Killeen was originally a railroad town. It came to be on May 15, 1882, when William "Wild Bill" Scoggins rode into town on the train and promptly lassoed the smokestack on the engine. In 1942, the town became a major military presence with the construction of Camp Hood.
Because of the two instances, Killeen's history is known as "a tale of two cities."
Killeen was named after Frank P. Killeen who worked in an official capacity for the railroad. Fort Hood is named after General John Bell Hood of the Confederate army.
In 1950, Camp Hood became Fort Hood and serves as a permanent military installation.
The town has traveled its own course in history with its beginnings as a railroad hub for shipping agricultural products to today being the only U. S. post with the facilities and personnel to station and train two armored divisions.
When to Visit Killeen, TX
When visiting Killeen, be prepared for wide-open spaces, rolling hills, and impressive lakes inviting you to explore all that the city has to offer both business and leisure travelers.
You can also expect sizzling temperatures during the summer that reach nearly 100 degrees and a low comfort index for humidity.
Winter temperatures average around 36 degrees with negligible snowfall. Rainfall is also minimal with an average of 64 days each year with significant precipitation.
The best time to visit Killeen when the temperatures are comfortable and attractions aren't crowded is September and October. The weather is nice enough to enjoy the many outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking, and fishing.
February is the off-season for Killeen. Although temperatures can be brisk, it is the time of year that draws the least visitors.
From May through August is the busiest time of year with August having the heaviest air travel traffic. Many visitors make their way to Killeen to take advantage of outdoor hiking excursions, boating and fishing on the lakes, and campers who want to experience the great outdoors of Texas.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Killeen, TX:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average price trends by star rating class in Killeen, TX. Analyze these line graphs to calculate the cheapest time to stay in Killeen for your upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotel Options in Killeen, TX
4 Star Average Prices: £218.66
Fairfield Inn & Suites Killeen offers suites and guest rooms suited to your every need. Beautifully decorated and furnished with contemporary accessories, each king or double room, or one-bedroom suite is spacious and includes a new bed and custom bedding and linens, microwave and refrigerator, cable television with HBO, work desk, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Included in your stay is a complimentary “Early Eats” hot breakfast to start your day on the right foot. The hotel takes care of your need to relax with a sparkling pool and exercise room, and the business center is at your disposal to stay up-to-date with work related matters.
Hilton Garden Inn® is an oasis of style and comfort ready to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers. Enjoy a spacious room fitted with the conveniences of home with a hospitality center that includes a microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator. Business guests will appreciate the large desk as well as the hotel's event space, and everyone will be entertained with the HD TV and complimentary Wi-Fi. You'll never run out of snacks and microwavable items at the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry®, or order a meal from room service. Swimming and the fitness center are readily available to help you relax after a day of traveling around town.
Affordable Hotel Options in Killeen, TX
3 Star Average Prices: £77.66
Comfort Suites® is a pet-friendly hotel that takes care of business and vacation travelers with comfortable rooms and plenty of amenities. The hotel offers easy access to Fort Hood, the Killeen Civic & Conference Center, and the city's two main lakes, Belton, and Stillhouse Hollow. Spacious non-smoking guest rooms offer everything you need for a convenient stay with rooms featuring a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TV. Start the day with a complimentary breakfast, then catch up on work at the business center, send items to be dry cleaned, workout at the fitness center, or splash around in the pool.
Hampton Inn is cozy and inviting with 62 well-appointed guest rooms designed with guest comfort in mind. Decorated in soft tones, each room features a Hampton bed, complimentary Wi-Fi, desk, coffee maker, chair and ottoman, and TV. King and double smoking and non-smoking rooms are available. A business center with audio/visual equipment is available for business travelers. Complimentary breakfast is served each morning in the brightly lit lobby/dining area, or as you're heading out, pick up an On the Run® breakfast bag to fuel your day. The hotel is conveniently located near several restaurants for your dining pleasure.
2 Star Average Prices: £59.24
Best Discounts in Killeen, TX
Holiday Inn Hotel Killeen turns business trips or special events into a stress-free experience. The hotel is conveniently located only four miles from the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, 45 minutes from Austin, and a short drive to area attractions. A 24-hour business center, high-speed internet, and conference room take care of business meetings. Rooms are designed for guest comfort with a microwave, refrigerator, and Wi-Fi. Additional amenities to make your stay enjoyable include a European-style pool and spa, 24-hour fitness center, and a complimentary local shuttle. Group visitors have experienced an average of 18.2 percent in savings at the 10.0/10 group-friendly rated hotel.
Residence Inn Killeen is an excellent choice for travelers in town on business, moving to the area, enjoying an extended vacation, planning an event, or traveling with a pet. Additional benefits include a convenient location near area entertainment, attractions, shopping and dining venues, outdoor activities, and near to Fort Hood. Hotel amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, outdoor patio, and a delicious complimentary breakfast buffet. Select a studio, or one or two-bedroom suite with fully equipped kitchens, plush Marriott bedding, and free Wi-Fi. Groups staying at Residence Inn have rated the hotel with a 10.0/10 for group friendliness and a 6.5 percent in savings for groups.
Best Value Options in Killeen, TX
Conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Fort Hood, Scottish Inns Killeen is one of the newest hotels providing excellent service and comfortable accommodations in travelers. Affordable guest rooms feature plenty of room, complimentary Wi-Fi, TV and DVD player, and a microwave and refrigerator. The hotel is near Killeen Mall, restaurants, and attractions. To get you on your way each morning, enjoy the selections at the complimentary breakfast bar.
Shilo Inn Suites Hotel Killeen takes providing full service to guests seriously. The hotel is dog-friendly, provides deluxe rooms and kitchen suites, offers airport shuttle service, and invites guests to a complimentary morning breakfast. The smoke-free hotel offers complimentary coffee in the lobby, a Cigar Bar, business center, pool, fitness center, and workout facility. Add to that, delicious meals at the Shilo Restaurant and tidbits and libations during happy hour at the bar.
Things to Do in Killeen, TX
When it's time to sit back and relax, the Vive Les Arts Theatre has live musical performances and theatrical shows scheduled throughout the year.
Throughout the year, Killeen hosts many festivals suitable for all ages. The fall season is perfect for the annual Four Winds Powwow featuring arts and crafts, music, and traditional dances performed by Native Americans. During the winter, enjoy the annual Wine Classic at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center and Holiday Under the Stars and Killeen Christmas Parade along with the lighting of the Christmas tree, Jingle Bell Run, and plenty of hot chocolate. Springtime brings the annual Rodeo Killeen, watch as the cowboys and cowgirls show off their special rodeo talent and technique. Throughout all the seasons, Killen schedules multiple arts festivals featuring local art, food, and entertainment.
When the stars come out, it's time to visit the Mayborn Science Theater. The planetarium has an impressive 60-foot dome for timeless viewing of the universe. Enjoy laser light shows and a complete night sky tour with the in-house astronomer, William Hart.
Scheduling tee time at a local public golf course is a great way to spend the day and enjoy the beauty of the Killeen's colorful landscape. Wind your way through rolling courses and lush forests at Stonetree Golf Course, the Hills of Cove Golf Course, and the Courses at Clear Creek.
Cooling off after a day of hiking, boating, or fishing at Stillhouse Hollow Lake or Belton Lake is another opportunity to enjoy two of Killeen's favorite destinations. At Belton Lake Recreational Area, along with the beach, there's also mountain biking trails, a paintball course, and two waterslide 300-feet long providing a thrilling ride into the lake.
Museums always offer a day of discovery and excitement and that is what you can expect at the 3rd Armored Cavalry Museum and the 1st Cavalry Division Museum where you'll see displays, exhibits, uniforms, and vintage military equipment including helicopters and tanks.
Killeen offers an array of interesting places to go and things to do that allow visitors to enjoy the history, culture, and beauty of Texas. Travelers will find the atmosphere in Killeen friendly and more than inviting ensuring the best of times regardless if your itinerary is for business or leisure.
FAQs about hotels in Killeen
What did travelers think of the city of Killeen?
Below are reviews of the city of Killeen, TX from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Proximity to Fort Cavazos"
Score
4.0 / 5
Being able to pick up my son from Fort Cavazos. He just returned from his last tour of duty from Poland and Germany, he'll be retiring very soon. Seeing your son return home safely after so long and those first moments seeing one another, were priceless.
David T., from 17-Dec-2024
"Great Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
We were there for an Army reunion and enjoyed their restaurants.
James B., from 21-Oct-2024
"Polite People"
Score
4.0 / 5
The people seem polite.
Glenna B., from 13-Oct-2024
"Restaurant Choices!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Restaurant choices!
Billy M., from 21-Sep-2024
"Restaurant Choices!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Restaurant choices!
Billy M., from 21-Sep-2024
"Very friendly atmosphere."
Score
4.0 / 5
Very friendly atmosphere.
Linda B., from 03-Aug-2024
"Near Ft Hood"
Score
5.0 / 5
I didn't visit the city I was in town for a family event at Ft Hood.
Reynaldo U., from 30-Jun-2024
"Convention Center and restaurants were nice."
Score
5.0 / 5
Convention Center and restaurants were nice.
Kade W., from 29-Jun-2024
"Very Good Food!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The restaurants had really good food.
Jerry J., from 22-Oct-2023
"Good Restaurants"
Score
4.0 / 5
We were there for an Army reunion and enjoyed their restaurants.
James B., from 10-Oct-2023
"Fort Hood"
Score
4.0 / 5
I was here for Ft Hood. Son came home from deployment.
Brenda W., from 20-Sep-2023
"Really GOOD Restaurants!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The restaurants had really good food.
Jerry J., from 11-Sep-2023
"Love It Here!"
Score
5.0 / 5
We love it and we are moving here!
Rosemarie H., from 11-Aug-2023
"Lots of restaurants!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Lots of restaurants!
Crystal S., from 25-Jun-2023
"Good Getaway!"
Score
5.0 / 5
It's good for a weekend getaway.
Neville B., from 15-Jun-2023
"Military Town"
Score
4.0 / 5
Killeen is a military town. Not terribly impressive. But it's got what you need, and the people are friendly.
Clare M., from 30-Jun-2022
"I highly recommend Wings Restaurant"
Score
5.0 / 5
I was there for a funeral service and not for sightseeing. However, the Wings Restaurant next to the facility was outstanding and highly recommend.
Richard T., from 31-May-2022
"Nice & Quiet!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Nice and quiet!
Latanya J., from 24-May-2022
"LOVE It!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Love it!
Patricia F., from 04-Jan-2022
"Love it!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Love it!
Patricia F., from 04-Jan-2022
"Great Area!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Easy access to highways, entertainment, restaurants and good willed people.
Cecil H., from 25-Dec-2021
"Very clean."
Score
4.0 / 5
It was easy to get around and very clean.
Kathleen R., from 22-Dec-2021
"Nice City"
Score
5.0 / 5
City of Killeen is nice. Many places to shop and eat.
Donna K., from 14-Nov-2021
"Nice Location Near the Army Base"
Score
4.0 / 5
We were there to visit out grandson who is stationed at the Army base.
Carol R., from 23-Oct-2021
"The Hub of Texas!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Killeen Texas is a central point of Texas. The beauty of this city is that it is just 45 minutes to a couple of hours away from all of the major cities in Texas.
Odell C., from 15-Jun-2014
The average traveler rating of the city of Killeen, TX shown above is
4.5 out of 5 based on 25 reviews