Things to Do in Jacksonville, Texas

Jacksonville's most distinctive landmark is the Tomato Bowl, a striking football stadium built from local red iron-ore rock by Works Progress Administration workers during the Great Depression. Still the home field of Jacksonville High School's Fightin' Indians, it's a rare and handsome example of New Deal-era stone construction and a point of real community pride. On a fall Friday night, it's the heart of the town.

The tomato heritage comes alive each June at Tomato Fest, a downtown festival celebrating the crop that made Jacksonville famous, with food, music, contests, and family fun. In May, the Tops in Texas Rodeo brings another dose of local tradition. These events are the best times to feel the town's character.

Just north of Jacksonville on US Highway 69, Love's Lookout is one of the scenic highlights of East Texas. Perched on a high ridge, the overlook offers a sweeping view across miles of rolling Piney Woods — a genuinely beautiful vista, especially in fall. The historic roadside park has picnic areas and walking space, and it's a longtime favorite stop for travelers and a popular spot to take in the East Texas landscape.

It's free, quick, and worth the short drive from town — one of those simple roadside pleasures that East Texas does well.

For local history, the Howard-Dickinson House — an 1855 brick home, one of the oldest in Cherokee County — is a beautifully preserved window into the antebellum era, open for tours. The Vanishing Texana Museum downtown collects East Texas artifacts and memorabilia, telling the story of the region's fading history.

Downtown Jacksonville has restored historic buildings, shops, and restaurants, and a fun local stop is the Texas Basket Company, a longtime manufacturer whose factory store sells the wooden baskets the town has produced for generations. Between the museums, the downtown, and the basket factory, Jacksonville offers plenty of small-town character.

For outdoor recreation, Lake Jacksonville, about three miles southwest of town, is the local centerpiece. Created in 1957, the 1,320-acre lake is popular for fishing, boating, swimming, and lakeside living, with a city park, beaches, camping, and boat ramps. It's a well-loved spot for a summer day on the water and the focus of the area's outdoor life.

The surrounding Cherokee County countryside — classic East Texas pine and hardwood forest — offers hunting, scenic drives, and access to the deeper woods and lakes of the region. With Tyler about 30 miles north and the Davy Crockett National Forest country to the southeast, Jacksonville is well placed for exploring East Texas.