Located about 175 miles northeast of Houston, Center is the seat of Shelby County, one of the oldest counties in Texas. Originally called White Cottage, the settlement that would eventually become Center, had a post office in 1848. Later, an East Texas State Representative by the name of Al Johnson introduced a bill that required every county seat to be located as close to the center of a county as possible. White Cottage was renamed Center to reflect the county seat's requisite location. In January 1866, Center was chosen as the new county seat.
Center experienced relatively slow growth over the years. Today, it has a population of about 5,300 and covers an area of 6.2 square miles.
When is the best time to visit Center, TX?
Center experiences hot, muggy summers and short, cold, wet winters. Temperatures usually range from 39 degrees to 94 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a year and seldom go above 100 degrees or below 26 degrees. For warm-weather activities, the best time to be in Center is from mid-May to mid-September.
When you're planning your trip, you should also consider whether you want to visit Center during peak or off-peak season. The city receives the largest numbers of tourists in February, May, and July. While you'll be able to experience Center at its liveliest during these months, you have to be prepared to deal with higher accommodation rates and larger crowds. If you want to pay normal hotel prices and have a more relaxing vacation, August or September may be a better time.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Center, TX:
Center by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean price trends by star rating class in Center, TX. You can use these illustrations to evaluate the cheapest months to book a room in Center throughout the year.
What are the luxury hotels in Center, TX?
If you're willing to pay more for accommodation, you can have a delightful stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Center. This high-quality hotel is located about 1.3 miles north of downtown Center, 1.4 miles from Shelby County Historical Museum and 5 miles from Center Country Club.
Hampton Inn & Suites Center has a wide variety of rooms to suit the needs and preferences of different travelers, from simple standard rooms to spacious suites with a sofa bed and large desk. All its rooms are beautifully decorated and equipped with free wired and wireless internet access, 37-inch HDTV, cable programming, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, cozy Hampton bed, and duvet covers. To provide a relaxing and convenient stay for its guests, it also offers amenities such as an outdoor pool, fitness center, barbecue grills, bar and lounge, business center, and laundry services.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Center is another preferred accommodation option among higher-end travelers. Situated about 1.8 miles north of Center, it's a short drive away from attractions such as Shelby County Courthouse, Lake Pinkston, and Sabine National Forest.
Each of the 60 rooms in this hotel features soothing décor and amenities such as complimentary wired and wireless internet connection, flat-screen TV, satellite programming, premium channels, refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer, and triple-sheeted bed. During your stay, you can enjoy a nice dip in the outdoor pool and whirlpool, exercise in the fitness center, have a picnic around the barbecue grills, get things done in the business center, and start your day with a complimentary buffet breakfast.
What are the affordable hotels in Center, TX?
3 Star Average Prices: £78.66
If you're traveling on a budget, consider staying at Americas Best Value Inn Center. Located about 1.6 miles north of downtown Center, this hotel is less than a mile from Shelby County Historical Museum, 2.3 miles from Community Park, and 9.8 miles from Sabine National Forest. It has 50 clean, comfortable rooms that are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, 32-inch flat-screen TV, cable programming, refrigerator, microwave, and hair dryer. As a guest, you can take advantage of amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, business center, and travel assistance. Complimentary continental breakfast is available daily.
Super 8 by Wyndham Center is another budget hotel worth checking out. Situated about 1.5 miles north of Center, it's within a 5-minute drive of attractions such as the historic Shelby County Courthouse, Shelby County Historical Museum, and Center Country Club. Every room in this hotel comes with free Wi-Fi, cable programming, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and hair dryer. On-site amenities include barbecue grills, business center, and laundry facilities.
2 Star Average Prices: £71.40
What are the best discounts in Center, TX?
The area around Center has many hotels that offer discounted rates to AAA members, government and military personnel, and seniors. If you're eligible for any of these discounts, you can save a substantial amount of money during your vacation.
Executive Inn & Suites Joaquin has special rates for AAA members, government employees, and members of the military. Located 15.6 miles northeast of Center in Joaquin, it's about 1.3 miles from Logansport Cowboy Statue, 3.2 miles from Sabine National Forest, and 13 miles from Center Country Club. It features 48 individually furnished rooms with free wired and wireless internet access, flat-screen TV, digital programming, microwave, refrigerator, and hair dryer. In addition, the hotel has amenities such as a picnic area, barbecue grills, and laundry services.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carthage offers discounts to government and military personnel. It's situated about 25.5 miles north of Center in Carthage, 1.3 miles from Texas Country Music Hall of Fame & Tex Ritter Museum, 2.7 miles from Footprints in the Sand, and 3.7 miles from Roadside Grave of Gentleman Jim Reeves. All the 69 rooms in this hotel come with free Wi-Fi, 32-inch LCD TV, cable programming, refrigerator, microwave, and hair dryer. Additionally, you'll have access to amenities such as an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, barbecue grills, 24-hour business center, meeting room, and laundry facilities.
What are the best value options in Center, TX?
If you're looking for a hotel around Center that provides good value for money, book a room at Sleep Inn & Suites in Center. This hotel is situated about 1.5 miles north of downtown Center, 1.1 miles from Shelby County Historical Museum, and 2.2 miles from Community Park. Despite its relatively low rates, it offers some amenities that are usually only available in more expensive hotels.
Each room in this Sleep Inn & Suites location features complimentary Wi-Fi, satellite programming, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and pillow-top bed. While you're staying there, you can relax in the outdoor pool, spa tub, and picnic area with barbecue grills, or work out in the fitness center and perform a variety of work-related tasks in the business center.
Best Western Plus Classic Inn & Suites in Center is another hotel that offers a pleasant stay at reasonable rates. Located about 1.7 miles north of Center, it's close to popular attractions such as Shelby County Courthouse, Community Park, and Lake Pinkston. It has 60 well-appointed rooms that are equipped with complimentary wired and wireless internet connection, 37-inch LCD TV, cable programming, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and hair dryer. You can make use of amenities such as an outdoor pool, spa tub, 24-hour fitness center, on-site convenience store, and business center.
What are the top attractions in Center, TX?
Nicknamed the 'Gateway to the Texas Forest Country', Shelby County provides excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. Just 10 miles east of Center, you'll find one of the largest national parks in Texas. Encompassing 160,656 acres, Sabine National Forest features a rich forest environment with a great diversity of plants and animals, as well as Toledo Bend Reservoir, one of the largest manmade reservoirs in the United States. Activities in the park include hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, boating, and fishing. If you enjoy hiking, explore the 28-mile trail that connects Toledo Bend Reservoir to Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
If you don't mind traveling a little farther, spend a day or two at Davy Crockett National Forest. Located about 60 miles southwest of Center, this 160,647-acre park consists of woodlands, streams, a 45-acre lake, wildlife habitat, and recreation areas. From the lake, you can hike a 20-mile trail that runs through a diverse forest with bottomland hardwoods, towering pines, boggy sloughs, and upland forests. Campsites are available at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.
If you want to explore the rich history of Center and Shelby County, tour the Shelby County Historical Museum. Comprising four buildings, this museum contains thousands of objects that provide an interesting insight into the area's storied past, including Native American artifacts, horse-drawn farming equipment, blacksmithing tools, and military items. Also, you can learn about the lives of earlier settlers in two 19th century log cabins.
Center is a great base for exploring East Texas because of its proximity to several national parks, excellent amenities, and quality accommodations. To save time and money during your vacation, you should select a hotel that's conveniently located close to the places you plan to visit and has all the amenities you need for a pleasant stay.
FAQs about hotels in Center