Whilst a full time touring household that’s been all around the nation, we regularly discover ourselves in sure spots again and again. For us, one in every of these locations is central Texas. I believe this occurs as a result of we’ve got household in Oklahoma and this space is comparatively close by. Regardless of the purpose, we at all times find yourself discovering enjoyable issues to do in central Texas, and I extremely suggest 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 may truly be a bit bit far north to be thought of “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 Foremost Road is a enjoyable option to cross a bit time. The truth is, that is how we stumbled throughout the Layland Museum of Historical past. This museum is small however properly 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 Out of doors Museum whereas in Clerburne. Throughout our go to to this place, we had been truly handled to a personal tour of the historic buildings as a result of we visited throughout a gradual time. That stated, I extremely suggest timing your go to to coincide with a dwelling historical past occasion, because the occasions sound unbelievable.
Lastly, I have to point out the Texas Youngsters’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 totally 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 Middle
- Lowell Smith Historical past Middle
- 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 cherished that the soda dispenser included domestically made soda choices!
The place We Stayed
Thousand Trails Lake Whitney is our homebase for visiting Cleburne. Being Thousand Trails members, this is smart for us, and we do benefit from the park regardless of the horribly rutted roads. In case you are a Thousand Trails member, this park is an efficient decide. In any other case, you may think about 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 anticipate a lot actually, however ended up discovering plenty of enjoyable issues to see and do.
What to Do
We drove into Waco two occasions. The primary day, we visited the Waco Mammoth Nationwide Monument, one thing we’d visited years earlier than however didn’t keep in mind properly. Guys, this place is so cool. It’s an NPS web site that protects the mammoth fossils that had been present in Waco. The park can be nonetheless an energetic dig web site, that means you see fossils nonetheless within the floor! Attend the ranger speak throughout your go to. It’s properly 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 a complete (with a particular concentrate on Dr. Pepper in fact). I actually imagine even somebody who doesn’t drink soda would take pleasure in this museum if they’re concerned about historical past, and those that do take pleasure in soda will admire 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 proud of our alternative. The costs are honest and the meals is flavorful, and it curbed my Cajun craving properly. We additionally appreciated the again deck the place you possibly can sit out over the water in good climate.
The place We Stayed
We drove to Waco from Thousand Trails Lake Whitney. Like I stated earlier than, this can be a good possibility for Thousand Trails members. Those that aren’t part of Thousand Trails may need to look into staying at Mom Neff State Park.
Checking Out Glen Rose
We truly didn’t spend a complete lot of time in Glen Rose itself; we solely visited for a day. Nonetheless, we completely 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 properly definitely worth the drive. (Completely among the best issues to do in central Texas.)
This park is superior as a result of it’s dwelling to precise fossilized dinosaur footprints. The prints are within the riverbed, that means you actually need to go to when the water degree is low with a purpose to make sure you see them. We additionally suggest testing the customer heart, attending a ranger speak, and doing a little climbing whereas within the park.
Different issues to do in Glen Rose embrace:
- Fossil Rim Wildlife Middle
- 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 completely take pleasure in our ice cream in addition to the lovable store and pleasant Texas-style service. I hope to sooner or later return to this cute space to discover some extra!
The place We Stayed
Once 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 let you know precisely which). That stated, I actually want we had arrange camp in Dinosaur Valley State Park. That’s proper, you possibly can camp proper by the dinosaur tracks! And the park was such a stunning place, I actually want we had carried out that.
Adventuring in Austin
Austin is my favourite metropolis in the whole state of Texas. This metropolis is simply vigorous and I find it irresistible! I am keen on the humanities scene right here, and the meals isn’t half dangerous both.
What to Do
Exploring Austin was memorable for certain and is one in every of our favourite issues to do in central Texas. We completely cherished climbing round McKinney Falls State Park. Throughout our favourite hike on this park, it rained and the bottom turned lined in slugs. Our son had a blast befriending the little critters after which shifting them off the path so that they wouldn’t be squished.
Within the metropolis itself, our favourite attraction was Thinkery. This might sound odd, however you’ve to bear in mind the truth that we’ve got children. Thinkery is the right place for teenagers, and thus far we’ve got spent two stable days on this place. The museum provides a brilliant cool make-believe room the place children can faux to be farmers, cooks, and all types of different issues. It additionally performs host to a water play room, a room for enjoying with mild, a studying room, and an outside play construction.
Essentially 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 the town in summer time (when the bats name the bridge dwelling). 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 improbable sight of a whole lot of bats leaving their roost beneath the bridge to exit looking. 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 just a few totally different spots and determined that Terry Black’s Barbecue is our favourite. For dessert, discover one of many many Amy’s Ice Lotions areas scattered throughout the 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 the town so it’s simple to achieve points of interest, and as talked about above, the climbing right here is fantastic!
Extra Suggestions
Regardless of visiting the realm a number of occasions, we’ve got but to expertise all of the issues to do in central Texas. Under, I’ve listed a few of the spots we’ve got on our listing 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 mechanically added to my to-do listing 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 cherished our bat expertise in Austin a lot, I really feel like we actually have to 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 possibly can see, there are tons of nice issues to do in central Texas. I hope our household’s experiences have impressed you to lease an RV and go discover this space for your self!