Whilst a full time touring household that’s been everywhere in the nation, we regularly discover ourselves in sure spots over and over. For us, one among these locations is central Texas. I believe this occurs as a result of now we have household in Oklahoma and this space is comparatively close by. Regardless of the cause, we at all times find yourself discovering enjoyable issues to do in central Texas, and I extremely advocate making a visit down there for those who ever have an opportunity.
Enjoyable in Cleburne
I’ll begin by speaking about our time within the little city of Cleburne. This city would possibly really be a bit bit far north to be thought-about “central” Texas, however we regularly find yourself there when staying in central Texas, so I believe it’s shut sufficient.
Issues to Do
We completely love the lovable historic downtown space in Cleburne, and discover that wandering the lovable Principal Road is a enjoyable approach to go a bit time. The truth is, that is how we stumbled throughout the Layland Museum of Historical past. This museum is small however nicely put collectively, and it’s 100% free to go to. We loved studying a bit concerning the historical past of the realm, and I used to be fascinated by the previous theater that you could see upstairs.
We additionally actually loved the Chisholm Path Outside Museum whereas in Clerburne. Throughout our go to to this place, we had been really handled to a personal tour of the historic buildings as a result of we visited throughout a sluggish time. That mentioned, I extremely advocate timing your go to to coincide with a residing historical past occasion, because the occasions sound unbelievable.
Lastly, I have to point out the Texas Kids’s Museum. We visited this attraction earlier than our daughter was born, however our son was solely 6 or 7 on the time and completely adored it. The place has a ton of various rooms and each room boasts one thing completely different to do. There’s a sand pit room, a LEGO room, a music room, a big climbing construction, and a lot extra!
Different issues to do in Cleburne embrace:
- Cleburne Railroad Museum
- Gone With the Wind Museum
- JN Lengthy Cultural Arts Heart
- Lowell Smith Historical past Heart
- Dinosaur Science Museum
- Vintage purchasing
- Cleburne State Park
The place to Eat
We ate at Grumps Burgers in Cleburne and loved our expertise very a lot. We particularly liked that the soda dispenser included regionally made soda choices!
The place We Stayed
Thousand Trails Lake Whitney is our homebase for visiting Cleburne. Being Thousand Trails members, this is sensible for us, and we do benefit from the park regardless of the horribly rutted roads. If you’re a Thousand Trails member, this park is an efficient choose. In any other case, you would possibly contemplate tenting at Cleburne State Park.
Wandering Waco
On our final go to to central Texas, we determined to take a look at the city of Waco. I didn’t count on a lot actually, however ended up discovering a number of enjoyable issues to see and do.
What to Do
We drove into Waco two instances. The primary day, we visited the Waco Mammoth Nationwide Monument, one thing we’d visited years earlier than however didn’t bear in mind nicely. Guys, this place is so cool. It’s an NPS website that protects the mammoth fossils that had been present in Waco. The park can also be nonetheless an energetic dig website, which means you see fossils nonetheless within the floor! Attend the ranger speak throughout your go to. It’s nicely worthwhile.
The second day we visited Waco was spent on the Dr. Pepper Museum. I like area of interest little museums so this was proper up my alley, and I wasn’t disenchanted. The museum detailed the historical past of soda as an entire (with a particular deal with Dr. Pepper in fact). I actually imagine even somebody who doesn’t drink soda would get pleasure from this museum if they’re concerned with historical past, and those that do get pleasure from soda will recognize the complimentary beverage on the finish of the tour.
Different issues to do in Waco embrace:
- Cameron Park Zoo
- Texas Ranger Corridor of Fame and Museum
- Magnolia Market
- Mayborn Museum Complicated
The place to Eat
Waco is the place we found the Texas chain, Tejun – The Texas Cajun. I’m an enormous fan of Cajun meals so we needed to attempt it, and we had been fairly pleased with our alternative. The costs are truthful and the meals is flavorful, and it curbed my Cajun craving properly. We additionally appreciated the again deck the place you may sit out over the water in good climate.
The place We Stayed
We drove to Waco from Thousand Trails Lake Whitney. Like I mentioned earlier than, this can be a good possibility for Thousand Trails members. Those that aren’t part of Thousand Trails would possibly wish to look into staying at Mom Neff State Park.
Checking Out Glen Rose
We really didn’t spend an entire lot of time in Glen Rose itself; we solely visited for a day. Nonetheless, we totally loved what we noticed and can completely be again!
What to Do
As talked about above, we didn’t spend very a lot time in Glen Rose. We actually simply visited to take a look at Dinosaur Valley State Park, and it was nicely definitely worth the drive. (Completely among the best issues to do in central Texas.)
This park is superior as a result of it’s house to precise fossilized dinosaur footprints. The prints are within the riverbed, which means you actually wish to go to when the water degree is low as a way to make sure you see them. We additionally advocate testing the customer heart, attending a ranger speak, and performing some mountaineering whereas within the park.
Different issues to do in Glen Rose embrace:
- Fossil Rim Wildlife Heart
- Paluxy Heritage Park
- Dinosaur World
- Somerville County Museum
The place to Eat
After exploring the state park, we headed into city for a fast deal with at Shoo-Fly Soda Store. We didn’t get any precise meals, however did totally get pleasure from our ice cream in addition to the lovable store and pleasant Texas-style service. I hope to at some point return to this cute space to discover some extra!
The place We Stayed
After we visited Glen Rose, we had been staying in one of many Texas Thousand Trails parks (although it’s been some time and I couldn’t inform you precisely which). That mentioned, I actually want we had arrange camp in Dinosaur Valley State Park. That’s proper, you may camp proper by the dinosaur tracks! And the park was such a beautiful place, I actually want we had achieved that.
Adventuring in Austin
Austin is my favourite metropolis in the complete state of Texas. This metropolis is simply lively and I adore it! I like the humanities scene right here, and the meals isn’t half unhealthy both.
What to Do
Exploring Austin was memorable for certain and is one among our favourite issues to do in central Texas. We completely liked mountaineering round McKinney Falls State Park. Throughout our favourite hike on this park, it rained and the bottom grew to become lined in slugs. Our son had a blast befriending the little critters after which shifting them off the path in order that they wouldn’t be squished.
Within the metropolis itself, our favourite attraction was Thinkery. This may appear odd, however you’ve gotten to bear in mind the truth that now we have youngsters. Thinkery is the proper place for teenagers, and to this point now we have spent two strong days on this place. The museum gives an excellent cool make-believe room the place youngsters can fake to be farmers, cooks, and all kinds of different issues. It additionally performs host to a water play room, a room for taking part in with gentle, a studying room, and an out of doors play construction.
Probably the most thrilling and distinctive factor we did in Austin was see the Congress Bridge Bats. For my part, this can be a must-see for anybody who visits town in summer season (when the bats name the bridge house). To see the bats, arrange camp on the southeast nook of Congress Bridge. (Present up early, as a result of it will get fairly crowded.) When the solar goes down, you may be handled to the unbelievable sight of lots of of bats leaving their roost underneath the bridge to exit searching. It’s a surreal and spectacular expertise that I’ll always remember!
Different issues to do in Austin embrace:
- Barton Springs Municipal Pool
- Texas State Capitol
- Zilker Metropolitan Park
- Bullock Texas State Historical past Museum
- LBJ Presidential Library
- Austin Metropolis Limits Music Competition
The place to Eat
No go to to Austin is full with out some barbecue. We tried a couple of completely different spots and determined that Terry Black’s Barbecue is our favourite. For dessert, discover one of many many Amy’s Ice Lotions places scattered throughout town; this can be a native chain and the ice cream is fantastic!
The place We Stayed
Throughout our time in Austin, we camped in McKinney Falls State Park. This park is positioned on the outskirts of town so it’s simple to succeed in sights, and as talked about above, the mountaineering right here is fantastic!
Extra Suggestions
Regardless of visiting the realm a number of instances, now we have but to expertise all of the issues to do in central Texas. Under, I’ve listed among the spots now we have on our checklist for subsequent time.
Fredericksburg
The lovable city of Fredericksburg has German roots. It performs host to some well-reviewed German eateries in addition to some cute espresso outlets, small museums, and boutique outlets. Their Oktoberfest is claimed to be among the best round!
Lyndon B. Johnson Nationwide Historic Park
NPS websites are at all times routinely added to my to-do checklist when visiting a spot, and Lyndon B. Johnson Nationwide Historic Park isn’t any exception. We hope to go to this park and be taught extra about President Johnson quickly.
Previous Tunnel State Park
Supposedly, this Previous Tunnel State Park is one other nice tempo to see bats. As a result of we liked our bat expertise in Austin a lot, I really feel like we actually must make the trek to this park to see the bats there.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Situated simply exterior of Johnson Metropolis, Pedernales Falls State Park appears like a enjoyable place to camp, hike, and swim whereas having fun with some stunning views.
As you may see, there are tons of nice issues to do in central Texas. I hope our household’s experiences have impressed you to hire an RV and go discover this space for your self!