Short weekends are made for quick getaways from the busy cities.
Family road trips are a thing and will always be the best for family time together. Families want to get away, and road trips seem the best option for many. Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, it’s a great time to make these quick family weekend getaways near DFW happen.
There’s no better time than this year to take a family getaway and visit new places. We are sharing some pretty cool weekend trips within 3 hours of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Read on for a great family vacation near home.
Quick Family Weekend Getaways Near DFW
Today, I’m sharing some fun family weekend getaways I’ve experienced, as well as a few my friends have enjoyed. Grab a drink and a notepad because these places are too good not to visit.
To all nature lovers, get your mountain bikes ready!
Each weekend getaway near DFW mentioned here would be an excellent place for you and your family to take a break and leave the madness behind. Most are under 3 hours, with a few slightly over, but not by much. And if the kids get bored, you can always play those family games in the car.
11 Quick Weekend Getaways From DFW to Know About
1. LaRue (East Texas)
One hour and forty-five-minute drive from DFW.
Are you a fan of zipling? The New York, Texas Ziplines Adventure is located in LaRue (between Athens & Tyler). We’ve been there twice. The first time we zipped the 6-line course, I told Brody that next time we went, we would do the 9-line course. It was tiring, but well worth it. The last zipline on that course was the best.
There may be a coupon out there somewhere. Be sure to Google it.
Look up Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway Cabins, now part of the Marriott Bonvoy family), which are close by and make wonderful places to stay in the woods. You can also use Booking.com to find a place to stay.
2. Silver Spur Resort in Canton
1.15 hours drive from DFW off I-20.
Make it a Canton Monday Trade Days road trip with the family and stay at Silver Spur Resort. They have cabins, RV hookups, glamping wagons, and one cool treehouse. Plus a restaurant, pool, pond, and plenty of outdoor space for the kids to roam.
3. Cleburne
1 hour drive from DFW.
Cleburne, TX, has a wonderful downtown area with many boutiques, a candy shop, and great places to eat. The courthouse is in the center of it all. The best parts of Cleburne are the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum and Cleburne State Park. Read our article about our time in Cleburne, about our experiences, and how great this town is for a family visit.
4. Glen Rose
1.15 hours drive from DFW.
Do you remember flying through the air on a rope, then letting go into the lake or a pond? I sure do. I happened to catch these boys having fun the last time my mom and I were there.
Glen Rose, TX, is the Dinosaur Capital of Texas. With the Dinosaur Valley State Park, the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and Dinosaur World, you’ll never get bored, especially if your kids like dinosaurs. The state park has hiking trails, picnic tables, playgrounds, geocaching, and dinosaur tracks!
Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of the best day trips I’ve been on with kids. But spending a fun weekend camping would be fun too. If you have time, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center isn’t too far away. It’s great for young kids, but older kids will like it too. Remember that the dinosaur tracks are most visible with low water levels. The park has a store with supplies, some food, and even a small gift shop.
Don’t skip Glen Rose’s downtown area. It’s home to many boutiques and restaurants, and it’s a lovely place to walk around.
5. Granbury
A little over an hour’s drive from DFW.
When was the last time you visited this precious small town in North Texas? There is something always going on here.
Whether you want to shop for antiques on Main Street or relax with an ice cream cone on one of the benches in the square, you can do it all in Granbury, Texas. There are several excellent restaurants around the square where you can enjoy a good meal while listening to live music. Or maybe take a stroll down by the lake, where you can see wildlife and dip your feet in the lake.
Be sure to check out Stumpy’s Lakeside Grill for food and boat rentals.
6. Mineral Wells
1.15 hours from DFW – take the backroads!
It’s not called “Mineral Wells” for nothing. This town has bottled mineral water, ready to go. Mineral Wells, TX, is the Wellness Capital of Texas, not solely because of its water, but also for all the outdoor activities it offers. There is Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway, the Brazos River, many hiking trails, and Chandler Gardens to explore. Also, numerous historic sites and buildings downtown, and a variety of nice restaurants.
I finally had the chance to spend a couple of nights there to explore the town, and found at least 22 things to do in Mineral Wells.
7. Madisonville
2-hour drive from DFW off I-45.
Whether you’re an RVer or not, Yuletide RV Park lights up its grounds with holiday lights all through the year. Casitas are available to rent as well and are very darling, with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and decorated in holiday cheer with a Christmas tree!! It’s pretty cool out that way, plus there is a restaurant on-site that is walkable from the RV Park and casitas, and I believe I saw hiking trails. See how I spent one incredible night there.
8. Hico
1.45 hours’ drive via Chisholm Trail Parkway (toll) from DFW.
Have you ever stopped in to see what’s going on in Hico on the way to the Hill Country? You go right passed the small town. I finally did. It’s really a precious town, and I love how downtown is laid out. If you are at all curious about the life and death of Billy the Kid, you may want to stop in, too. There’s the Billy the Kid museum, as well as some good restaurants and boutiques, all within walking distance.
9. Lindale
An hour in a half from the DFW via I-20.
Lindale is tucked away in East Texas, and if you didn’t know it, it’s where Miranda Lambert is from. Her parents still live there. The town is hopping as the singer/songwriter has her winery, bar, and boutique in downtown. Along with the Lindale Candy Shop, it is hopping every day, all year round. Read all about my visit from last year – 14 Reasons to Spend A Weekend in Lindale, TX.
10. Mineola
1.40 hours from DFW – take the scenic route on Hwy 80 from Dallas.
Mineola is known for its historic charm and railroad history. I had a chance to drive through and spend a few hours there. Mineola will be one of the small towns I’m writing about in my upcoming book – “Small Town Texas.” See below what all I found to do in Mineola.
11. Turner Falls Park
1.5 hours drive from DFW straight up I-35N.
Okay, not in Texas, but it’s close! Close enough that many Texans cross the border to visit. Turner Falls is straight up I-35 North, and so easy to get to from Dallas/Fort Worth. My last trip there was with the Boy Scouts – my, oh my, I never thought I’d go camping in a tent, but I did, and it was terrible for me. However, my son and his friends loved it. Here’s our trip info: camping at Turner Falls.
Family travel has never been better, and these places are a great way to discover a fun destination you may have never seen before. Grab the whole family and plan a road trip today!!
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