Things to Do in Emory, Texas
Emory is a small county-seat town with a standout draw: it sits between two of the most famous fishing lakes in Texas. Add a historic courthouse square, a lakeside state park, and nearby towns, and there's plenty to do for a community its size.
Here's what to do in and around Emory.
The Lakes — Fishing and Recreation
Emory's biggest attractions are the two lakes that flank it. Lake Fork, to the east, is the premier trophy largemouth bass lake in Texas, famous for producing the state's biggest bass and drawing anglers from across the country, along with crappie and catfish fishing and timber-flooded scenery.
Lake Tawakoni, to the west, is locally nicknamed the 'Catfish Capital of Texas,' known for big blue and channel catfish plus white bass, hybrid stripers, and crappie, with broad open water for boating, sailing, and swimming. Lake Tawakoni State Park on its shore adds camping, hiking trails, a swimming beach, and birdwatching. Together the two lakes make Emory a year-round destination for anglers and lake lovers.
The Courthouse Square and Town Life
As the seat of Rains County, Emory has a historic courthouse square at its heart — the center of town life and a reminder of the community's roots as the renamed Springville of the 1870s. The county seat hosts the everyday rhythm of a small town, along with community events, churches, and the local businesses that serve Rains County.
Visitors interested in history can connect Emory's story to its namesake, the legislator Emory Rains, who is buried in the city cemetery, and to the town's railroad-era past. It's the kind of small Texas downtown where you can stroll, grab a bite, and get a feel for life in the county seat between the lakes.
Nearby Towns and the Region
Emory's location keeps several towns and attractions within easy reach. Mineola to the southeast offers a charming historic downtown, shops, and a restored depot; Greenville and the towns toward the Dallas–Fort Worth metro to the west add shopping, dining, and big-city attractions; and the small towns and lake communities of Northeast Texas round out the region.
With Dallas only about an hour and 15 minutes west, Emory makes a fine base for a fishing weekend or a quieter home within reach of the metro. Between the two lakes, the state park, the historic square, and the nearby towns, Emory offers a well-rounded menu of things to do for a small community.
Concerts & Shows Near Emory
Listings from Ticketmaster, updated October 18, 2026. Tickets are sold by Ticketmaster; we don't check these dates ourselves, so confirm on the ticket page.
- Fri, Nov 13 · 8:00 PM Southall (18+ Event) · Silver Saloon, Terrell · 29 mi
- Sat, Nov 28 · 7:00 PM Eli Young Band · Red Rooster IceHouse, Hawkins · 34 mi · Country
FAQ: Things to Do in Emory
Emory's top draws are its two lakes: trophy bass fishing on Lake Fork and catfish, boating, and a state park on Lake Tawakoni. The historic Rains County courthouse square anchors town life, and nearby Mineola, Greenville, and the Dallas metro add shopping, dining, and attractions.
Emory sits between Lake Fork, the premier trophy largemouth bass lake in Texas, and Lake Tawakoni, locally nicknamed the 'Catfish Capital of Texas.' That rare pairing of a world-class bass lake and a famous catfish lake makes the small county seat a year-round destination for anglers.
Yes. Lake Tawakoni State Park, on the shore of Lake Tawakoni across the lake west of Emory, offers camping, hiking trails, a swimming beach, fishing, and birdwatching — a good complement to the fishing on Lake Fork to the east.
Emory is about 75 road miles, roughly an hour and 15 minutes, east of Dallas at the junction of U.S. Highway 69 and State Highway 19. That makes it a popular weekend fishing destination and a quieter place to live within reach of the Dallas–Fort Worth metro.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Emory in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
Want Your Business Featured in Emory?
People are searching for businesses like yours in Emory. Get listed in our city guide and local directory so they can find you.