5 Fun Day Trip Ideas Around Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth is a gorgeous city, whether you are a local or are just visiting. But if you want to venture out for a change of scenery, there are many lovely destinations near Fort Worth that won’t take too long. Explore surrounding counties, expose yourself and your family to different cultures, and immerse yourself in all that is Texas. Read on for our list of the top day-trip ideas around Fort Worth.

Chisholm Trail

Northern Mockingbird, Chisholm Trail, Plano, Texas by Robert Nunnally is licensed with CC BY 2.0

If what you’re craving is a break from technology and a need to reconnect with nature, a visit to Chisholm Trail in Plano, Texas, could be your answer. Within an hour’s drive from the Big Juicy, you’ll find a nature retreat. Chisholm Trail extends from Harrington Park to Jack Center Park on the north side. The picturesque and protected trail is a favorite destination for runners and cyclists alike. The trail follows a creek right through central Plano, making this walking trail an ideal way to start your morning or to unwind in the evening before bed.

Another option to take in the landscape of Chisholm Trail is via horseback. Stockyard Stables right here in Fort Worth offers horseback riding adventures. For $80 per person, you can take a one-hour ride along Trinity River, down the historic Old Chisholm Trail. Participants must be 11 years or older and weigh less than 240 pounds. Helmets are provided, but you must be flexible, as there are no set departure times. Rather, trail rides begin when groups are ready. For more information, or to book your trail ride at Stockyard Stables, call 817-247-2510.

Grapevine, Texas

In less than a half-hour from Fort Worth, you can score yourself some fun and relaxation in Grapevine, Texas. Historic Grapevine is centrally located right between Fort Worth and Dallas, making it a magnificent spot to meet and hang out with friends from different areas of DFW. If you’re a wine lover, stop in at Grapevine Springs Winery. The establishment offers daily wine tastings of three to four wines and has frozen margaritas and pina coladas to help you cool down from the Texas heat. Happy hour, which is Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m., features glasses of wine for $5 and happy hour food specials as well.

If you have kids, they’ll delight in a trip to Legoland Discovery Center. Take in a show at Lego 4D Cinema, let your smallest play in Miniland, or hop on the Kingdom Quest ride with your kids to save the princess. Conveniently located right next door is Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium. A must in Texas for any animal lover or aspiring deep-sea diver, this aquarium features Texas’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel. See the stingray bay exhibit, where their humorous little smiles are sure to charm you.

You can purchase a general admission ticket for Legoland Discovery Center starting at $24.99. Tickets for Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium begin at $19.99 per person. A combo special for a ticket to enter both Legoland and Sea Life starts at $37.99 per person. For Legoland information, fill out the online contact form. For Sea Life information or to learn more about the combo pass and interactive behind-the-scenes experiences with sea creatures, email [email protected].

Athens, Texas

If you don’t mind the 90-minute drive from southwest Fort Worth, Athens, Texas, is a quirky destination. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is one of the town’s most popular attractions. The center’s goal is to promote the wise use and conservation of Texas’s natural resources. See over 300,000 gallons of aquaria and other exhibits, as well as the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. This museum, dedicated to honoring the traditions and heritage of freshwater fishing in Texas, has interesting exhibits. Stop by the alligator exhibit and the farm pond exhibit for a little taste of Texas history.

Regular admission starts at $5.50 for adults. It is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. You’ll find the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center at 5550 FM 2495.

Other things to do in Athens include exploring downtown Athens to peruse a variety of specialty shops and art galleries. Stop in at Atticus and Co. Modern Goods on Larkin Street for a unique memento of your day trip to display in your family room.

Corsicana, Texas

Corsicana, Texas, famous for being the birthplace of the Texas petroleum industry, makes for a great and educational family day trip. Visit Petroleum Park, a 0.5-acre park dedicated in 1990. It commemorates the first oil discovery in Texas in 1894 on this site. What originally began as a search for water led to a booming commercial oil production industry. Features of the park you don’t want to miss include a 1923 wooden jail, a blacksmith site, and a historic oil derrick.

After the park, stop by Cotton Patch Cafe for some casual dining in a friendly atmosphere. This eatery on 7th Avenue specializes in Southern fare made from scratch. Keep things classic and order the chicken fried steak with a side of green beans. You’ll be satisfied the entire drive home.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

A visit to Dinosaur Valley State Park is a must for the future paleontologist in your life. Located on Park Road in Glen Rose, Texas, this park is a place where dinosaurs roamed. Spend time looking for dinosaur footprints along the bed of the Paluxy River. Explore 20 miles of trails. Swim, fish, or paddle in the river and make sure to catch sight of the creatures that call this area home. For more information, or to download a map for tracking dinosaur prints, visit the website.

So, there you have it. Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth has enjoyed sharing with you our list of the top day-trip ideas around Fort Worth. If you need a temporary change of scenery to calm your mind and disconnect, check out one of these locations. What do you think of our suggestions? Did we miss your favorite spot to disappear to when you need to center yourself or just want to relax in different surroundings? If we did, please let us know! Leave us a message sharing your thoughts, and we’ll be happy to check out your suggestions.