Head about 1.5 hours southwest of Dallas and you will find yourself is a fun and unique small town that is perfect for an extended weekend.
This small town is Glen Rose, TX, and it just might surprise you with all of the fun things it offers.
There are so many great things to do in Glen Rose, TX that you might even want to stay longer!
While Glen Rose, TX is most famous for its dinosaur history, I am here to tell you that this Texas small town has so much to offer.
Glen Rose, TX boasts a fun wildlife safari, some great State Parks, and loads of fun restaurants.
Let’s dive in and see all of the attractions in Glen Rose, TX, and why it made our list of romantic getaways in Texas!
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Glen Rose, TX Things To Do
Dinosaur Valley State Park
It’s no secret that Glen Rose is considered the ‘Dinosaur Capital of Texas.’
This nickname was earned million of years ago when dinosaurs roamed this area of Texas.
These dinosaurs left behind some amazing evidence that can still be seen today, thus giving the town its nickname.
One of the top attractions in Glen Rose, TX are the dinosaur tracks that are literally cemented in time in the Paluxy River in Dinosaur Valley State Park.
The dinosaurs that roamed here years ago left behind footprints that are cemented into the mud of the river, permanently freezing them in time.
You can easily find the footprints using GPS locaters.
Go to the park’s website and use your smartphone to help you search for the footprints.
Located near Glen Rose, Dinosaur Valley State Park is great to visit with your family during the summer months as you can enjoy seeing the dinosaur tracks before taking advantage of the other attractions the park has to offer.
Enjoy the easy life in the park as you search for the dinosaur tracks before enjoying swimming in the river, geocaching, scenic camping, searching for fossils, horseback riding, or hiking on the miles of trails.
If you choose to go camping at this state park, you can definitely enjoy the miles of trails offered here.
Of course, all of the amenities of downtown Glen Rose are close by, so you have everything you need within reach when you visit Dinosaur Valley State Park.
The dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley are one of the many great outdoor things that make Glen Rose a great weekend getaway!
Take note that the area near the state park can get busy on the weekend, try to visit during the week if you want to experience the park when its less crowded.
This is one of my favorite places to experience fall in Texas also!
Dinosaur World
As we mentioned above, life in Glen Rose was quite different throughout history, so it only makes sense that Glen Rose honors its dinosaur heritage.
Another cool dinosaur attraction in the area is Dinosaur World, a fun, family-friendly experience that your kids will love!
Located nearby Dinosaur Valley State Park, Dinosaur World allows you to explore hands-on learning while exploring the natural history of dinosaurs.
The on-site museum houses an assortment of natural fossils dating back to the dinosaur ages.
In addition, there are also loads of animatronic dinosaur displays that kids will love!
After visiting the museum, be sure to check out their gift shop to grab the perfect Texas souvenir.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Visitors to Glen Rose, Texas won’t want to miss Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a fun and unique adventure that allows visitors to get up close and personal with the park’s many species of wild animals.
Located near Glen Rose, in Somervell County, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center strives to protect and rehabilitate the many animals in their care, some of which are in jeopardy of being endangered species.
Fossil Rim offers both guided and self-guided tours, but please note that they differ greatly.
During a guided tour, visitors are taken on a safari vehicle and get to explore areas of the park that are not open to the general public, making this an extra special treat!
If you opt for a self-guided tour, then you are driving your own vehicle through the park while getting up close with the free roaming wild animals..
We opted for the self-guided tour and had a blast feeding the animals, especially the giraffe!
No matter which tour you choose, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center should definitely be on your list of things to do in Glen Rose, TX! This is a great addition to any weekend getaway or Texas road trip!
Somervell County Museum
Glen Rose’s Somervell County Museum can be found in downtown Glen Rose near the historic 1893 County Courthouse.
The Somervell County Museum highlights the history of this Paluxy River town from the prehistoric times to the present day.
You can learn more about the dinosaur track that made this town famous, especially if you don’t get to visit the dinosaur track at the state park.
During your visit, be sure to check out the 1901 log cabin US Post Office located outside. This post office is said to the be smallest and oldest US Post Office!
While the Somervell County Museum is small, it is definitely one of the ideas that you should include on your trip to Glen Rose, Texas.
Big Rocks Park
Visitors flock to Glen Rose, Texas to visit the fabulous Big Rocks Park.
Big Rocks Park, located on the Paluxy River, lives up to its name as it is full of big, beautiful rocks lining the river.
During your time at the park, you can swim, take photos, or just enjoy a picnic lunch at this free park.
Squaw Creek Golf Course
Golfers will love playing a round at Squaw Creek Golf Creek during their time in Glen Rose, TX.
Located near downtown Glen Rose, Squaw Creek is a 36 hole course.
Offering scenic views of the Texas countryside, Squaw Creek is a great local place to enjoy during your weekend getaway.
Downtown Glen Rose
Anytime we are touring Texas small towns, I love visiting all of the local shops and businesses.
Luckily, Glen Rose, Texas has many great shops to explore in and around the downtown courthouse square in the historic buildings.
Take time to explore the Glen Rose, Texas courthouse square where you can check out the many local shops, restaurants, and the country museum to learn more about why Glen Rose is the dinosaur capital.
Heritage Park
Glen Rose’s Heritage Park is another great place to spend some time outside while in town.
Here you can see the historic homes on site before enjoying a picnic lunch at the park’s facilities.
Kids will love the playground at this park as well!
Wheeler Branch Reservoir Park
If you are looking for a place to relax in Glen Rose, TX, then you need to add Wheeler Branch Reservoir Park to your Glen Rose itinerary.
Wheeler Branch Park has a floating dock, a boat ram, a nice fishing pier, a beach area, and some great picnic areas.
Barnard’s Mill and Art Museum
Another Paluxy River attraction is the Barnard Mill and Art Museum.
In 1860, this was a water-powered gristmill before becoming a cotton gin, a health spa, and a hospital before turning into its current attraction, the historic Barnard’s Mill and Art Gallery.
You can enjoy seeing the historic mill, which was started by Charles Barnard, one of the pioneers of the city before enjoying the artwork housed at the art gallery.
The Barnard Art Museum contains many works that make this stop well worth adding to your trip itinerary.
River Walk
The Glen Rose River Walk is located on the banks of the Paluxy River between Big Rocks Park and Heritage Park.
This scenic riverside area is a great place to enjoy views of the river and to enjoy some time outside.
The River Walk is an easy, paved walk that is the perfect addition to your list of things to do in Glen Rose.
Enjoy the Brazos River
It is no secret that Texas is hot in the summer. That’s why so many Texans take to the water during the summer months.
One of our favorite ways to escape the heat is to go river tubing. Tubing in Texas is truly a summer past time.
To try your hand at river tubing, head to the Brazos River. In addition to tubing, you can also enjoy kayaking and canoeing anytime of year!
Glen Rose Restaurants
During your time in Glen Rose, you will definitely want to check out some of the local restaurants in the area.
Here are some of our favorites Glen Rose restaurants.
The Loco Coyote Grill
Head to the outskirts of Glen Rose, Texas to find the fun and funky Loco Coyote Grill.
Serving up food in a cool, laid-back environment since 1965, the Loco Coyote is the perfect place to enjoy great food, live music, and cold drinks!
What used to be an old chicken coop is now a family-style dining venue that offers up good, southern comfort food.
We loved their coyote balls, chicken friend steak, BBQ platter, and bigger than your face cheeseburgers.
Let me warn you, the portions here are huge, so consider sharing if you don’t have a big appetite.
Sexton Mill
Glen Rose, Texas is also home to the fun, Sexton Mill restaurant.
This open-air venue is right on the banks of the Paluxy River and near downtown Glen Rose.
Sexton Mill serves up some unique cuisine that is a mixture of barbecue and Tex-Mex.
During our time at Sexton Mill, we enjoyed some delicious Cochinita Pibil (pulled pork) tacos and a wonderfully smokey beef brisket sandwich.
When you’ve had your fill of food, be sure to enjoy some of the games and activities that Sexton Mill offers, including video games, axe throwing, and pool tables.
This is a great way to see what local life in Glen Rose is all about. Be sure to add it to your trip itinerary!
Blackie’s On The Square
Time in Glen Rose, Texas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Blackie’s On the Square.
Blackie’s art-deco style setting pairs perfectly with its wonderful craft cocktails and delicious food offerings.
We enjoyed the BBQ beef mac and cheese and the Chicken Parm Pesto Flatbread during our time at Blackie’s on the Square, and both were delicious.
If you time your visit just right, you might also catch live music here!
Pie Peddlers
Pie Peddlers is an iconic stop in Glen Rose. People will drive from miles around to visit this pie shop, know for having some of the best pies in the state!
The pie selection at Pie Peddlers include traditional pies like cherry, apple, chocolate, and coconut, in addition to unique creations like coconut caramel.
Located near Blackie’s, Pie Peddlers is the perfect place to enjoy dessert during your weekend adventure.
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About the Author:
Michelle Snell-Founder/Writer
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks.
