Fun Things to Do in North Central Texas – Planning a visit to Texas? Maybe you live here and you want a weekend getaway. Whatever your reason for stomping around, here are a few lesser known places to see in the heart of Texas:
While there are many ghost towns in Texas, only a few of them have remaining buildings. Some so called “ghost towns” still have people living in them, and that’s not really what you’re looking for.
Fort Griffin, and nearby Flat, are fifty miles northeast of Abilene. There is a historical park there for the fort itself, but just down the road is where the abandoned town of Flat stood. Flat had all the earmarks of a Wild West shoot’em up Sodom and Gomorrah. Wyatt Earp, Pat Garrett, and Doc Holliday were regular visitors to the town, as well as Big Nose Kate. The dirt roads are still there and a building or two. Some of the structures standing now are recreations, but others are the real deal.
Thurber, Texas once held 5,000 people. It was a company coal town about an hour west of Fort Worth, and there was a brick making factory there as well. Thurber Brick, which has the name of the town embossed on it, is now collectible. Many of the streets of North Texas were paved with this brick, and are to this day. Still standing in Thurber are the smokestack, the company president’s house, the company building (which now houses a fantastic restaurant), a cemetery, and a building near the smokestack. There is a museum in Thurber, but if you want to see pictures of what it was like before the fall, there are many inside The Smokestack restaurant, along with town memorabilia. Plus, they have great catfish. Thurber is right on I-20 and is probably the easiest ghost town in Texas to get to.
Wacky Stuff
What’s weird and wild to do Texas? Well, lots of things.
A visit to Glen Rose, Texas is a travelling debate on God, the universe and everything. So maybe you’re religious, and maybe you’re not. Either way, The Creation Evidence Museum is something to see, especially if you’re going to Dinosaur Valley State Park. At Dinosaur Valley you’ll wade or swim in the Paluxy River amidst dinosaur tracks. Next door at the Creation Evidence Museum you’ll see human footprints in dinosaur tracks and see videos of how creationism works. How’s that for a freaky four hours? If you’re still in the mood for strange, wild stuff, there’s a fantastic drive through safari down the road. If you don’t want to pay full price for the safari – have lunch at The Overlook Café and see the animals from afar. For the adventurous, there is overnight camping in luxury tents.
In Waxahachie stands a café that is known for its ghostly pranksters. One of the ghosts might even try to get a ride home with you! At night, when the waitresses reset the tables for the next morning, they sometimes have to do it twice. The ghosts have a thing for rearranging the silverware. At the front of the café are binders full of stories that former diners have submitted detailing their experiences with the haints. The food is great too! While you’re in Waxahachie, check out the courthouse. There is a relief that runs around the building telling a true story in pictures of lost love.
Kitschy Stuff
Remember the opening scene of Young Guns? There was an old man in the 1950’s claiming to be Billy The Kid. Well, that old guy lived in Hico, Texas and his name was Brushy Bill. There is a museum there with affidavits from Billy’s old girlfriend affirming that it’s really him. All of the collected ‘evidence’ is there for you to decide whether to believe the story or not. While you’re there, debate it with your travelling companions over a homemade donut at the Koffee Kup down the street.
In the quaint town of Dublin, is the last of the old time soda bottling plants. Perhaps you have heard of Dublin Dr. Pepper? They use real Imperial Sugar in every bottle. Around these parts you’ll see many a sign in a fast food window that says “Dublin Dr. Pepper on the fountain!” These places usually offer NuGrape and Big Red made with real sugar as well. After your tour of the soda museum and bottling plant, stop into Doc’s Soda Shop and have a Dr. Pepper float along with some of the best sandwiches you’ve ever tasted.
In the middle of a century old park in Waco is the city zoo. It’s not your run of the mill, popcorn strewn, here a rhinoceros there a rhinoceros affair. Some very strange animals call this place home. You can get right up close, at eye level with bald eagles. They’re much bigger than you think! The giraffe exhibit has a bridge you walk over so you’re face to face with them, and below the bridge, if you look down, are the tiniest deer, which are actually called Dik Diks. If you tour the rest of the park, there is a bluff at the top that overlooks Waco. The scene is much like one from a movie.
Natural Stuff
Right between Thurber and Weatherford, just off I-20, the Brazos River runs clear and cool. There are camping sites and tubing rentals and The Brazos River Catfish Café that has pleased palates since the 1930’s. Nearby you can get a great pecan pie at the Gilbert Pecan Company, and if you’re diabetic or you just like pie without sugar, they provide that option. If you get addicted, mail order a slice.
Have you ever heard of scuba diving in a lake? It’s possible at Lake Whitney State Park, near Hillsboro. There is, of course, fishing and camping as well, along with all the other things one can do at a lake, including hiking. With clear fresh water, though, you just have to swim.
There is a plethora of things to do in North Central Texas including watching the skies for the Stephenville UFO , rodeos , and staying in castles. Whatever you decide to do in North Central Texas, have fun, stay safe, and don’t forget water and sunscreen!
