Vernon (Texas)

Vernon is a city in the North Central Plains region of Texas. It is the closest town to the Waggoner Ranch, the biggest cattle ranch in the USA under one fence.

Get in

Vernon lies on US Highway 287 between Quanah and Wichita Falls. Alternately, you can take US Highway 283 south from Altus, Oklahoma, or US 70 east from Crowell.

Get around

Like most Texas towns, you are best off with a car at your disposal.

See

• Red River Valley Museum, 4400 College Dr. This museum has, among other things, exhibits on the Waggoner Ranch, sculpture by Electra Waggoner Biggs, and an exhibit on Jack Teagarden, a famous jazz musician of the 20s, 30s and 40s who was born in Vernon. Tues-Sun 1-5PM. 
• Wilbarger County Courthouse. Built in 1928. 

Do

• Santa Rosa Roundup. This major national rodeo is held on the third weekend of May. 

Buy

• Dew's Custom Handmade Boots, 1819 Pease St, ☎ [phone]. 

Antiques

• Blessings Antiques & Etc., 1727 Fannin St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Jo's Corner, 1530 Main St, ☎ [phone]. 
• T-Cup, 1830 Pease St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Malone's Treasures, 1409 Main St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Little Attic, 2103 Paradise St, ☎ [phone]. 

Eat

• Bara's Fine Mexican Food, 529 US Highway 287 E, ☎ [phone]. 
• Brown Cow Family Restaurant, 3205 US Highway 287 W, ☎ [phone]. 
• Chicken Shack Restaurant, 3901 Wilbarger St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Doug's Pit Bar BQ, 1418 Fannin St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Grandads Diner, 1727 Fannin St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Mestizo Mexican Restaurant, 5115 College Dr, ☎ [phone]. 
• Mr Jim's Pizza, 4113 Hillcrest Plz # 64, ☎ [phone]. 
• Norman's Restaurant, 1601 US Highway 287 E, ☎ [phone]. 

Drink

• Crazy Mike's Saloon, 3108 US Highway 287 W, ☎ [phone]. 

Sleep

• Days Inn Vernon, 3110 Frontage Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• Green Tree Inn, 3029 Morton St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Holiday Inn Express, 700 Hillcrest Dr, ☎ [phone]. 
• Best Western-Village Inn, 1615 US Highway 287 E, ☎ [phone]. 

Go next

• Doan's Crossing, 15 miles north on Hwy 283 near the tiny community of Fargo. Six million cattle were driven along the Western Texas-Kansas trail which crossed the Red River at this point. Corwin Doan built a small adobe store here in 1881 to provide for the cowboy's needs. The building still stands today, along with a historical marker engraved with the brands of famous ranches around Texas.
• Lake Kemp, 25 miles south off route 183. This lake is popular for sport fishing.

Routes through Vernon

Plainview ← Paducah ←	W  E	→ Jct W E → Ardmore → Hugo
Clinton ← Snyder ←	N  S	→ Jct W E → Brownwood → Austin
Sayre ← Altus ←	N  S	→ END
Amarillo ← Quanah ←	N  S	→ Rest area → Wichita Falls → Fort Worth