Things to do in Canton, TX

Canton is a year-round vacation destination for people all over the great state of Texas and beyond. While we’re best known for our famous First Monday Trade Days, every day more people are discovering that there are endless fun things to do in Canton, TX no matter when they visit. Whether you’re renting a cottage or pulling in the RV, come live the resort life with us and check out these popular Canton attractions.

Canton city sign
Collage of Canton, TX attractions: Trade Days, downtown and Christmas store

First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX

What started more than a century ago as a flea market has become home to some of the most exciting, cutting-edge home furnishings, antiques and collectibles that can be found anywhere. Over the past 150 years, lots of things have changed in the Original First Monday Park, but the genuine down-home human relationship between vendors and shoppers is the reason people keep coming back. This is a place where you can slow down, visit and ask questions, talk to collectors and antique dealers, and meet the artists and craftsmen who create one-of-a kind items.

First Monday Trade Days, the world’s largest outdoor trade days, takes place Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of every month in Canton, Texas. Thousands of vendors from across the country turn this friendly East Texas community into a shopper’s paradise where you can find the rare antiques and collectibles, furniture, fine home decor, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, tools, produce and much more. Make plans now to come to Canton and enjoy the First Monday shopping experience.

And did we mention that Mill Creek Ranch Resort is located across the street from Trade Days?

2019 Trade Days Dates:

2019 Dates
January 3 – 6, 2019
January 31 – February 3, 2019
February 28 – March 3, 2019
March 28 – 31, 2019
May 2 – 5, 2019
May 30 – June 2, 2019

June 27 – 30, 2019
August 1 – 4, 2019
August 29 – September 1, 2019
October 3 – 6, 2019
October 31 – November 3, 2019
November 28 – December 1, 2019

For more information, and to get tips for shoppers,visit the First Monday Trade Days Website

2020 Trade Days Dates:

2020 Dates
January 2 – 5, 2020
January 30 – February 2, 2020
February 27 – March 1, 2020
April 2 – 5, 2020
April 30 – May 3, 2020
May 28 – 31, 2020

July 2 – 5, 2020
July 30 – August 2, 2020
September 3 – 6, 2020
October 1 – 4, 2020
October 29 – November 1, 2020
December 3 – 6, 2020

For more information, and to get tips for shoppers,visit the First Monday Trade Days Website

Flags in front of the First Monday Trade Days shopping grounds

Our Favorite Things to Do in Canton, TX

If you come to Mill Creek Ranch Resort when it’s not Trade Days weekend, don’t worry! There are so many fun things to do in Canton, TX for families, couples, retirees, singles, and everyone else. Check out some of our guests’ favorite attractions.

Paul Michael Company logo

Paul Michael Company

Rich with history and culture, the Paul Michael Company promises a “creative, kooky and fun” experience with each visit to their charmingly eclectic stores.Come be the treasure hunter, the enterta

 

Walking Distance | Visit the Website

Splash Kingdom Waterpark & Miniature Golf

A family friendly waterpark whose mission is to glorify God while providing a safe and fun recreation experience for families.  The water park features a kids castle, wave pool, lazy river, water slides, 3D Glow in the Dark miniature golf and so much more!  The glow-in-the-dark 3D mini golf course is open year round and available for parties. The water park opens Memorial Day weekend.

 

½ mile | Visit the Website

Splash Kingdom Waterpark and Miniature Golf
Yesterland Farm logo and aerial pic

Yesterland Farm

Come to YesterLand Farm for a nostalgic step back in time — it’s old-fashioned fun on the farm with a new twist! From Fall festivities to a holiday wonderland of Christmas trees and Santa, it’s all farm-tastic family entertainment in Canton, Texas! And they’re just one mile from the famous Canton First Monday.

 

1 mile | Visit the Website

Canton Main Street

Shop, Dine and Discover Downtown Canton. Shopping Downtown is a great way to spend a weekend here in Canton TX. There are many shops that offer antiques, boutique clothing, trendy fashions, fine jewelry, elegant antiques, collectibles and treasures, specialty shops, gifts for all ages, floral design, a museum and festivals. Restaurants and quaint cafes offer eating opportunities for all tastes. Come find that perfect little something and enjoy the sights in the historic district of Canton, just a few minutes from the resort. Canton Main Street Autumn Fest is the 2nd Saturday of October you don’t want to miss it. Watch for summer free movie nights.

 

1.3 miles | Visit the Website

Buffalo Creek Motocross Park

Buffalo Creek Motocross Park

Buffalo Creek is real motocross. Winding outdoor layout, great jumps, diverse obstacles with five different soil types. Separate 4 wheeler track also available. Fun for all ages. Live bands every Saturday night in The Door Club at the track!

 

1 mile | Visit the Website

East Texas Zoo

Relax by the duck pond and watch the Gators feed in their natural environment. View gator eggs, baby gators and adult gators of all sizes.  There are also ducks, snakes, swans, geese, lizards, turtles, fish and other reptiles to keep you entertained.

 

7 miles | Visit the Website

East Texas Zoo and Gator Park
Van Zandt County Country Club

Van Zandt County Country Club

Golf at the Van Zandt County Country Club is a family affair.  This beautiful golf course is an 18 hole mini verde Bermuda greens course. This par 72 course will challenge any golfer.  So bring the family and enjoy good food, family recreation and of course a fantastic round of golf!

 

1.1 miles | Visit the Website

Heritage Park Outdoor Museum

Founded in 1976 as a bicentennial ongoing project, Edgewood Heritage Park encompasses fourteen restored and furnished structures representing rural life in 1900 Van Zandt County. The outdoor museum preserves the rural culture and architectural heritage for present and future generations. Tour turn of the century buildings, such as the “Tomcat” Cafe, the Edgewood Band Stand, Gilliam’s Gas Station, a country store, barber shop and print shop. Experience a taste of what life was like back then.

 

10 miles | Visit the Website

"Welcome"
Blueberry Hill Farms logo

Blueberry Hills Farms

Blueberry Harvest happens in June and July each summer and opens 7 days a week.  The Blueberry Hill Farms is located in Edom, Texas,  ( 18 miles from the resort) since 1982 the farm has been open to the public for U-Pick Blueberries. In 2003 they added blackberries to the mix and now have both berries available.  The farm also has a  Country Store and Bakery, with Blueberry Preserves plus other fruit preserves, such as Fig, Peach, Apricot, Cherry, blackberry, etc.   The BAKERY has their famous Blueberries’n Cream Pies, Blueberry muffins, Blueberry Frozen yogurt, Blueberry donuts and Blueberry Lemonade.  This is great family fun and don’t worry if you don’t want to pick in the heat you can purchase the berries already picked.

 

18 miles | Visit the Website

Salt Palace in Grand Saline, TX

Grand Saline is the home of The Salt Palace, the only building in the world made of pure rock salt. During your visit, you will see films on how the salt is mined, and you can view the toy display and Morton salt items. Make sure to see the exhibit of Chris Tomlin, award winning Christian singer, songwriter and musician was raised in Grand Saline. As well as the Wiley Post exhibit, the man who discovered liquid oxygen. Make sure to get your salt crystal and “I licked the salt palace T-Shirt”. The Grand Saline Salt Mine and the Salt Palace is a dual location of EarthCache. So all you GEOCACHING followers this is a must. Plus make sure to check the date as each year Grand Saline hosts a Salt Festival every June, with live music, food and fun.

 

12.7  miles | Visit the Facebook Page

The Salt Palace in Grand Saline, TX front sign
Four Winds Steakhouse dining room

Four Winds Steakhouse

Located in the ranch house of former Dallas Cowboy Lee Roy Jordan, Four Winds Steakhouse is a rustic but modern ranch house that serves the finest steak and seafood that you can find in East Texas!  You can’t visit Canton without trying out this restaurant!

 

11 miles | Visit the Website

Jerry’s Pizza

So you want pizza, make sure to go to Jerry’s Pizza next door to Mill Creek Ranch Resort. Jerrys is a Canton tradition for over 35 years. Their dough is made fresh daily and they have a great salad bar for the healthy eater in your group. Bring some quarters for the kids to play some games as you wait for the pizza to be ready. They open at 4 on the weekdays and all day on the weekends.

 

Walking Distance | Visit the Website

Jerry's Pizza in Canton Texas

Athens Scuba Park

If you are looking for a bit of undwater adventure, be sure to take a day trip 29 miles south of Canton, TX to Athens Scuba Park.  This beautiful park offers scuba lessons and features a dive shop for all levels of diving skill.

 

29 miles | Visit the Website

Athens Scuba Park Canton TX
Robles Mexican Restaurant exterior

Robles Mexican Restaurant

Craving good Mexican cuisine?  Canton has you covered and Robles is just down the street in downtown.  They have all your favorites and they are open daily.

 

2 miles | Visit the Website

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

The Fisheries Center combines education with an entertaining experience highlighting the conservation of our aquatic resources in Texas. This aquarium and education center take a short drive to Athens.

 

10 miles | Visit the Website

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Latham Bakery logo

Latham Bakery

With a great selection of sandwiches, soups, baked pastries, coffee and much more, Latham Bakery is a local favorite and a definite must try while you’re in town.

 

1.5 miles | Visit the Website

Lake Fork

Known as the trophy bass fishing lake of Texas. Lake Fork holds 15 of the top 20 Texas State Record Largemouth Bass. It is comprised of 27,690 surface acres. From Lake Fork’s inception, it was created as a textbook fishery, including initial stockings before the lake filled. Lake Fork was established by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, as a premier bass fishing lake, with 732,514 Florida Black Bass being stocked from 1979 through 1987. Lake Fork offers excellent fish habitat with 80% standing timber left intact, and hydrilla, milfoil, and duckweed being the predominant vegetation. Other species of fish include catfish, black and white crappie, sunfish, and bluegill.

 

30 miles | Visit the Website

Aerial view of Lake Fork
I AmErica's Flags Canton

I AmErica’s Flags

One of the best things about Canton is the ability to find that perfect accent for your home.  I AmErica’s Flags can add a personal touch or make a bold statement with one of their quality flags.  Don’t miss out next time you are shopping in Canton.  

 

1.1 miles | Visit the Website

The East Texas Oil Museum

Located on the campus of Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. This fascinating museum houses the authentic re-creation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s from the largest oil field inside U.S. boundaries. Here, visitors see the people, their towns, their personal habits, their tools and their pastimes – all colorfully depicted in dioramas, movies, sound presentations and actual antiques donated by East Texas citizens.

 

63 miles | Visit the Website

East Texas Oil Museum front sign
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge, tiger

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge

Tiger Creek is a Big Cat Wildlife Refuge, with 140 acre preserve dedicated to over 35 rescued big cats. You can see these majestic animals, learn about the feline species known as Panthera Tigris and find out how you can help to ensure their future in the United States and worldwide.

 

40 miles | Visit the Website

YamaYoga

You are on vacation but don’t want to miss your yoga class…do worry just down the street is YamaYoga.  They offer daily yoga and Reiki classes along with facials, waxing, massage and so much more.

 

2 miles | Visit the Website

Yama Yoga logo
Lumber Yard Cafe logo

Lumber Yard Café

“Everyone knows brown food is the best” Voted 10 Mom & Pop Restaurants In Texas That Serve Home Cooked Meals To Die For, by Only In Your State. The restaurant has is all and will not disappoint. Located just a short drive up HWY 19 and HWY 80 in Edgewood.

 

10 miles | Visit the Website

CREATE NEW SLIDER OR DELETE THIS ONE?

Premium Pull Through RV Sites

Premium Pull Through RV site can handle 45 feet rigs, with both side slide-outs, tables, chairs, grill, and tree on each site.

Premium Back In RV Sites

Premium Back In RV site can handle 45 feet rigs, with both side slide-outs, tables, chairs, grill, and tree on each site.

Standard Pull Through RV Sites

Standard Pull Through RV site can handle 45 feet rigs, with both side slide-outs, picnic table, grill, and tree on each site.

Standard Back In RV Sites

Standard Pull Through RV site can handle 45 feet rigs, with both side slide-outs, picnic table, grill, and tree on each site.

Historic Canton TX has so much to offer. If you need some more information on our guide please give us a call.

Cabin Testimonial

Al Brooks

Great amenities - especially pools! Courteous Staff! Great location - go visit the Alligetors!' Quality Utilities. Well maintained. Will return when temps are below 100+

Cabin Testimonial

Christine David

Loved this resort, short drive for us first time RVers. Very clean friendly with lots to do onsite. The live music was great in main lodge Friday.

Cabin Testimonial

Tanya Portinause

Mill Creek was very nice! The grounds were well kept as well. We will definitely stay there again when we return to Canton.

We are now serving Hunt Brothers Pizza.

Hunt Brothers Pizza logo