The town of Weatherford has a population of around 25,000 and makes for a perfect day trip from Dallas. It is known for its historic buildings, most notably the courthouse that sits in the middle of town. Plus, it's known as the peach capital of Texas and holds a large peach festival every July!
Year round, the town also holds First Monday Trade Days on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the first Monday of every month. During the trade days, vendors gather to sell a wide selection of antiques, food and art. One more interesting thing about Weatherford is that the town has a sizable group of professional trainers in the equestrian competition of horse cutting.
Whether you visit as a day trip or a weekend getaway, Weatherford is a town full of historic charm and is worth adding to your Texas bucket list!
The Best Things To Do in Weatherford, Texas
Keep reading to discover how to spend one day in Weatherford and Mineral Wells State Park.
Hike in Mineral Wells State Park
Mineral Wells State Park is twenty minutes outside of Weatherford and is a beautiful location to escape the DFW area without going very far. It is a great place to go boating, swimming, hiking or even rock climbing!
We hiked the Red Waterfront Trail, a short trail with beautiful views that follows along the edge of the lake. The trail leads to a rock climbing area, Penitentiary Hollow, where you can watch people rappelling and climbing large and unexpected rock faces. You could easily spend all day in the park, but we spent the morning and then made our way into the town of Weatherford.
Coffee in Weatherford
Grab breakfast or lunch at this charming coffee shop and book shop. The Full Cup has a ceiling and tables covered in book pages, a huge selection of books at great prices, delicious coffee and vegan food options. The employees are friendly and accommodating, we really felt at home here!
This was our first time eating inside again during Covid. We felt safe as there was no one there except the employees. I had a rice and beans burrito and it was delicious after spending the morning hiking.
Explore the Beautiful Chandor Gardens
The Chandor Gardens is a historic garden and home that intertwines English and Chinese motifs. The estate originally belonged to Douglas Chandor, a portrait painter who painted several notable people including Winston Churchill.
Chandor built the home in 1936 and continued to design and create more areas of the garden and landscape as time progressed. The City of Weatherford bought the estate in 2002, and opened it to visitors to explore the beautiful grounds. It is commonly used for weddings and portrait photos.
The gardens are divided into a variety of unique areas, most inspired by symbols found in Chinese gardens. There is a bridge with Chinese symbols, multiple types of fountains, a labyrinth made of bricks and peaceful waterfalls. This is a peaceful and relaxing spot to spend time exploring and admiring the gardens and to take some photos.
These gardens exceeded my expectations! They are beautifully arranged and very well maintained.
Shop in Downtown Weatherford
Weatherford, like many of the small towns I’ve been to, has a wide selection of antiques for sale. Walk down Main St and you’ll find shops full of interesting objects, like Sparks Antiques and Collectibles and Main Street Mercantile. Also on Main Street is Twisted Snifter, a liquor store where you can find a rare selection of spirits. You could spend hours browsing these shops if antique shopping is your thing.
Visit the Weatherford Farmers Market
Stop by the Weatherford Farmers Market for a selection of fresh produce, local food and art. It is a great place to try the famous Weatherford juicy peach if you’re not visiting for the Peach Festival! They also have a large selection of plants, outdoor furniture and local crafts.
Dinner in Weatherford
To be honest, I had a bit of trouble finding food vegetarian options in this town. However, if you are staying for dinner you may want to check out Shep’s Place for a large selection of beer and burgers, or Fire Oak Grill for a much more upscale experience with fine Texas cuisine.
Final Thoughts
Weatherford is a quaint town in Northern Texas that makes a lovely getaway from the DFW area. Whether you're just passing through or stay for a few days, it's a great place to visit.
For more Texas city guides, check out these blogs:
- How to Spend 3 Days in San Antonio
- Fun Things To Do in Wimberley, Texas
- The Perfect Fredericksburg Weekend Itinerary
- The Best Things To Do in Dripping Springs, TX
- The Best Dallas Itinerary
- How to Spend 4 Days in Austin
Thanks for Reading!
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