Things to Do in Terrell, Texas
Terrell has a bigger claim to fame than most towns its size: it was home to the No. 1 British Flying Training School, the first of the British Flying Training Schools in the U.S., during World War II, and the museum there tells that story. Add a well-preserved historic downtown, a standout city park, and a barbecue hall known for live music, and there's a real afternoon here.
Here's what to do in and around Terrell.
The British Flying Training School Museum
The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum tells the story of the first of the British Flying Training Schools in the U.S., which began at Dallas's Love Field in 1941 and moved to Terrell that summer. From 1941 to 1945, some 2,200 Royal Air Force cadets, plus smaller numbers of U.S. Army Air Forces cadets, trained here, and the museum preserves that history with vintage aircraft, memorabilia, and the story of the British cadets who trained — and in some cases are buried — in Terrell.
Admission is free, and it's open Wednesday through Saturday. For anyone with an interest in aviation or World War II history, it's worth a trip on its own.
The Historic Downtown
Downtown Terrell is a turn-of-the-century historic district that's held onto its character — vintage lighting, wide brick sidewalks, and detailed old commercial buildings repurposed into shops, restaurants, offices, and lofts. It's a genuinely pleasant place to walk.
One of its signatures is a set of ten original hand-painted exterior wall murals scattered through the district, each a visual snapshot of a piece of Terrell's history. Following the murals is an easy way to see downtown and pick up the town's story along the way.
Ben Gill Park and the Outdoors
Ben Gill Park gives Terrell an unusually complete city park — 100 acres with ballfields, lighted tennis courts, sand volleyball, a hiking trail, a 2.5-acre lake, and an Olympic-size pool with water slides that's a summer fixture for local families.
For a bigger outdoor day, Lake Tawakoni State Park is less than twenty minutes away on the reservoir's south shore, with fishing, trails, a swimming beach, and birdwatching. Between the two, outdoor time is easy to come by in Terrell.
Music, Peaches, and Nearby
For a night out, the Silver Saloon books live country music from well-known Texas performers most weekends, paired with barbecue — part smokehouse, part dance hall. And in summer, Ham Orchards on the edge of town draws crowds for its peaches and homemade ice cream from mid-May through mid-August.
Terrell sits about forty minutes east of Dallas on I-20, so the full range of Metroplex attractions is an easy drive when you want it — but the museum, the downtown, and the park make for a full day without leaving town.
FAQ: Things to Do in Terrell
The top draw is the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, which tells the story of the first British Flying Training School in the U.S. Terrell also has a historic downtown with ten hand-painted wall murals, the 100-acre Ben Gill Park, nearby Lake Tawakoni State Park, and the Silver Saloon for barbecue and live country music.
It's a museum in Terrell on the airfield of the No. 1 British Flying Training School, the first of the British Flying Training Schools in the U.S. (it began at Love Field in 1941 before moving to Terrell). From 1941 to 1945, some 2,200 RAF cadets, plus smaller numbers of American cadets, trained here, and the museum preserves that history with vintage aircraft and memorabilia. Admission is free, and it's open Wednesday through Saturday.
Downtown Terrell is a turn-of-the-century historic district with vintage lighting, brick sidewalks, and repurposed old buildings, known for its set of ten original hand-painted exterior wall murals that depict scenes from the city's history.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Terrell
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
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?
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