* See footnote
Temple is more than just a whistle stop! By Nancy Glover, CVB Manager, Temple Convention & Visitors Bureau important asset is its hospitality venues. With more than 30 hotels and 150,000+ square feet of meeting space, the Temple area is well equipped to accommodate groups of many sizes. Temple is also well positioned in the health care arena. With Scott & White Hospital and the Temple VA, hundreds of thousands of people come to Temple every year for doctor and hospital visits. Great vacations and diversions can be built around medical meetings, annual physicals, and other medical examinations. The friendly, peaceful, and fun outdoor life also encourages people to stay healthy. Temple has its own place in history and is the center location of much of the story of Texas. Temple itself has a great story as well. This is a town that has grown from a whistle stop to much, much more. It has the best medical facilities in the Southwest, one of the strongest economies in Texas, and great waterways, golfing, and museums. Best of all, it is filled with great and friendly Texas Fun people! The following list represents some of what the Temple area has to offer.
Photo of the interior of the Bell County Museum. Photo by Skeebo
www.templetx.org
*
T
emple is a city that is continually expanding and growing with entertainment, shopping, dining, lodging, convention center activities, and sporting events, among other opportunities. In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau counted 54,514 residents in Temple; by 2010, the population figure for the city was 66,102. That number continues to grow as development continues to abound, which accentuates the ever-present tourism industry. As new restaurants, shopping centers, sports facilities, and other tourism facilities make their home here, visitors will continue to make Temple their destination of choice. Temple has multiple assets and amenities to serve the tourism industry. One of its most important assets is its central location. The city is located at the intersection of Interstate 35 and state highways 36, 95, and 53, making it easily accessible via rail, bus, or auto. Commercial air service can be found in nearby Waco, Killeen, and Austin. Another
59