LOCAL AREA Center, Texas
Nestled in the piney wooded of East Texas, just 12 miles down the road from Forest Ridge, is the vibrant community of Center, Texas. This once sleepy little town has been transformed in recent years and is now bustling with activity. Today, Center is a combination of many different groups... here you'll find retirees, oil field workers, young families, professionals, and even students, all proud to call Center home. In Center, there is always something going on, whether it be in the charming downtown square, at the Windham Civic Center, or during one of the many festivals or events…one thing is for sure, you'll quickly feel like part of the community, when you decide to live near the city of Center, Texas.
There are plenty of unique boutiques and restaurants to discover in Center, but you'll also find big box stores that have everything your family needs on a daily basis, including Walmart Supercenter, Tractor Supply Company, Ace Hardware, Hibbet Sports – just to name a few. This is your opportunity to live in the country, without leaving the city amenities and conveniences behind, as they'll be just down the road from your new country retreat at Forest Ridge.
Join in and meet your neighbors during the town's annual festivals including the "What-A-Melon" Festival in July and the "East Texas Poultry Festival" held in October. Other fun things to do in Center include the Rio Theater, Shelby County Museum, and The Day Lily Farm.
Plus, you could never go wrong with stopping to get a bite to eat at one of the local eateries like The Pizzeria, Sombrero's, Rancho Grande, Las Margarita's, The BBQ Joint, Chap's Bar-B-Q & Catfish, Darrel's Bar B Que, Royal Buffet, T/R's Steaks & More, Pickles and Petunia's, Sammich Shop, Pineywood's Seafood, Huxley Bay Marina, and many fast-food restaurants.
Nacogdoches
"Oldest Town in Texas"
Nacogdoches, Texas, known as "The Oldest Town in Texas" and is situated around 45-minutes from your new country homesite at Forest Ridge. It's located in the heart of Deep East Texas almost equidistant between Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and Shreveport, Louisiana. Nestled between three national forests and only a short drive from two of the largest lakes in Texas, Nacogdoches is home to Stephen F. Austin State University and has a population of approximately 33,000. Also designated the Garden Capital of Texas, Nacogdoches is recognized for its natural beauty, creeks, and trails. It's not only a place full of rich history, but a city you'll want to stay a while and then come back again and again.
Attractions
Stephen F. Austin State University: was chartered in 1923 and is home to more than 12,000 students. The campus is recognized as one of the most beautiful in Texas. Nestled in a breathtaking pine forest, SFA offers more than 120-degree opportunities and is known throughout the South for excellence in the Colleges of Education, Forestry and Nursing.
The Garden Capital of Texas
notable green spaces provide peaceful spots for relaxation and reflection and opportunities for edification and discovery. Some favorites include:
• Crepe Myrtle Garden
• Durst-Taylor Historic House & Gardens
• Jim and Beth Kingham Children's Garden
• Liberty Memorial Garden
• Margil Park
• Millard's Crossing Historic Village
• Nacogdoches County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden
• Old University Building Rose Garden
• Pineywoods Native Plant Center
• Plaza Principal
• Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden
• SFA Mast Arboretum
• SFA Recreational Trails and Garden
Whether you are a thrill seeker, water enthusiast or if laid back is more your family's style, Texas' first city has it all. Go biking down one of our many nature trails, zip line your way through our towering pines, or cool off in a natural, spring-fed pool.
• Camp Tonkawa Springs RV Park
• Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
• Ellen Trout Zoo
• Lake Naconiche Retreat
• Nacogdoches County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden
• North Forest Putting Course
• Skate-O-Rama
• Splash Kingdom
• Texas Pro Bowl
• Texas State Railroad
• Lanana Creek Trail
• SFA Recreational Trails and Garden
Nacogdoches Civic and Expo Center
The Nacogdoches Civic and Expo Center is a versatile, multi-purpose facility that regularly hosts events such as the county fair, PRCA rodeo, local and regional rodeos, circus, barbeque cook-off, vintage trade days, and various community programs and events. With more than 18,000 square feet of unobstructed open space, the facility is ideal for trade shows, conventions, festivals, weddings, corporate events, banquets and much more.
Parks & Recreation
As far as watersports and outdoor recreation, there are two great lakes just down the road from Forest Ridge – Lake Nacogdoches and Lake Naconiche. Both are beautiful places to fish, waterski, kayak, hike, go on trails with horses, camp, or just spend some time relaxing outdoors with your family. Wildlife sightings are a frequent occurrence in these tranquil outdoor retreats situated so close to your new country homesite. For even more great outdoor adventures, visit the Sabine National Forest (15 minutes away), Angeline National Forest (30 minutes away), The Toledo Bend Reservoir (45 minutes away), and Lake Sam Rayburn (50 minutes away). With 389 acres of land dedicated to parks in Nacogdoches alone, this part of the country is brimming with recreational and outdoor activities for the entire family to enjoy, so your lifestyle can be as active or as leisurely as you desire.
C.L. Simon Recreation Center:
features an Arts & Crafts Room, Gymnasium, Gymnastics Area, Meeting Rooms and a Weight Room.
Parks
• Nacogdoches Baseball Complex
• Pete Smith Athletic Complex
• Mill Pond Park
• Robert McCrimmon Park
• Temple Park Spray Station
• Lakeside Park
• Ritchie Street Park
• Festival Park
• Lake Nacogdoches East Side
• Lake Nacogdoches West Side
• Clint Dempsey Soccer Complex
• Eugenia Sterne Park
• Blount Park
• Coy Simms Softball Complex
• Sportsplex
• Liberty Hall / El Camino Real
• Maroney Park
• Ab's Park
• Dog Park Nacogdoches
Disc Golf Courses
• Pecan Park Course
• Pioneer Park Course
• Banita Park Course
• Lake Nacogdoches Course
Where to Shop & Eat
Antiques, cool art, trendy clothing, one of a kind jewelry. Nacogdoches has got it all in the bag on the historic downtown brick streets in their elegantly nostalgic shopping district. One of the most unique aspects of Nacogdoches is the large number of locally-owned specialty and antique stores you will find within the downtown area. Visit Nacogdoches' one-of-a-kind family-owned shops and restaurants; places that still do business the old-fashioned way. Treat yourself to a day of relaxation at one of downtown's salons or yoga studio. Historic Downtown Nacogdoches is the heart of Texas' oldest town, a community rich with history, commerce, entertainment, educational and cultural opportunities. Celebrated by visitors and locals alike, this year-round destination is bolstered by a mission of preservation and entrepreneurship supported by partnership efforts of devoted merchants, property owners and volunteers.
Where to Eat
As a top-ten tourist destination in Texas, Nacogdoches is known for putting Texas on the table. Unique dining venues range from some of the best-known barbeque and burger purveyors in the region to more upscale dining options. Enjoy a wide variety of cuisines in Nacogdoches' casual, family-friendly restaurants. From terrific Texas BBQ to the perfect taco or delicate French pastries there's something to satisfy every taste like the burger at Butcher Boys to Auntie Pasta's Chicken Capone, from pancakes and migas at Dolli's Diner to the onion ring tower at Clear Springs or brunch at the 1st City Cafè, any visit to Nacogdoches will have you playing favorites before you leave, as you'll experience flavors you can't find anywhere else.
Wineries, Breweries and Spirits
Nacogdoches has a burgeoning offering of craft brewers, wine makers and distillers. Enjoy a wine tasting, a unique craft beer experience or sip locally distilled bourbon in venues that showcase the beauty and history of Texas' oldest town.
• Cottage Wine Bar
• Fredonia Brewery
• Front Porch Distillery
• Naca Valley Vineyard
• Red House Winery
Shreveport, LA
Take the easy 1 hour, 40-minute drive from Forest Ridge and you'll be in the Cajun-cooking and casino hot-spot of Shreveport, Louisiana. Not only does this city boast five riverboat casinos and a racetrack/casino, but it also has more than two dozen museums, Gators and Friends Adventure Park, Sci-Port Discovery Center, Jubilee Zoon, Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, Red Herring Escape Rooms, and that doesn't even count all the restaurants and additional entertainment just waiting to be discovered! The great thing about Shreveport is it's a place you can enjoy as a couple or bring the kids and have a family vacation! There is truly something for all ages in this town. For those looking to get and stay outside, Shreveport is known for being a Sportsman's Paradise because of its natural beauty and abundance of gardens, wildlife refuges, lakes, etc. For some of the best fun of your life, come experience one of the city's annual festivals! Take your pick from Mardi Grace, Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel, Rockets Over the Red, and many more. Shreveport never lacks for something to see or do – you can dance, eat, or shop until your hearts content with a trip to Shreveport.
The style-savvy residents of the USA’s fourth-largest city know there’s no place quite like Houston, Texas. With more than 2.2 million residents, the city attracts visitors and transplants with a wonderful mix of world-class arts, booming businesses, professional sports and award-winning cuisine. And, the world is discovering what locals have known all along - Houston landed on several “best of” lists, including the Travel + Leisure round-up of America’s Favorite Cities and the Hotwire.com index of most affordable U.S. vacation destinations. In Houston, much of daily life happens outdoors, thanks to mild, year-round temperatures. Take time to explore eclectic, culture-filled neighborhoods, galleries and attractions, which offer diverse activities and vibes that can only be found here. Houston even has its own version of Central Park with more than 600 hectares of green space in the heart of the city. Just inside "the loop," an interstate highway around the city, Memorial Park is home to a public golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, trails and more. Downtown, Discovery Green is a park with Wi-Fi, a farmers' market, dog runs, fine dining and ice skating during the winter, just one more of the 650-plus urban green spaces filling the city.
Dallas, Texas offers incredible culture, entertainment and shopping! Take a stroll through the Dallas Arts District and discover some of the greatest architecture in the world. For a historic experience, visit The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza to walk through a timeline of John F. Kennedy's life and presidency. Sports fans are in luck as Dallas is the only city in the Southwest to host five professional sports teams including "America's Team" the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas has some of the country's greatest shopping including the world-renowned NorthPark Center. And with over 8,000 restaurants, the Dallas area has something delicious to please any palate.