Short weekends are made for quick getaways from the city.
Fort Worth is surrounded by small to mid-size towns with something special about each. So if you’re visiting the city for some time or live there and want to get out and explore, these quick getaways from Fort Worth are some of our favorite places. We’ve got some cool towns to visit that are only one to two hours from the city.
Quick Getaways From Fort Worth
With many vacation rentals in this area, your family has more options. Each weekend getaway near DFW mentioned here would be an excellent place for you and your family to take 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 family games in the car.
Sometimes, we need to escape big cities and head to the countryside to relax and feel less stressed.
Cleburne, TX
Although Cleburne is only a short drive away from the city, the town has some amazing things happening. You’ve got Cleburne State Park, where you can camp, hike, and fish. The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum features engaging exhibits about Texas history and offers hands-on activities. The town square has unique shops, boutiques, and restaurants to keep you busy all day.
Possum Kingdom Lake
Possum Kingdom Lake is an excellent choice for spending time on a lake. Located west of Fort Worth, this lake offers great fishing, hiking and biking trails, and cabins to rent. Bring your kayak and a good pair of shoes for hiking!
Glen Rose
Glen Rose, TX, is the Dinosaur Capital of Texas. With the Dinosaur Valley State Park in town, 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! You can make a day out of it, and if you’re into camping, bring your tent and camp among the dinosaur tracks!
FYI – the dinosaur tracks are most visible with low water levels, so the tracks won’t be as visible if a downpour has happened. The park has a store with supplies, snacks, and even a small gift shop. There is also horseback riding available nearby that travels in the park.
Bay Landing Campground, Bridgeport
Bay Landing in Bridgeport, TX, is about a 45-minute drive north of Fort Worth—a perfect spot for kids to have fun away from home. There are RV lots and cabins of all sizes to rent. When we visited a couple of years ago, we stayed in a petite retreat (a tiny cabin) that was perfect for the four of us. I also brought my two dogs.
Bay Landing offers a variety of outdoor activities for you and the kids.
Family activities at Bay Landing include arts and crafts, fishing, a children’s playground, hiking, mini golf, catching crawfish with a cup in the lake, and then releasing them, as well as many other exciting options. Pets are welcome with a fee.
Granbury
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 great 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.
Mineral Wells
It’s not called “Mineral” for nothing. Mineral Wells has mineral waters. The other day, on Facebook, I saw three women from the visitor center driving to Austin to discuss with officials naming Mineral Wells the Wellness Capital of Texas. It passed the committee. The next step is for the House Floor to pass it, then the Senate. This will be a significant boost for the city. I’m waiting for this to happen before I visit again. However, in the meantime, there is Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway to explore, numerous historic sites and buildings downtown, and a variety of nice restaurants. UPDATE: It passed, and I finally visited!!
Weatherford
A great time to visit Weatherford is during the trade days weekend. The First Monday grounds are open from 9 am to 4 pm each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the First Monday of the month throughout the year.
Additionally, the next town’s annual Parker County Peach Festival is typically held in July. There will be peach everything there!!
Texas Hill Country
If you want to go just a little further, the Hill Country is an awesomely unique experience, and the Guadalupe River and the town of Fredericksburg are two of its highlights. It’s a little more of a drive from “quick,” but if you like scenic views, rolling hills, and luscious green grassland, you’ll go the distance – make it a long weekend.
Decatur, Texas
If you want to leave the city for the countryside, consider heading north to Decatur. The town square has great stores, a candy store, a coffee shop, and Sweetie Pies – the best restaurant in Decatur!
Another place to dine is Whistle Stop Café, an excellent restaurant for breakfast and lunch. It is jam-packed with lines at noon, so arrive early or late to avoid the crowds. Next door to that is the historical petrified gas station – an icon in Decatur. If you visit at the right time, you’ll enjoy both places with tulips growing in between. It’s so beautiful. Go in April to see the red tulips and other flowers. Go here to read more about what you can do in this country town – 10 Things To Do In Decatur, TX.
Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas, is a great place to visit if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. It’s also a great place to have a mother-daughter bonding weekend, take in some history, and enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner. It’s located roughly halfway between Fort Worth and Austin, making it easily accessible by car in a few hours.
Whether you want to shop at Magnolia Market or not, Waco has many other activities to see and do. Visit the Dr. Pepper Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Mammoth National Monument, and downtown Waco.
Far North Texas And Beyond
And if you’re looking to go north, Lake Texoma (Texas/Oklahoma) and Turner Falls Park (Oklahoma) are great quick getaways from Fort Worth. Oklahoma City’s Bricktown is amazing, too.
Quick getaways from Fort Worth are brought to you by the Texas Travel Talk team!
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