An All-Encompassing Travel Guide For Central Texas

Big Rocks Park sits along the Paluxy River in Glen Rose, offering free public access to giant boulders that are great for climbing and exploring. The shallow river areas and tree-shaded picnic spots make it ideal for families. Dogs on leashes are welcome, and natural walking paths run along the riverbank.

Squaw Valley Golf Course features two 18-hole championship courses—Apache Links and Comanche Lakes—set amid oak-shaded terrain beside Squaw Creek. Spanning over 7,000 yards with PGA-certified staff, practice areas, food delivery, and twilight rates, it regularly draws golfers seeking a challenging yet scenic public course experience.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is an 1,800‑acre conservation preserve where you can drive through herds of over 1,100 free-roaming exotic and endangered species, including giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, and scimitar-horned oryx. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it offers both self-guided and public guided tours across rolling Hill Country terrain. Notable for its behind‑the‑scenes and twilight safaris, the center helps breed endangered species.

Dino World, also known as Dinosaur World, spans across wooded paths showcasing more than 200 life-size dinosaur sculptures in bright settings. The park features kid-friendly attractions like the Dino Express train, fossil-dig zones, gem mining, splash pads, shaded playgrounds, and a sizable gift shop stocked with fossils and dinosaur-themed toys.

The Somervell County Expo Center and Texas Amphitheatre host diverse events year-round—from equestrian competitions, livestock showcases, and motorsports to concerts and trade fairs. The combined venue includes multiple indoor and outdoor arenas, plus a historic amphitheatre seating around 3,200. Iconic features like a water-filled moat and Greco‑Roman arches make it a unique, large-scale event destination.

The Granbury Opera House, built in 1886 and reopened in the 1970s, features ornate chandeliers, twin curved staircases, iron balcony railings, limestone walls, and pressed-tin ceiling tiles in an intimate 309-seat venue. Located in the heart of town, it hosts seasonal shows put on by the Granbury Theatre Company, following a $3.5 million renovation in 2012 to restore its historical charm.

Lake Granbury is an 8,310‑acre reservoir formed by damming the Brazos River in 1969, with 103 miles of shoreline ideal for boating, fishing, water‑skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Visitors to City Beach Park can easily rent kayaks or paddleboards on-site, enjoy beachside pavilions, and access a boardwalk adjacent to the historic downtown.

Historic Granbury Square is the centerpiece of downtown Granbury and holds the distinction of being the first courthouse square in Texas listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Framed by the historic Hood County Courthouse—built in 1890–1891 in Romanesque style—it features restored late 19th‑century storefronts, leafy sidewalks, and regular cultural events. Visitors can stroll around more than 40 boutique shops, art galleries, and eateries all within this charming historic district.

The Stephenville Historical House Museum preserves several 19th‑ and early‑20th‑century structures, such as a log cabin, rock cottage, Victorian home, schoolhouse, and chapel—all furnished with period pieces. The museum offers a glimpse into pioneer life, local ranching, and early education. Seasonal events highlight its heritage setting and rotating exhibits.

Great American Lone Star Ranch is a family-friendly petting zoo and working ranch located just off US‑281 near Stephenville. Visitors can meet and feed domesticated animals such as goats, cows, mini-horses, and camels. The ranch offers guided tours, pony rides, and educational interactions with the animals on spacious outdoor grounds.

Bull Lion Ranch Vineyard & Winery offers a scenic countryside tasting experience just outside Hico. This boutique winery produces small-batch Texas wines, including Chambourcin and Viognier, along with fruit blends. Visitors can enjoy a tasting flight in the outdoor patio or barn venue, complemented by live music events and locally inspired wine blends.

Hico Mercantile is a historic downtown general store turned multi-vendor marketplace. Within its vintage walls you’ll find local artisans, boutique gifts, home décor, and gourmet treats. The open-floor layout invites browsing among a variety of shops under one roof, making it a destination for unique finds and small-town shopping charm.

The Billy the Kid Museum spotlights one of Hico’s most unique attractions with exhibits featuring the legend’s memorabilia, period photographs, and a vintage soda saloon that serves Dr Pepper floats. Located on historic Pecan Street, it tells local history around the mythic character and draws around 9,000 visitors annually. The museum also hosts a life‑sized Billy statue and facades that recreate Old West charm.

Silver Spur Winery is a boutique vineyard offering tastings of Texas wines poured in a rustic, barn‑style tasting room. Visitors can sample varietals like Tempranillo and Black Spanish while seated on patio benches among oak barrels. The winery frequently features live music on weekends and pairs its wine with locally sourced cheese and artisan snacks for guests to enjoy a laid‑back, countryside tasting experience.

Riverhouse Grill, in a renovated historic home a block from downtown Glen Rose, offers thoughtful American dishes and house‑made sauces in an intimate setting. Chef Milan Olejnik Jr. focuses on fresh meats, vegetables, and scratch desserts for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Guests can dine indoors, on the patio, or in a private upstairs room.

Whisky Woods is a Roaring‑Twenties–style steakhouse in downtown Glen Rose featuring prime‑cut steaks, oysters, and craft cocktails in a historic building once tied to a 1923 moonshine raid. Patrons dine amid vintage décor that evokes the Prohibition era while enjoying a refined meat‑and‑seafood menu that celebrates the building’s storied past.

Sexton Mill is a converted feed‑mill turned restaurant and bar on the Paluxy River in Glen Rose, offering open-air dining, live music, axe‑throwing lanes, and river views. Guests enjoy snacks, BBQ-style flatbreads, and locally crafted beverages while riverside on the spacious outdoor deck. Its unique blend of recreation and casual dining draws crowds looking for fun and flavor by the water.

Hard Eight BBQ is a well-loved Granbury spot serving authentic Texas barbecue smoked daily over mesquite wood. Located on Highway 377, it offers a casual, friendly setting where guests enjoy brisket, ribs, sausage, and classic southern sides. Reviews highlight its flavorful smoked meats and welcoming atmosphere.

Loco Coyote Grill is a family-friendly countryside eatery in Glen Rose offering hearty portions of BBQ, steaks, burgers, catfish, shrimp, and chicken-fried steak. The rustic venue, featuring sawdust floors and scenic outdoor seating, regularly hosts live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Located just off County Road 1004, it’s praised for its generous servings and relaxed, welcoming climate.

Omaleen’s in Hico is a modern farm-to-table restaurant serving Southern-inspired cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. With a cozy atmosphere and a charming 19th-century bar, the menu changes seasonally to feature dishes like venison bolognese and smoked pork chops. The intimate setting and chef-driven approach make it a standout destination for a unique dining experience.

Grumps Burgers in Granbury is a casual burger joint known for customizable patties, tasty fries and homemade chips. Open since 2002, it features a wiffle-ball court on-site and has been recognized in local food trails and regional burger contests for its flavorful offerings. Visitors appreciate its friendly environment and wide selection of burger variations.

The Purple Goat in Granbury offers artisanal pizzas and an eclectic menu that includes craft cocktails, salads, and small plates in a cozy, modern setting. Menu items feature wood-fired pizza and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is noted for its creative flavor combinations on pizza and a welcoming indoor dining space.

Jasper’s Café in Bluff Dale offers a diverse menu of gourmet burgers, wild-game patties (elk, bison, axis deer), hand-pressed Angus, made-to-order pizzas, hearty sandwiches, salads, and thick milk shakes. Enjoy indoor seating or the covered outdoor patio in a casual rural setting. Signature creations include the “Glazed n Confused” donut-bun burger and rotating mini-pies sourced locally.