Travel Texas 15 Best Things To Do In Granbury, Texas Explore over 40 historic landmarks and a scenic lake all within walking distance of this small town. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 27, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article What To Do Where To Stay Where To Eat Close Photo: Courtesy Visit Granbury It’s not hard to find a charming small town in Texas, but few are as historic as Granbury. Its Wild West past, western charm, and family-friendly activities make Granbury worth visiting. Located less than two hours from Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco, this refreshingly stuck-in-time town is not as off-the-beaten-path as you might expect. Founded in 1886, Granbury is a tightly-knit community of just over 10,000 residents. The town is cozied around Granbury Square, the first courthouse square in Texas to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which dates back to the 1890s. You can discover over 40 historic Texas landmarks while moseying around town. The town is known as the final resting place of outlaw Jesse James and the place where John Wilkes Booth lived after President Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Plan a visit in spring or fall when the weather will be perfect for the outdoors. We suggest starting in the time-honored district where there is much to see and do, including shops, restaurants, and tours. Locals and visitors also take advantage of nearby Lake Granbury (which is walkable from the historic district!) and its many outdoor activities. Granbury has something for everyone, so plan your next Lone Star getaway with our advice on the best activities, restaurants, and more. Courtesy Visit Granbury What To Do In Granbury Visit Historic Sites Explore some of the town’s most history-filled locations, starting with a browse inside the three-story limestone Hood County Courthouse, which was originally constructed in 1890. The newly restored 1886 Historic Granbury Opera House, home to the Granbury Theatre Company, still puts on year-round performances, and the circa-1914 Historic Granbury Railroad Depot offers a glimpse into frontier days when railroads remained the most vital transportation between Texas towns. granburytheatrecompany.org; 133 East Pearl St, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-579-0952 granburydepot.org; 109 Ewell St, Granbury, TX 76048 Stroll Museums Or Take A Tour A few other must-stops include the Hood County Old Jail Museum, Bridge Street History Center, and the Granbury Ghosts and Legends Tour. Nearby, you can visit the gravesite of Elizabeth Crockett, the second wife of Alamo hero Davy Crockett, at the Acton State Historic Site, which also happens to be the smallest state park in Texas. hctxhs.org; 208 North Crockett St, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-573-5135 bshc-granbury.org; 319 East Bridge St, Granbury, TX 76048 granburytours.com; 119 E Bridge St, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-559-0849 thc.texas.gov; 167 Granbury Ct, Granbury, TX 76049; 512-463-7948 Cool Off At The Lake Enjoy the fresh air at Lake Granbury, where the City Beach Park offers a sandy shoreline perfect for swimming and picnicking. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the water, and even grab a treat at the tiki concession stand. granbury.org; 505 East Pearl St, Granbury, TX 76048 Get In Touch With Nature For other nature pursuits, we recommend heading to Acton Nature Center, where you can hike or bike the trails, explore the butterfly and hummingbird garden, and enjoy the beautiful wildflowers. actonnaturecenter.org; 6900 Smoky Hill Ct, Granbury, TX 76049; 817-326-6005 Learn About Conservation Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a conservation center focused on breeding programs for exotic endangered species. Keep an eye out for cheetahs, common wildebeest, addax (a type of antelope), and a Southern white rhino calf named Rocket. fossilrim.org; 2299 County Rd 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043; 254-897-2960 See Where Dinosaurs Roamed Want to walk where the dinosaurs once roamed? Visit Dinosaur Valley State Park and discover their footprints preserved in the bed of the Paluxy River. Paddle along the river, hike the trails, or search for a geocache. You can also enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride or a guided horseback tour. tpwd.texas.gov; 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043; 254-897-4588 Tour Local Vineyards Courtesy Barking Rocks Winery Get a taste of Texas wine at Granbury’s nearby vineyards. Barking Rocks Winery welcomes visitors on Saturdays for tastings and tours, and while you're there, make sure to say hello to Ripple, the friendly winery dog. Bluff Dale Vineyards offers picnic-perfect outdoor seating, tastings, and the occasional live band, so check the events calendar for the best time to visit. For those who prefer a brew to a vino, stop by family-owned Revolver Brewing on Saturdays for food and music and to sample what's on tap. barkingrockswine.com; 1919 Allen Ct, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-579-0007 bluffdalevineyards.com; 5222 County Rd 148, Bluff Dale, TX 76433; 254-728-3540 revolverbrewing.com; 5650 Matlock Rd, Granbury, TX 76049; 817-736-8034 Courtesy The Inn at Lake Granbury Where To Stay In Granbury Stay At The Inn On Lake Granbury As you'd expect in any quaint Southern town, cozy bed-and-breakfasts and charming hotels are abundant in Granbury, offering both scenic getaways and close-to-everything accommodations. The Inn on Lake Granbury is one such peaceful escape. The lakefront inn is within easy walking distance of the historic downtown Granbury Square, despite feeling like a retreat. innonlakegranbury.com; 205 West Doyle St, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-573-0046 Relax In Luxury At Hotel Lucy Hotel Lucy is both historic-feeling and luxury-minded. The boutique hotel is owned by local Vicki Nivens, who also runs Hard Eight BBQ, as well as a gift and clothing boutique. Lavish-themed rooms feature amenities such as waterfall tubs, premium bedding, private patios, and in-room fireplaces. Guests can also enjoy a chef's kitchen, yard games, a fire pit, coffee bar, and a resort-style pool. hotel-lucy.com; 530 East Pearl St, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-579-9044 Enjoy A Cozy Escape At Iron Horse Inn For an even cozier stay, choose Iron Horse Inn, a bed-and-breakfast with only seven rooms and suites. The restored Craftsman-style home is two blocks from Granbury Square. Guests can stay in the main house or the more private garden cottage, which comes with a stone fireplace and private patio. Be sure to wake up in time for breakfast. The owner’s cinnamon rolls are not to be missed. ironhorsebb.com; 616 Thorp Spring Rd, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-993-9847 Courtesy Visit Granbury Where To Eat In Granbury Start The Day At BAKED! You won’t have to wander far to find a bite to eat. Grab breakfast at BAKED! Bread & Pastry Co., which has homemade European-style breads, bagels, and pastries. Their impressive lunch menu features salads and sandwiches made with freshly-baked bread. bakedgranbury.com; 401 Cleveland Rd, Granbury, TX 76049; 817-910-8705 Fill Up At Pearl Street Station In Granbury Square, there's no shortage of places to eat. Pearl Street Station features a uniquely Texas combination of barbecue and Cajun food and is located inside a 1933 gas station. Sandwiches are served on a jalapeño-cheddar sourdough bun with a side of beans. Barbecue plates come with a choice of smoked meats like brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and bologna, plus two sides and jalapeño toast. Cajun entrees include crawfish étouffée, catfish, and gumbo. pearlststationgranburytx.com; 120 West Pearl St, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-579-7233 Eat Seasonally At Restaurant Anise For dinner, we recommend Restaurant Anise, where the seasonal dishes representing global cuisines are anything but boring. Try the Parisienne Gnocchi, which features lobster and bay scallops in a creamy dill sauce. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday with menu items like the Pork Belly Banh Mi, Lobster Roll, and Fried Bologna Sandwich. restaurantanise.com; 605 Calinco Drive, Granbury, TX 76048; 682-205-3376 Relax At 1890 Grille And Lounge Make every outing a special occasion at 1890 Grille and Lounge, which serves up fancier fare such as steak and seafood. Sip on a specialty cocktail or order a bottle of wine to complement the meal. After dinner, shop the on-site marketplace for gourmet foods to take home. eighteenninety.com; 115 East Pearl Street, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-533-3400 Unwind At Silver Saddle Saloon End the night at Silver Saddle Saloon for a scoop or two of ice cream in a Wild West-themed parlor. This unique spot brings together two treats: ice cream and alcohol. Adults can also order boozy ice cream treats. Listen to live music, play table games, or read a book from the exchange library. silversaddlesaloongranbury.com; 124 North Houston Street, Granbury, TX 76048; 817-964-3555 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit