In Texas, there is a Canadian - but it is not a person, it's actually a city! Since 1887 when it was founded, it has been the seat of Hemphill County. It is located along the Canadian River Valley in the northeast section of the Texas Panhandle on US Highway 60 and is 200 miles from Oklahoma City and 330 miles from the city of Fort Worth. It has lush vegetation and beautiful topography with hills and mesas and is dubbed the Oasis of the High Plains. Canadian City attracts many tourists during the fall season and has an estimated population of 3029 people.
Here's what else visitors can do in Canadian, Texas.
What to do at Canadian Texas
There are many attractions to see, places to visit or dine, and recreation activities to indulge around Canadian City Texas. Among these places and attractions are:
Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area
The 5,394 acres Gene Howe Wildlife Management Area (GHWMA) is a scenic treasure with pastures, woodlands, natural meadows, and upland sandhills habitat. It is along the Canadian River and about 5 miles east of Canadian City. Some wildlife species that tourists see at GHWMA are coyote, bobcat, raccoon, eastern cottontail rabbit, black-tailed jackrabbit, feral hog, porcupine, Texas horned lizard, black-tailed prairie dog, white-tailed and mule deers, and prairie and western massasauga rattlesnakes. Bird species like the bobwhite and scaled quails, Rio Grande turkey, lesser prairie chicken, mourning dove, and burrowing owl are also present at GHWMA.
Researchers, students, and teachers also visit it for education and research purposes. Hunting of deers, turkeys, and ducks is at times permitted by management to control surplus wildlife. Other recreational activities at GHWMA include biking, camping, fishing, hiking, and horse riding. It is open all year except when during hunts for safety reasons. Inquiries on how each of the recreation activities cost can be made by calling +1 806-323-8642.
Citadelle Art Museum
This is non-profit art museum is on a house built in 1910 as the First Baptist Church and in 1955 the Church of Christ bought it for worship. In 1977 the family of Nahim Abraham (1885–1965) a merchant who immigrated to Canadian from Lebanon bought it and turned it into their home. After 30 years the family donated the mansion, its art, and gardens to be a public art museum. French artist Marc Chagall, German American illustrator Joseph Christian Leyendecker, and painter Mary Cassatt over the years are among the famous artists who have exhibited their art at the Iris and Oofie Abraham Gallery at the Citadelle Art Museum. This Gallery also hosts indoor events like parties, meetings, or luncheons for about 200 people. Citadelle Art Museum also has four gardens that host outdoor events like weddings, parties, and meetings. Every week it is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Entry tickets can be purchased online or at the visitor's Center on arrival.
Cost
- Adults $10
- Seniors 65 years old and over $8
- Free for children
See 'Aud the Dinosaur'
Canadian City's most absurd and quirky attraction is "Aud the dinosaur" perched atop a big round and rugged cliff on US Highway 83. This steel and concrete structure was built by Gene Cockrell (1927-2013) an artist in early 1992 at a cost of $2000. Cockrell built the one tonne, 50 feet long, and 17 feet tall green dinosaur to alert local Canadian City children on Highway 83 that they were arriving home. He also wanted travelers to ask about the dinosaur and be directed to his home and see his yard art collection. Cockrell named the dinosaur after his wife since 1947 Audrey. This green conspicuous dinosaur is nicknamed the guardian of the Canadian River Valley.
Canadian River Wagon Bridge
The historic Canadian River Wagon Bridge was first built in 1916 over the Canadian River waters. This 3,255-foot length metal truss bridge is nestled in lush vegetation and trees and is an ideal observation point for wildlife. Some wildlife, tourists view while on this bridge include wild turkey, waterfowl, and deer. The Canadian River Walking bridge is also on hiking, jogging, and biking trails worth exploring. Near the bridge are fish and duck ponds, a rodeo field, a driving range, and Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park.
Camping
There are two camping sites at Hemphill County and the main one is Hemphill County, Recreation Park on North 6th Street opposite Rodeo Grounds. It has 26 RV slots with water, electricity, and sewage disposal facility on site. The other camping site at Lake Marvin has a camp and RV site with water and electricity. Camping at both sites costs $20 a night and camping tourists can only stay for up to 5 nights. Reservations are not needed and tourists book the camping sites there on a first-come basis. For more information, potential campers can call +1 806-323-6521 to get details.
Golfing
Golf lovers can tee off at the 9-hole Canadian Golf Course two miles north of Canadian City. Opened in 1976 this semi-private golf course has tight fairways lined with trees and small, fast greens that challenge golfers on every shot. On Monday and Sunday, the Canadian Golf Course opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM and on the other weekdays, it opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 7:00 PM. Canadian Golf Course can be contacted at +1 806-323-5512 or by email at golfcourse@cityofcanadiantexas.com to learn about the golfing fees and memberships there.
Cost
- Adult 18/weekday $24/Weekend
- Students $12
- Seniors $15
Dining
Canadian City has several dining places tourists can visit to quench their gastronomic appetites with different cuisines and fast foods. These places include:
- The Cattle Exchange: They serve barbequed beef steaks, pork, Mexican dishes, burgers, salads, and chicken all creatively cooked to be tasty to multiple patrons.
- Ma Beasley's Donut Shop-Has tasty and beautiful ornamental doughnuts.
- Pizza Hut: Tourists can grab all types of flavors of pizza.
- Dairy Queen: Sells ice cream, burgers, fries, and other fast foods.