Tucked away in a valley and about an hour southwest of Fort Worth is my hometown, Glen Rose. This quaint municipality has a little bit of everything; from dinosaur tracks to riverside bed and breakfasts, all sweetly packaged with the small-town charm of a Hallmark film. Have I piqued your interest yet? Then grab your next adventure itinerary and read below for a list of my favorite sites in Glen Rose, TX!

Things to do:

Historic Downtown Square

The Downtown square is one of the central highlights to Glen Rose. You’ll feel like a Gilmore Girl strolling through Stars Hollow while you shop unique antiques and boutiques – all within easy walking distance to restaurants, cafes, and riverside parks.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Named the dinosaur capital of Texas, Dinosaur Valley State Park is known for the unforgettable sight of dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy riverbed. Other activities include hiking, biking, and much more with the whole family!

Dinosaur World

Right by Dinosaur Valley State Park is another dinosaur adventure – Dino World! The outdoor exhibit is acres full of life-size dinosaur statues that will take you back in time.

Big Rocks Park

Another gem that is right by the Historic Downtown Square, Big Rocks is a unique feature beside the Paluxy river made of large, boulder-like limestone rocks to climb, take photos, and explore. On warmer days, the nearby local snow cone shack is open for refreshments and a put-put mini golf!

Fossil Rim

You’ve probably heard of the well-known Safari Zoo in Glen Rose, and, if you haven’t checked it out then be sure to add it to your next Glen Rose itinerary! This Wildlife Center is a conservation of wildlife animals and native and non-native endangered species. This 1,800-acre park features guided tours and self-guided tours to drive along to see (and feed!) animals from Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches and more!

The Promise at The Texas Amphitheater

The Texas Amphitheater of Glen Rose annually puts on a live musical production of the life of Christ called The Promise. The outdoor theater experience features a performance like no other with live animals, incredible vocalists, and entirely immersive experience into biblical times. The Promise is not the only production they have put on, however. Seasonally, the Amphitheater has featured musicals such as The Sound of Music, special Christmas performances, and concerts for the whole family to enjoy. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming performance dates and tickets!

Where to stay:

Inn on the River

A historic and serene Bed & Breakfast sweetly situated alongside the Paluxy river. The Inn is a wonderful and relaxing escape to enjoy a gourmet breakfast and small-town southern hospitality. The Inn also offers their newly established restaurant – Snyder’s Tavern which is open to public and has a snack menu with indoor and outdoor seating.

Rough Creek Lodge

If you are looking for a full resort experience, Rough Creek Lodge is the place for you and your whole family. From gourmet dining, hunting, swimming, and fishing are just a few things this unique destination has to offer. Check out their website for a detailed list of lodging, amenities and activities that are available!

Country Woods Inn

Over several acres, this unique and beautiful stay features historic houses and even a train caboose to lodge in for your getaway. The property hosts breakfast in their own charming red barn with farm animals to say hello to nearby!

In addition to these great locations, Glen Rose has many great hotels as well as AirBnBs worth checking out!

Food and Dining:

Sugar Biscuit

Right on the Downtown Square, the restaurant offers a menu full of delicious and healthy comfort foods.

Pie Peddlers

Another gem on the square that has just about every flavor of pie you can imagine! Stay a while and order a slice or order a whole pie (or a few) to take home with you!

Riverhouse Grill

The restaurant is a historic house turned restaurant with a more semi-formal dining atmosphere and chef quality menu to match.

Sexton Feed Mill

Another historic landmark turned open air restaurant, bar with live music and nearby axe throwing lanes! This laidback spot is also situated right by the river with quick and easy access to the downtown square, Big Rocks Park and Heritage Park river walk.

These are just a few of my favorite highlights in this sweet small town and I hope they inspire some wonderful adventures with you and your family. I can’t wait to hear about your fun get away to Glen Rose, TX! Happy and safe travels!

Gretta Hendricks is a multidisciplinary creative who has been a chocolatier, baker, birth-doula, performance artist, and freelance writer, although her favorite job to-date has been becoming a first-time mama to her beautiful rainbow baby, Ofelia, born in January of 2020. Gretta has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember and is passionately interested in the ways she can both learn and share from the art of storytelling. Alongside her husband and daughter, she loves living in and exploring Fort Worth as well as pouring into her church and local community.

The post Spring Getaway: Glen Rose first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Our author and her family on a road trip in the mid-1970s. She’s the cute little boy on the right.

One of the joys of a long car trip is stopping off at places of interest along the way. Little ghost towns, historical markers in the middle of nowhere, and roadside attractions are all grist for my mill. As a history geek, I’m in heaven if I can find an archeological site to wander through. Recently, I’ve been intrigued by the history of Native Americans in Texas. I’ve compiled a list of various Native American historical and archeological sites in Texas that will keep our family’s travel schedule full for the next few summers. Perhaps you will plan a trip to explore our state’s fascinating heritage with your family soon.

Caddo Mounds

Deep in the Piney Wood of East Texas is the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site. Located on an ancient Native American trail which the Spanish later used and called El Camino Real de los Tejas (in and of itself a National Historic Trail) and consisting of a burial mound and two platform mounds, the site is believed to have been founded around 800CE. The Caddoan Mississippians, who settled in the area, were the direct ancestors of today’s Caddo Nation. The site includes a museum with a replica of a Caddo village, hands-on exhibits, and a self-guided interpretive trail around the burial, ceremonial, and temple mounds.

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Annual Pow Wow

Every year in early summer, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas holds their annual pow wow in Livingston, Texas, and it’s open to the public. This year’s pow wow will be held on May 31 and June 1. The Alabama-Coushatta (also known as Koasati) are descended from members of the historic Creek Confederacy of the Southeast. Forced from their lands in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida, they originally settled in Louisiana before moving to the Big Thicket in East Texas. The annual pow wow is a showcase for indigenous dancers from across the US.

Gault Archeological Site

About 40 miles north of Austin is one of the most important archeological sites in the US. The site contains evidence of almost continuous human habitation for at least 16,000 years, before the appearance of the Clovis people. The Clovis culture was previously thought to be the first widespread human culture in the New World, but discoveries at the Gault site (named for Henry Gault, who farmed the area in the early 20^th century) have disproved the Clovis theory. The nearby Bell County Museum in Belton has a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Gault site.

Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark

Located near ancient springs on a tributary of the Brazos River, Lubbock Lake’s archeological significance was discovered when the City of Lubbock dredged the lake to make it a usable water supply for the city. There is evidence of almost 12,000 years of various cultures’ use of the lake as a watering hole on the Llano Estacado. Clovis and Folsom peoples used it. It was an important part of the Apache and Comanche hold over the Llano. Run by the Museum of Texas Tech University, you can view active archeological digs and hike almost 5 miles of trails to explore the area at your own pace.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is one of the most remote, least-visited, and arguably most beautiful of our national parks, and it’s full of Native American sites. There is archeological evidence of habitation from the Paleo-Indian period (10,500 years ago), as well as more recent habitation by the Chisos, Mescaleros, Jumanos, Apache, and Comanche. The Burro Mesa Archeological District include a quarry used by Paleo-Indians as a source for chert used in their chipped-stone tools. Boquillas Hot Springs, developed in the early 20^th century as a health resort, has ancient petroglyphs on the limestone cliffs. Apaches farmed in the area, and the Comanche trail passed by the springs. And finally, the Chimneys Trail near Terlingua offers the chance to see more extensive Native American petroglyphs on the dramatic volcanic dike formations.

The post A Trip Through Texas’ Native American History first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.