Several of my close friends and family planned a trip to Texas early in 2020. We excitedly looked forward to meeting up and spending some time together! Who doesn’t love an excuse to wear a hat and boots with your besties? Dallas is both metropolitan and country and I loved the mix! The people in Texas were all so warm and welcoming. Southern charm at it’s finest! I can’t wait to take my family back one day!
We stayed at the Gaylord. We were planning on attending a conference at the Gaylord, which ended up going virtual, we opted to continue with our trip. So happy we did! The Gaylord has a great waterpark and pool. I kept thinking how much my kids would love it! We were only there for a couple days and we kept ourselves busy, but so many readers had awesome recommendations of things to do and things to eat and I had to put together a travel guide for anyone wanting to venture to the Lone Star State.
You can print at this PDF HERE or just save it to your phone! Keep reading for more ideas….
What to do in Fort Worth and Dallas Area
- JFK Museum
- Perot Science Museum
- Dallas Arboretum
- Float Brazo River
- Float Guadalupe River
- Forth Worth Rodeo
- Grapevine Train
- Forth Worth ZOO
- Billybobs (largest line dancing floor! We went and it was so fun, even saw Riley Green perform!)
- Bureau of Engraving (where they print money)
- The Water Gardens
- Canton for Shopping (only specific weekends)
- Northpark Mall
- HICO Mercantile
- The Stockyards- (daily cattle drive, this was SO cool to see. They have it at two times, check their website for updates!)
Where to Eat in Fort Worth and Dallas Area
There is a sign at the airport that reads “If you are leaving the state of Texas hungry, you did it wrong”. Texas is known for great food. Here are some of the favorites that were recommended multiple times!
- Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ
- Reata Restaurant
- Heim BBQ
- The Woodshed
- Hopdoddy Burger Bar
- Uncle Julio’s
- Braums Ice Cream
- Torchy’s Tacos
- Velvet Taco
- HICO Mercantile
- Lupe Tortilla
- Heritage Creamy (for ice-cream)
- Blue Fish Sushi (great shops right there too)
- Buccee’s Gas Station (totally had a pulled pork sandwich, tasty!)
- Joe T Garcia’s (Mexican food was good, but the outdoor seating was magical)
- 900 Degrees Pizzeria (it’s close to the suspension bridge, neat to walk and see- go see the Baylor Bears)
While in WACO
Our hotel and the majority of our stay was in Fort Worth, but we couldn’t go to Texas without driving the 2.5 hours to Waco, Texas, home of Magnolia and so much more! We definitely could have spent more time here!
- Magnolia Table (biscuits and strawberry butter, say no more!)
- Magnolia Silos (shopping and get a mason jar with sweet tea or lemonade outside!)
- Silos Baking Co. (must try the cupcakes!)
- Drive Through Safari
- Float the Frio River
- Spice Village
- Cameron Park Zoo
- Cameron Park (lots of trails and walk along river)
- The Findery (home decor and clothing, just a short walk from Magnolia)
- Suspension Bridge
- Cameron Park Zoo
- National Monument, the Waco Mammoth Site
- Gather (cute little decor shop)
- Little Shop on Bosque (Joann’s Gaines first store)
- Home Craft Village (Water Wheel Grain Mill, shopping and Homestead Heritage to eat and trails and hidden bridges)
- Dr. Pepper Museum (just a short walk from the Silos. Waco is the home of Dr Pepper!)
- Harp Design Co. Store (Clint’s store from Fixer Upper)
- Walk around Baylor University (go see the real bears on the campus!)
- 900 Degrees Pizzeria (close to the suspension bridge and Baylor University)
- Heritage Creamery (for ice-cream)
We LOVED Texas!!! I am 100% bringing my family back one day!
