Athens, Texas Family Trip Guide
Arboretum, Fishery and Zipline Park
Located an hour southeast of Dallas in the Piney Woods, Athens is a family-friendly destination to enjoy the outdoors. It was named by the stepdaughter of a founding father who had a vision that Athens would become the cultural center in Henderson county like the one in Greece. Athens holds the title of the official “Original Home of the Hamburger,” created in the late 1880s at a downtown Athens café and introduced at the 1904 World’s State Fair in St. Louis. Athens is also known as the Black-eyed Pea Capital of the World.
Downtown Athens
Downtown Athens has antique stores (aka history lessons for kids), home decor, boutiques and restaurants. Take a stroll to explore the old buildings and small town charm.
Henderson County Courthouse
Athens is the county seat of Henderson county, and the three-story red brick Classical Revival style courthouse is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Photo credit.
East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is a production hatchery for stocking fish into Texas waterways and an educational center to learn about native species and ecosystems. Visit over 300,000 gallons of indoor and outdoor aquariums to see many native fish, waterfowl, amphibians and alligators. Explore the natural habitat for the state fish of Texas, the Guadalupe Bass. Kids can feed the fish at the Pond Farm Exhibit. Come see the big ones that didn’t get away at the Texas Record Fish exhibit. Kids can get some outdoor miles on the wetland hiking trail (ADA compliant), and have an outdoor picnic lunch. Learn about ecosystems and fishing at the museum and wetlands trail. The tram tour, gift shop and indoor portion of the fishery is temporarily closed due to Covid-19 precautions. However visitors can still see the outdoor aquaria, Angler’s Pavilion, antique fishing equipment and the wetland trail. Photo credit.
New York, Texas Zipline Adventures
New York, Texas is a tiny town located just 15 minutes east of Athens and is home to New York, Texas Zipline Adventures. This company offers kid-friendly zipline tours for ages 5 and up. Zip through the treetops at over 100 feet above the ground and view the lush landscape for an unforgettable adventure.
The Fishery and Zipline park are located several miles east of Athens, so combine those excursions to minimize driving time.
Lake Athens is located 5 miles east of Athens, and is free for visitors to boat and fish. Bring your fishing gear and spend some time along the shoreline. The onsite marina should have bait. Find out fishing license information before you go.
Special needs:
Most trails are stroller friendly, and the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society has a handicap accessible trail. Kids will enjoy seeing the animals up close at the aquariums at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.
Know before you go:
- Bring insect repellant and sunscreen.
- Schedule New York, Texas Zipline Adventure tour in advance.
- Bring fishing equipment and bait if you plan to go to Lake Athens.
Other Adventures
Prada Marfa
West Texas desolate highways with stunning desert and mountain views provide a suprising art installation known worldwide. Stop to see the quirky luxury Prada storefront out in the middle of nowhere on your checklist of Only in Texas.
Dark Skies Program
Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Dark Sky Program ensures that there will always be great escapes to be able to see the most stars. Find out the best places to see those big Texas stars.
