Start on the square in Center, where the historic courthouse gives you a place to get your bearings. Shelby County's festivals and community gatherings can bring a lot of activity downtown. On a quieter day, there are museums and parks to work into the visit.
What's happening
See Center events on East Texan. We're building the town's coverage, and the Shelby County Chamber's events page is another place to keep checking. It publishes the East Texas Poultry Festival, Taste of the Holidays, the lighted Christmas parade, and other community gatherings. Follow the current year's listing for dates and ticket details.
For the Poultry Festival, the Chamber also publishes a daily program. Activities can take place at the square, parks, churches, or the expo center. Choose the address for the particular activity you're attending rather than assuming everything happens beside the courthouse.
Spend some time with the history
The Historic 1885 Shelby County Courthouse stands at 124 Austin Street on the downtown square. Architect J. J. E. Gibson built the courthouse, and members of the William Carroll Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas serve as its docents. The tour page lists admission as free, with donations welcome. Contact the docents before planning a group visit, and confirm current tour availability.
For another stop, the city's attractions page lists the Shelby County Museum at 230 Pecan Street. Call ahead for current opening hours. That page also points visitors toward the Rio Theater and local festivals, so it can help you put together a day around an event.
Take an afternoon outside
Portacool Park has walking trails, picnic pavilions, basketball courts, playgrounds, and an all-access playground. It offers another way to spend time in town if you'd like an outdoor stop between activities. Check with the city about seasonal sprayground operation before promising a water-play afternoon.
Center Park, off Roughrider Drive, has a fishing pond with a pier, a multi-use trail, picnic areas, playground equipment, and ball fields. The city's parks directory has more details to help choose the stop that fits your group.
The city's visitor page links accommodations, dining, shopping, and the Windham Civic Center. Start there when you're turning an event into a longer visit.
These resources were checked October 3, 2026. We'd welcome neighbors' additions about the traditions and everyday places that make Center feel like home.