10 Things To Do In Decatur, TX

These 10 Things to do in Decatur, TX, start with coffee and crafts!

Decatur, Texas, is a small town in North Texas and is an easy drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, making it a great place to enjoy the country and southern home-cooking. I don’t think anyone would get bored with these 10 things to do in Decatur, TX.

The town is known to many who live there as “Eighter from Decatur.” That’s evident all over town with murals, signs, and postcards. Years ago, a female railway worker deemed the town that name after her long gambling bout, and it stuck. But that’s no longer going on in town.

Decatur still has that small-town feel but now with a modern twist. It’s still a place where everyone knows each other and welcomes visitors with open arms.

Disclosure: We started early, met everyone for a coffee, then headed to the coolest studio in town to get our craft on. We spent an entire day with Ben, owner of DIY Studio Decatur, which included activities, lunch, and compensation. All opinions are our own.

Related: Best Texas Roadside Stops

 

10 Things To Do In Decatur, TX

Decatur is conveniently located within an easy drive for those seeking big-city offerings (Fort Worth or Dallas). However, the town has plenty of attractions for all ages on its own, making it a wonderful place to spend a day, weekend, or a week.

There are also many murals around town for excellent Instagrammable spots, and be sure to spot the old telephone booth in town. Taking a mural tour might just take a full day!

Related: Unique Glamping Spots In Texas

 

1. Trinity Street Coffee Bar

We started our morning in Decatur with coffee at Trinity Street Coffee, located on the northeast corner of Decatur Town Square. Rory and I loved the vibe and those red chairs out front. It just gives it that inviting look and feel. Trinity Street Coffee Bar is a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop, which means you can eat, drink, and get your coffee spiked if that’s your choice. The vibe outside is just as remarkable inside. And, you can watch the roasters make coffee that starts with beans. Ask for a tour.

2. DIY Studio Decatur & 8fd Designs Warehouse Store

DIY Studio Decatur is unlike any other craft studio I’ve been to. Here, you make it your “own” way. If you don’t like the picture, have something better in mind, and not like your neighbors (unless theirs is better), make it your way.

Their motto is More Choices, More Fun – the choice is yours.

Here are some of the things available to make at DIY Studio Decatur

• Signs for your home or office
• Candles
• Jewelry
• Home Decor
• Woodworking
• Knifemaking
• Customize Corn Holes
• Classes, Parties, Private Events
• and more!

And, you’re in for a surprise when you walk in. We walked into a warehouse full of Texas-made decor and pretty things I couldn’t keep my eyes off.

Yes, you can shop here too!

Most items in their warehouse store are 100% Texas-made right in the back of the store. There are a few things that other artists make and sell, and you won’t even believe the pieces of glass for sale and the incredible things they make from the glass. Be sure to ask Ben to tell you the story of the glass found on his property!

3. Decatur, TX Visitors Center

Depending on what you do first, you’ll want to swing by the Decatur Visitors Center to find information about Decatur and see the Historic Decatur Post Office turned visitors center and the Decatur Main Street Program. Built-in 1936 – it’s quite a show-stopper. Located at 106 South Trinity.

4. Shopping On The Square

There are lots of shops and eateries on the square that will keep you busy for the day. And marveling at the Courthouse is a thing to do, especially when it’s this pretty (see more below).

Harper & Riley Chocolate Factory

Have you ever made chocolate? Besides clothing, decor, and gifts, they offer chocolate-making classes. If you visit during a non-class day, don’t worry, you can purchase chocolate. We did!

Shop The Antique & Speciality Stores

The Decatur Town Square offers a unique shopping vibe with antique stores, boutiques, and good eats. There is something for everyone on the square.

5. Visit A Pottery Store

Take a pottery class at The Wright House Arts. It’s a husband and wife duo with lots of art knowledge in that building! If pottery is not your thing, there are other things to make. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this art studio and its location.

Look for the huge windows next to the old historic telephone booth.

6. Indulge At Hey Sugar Candy Shop

Go ahead, walk inside Hey Sugar and reminisce about the good ole days with its nostalgic candy from your childhood days I remember eating those candy cigarettes and those bad-for-your-teeth Sugar Daddy. They also have various retro candies, retro sodas in glass bottles, and ice cream treats to share …or not.

7. Take A Courthouse Tour

The Decatur Courthouse, with its solid pink granite, is one of the most beautiful courthouses I have ever seen. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of it–it’s that prestige. This is the fourth courthouse in Decatur, built in 1896, and is the oldest courthouse in Texas that has never been restored.

Courthouse tours are available by contacting the Visitors Center.

8. Capture Historic Downtown Decatur On A Walking Tour

Hopefully, you went by the Visitors Center and picked up a brochure on this historic walking tour. If not, take a leisurely walk around the square and notice at least 26 historic buildings. But the brochure tells it all – worth picking up.

9. Decatur Mural Tour

As I mentioned above, the town of Decatur has many murals. I believe they are making an app for all the mural locations. Be sure to contact Downtown Town Square.

10. Petrified Wood Gas Station

This old historic gas station is a sight and a picture-worthy icon in Decatur. If you’re lucky like we were, you’ll meet J.R. – the petrified wood gas station owner. He’ll tell you all about the Meridian Highway and this new thing called I-35! J.R.’s wife’s grandparents owned and ran the gas station back in the day. It’s a beautiful piece of history with its original gas pumps.

And, if you’re double lucky to visit in April, you’ll see the tulips and poppies.

 

More Fun Things to do in Decatur, TX

• Wise County Historical Society Museum
• Nock It Archery Center
• Wise Axe Games in Decatur
• LBJ National Grasslands
• Several Wineries in the area
• The Waggoner Manion – sad and abandoned, but it’s a historic mansion

 

Restaurants In Decatur

Whistle Stop Cafe

Whistle Stop Cafe offers large portions of down-home country meals at great prices. This restaurant is your stop Monday through Friday – closed on weekends. Don’t worry if you’re visiting on the weekend – plenty of other great places to dine in Decatur.

Travel Pro Tip: The cafe gets busy during lunch, so either go early or make it a late lunch to avoid the line.

Rooster’s Roadhouse

Great burgers next to Trinity Coffee Bar and Hey Sugar

Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes

Sweeties Pie’s is probably the most favorable place to have dinner in Decatur. It sits on the southwest corner of the square. My family and I have gone there a couple of times just for their delicious rolls and peach cobbler!

Casa Torres Mexican Restaurant

A top Mexican food restaurant in Decatur that locals love. It can get quite busy for dinner, but reservations are not required. They have a nice area outside to wait if needed.

Places To Stay In Decatur, TX

Fairfield Inn

One of the nicest hotels in the area.

Woodland Escape

Woodland Escape is a Texas-style private guest house rental on Airbnb where you can have the entire guesthouse to yourself. Some amenities include a swimming pool, fire pit, and hot tub, and minutes away from LBJ Grasslands.

Bed And Breakfast In Historic Decatur

Courthouse Suites Bed and Breakfast is located in the middle of it all in the Historic Town Square, within walking distance from the shopping and eateries. Just look for the orange door. There are three different suites to choose from, but you must be able to climb the stairs.

Walnut Creek Retreat Cottage

Rent the entire Walnut Creek Retreat Cottage. Located between Boyd and Decatur on 7.5 acres of private land with a gorgeous landscape. Lots of great amenities at both places.

Modern Decatur Farmhouse Getaway

Got a big family? You may want to rent the Modern Decatur Farmhouse that sleeps ten guests.

There you have it, lots going on in Decatur for sure!! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these 10 things to do in Decatur, TX and that you decided to spend some time there.

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