Longview, TX is known for its beautiful scenery, and outdoors activities are some of the most popular recreation available to visitors. The municipal government also maintains 6 beautiful parks and trails in the community. Most of the parks are also equipped with playgrounds and family-friendly facilities.
But Longview doesn’t just cater to children and families, and they don’t just offer bingo rounds to the family seniors. The city actually offers some very interesting activities for seniors to explore the great outdoors without having to tire themselves out or stay behind because they aren’t up for it.
Here is a list of low-key outdoor activities that can help seniors, or in fact anybody who just wants to take it slow and easy, to explore Longview.
1. Trail-hiking @ Cargill Long Park and Paul G. Boorman Trail Park
- Cargill Long Park Trail: 3112 N Fourth St, Longview, TX
- Paul G. Boorman: 919 W Marshall Ave, Longview, TX
You can leave your hiking boots at home for Cargill Long Park and Paul G. Boorman Trail Park, but make sure to wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
The trails are all paved with concrete in these two parks, so there won’t be any tripping and stumbling through the undergrowth. In fact, these two parks are famous for their bike-friendly trails, so family members so inclined should bring their bikes along for a wonderful ride. The trails are maintained regularly, which means easily mobility for seniors and younger family members alike, and shady trees lining the wide trail paths offer respite from the simmering heat during the summer.
Cargill Long park offers all the basic amenities: picnic tables, restrooms, drinking fountains and benches located along the 3-mile stretch. Also, there are exercise stations and a playground at the park, offering something for family members of all ages to enjoy a day out at the scenic park.
The Paul Boorman Trail runs along Grace Creek in Northwest Longview, and boasts two large dog parks on the northern end of the trail. There are also park benches located along the trail, with placards explaining the mammals and birds you might be able to see there. The trail is very long, but there are many trailhead markers along the way, and parking lots spaced throughout, so you can access different parts of the trail.
2. Therapeutic Horse Riding @ Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center
- Website
- 593 Windridge Rd, Gilmer, TX / (903) 797 2414
For a truly unique experience, visit the Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas. It is just a half-hour drive from Antique Capital RV park via US-271 N, and occupies over 30 acres of land.
The center started out with Margo Dewkett in 1988, with a small barn sitting on only 15 acres of the original plot. Dewkett believed in the power of horses and horse-riding as a therapeutic experience for children, seniors, and adults with disabilities.
Windridge eventually joined the Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship, and began to offer equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). The center has expanded ever since, now servicing people from 10 neighboring counties.
They also offer a special program for veterans called Equines in Service for Heroes, and have helped veterans who have served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, in their road to recovery.
3. Wine Tasting Tours @ Los Pinos Ranch
- Website
- 658 County Road 1334, Pittsburg, Texas / (903) 855 1769
Los Pinos Ranch has two vineyard locations – Pittsburg in East Texas and Fredericksburg in West Texas. The Pittsburg location is only a 37-minute drive from Antique Capital RV Park on US-271 N, and occupies 40 acres of beautiful vineyard.
They offer wine tours by appointment, and the price is $10 for a thirty-minute tour with no tastings, or $40 for a one-hour tour with four tastings and a cheese tray. During harvesting season, volunteers are allowed to walkthrough the vineyard and pick grapes for a more outdoor experience.
After the tasting, guests can hang-out on the Outdoor Deck overlooking the serene vineyard. There is also a stone firepit in the center for cozy warmth should the evenings get a little chilly.
To polish off the night, make a reservation at the Winery Restaurant, where they offer light Tapas, and some super affordable but classy fare. There’s the classic ribeye steak, fish filet, a delicious Havarti burger, and a list of pizzas to suit the tastes of the entire family. Be sure to ask the waiter for wine recommendations as well, as the menu is designed to be paired with their selection of wines.
4. Golfing @ Wood Hollow Golf Club
- Website
- 5121 N. McCann Road, Longview, TX / (903) 663-4653
The Wood Hollow Golf Club is home to the 18-hole “Wood Hollow” course, and features 6,102 yards of well-maintained golfing grounds. The club is just a 20-minute drive from Antique Capital RV Park, and is touted by locals as one of the best courses in the Longview area.
The prices are also reasonable, ranging from $11-28 on weekdays, to $11-34 on weekends. For golf aficionados, the fairway is paved with Bermuda grass, and the greens consist of mainly Tifdwarf grass. Facilities include a driving range, rental clubs, and rental carts – perfect if you just want to take it slow and not exert yourself too much.
What’s more, there are a couple of small lakes located on the property, offering excellent and serene scenery for golfers making their way through – and perhaps a little challenge as they try to avoid sending the little white ball into these watery snares.
