Located in the Bell County of Texas, Killeen is a place with lots of exciting activities to take part in.
It is a big city with the friendliness of a small town. And with plenty to explore indoors and outdoors, you’ll find fun for all the family when you take a trip to Killeen.
So, below are the top 10 things to do in Killeen, Texas.
1. Exercise Your Brain At The Great Escape Of Central Texas
Every trip needs a unique day out and that’s definitely the experience you’ll get at the Great Escape of Central Texas.
It is the first escape room of Central Texas, offering 6 individual rooms to try. This is a great activity for those who enjoy puzzles, mysteries, and working things out.
Most of the rooms have a minimum of 3 tickets required, so this activity is the perfect way to spend time with friends or family members, especially since you’ll get to be alone as a team in each room.
The difficulty varies for each room, as well as the number of players.
The six rooms are Lost Tomb of Anubis, Mobfather, Spellbreaker, Back to the Fourth Grade, What the F#@! Happened Last Night (Rated R), and The Cellar (only available to those 13 and over, accompanied by two paying adults).
At $25 a ticket, you won’t want to miss a chance to visit this amazing attraction and play lots of different games.
2. Try Something Sweet At The Rock And Roll Ice Cream Parlor
Though ‘Rock and Roll’ and ‘ice cream’ may seem worlds apart, they go together perfectly in this Texas original.
With friendly staff and numerous sweet treats, the Rock and Roll Ice Cream Parlor in Killeen is not to be missed.
It is the perfect place to relax no matter your age, and will provide a welcome break from all the exploring you’ll be doing.
The interior is colorful and absolutely true to the parlor’s Rock and Roll name.
The walls are decorated with guitars, t-shirts, posters, and pictures, providing a welcoming backdrop for the delightful front counter and all its different ice cream flavors and toppings.
A banana split with a huge scoop of sprinkles on top is never a detriment, after all.
If you get the opportunity, visit more than once and try lots of different sundaes, all guaranteed to taste spectacular!
3. Stretch Your Legs At The Altitude Trampoline Park
Killeen is filled with opportunities for family fun, and the Altitude Trampoline Park is an enjoyable day out no matter your age.
This recreational attraction is open every day of the week and has tickets available for everyone.
If you buy a jump pass, you’ll also be able to get involved in dodgeball and other high-energy activities.
But if you just want to spend time on the trampolines, there are tens of thousands of square feet to stretch your legs on.
Altitude Trampoline Park is perfectly sanitary too due to its Certified Clean program, so you won’t have to worry about your health.
Even better, Altitude has parks in several locations in the US, so you can buy a membership pass for an initial $1 and then $10 every month to get access to all the attractions if you enjoy your visit to the Killeen park.
4. Explore Outdoors At Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Despite its busy urban life, Texas also has some beautiful natural environments for you to explore.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake is actually located in Belton, but that is just over twenty minutes away from Killeen by car, making it a great way to explore a little beyond Killeen during your trip.
The lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and it is a great little escape from reality.
You can take a stroll around the reservoir and learn about the site’s mission to supply water and prevent flooding.
You can enjoy fishing, swimming, picnicking, and even scuba diving. The marina is a lovely spot and you’ll find the lake stunning from every angle.
Even with all the activities available for the public to partake in, Stillhouse Hollow Lake is still a relaxing spot to retire to when you want a break from being on your feet all day in the city.
5. Engage In Some Retail Therapy At Killeen Mall
Vacation shopping is pretty much an essential and you’ll have no problem doing it in Killeen.
The Killeen Mall, which was opened in 1981, is home to 100 different stores.
There are also several restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat and sit down to break up your shopping spree.
You’ll be able to find clothing, shoes, accessories, homeware equipment, and lots of gift and souvenir ideas. The mall is open every day of the week for you to drop by.
With so many different stores under one roof, you’ll be able to get all of your shopping done on the same day.
If you want to treat yourself further, there are also options for body piercings and manicures at appropriate stores. Whatever you choose to do with your day, Killeen Mall will keep you occupied.
6. Have Fun For Hours At The Lions Club Aquatics Park
If you’re planning to visit Killeen when the weather is hot, the Lions Club Aquatics Park will be the best place to cool off.
It combines a water park with an actual park, so you can enjoy the aquatic activities and then go for a walk or set up a picnic.
There are areas specifically for children to have fun, but the water park also has an adult pool, a diving board, and several slides.
Though the aquatic area isn’t too large, it offers plenty of fun for all the family.
Prices are very reasonable, with children aged between 4-16 paying $6 for a day pass and those between 17 and 54 paying $7.
For those aged 55 and over, a day pass costs $5, with children aged 3 and under entering for free.
Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, but as the park is the perfect place for family fun this shouldn’t be an issue.
You’ll be able to easily spend an entire day having fun and get the most out of your experience.
7. Educate Yourself At Mayborn Science Theater
Located in Central Texas College, the Mayborn Science Theater is a great way to celebrate all things scientific and educational.
There are different films and shows for you to enjoy, all with individual tickets available for really affordable prices.
You’ll be able to personalize your visit and experience all the things that you really love about science. Topics include planets, dinosaurs, stars, and laser shows.
The staff are knowledgeable and more than happy to share everything they know about the different exhibitions with visitors.
You can go on a guided exploration around the Planetarium and ask all the questions you might have.
The Mayborn Science Theater is also utilized to hold events, such as Geekfest, so you might be able to participate in some of those if they are happening during your visit.
But even without extra events, the Mayborn Science Theater is a fantastic resource that appeals to all ages.
8. Remember The Past At The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
With the United States military post ‘Fort Hood’ located very close to Killeen, it’s no wonder that there is so much military history to indulge in inside the city.
The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery is dedicated to remembering all the veterans who have died.
National cemeteries for army veterans like this one are created to memorialize everything that soldiers have fought for (and still are fighting for).
Each headstone is decorated with a burial flag and all are well cared for.
The memorial is a beautiful and somber experience that will have you remembering the past in complete silence.
Visitors are welcome to come and pay their respects and look at all the headstones.
You’ll be able to take a break from all the noise of the city and remind yourself of how important it is to remember the past and how it has shaped the present.
9. Enjoy Live Entertainment At The Central Texas Theatre
Not many people go to see live entertainment regularly, so spending the evening watching something spectacular at the Central Texas Theatre (also called the Vive Les Arts Theatre) will be a real treat on a trip to Killeen.
It is home to plenty of stage musical productions, with The Nutcracker, The 39 Steps, Tartuffe, and A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder making the 2021-2022 season line-up.
The Central Texas Theatre is a non-profit organization that offers a great experience for children and adults alike.
There are shows to suit everyone, featuring great costumes, exciting stories, and talented singers and actors.
The theatre’s dedication to providing high-quality entertainment since 1976 brings a real authentic feel to every performance.
You are advised to book in advance, so be sure to do that to receive an evening of incredible entertainment.
10. Hike Or Bike Up Trails At Dana Peak Park
The US definitely has some of the best hiking and biking trails in the world.
Dana Peak Park is located in Harker Heights, which is just an 11-minute drive away from Killeen.
There, you’ll be able to explore the natural environment by your preferred method. For those who love to hike, there are five hiking trails to try out.
If you would rather mountain bike, you can tackle some new terrain and choose between different routes depending on how many kilometers you want to ride.
The park is a lovely place to spend time even when you aren’t exploring the different trails.
Visitors are welcome to bring pets and have picnics and BBQs, so long as everyone cleans up after themselves.
There are rocky beaches that are great for a walk (with appropriate shoes!) and a pretty landscape to admire.
Whether summer or winter, you’ll have a great time getting out and about at Dana Peak Park.
Restaurant Recommendations
Everybody has their preferences, so in Killeen you’ll be able to find eateries serving cuisine to satisfy every customer.
Taiwan Dragon serves amazing Chinese food, Little Italy is great for Italian food, Korean Kitchen serves lots of delicious Korean dishes, and The Catch is one of the best places to go for seafood.
You’ll also be able to get some great food at Shilo Restaurant Killeen, Texas Roadhouse, Pluckers Wing Bar, and Meno’s Mexican Grill.
Being in a bustling city center, you’ll be able to try out lots of smaller eateries as well.
You can get fast food from places like Billy Bob’s Burgers and Fuddruckers, but there’s also the opportunity to discover some hidden gems around every corner.
Be adventurous and sample as many different restaurants as you can.
Accommodation In Killeen
Killeen has lots of good accommodations on offer for your visit as well.
Courtyard by Marriott Killeen, Best Western Plus Killeen/Fort Hood Hotel, and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Killeen all have outdoor pools and free parking.
If you would prefer a hotel with an indoor pool then you could choose to stay at Shilo Inns Killeen.
You should also be able to find several affordable motels if you’re looking to save some money on accommodation.
Ways To Get To Killeen
The closest major airport to Killeen is Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, which is located 18 miles away from the heart of the city.
Other close domestic airports include Waco Regional Airport and Easterwood Airport (located in College Station).
International airports nearby include Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
If you decide to drive to Killeen for your trip, you’ll be able to access all the attractions and activities mentioned in this list by car.
If you are not driving, you can use public transport and walk to find your way around the city.
Planning is key, especially for events that require you to buy tickets in advance, so you should decide on what you want to do during your visit and then work out the appropriate transportation.
Conclusion
With all of that in mind, you’ll be more than ready to start planning your trip to Killeen, Texas.
Part of the magic of visiting somewhere new is uncovering things to do that you wouldn’t have expected.
Try to see as much of Killeen as possible because it’s guaranteed that you won’t be bored for a minute there.
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