Coffee, antiques, candy, eat, then repeat!
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. Driving distance – Decatur is about a 1-hour drive from Dallas and only 40 miles from Fort Worth.
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, the town was named after a female railway worker who had a long gambling bout, and it stuck. But that’s no longer going on in town.
Decatur will always have a small-town feel, but now with a modern twist. It’s still a town where everyone knows each other and welcomes visitors with open arms.
10 Things To Do In Decatur, TX
Downtown Decatur, TX, 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, making it a wonderful place to spend a day, weekend, or week.
There are also many murals around town for excellent Instagrammable spots, and be sure to spot the old telephone booth in the city. Taking a mural tour might take a whole day!
1. Trinity Street Coffee Bar
Start your day in Decatur with coffee at Trinity Street Coffee, located on the northeast corner of Decatur Town Square. 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. You can also watch the roasters make coffee that starts with beans. Ask for a tour.
2. Rocky Ridge Ranch ATV/Dirt Bike Park
The Rocky Ridge Ranch ATV/Dirt Bike Park is a 650-acre off-roading paradise outside Decatur. The park has gravel and play pits, hill climbs, and tracks for ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and mountain bikes. Camping sites and a stocked fishing lake are available for guests.
3. Decatur, TX Visitors Center
Depending on what you do first, you’ll want to swing by the Decatur Visitors Center to pick up information about Decatur and to see the Historic Decatur Post Office turned visitors center. The post office was built in 1936 and is quite the show-stopper. It is located at 106 South Trinity.
4. Wise County Veterans Memorial Park
This is a very beautiful and peaceful park with a red brick site for the remembrance of fallen soldiers and/or those currently serving our country. The park is complete with the “Path of Sacrifice and Valor” walkway to commemorate the lives of American soldiers who served from the Revolutionary War to the present. Address: 405 North Trinity St, Decatur, TX 76234
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 vast windows next to the old historic telephone booth.
6. Shops On The Square in Decatur
There are lots of shops, boutiques, and antiques 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).
Hey Sugar Candy Shop
Go ahead, walk inside Hey Sugar, and reminisce about the good ole days with its nostalgic candy from childhood. 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.
Shop The Antique & Specialty Stores
The Decatur Town Square offers a unique shopping vibe with antique stores, boutiques, and good eats. There is something for everyone in the square.
Main Street Antique Mall
Who doesn’t love to shop for antiques in Texas? It’s one of my favorite pastimes.
Main Street Antique Mall is a large mall over twenty years old located on the square. Locals and travelers love this mall. I can remember finding a few antiques here that I still adore today.
Nooks And Crannies
For fun curiosities and antiques, check out this shop. It also has been on the square for many years.
7. Take A Courthouse Tour
With its solid pink granite, the Decatur Courthouse 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. Decatur Golf & Country Club
Decatur Golf and Country Club is a 9-hole golf course located just North of Decatur. In addition to its exceptionally low golf rates, this country club also has a playground, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and a club swimming pool.
9. LBJ Grasslands National Forest Service
Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands offers hiking, camping, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, and bird watching. It’s a local favorite for outdoor activities. Located just North of Decatur.
10. Petrified Wood Gas Station
This old historic gas station is a picture-worthy icon in Decatur. You’ll meet J.R. – the petrified wood gas station owner if you’re lucky like we were. He’ll tell you 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.
If you’re lucky enough to visit in April, you’ll see the tulips and poppies growing wild
Places To Eat In Decatur, TX
There are plenty of good restaurants in Decatur. Here are a few of our favorites.
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 – there are 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 visited for their delicious rolls and peach cobbler several times!
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.
State Street Pizza Company
Family-owned – Tossed pizza
The County Seat
Speakeasy style bar located on the Historic Decatur Square.
Places To Stay In Decatur, TX
Fairfield Inn
One of the most excellent hotels in the area.
Woodland Escape
Woodland Escape is a Texas-style private guest house rental on Airbnb where you can enjoy the entire guesthouse. 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 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 suites to choose from, but you must be able to climb the stairs.
Modern Decatur Farmhouse Getaway
Have you 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 ten things to do in Decatur, TX, and that you decided to spend some time there.
PIN IT!
I just found your article re: Decatur Texas.
I was disappointed by your photos and descriptions of places and events on the square downtown Decatur, Tx. Some of the places shown in your article are “new”, less than a couple years in business and older stores no mention.
Two long time establishments on the square are owned and run by “seasoned elderly” persons.
These two stores are “Main Street Antique Mall” and “Nooks and Crannies” which have been in their established locations 20 plus years and sought after by most travelers. I’m sorry they were not mentioned in your travel article.
UPDATE: The famous Decatur Tx Courthouse is closed to public for restoration (2 years possible) and the “Museum” which burned to the ground and may not be rebuilt.
Thank you for allowing me a voice on your website.
Hi Shirley,
Thank you for your message and concern. While this article is over a year old, I can see some things have changed. Thanks for bringing these changes to my attention.
Also, I do know of the stores that you mention. The day we were there, we did not go in them. I’m going to add them to my article here just for you. I’ve been in both stores, but that has been some time.
Thanks again for your voice!