Lone Star Nannies: Weekend Getaways
Weekend Getaways
Hello, from Lone Star Nannies!
Sometimes you just need to get away for a weekend! If you’ve lived in Texas long enough, you’ve heard of all the typical hot spots for families - touring Austin, camping in Broken Bow, or exploring the Fort Worth stockyards. It’s time for some new ideas! Check out these hidden gems and get something on the calendar with the ones you love…you know who to call if you need childcare!
BED & BREAKFAST GETAWAY
Salado, TX
As stated on their website, visiting Salado truly gives you the best of Texas hospitality. In this charming bed and breakfast town, the pace of life is slow and genuine local residents will refresh your soul. Skip rocks with your kids in a natural spring, linger over brunch at The Stagecoach Inn, or explore numerous historic sites from the 1800’s. In fact, Stagecoach Inn is one of the oldest operating hotels in Texas! The guest list is quite intriguing, including well known visitors such as Sam Houston, Robert E. Lee, and Jesse James. Other historic lodging options include Inn on the Creek and Yellow House Bed & Breakfast. A weekend in Salado not only takes you to a simpler time and place, it gives the next generation a glimpse of life before technology. Tyler Fletcher, owner of Fletcher’s Books & Antiques says it best in this quote from the city website…
“You can tell so much about a person by the books on their shelves…I get to visit with customers every day and often times they become my good friends. I’ve always felt people who read a lot many times turn out to be very interesting characters.”
Whether or not you like to read, when you leave Salado, you’ll feel like you just finished a heartwarming novel, with you as the main character! Check out their website for a more detailed description of everything this small town has to offer.
CAMPING GETAWAY
Turner Falls, OK
There are few places near DFW where you can swim underneath waterfalls! Turner Falls is nestled in the Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma and is an incredibly family friendly destination. Lodging includes everything from teepees and covered wagons to cabins and campgrounds. Spend the day hiking, swimming in Honey Creek, or exploring the remains of a castle built in 1930. There’s also a few caves hidden within rocky landscapes that you’ll likely encounter on a family hike. Find out more about the rich history of this park on their website .
HILL COUNTRY GETAWAY
Glen Rose, Tx
Some of the most scenic outlooks are in the Texas hill country! The rolling hills and open plains really make you feel like you’ve escaped from the hustle and bustle of city life. Glen Rose is 1-2 hours from DFW and is home to many family friendly places to spend the weekend. Country Woods Inn has free roaming farm animals, 40 acres along the Paluxy River, and incredible accommodations for a refreshingly reasonable group price. The houses are so charming, you’ll want to come back for another weekend with friends or family! Another option is The Hideaway Ranch & Refuge. Book a cabin and let the day unfold until the sun sets. At the end of the day, you can build a fire in an old west town they call “Buffalo Gulch” and swap stories with s’mores. You can also check out SkyBox Cabins. A more luxurious option, these cabins have been featured in magazines. Their website is a phenomenal resource for anyone looking to visit the region…but that’s what’s so great about Glen Rose! No matter where you stay, there are so many fun things to do with your family. Drive through Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and feed giraffes from your car window. Check out Dinosaur Valley State Park and decide if those “footprints” in the creek came from dinosaurs. Watch the Bible come to life in the famous year round musical The Promise, or unwind in downtown Glen Rose and eat home style meals at a local cafe. There’s so much this small pocket of Texas has to offer!
LOCAL GETAWAY
Grapevine, Tx
If you live in the northern suburbs of Dallas, you’ve probably heard of Grapevine, but may not know its full potential as a destination spot. Hotel Vin, located in downtown Grapevine, is right next to the town’s famous vintage railroad. The adjacent “Harvest Hall” was purposely converted to look like a train station and often has live music during warmer months. Take a vintage train to Fort Worth or buy a ticket for a number of shorter excursions. Experience 19th century farm life and learn about Grapevine’s history at Nash Farm. Check out their website for more information about tours, First Fridays, and an upcoming Farm Supper Fundraiser. Grapevine is probably most famous for The Gaylord Texan, located on Grapevine Lake. A giant replica of the Alamo makes up an entire wall of the hotel and you can walk along an indoor river. If you need to spend time without the kids, this could be a great splurge getaway! Texas Star Dinner Theatre is not too far from the hotel and features murder mystery dinner shows every weekend. Before you leave, you’ve got to check out Main Street Bistro & Bakery. The french inspired menu has made this restaurant a local town favorite!
RANCH GETAWAY
7A Ranch (Wimberley, Tx)
A family owned resort for over 70 years, 7A Ranch is located along the Blanco River in Wimberley, Texas. The ranch has a lot of on-site activities, but if you want to visit the town you’ll find hiking, shopping, and home-style eateries. Right now, you can book a cabin or a cottage for 20% off (through January 31st)! Their website has a lot of great photos and videos to give you an idea of what it would be like to bring your family to this recently renovated destination. Check it out here!
Mo Ranch (Hunt, Tx)
Another popular ranch destination is Mo Ranch in Hunt, Texas. Known as a camp and retreat center, the grounds also have guest cottages, hotels, apartments, and vacation homes. It was founded by the Presbyterian Church, but anyone is welcome to stay. Also located along a river (the Guadalupe), there are lots of outdoor activities, trails, and playgrounds. It’s a beautiful place to relax and recharge. Check out their website for more information. If you enjoy your stay, your kids can come back in a few months for summer camp!
TREEHOUSE GETAWAY
Weatherford, Tx
We couldn’t write this blog without including a couple treehouse destinations! Few people in the Dallas area realize that Fuller’s Folly is “a fairy tale getaway” a short trip away in Weatherford, Texas. Choose from a number of different accommodations including a hobbit themed treehouse and “The Magical Treehouse,” which includes a slide! All of the housing options are perfect for spending a fun weekend together. The ranch also has a long list of outdoor activities including inner tubes/kayaks, a barnyard, petrified wood lab, a painted rock station, and even a place to build houses for forest fairies! Visit the website for a complete description of everything this family oriented getaway has to offer.
Grandview, Tx
There’s another unique treehouse destination in Grandview, Texas. For all you Narnia lovers out there, you can spend a weekend in the Dawn Treader at Grandview Treetops ! Check out the company website here.
WILDFLOWER GETAWAY
Marble Falls, Tx
We saved the best getaway for last…Marble Falls! If you’re a born and raised Texan, you know how much we love bluebonnets. Every spring, this town turns into a picture perfect sanctuary. According to the city website , when Lady Bird Johnson planted wildflower seeds across the country in the 1960’s, her hill country home received “a little extra love.” Their website is an amazing trip planning resource, complete with suggested itineraries , scenic route maps, wildflower field guides, vacation rentals, and detailed descriptions of events and things to do outside. We’re ready to pack our bags and head that way as soon as the flowers bloom…See you there!
This concludes our tour of potential getaways! You don’t have to venture out of state or even out of the country to make meaningful memories with friends and family. No matter where your next journey takes you, we’re here to support you with child care. There’s a team of caring professionals here at Lone Star Nannies ready to love you and your kids.
With care,
Lone Star Nannies