8. River Bend Nature Center

I love going to River Bend! My favorite place is the Children's Garden, tucked away just beside the outdoor pavillion. The plants there are beautiful and wild, an explosion of color and texture. The butterflies, bugs and birds love it, too, and we've seen so many kinds there. The bubbling waterfall adds serenity making it a perfect place for picnics. Thanks for creating this little slice of native Eden! :)

Serene Beauty
If you want a great place to spend time by yourself, with your kids or the entire family I would whole heartedly recommend River Bend Nature Center. The Ruby Priddy Butterfly Pavilion is a particular favorite; a great place to view native plants, watch several species of butterflies and see if you can spot the resident hummingbird and quail. Follow the winding trail down to the pond and you’d never know you are in a city. It’s peaceful and such a lovely way to spend the day. At Christmas you really need to bring the kids – or just yourself – to check out Electric Critters – even Santa and the Missus have been known to visit!

Still the best kept secret in Wichita Falls, visitors may retreat from the hectic pace of daily life into the secluded woodlands of The Wild Side creek bed trail. Look and listen for sign of the local residents; cardinals, robins, bluejays, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, foxes, bobcats and others among the cottonwood snags, soapberry, sugarberry, pecan, buckthorn and red cedar trees. A unique ecosystem formed by the periodic flooding of the big Wichita River.

River Bend has not only the wonderful Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly Conservatory, but lots of flowers in the United Children's Garden - two ponds and a trail area that is full of trees (lots of shade) and full of birds and squirrels. I've seen armadillos foraging during the day, along with rabbits and raccoons. It is a tranquil experience to walk among the trees.

I love River Bend! They have a great gift shop with lots of eco-friendly and homemade gifts. I loved all the butterflies and pretty native plants. I learned lots form the friendly docent working. This place is great!

As of summer of 2007, not a good investment for a summer activity. The butterfly house/garden costs $6/$3 for adult/children and has not matured to make it worth while. Living in STL and paying similar prices for a butterfly garden you walked out enjoying the experience, I walked out of River Bend feeling a bit taken.