhibits. No admission charge Tuesday - Friday 12 - 5 Saturday - Sunday 1 - 4 903-935-9480.

Leisure Time - Stroll historic Washington square and North Washington Street. Dine with local flare at one of our unique locally owned restaurants or one of Marshall's regional/national chains.

Entertainment - Check the Events Calendar for festivals, plays, live music venues and other fun ways to spend your evening in Marshall.

ITINERARY: Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!

Day One: Arrive in Marshall and check in your hotel.
Start your shopping in downtown's quaint shops and plan on lunch at one of Marshall's unique downtown restaurants. Then at dusk Wonderland of Lights crown jewel, the Harrison County Historic Courthouse, becomes a dazzling display of over 125,000 tiny lights. Following dinner, be our guest on the "Candlelight Tour of Homes" or do a Christmas walk-about under the lights downtown, shopping, enjoying a cup of cappuccino, taking a carriage ride and watching the ice skaters.

Day Two: In the morning it's off to the world-famous Marshall Pottery. Shop the seconds yards for great buys on red clay pots. Head to historic downtown for lunch - if you like lunch a little on the spicy side try the tortilla wrap at Central Perks (211 North Washington) located in a restored 1898 department store or if a French bistro is more to your liking try R&R Bakery (115 East Houston) - top off a soup & sandwich special with their famous Lemon Icebox Pie. After lunch, on to Pottery Tent ñ a bargain lover's paradise. Over 35,000 square feet of shopping pleasure awaits you. Thousands of home decorating items & ideas - from gifts to garden items, silk flowers to frames, brass to baskets, candles to Christmas. Their Christmas room will dazzle you. Enjoy a themed dinner at an historic home until dusk when you will be whisked off for the Wonderland of Lights narrated grand tour of our Holiday Neighborhoods.

ITINERARY: On the Museum Trail

Day One: Check into accommodations

Michelson Museum of Art
Location: Historic Downtown Marshall
One block from the courthouse square. Tall arched windows allow light to flood the reception area where a volunteer guides you to the first gallery to see the museum's permanent collection of the work of Leo Michelson then on to traveling exhibits.

For Children The David Weisman Hirsch Discovery Room provides hands-on activities for children. They experience the fun of making their own art. No admission. Open Tue - Fri 12 - 5 Sat - Sun 1 - 4 903-935-9480. Dine with local flare at one of our unique locally owned restaurants or one of Marshall's regional/national chains.

Leisure Time - Shop unique local stores in historic downtown, enjoy a latte in coffee cafes and find bargains at our pottery or antique outlets.

Evening - Check the Events Calendar for plays, live music venues and other fun ways to spend your evening in Marshall.

Day Two: Continental breakfast at accommodations or seek out a "home cooked" breakfast at a local diner.

Texas and Pacific Railway Museum
Location: Ginocchio Historic District
Learn and experience the history of the T&P Railroad, the men who built and operated it and the influence the railroads had and continue to exert on the development of Texas and its people. For Children See the trains roll by from the observation deck of this working train station, shop the train-related toys at the gift shop, ring the train bell. Admission: $2 for adults $1 for students ages 5-20. Open Tue-Sat 10-4. 903-938-9495.

Lunch

Harrison County Historical Museum Location: Ginocchio Historic District Extensive collection of Caddo Indian artifacts, antique toys, Civil War memorabilia and mementos from famous citizens of Harrison County, including Lady Bird Johnson, George Foreman, Bill Moyers, Y.A. Tittle and James Farmer. For Children: A "Hands On" history room contains activities for children of all ages. Admission: $1 Admission for everyone aged 6 and above. Tue-Sat 10-4. 903-938-2680.

Leisure Time - Stroll historic courthouse square and North Washington Street. See "Take a Walk Through History in Downtown Marshall" self-guided tour under "Featured Things to Do".

Dine with local flare at one of our unique locally owned restaurants or one of Marshall's regional/national chains.

Entertainment - Check the Events Calendar for festivals, plays, live music venues and other fun ways to spend your evening in Marshall.

FAMILY FUN VACATION IN MARSHALL

Ride Amtrak to Marshall for a fun, unique vacation experience. For ticket information go to www.amtrak.com Public transportation in Marshall is limited, we suggest Enterprise Rent-A-Car at 903-935-0499 or National Car Rental at 903-938-5115.

Day One: Culture for Kids
Museums are fun, low cost entertainment. Marshall's three museums each have hands-on activities for children.

Texas and Pacific Railway Museum
Location: 800 N Washington Ave in the Ginocchio Historic District Downtown Marshall
Children love trains. Enter the depot through the underground tunnel. Visit the restored caboose. See the trains roll by from the observation deck of this working train station, ring the train bell and run the model train in the museum, shop the train-related toys at the gift shop. Activity area for children with videos, books on trains. Learn and experience the history of the T&P Railroad, the men who built and operated it and the influence the railroads had and continue to exert on the development of Texas and its people. Admission: $2 for adults; $1 for students ages 5-20. Open Tue-Sat 10-4. 903-938-9495. Time: 1-1.5 hours

Lunch - Enjoy a local restaurant. Remember summers with root beer floats, double chocolate malts and marshmallow sundaes? These and more available at several local eateries. Harrison County Historical Museum Location: 707 N Washington in the Ginocchio Historic District Downtown Marshall
'Hands On History' activities for children of all ages. Children love the Caddo Indian collection and antique toys. Civil War memorabilia and mementos from famous citizens of Harrison County, including Lady Bird Johnson, George Foreman, Bill Moyers, Y.A. Tittle and James Farmer. Admission: $1 Admission for everyone 6 and above. Tue-Sat 10-4. 903-938-2680. Time: 1-1.5 hours

Michelson Museum of Art
Location: 216 N Bolivar Historic Downtown Marshall
One block from the courthouse square. The David Weisman Hirsch Discovery Room provides hands-on activities for children. They experience the fun of making their own art. See the museum's permanent collection of the work of Leo Michelson and travelingexhibits. No admission charge Tuesday - Friday 12 - 5 Saturday - Sunday 1 - 4 903-935-9480. Dine with local flare at one of our unique locally owned restaurants or one of Marshall's regional/national chains.

Evening Entertainment
Check the Events Calendar for festivals, plays, live music venues and other fun ways to spend your evening in Marshall. First run movies $3 children, $4.50 adults. Please verify opening days and times so you won't be disappointed.

Day Two: Back to Nature
Pack a picnic lunch and head out to Caddo Lake State Park for the day. Fish from the pier; hike the nature trails; rent a canoe. Daily admission charge: $2 adults, $1 seniors, No charge for children (under 12)

Day Three: Affordable Family Golf
Families can afford to play golf at Marshall's nine-hole municipal golf course. Daily rate/per person: Weekdays $10, Weekends & holidays $12. Cart Rental: 9 holes $6, 18 holes $10

Evening Entertainment
- Spend the evening roller skating at the Skating Rink or a family challenge bowling match at the bowling alley. Check the Check the Events Calendar f for festivals, plays, live music venues and other fun ways to spend your evening in Marshall.

Day Four: Shopping for Adults/Movies for the Kids
Send the kids to a matinee at the movies. Shop Marshall's outlet pottery stores, historic downtown and other great local shops. (See Things to Do/Itineraries/Outlet Shopping at www.texastreasure.info). First run movies $3 children.

If your children enjoy art - check out the Art Summer Day Camp at the Marshall Visual Art Center. Kids spend the day at art camp - parents are free to roam. For more information call the Marshall Visual Art Center 903-938-9860.