Texarkana

Texarkana straddles two U.S. states, with Texas on the west side and Arkansas on the east. State Line Avenue forms the primary spine through downtown, where you can walk across state boundaries on a single pavement. Most visitors arrive by car via Interstate 30 or train via Amtrak. A day spent here focuses on rail heritage, early 20th-century civic architecture, and regional barbecue.

Texarkana sits at the intersection of Texas barbecue culture and Arkansas Southern cooking. Pitmasters here smoke pork shoulder alongside beef brisket over hickory wood. Local diners serve chicken-fried steak, catfish platters, and fried green tomatoes. Expect straightforward counter service and generous portions at independent spots.

• Brisket and ribs

  Order barbecue by the pound at local pit joints along Texas Boulevard or Stateline Avenue.

• Lunch hours matter

  Popular barbecue joints sell out of popular cuts like burnt ends by 1:30 PM.

• Sales tax variations

  Sales tax differs between the Texas and Arkansas sides of town. State Line Avenue businesses account for this based on physical address.

Texarkana developed as a rail junction in the 1870s where the Texas and Pacific Railroad met the Cairo and Fulton Railroad. The state border was drawn prior to settlement, creating two distinct municipalities that share infrastructure. The city grew rapidly as a timber, agricultural, and freight transport hub.

1. 1873

   Town founded

   Railroad executives establish Texarkana at the intersection of Texas and Arkansas rail lines.

2. 1885

   Ace of Clubs House built

   Draughon family builds their distinctive octagonal residence, now a primary historic home museum.

3. 1924

   Perot Theatre opens

   The Saenger Theatre opens as an ornate movie palace, later restored and renamed after H. Ross Perot.

4. 1933

   Bistate post office completed

   Construction finishes on the federal building that directly straddles the state line.

Choose your stay based on transit access and proximity to downtown. Driving travellers usually select hotels along Interstate 30 on the Texas side for quick highway access and modern amenities. Heritage travellers seeking walkability to historic sites prefer locations closer to the downtown core.

• History enthusiastsDowntown — Walkable to the Federal Building, Perot Theatre, and local museums.
• Budget travellersEastside Arkansas — Lower room rates with short drive times into the central business district.

Texarkana is primarily a car-dependent city. Public transit options are limited, though downtown attractions can easily be explored on foot once parked. Interstate 30 and U.S. Route 71 serve as the main traffic arteries.

• Street parking in downtown Texarkana is largely unmetered, but check posted time limits.

• The Texas Eagle stops at Union Station daily, connecting Texarkana to Little Rock and Dallas.

• Congestion peaks along Interstate 30 and State Line Avenue between 7:30–8:30 AM and 4:30–5:30 PM.

Texarkana is an affordable travel destination relative to national averages. Meals, lodging, and attraction tickets cost significantly less than in major Texan or regional metropolitan areas.

• Barbecue lunch plate: $12–18

  Includes smoked meat option, two sides, and bread.

• Museum admission: $5–10

  Standard entry rate for local historic home and history exhibits.

• Hotel night (mid-range): $90–140

  Standard double room at highway chain properties.

• Coffee at local cafe: $3.50–5.00

  Espresso beverages and drip coffee in downtown spots.

• Sunday closures

  Many locally owned downtown restaurants and shops remain closed on Sundays.

• State law differences

  Alcohol laws differ between Texas and Arkansas counties; sales restrictions vary depending on which side of the line you buy.

• Card acceptance

  Credit cards are universally accepted across restaurants, gas stations, and hotels.

• Summer sun protection

  Bring sunscreen and hydration when visiting outdoor parks between June and August.

• Emergency services

  Dial 911 for emergency response. Dispatchers route calls based on your location relative to the state border.