The Plan: a three-night road trip from Austin to Forth Worth and back, with two nights in Forth Worth and one night in Granbury.
Itinerary:
- Night 1 & 2: Fort Worth
- Night 3: Granbury (via Stephenville)
- Day 4: Cleburne (and return to Austin)
🐮 Fort Worth Highlights
This was my third visit to Fort Worth, and every time I return, I’m reminded that I don’t visit often enough. It’s a clean, lively city with great museums, fun shopping opportunities, and a rich Western vibe.
Day 1: The Stockyards
Arriving around midday, I headed straight to the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards—a lively area with a Western flair, shops, restaurants, and a Longhorn parade! It’s touristy, yes, but still worth a stroll.
🥃 Cocktail Time!
After all that sightseeing, I was ready for a proper craft cocktail. The Stockyards area leans more toward beer and well drinks in rowdy bars—not quite what I had in mind—but I didn’t feel like driving elsewhere. Eventually, I grabbed a seat at the quiet bar inside Lonesome Dove (it was still early), and I’m so glad I did.
The bartender, Travis, is fantastic—great with recommendations, attentive, and quick with water refills (it was hot outside, y’all!). I ordered the “Stockyards Sasparilla” cocktail, which I later learned he’d created himself. Think boozy, refined root beer float—it ended up being the best cocktail of my trip.
Day 2: Downtown Sights
I spent my second day exploring downtown Fort Worth. Highlights included:
- Tarrant County Courthouse (see detailed entry below)
- John F. Kennedy Tribute
- Fort Worth Water Gardens – nostalgic if you’re a Logan’s Run movie fan!
- Ammon Carter Museum of American Art (I also highly recommend visiting Kimball Art Museum, which I’ve been to on a previous visit).
- Wandering through Sundance Square and the downtown area
🏛️ Courthouse Visits
I’m on a mission to visit Texas courthouses, and this trip allowed me to check off four more beautiful ones.
Tarrant County Court House – Fort Worth
A commanding presence in downtown Fort Worth, the Tarrant County courthouse feels more like a state capitol than a county building. This pink granite landmark, built during Fort Worth’s wealth boom, occupies an entire city block and anchors the view from Main Street and beyond—its grandeur impossible to miss.
Approaching from the Southeast corner, I was drawn to an interesting fountain topped with a bronze horse. Originally it served as a horse trough—a cool refreshment stop for four-legged travelers of another era.
After passing through security, I was greeted by welcoming courthouse staff, all a bit curious about the girl wandering around with a camera. One guard offered a spontaneous mini tour of the main floor, pointing out a remarkably detailed matchstick model of the courthouse, which he said was crafted by a lifelong inmate. Another memorable staffer held the elevator for me and, with a grin and a wink, teased, “Took you long enough.” As the doors closed and I explained what I was doing, he chuckled at the sight of my phone for photography, until he saw my Nikon—apparently far more respectable.
That evening, I wandered through nearby Sundance Square and ended at the courthouse in time for golden hour. Bathed in a warm glow, the courthouse looked almost magical.
Erath County Courthouse – Stephenville
As I drove into the historic square, I was both surprised and amused by the “Moo-La” monument standing tall and proud on the corner. I’ve seen a lot of monuments in courthouse squares, but this one was definitely unique—my guess is it’s a love-it-or-hate-it kind of landmark among locals. The square itself is quiet but full of charm. A quick Google search led me to discover that two other buildings on the square—the First National Bank and the Crow Opera House—were also designed by renowned architect J. Riely Gordon. [See more details here.]
Hood County Court House – Granbury
Although I’ve passed through Granbury before, this was my first visit to its iconic 19th-century courthouse square. I spotted the courthouse from miles away—its towering clock tower is one of the most prominent I’ve seen. [See more courthouse details here]. The beautifully restored Granbury Opera House also sits on the square, and I found myself tempted to return for a future Broadway on the Brazos show—maybe Singin’ in the Rain.
As dusk approached, it felt like cocktail time, so I grabbed a seat at the fancy Eighteen Ninety bar. I quickly struck up a conversation with a woman about my age who visits Granbury often for its cultural scene. She was in town to catch a Led Zeppelin tribute show at Granbury Live—a plan I almost copied, but after a full day of sightseeing, I decided on dinner instead. On my way back to the hotel, I spotted the lakeside Mesquite Pit—complete with its cardinal-carrying bear—where a sign out front advertised their seasonal specialty: watermelon margaritas. That alone sold me—though I wasn’t especially drawn in by the barbecue. Turns out, the margarita was a winner and the loaded baked potato topped with brisket hit the spot.
Johnson County Court House – Cleburne
Standing proudly in downtown Cleburne, this stately 20th-century Beaux-Arts courthouse stands out from the more vintage courthouses I visited on this trip. The downside of weekend courthouse visits is not being able to go inside—and I could only glimpse the interior through the front door. On a return visit I hope to check out the apparently striking and unique six-story atrium lined with marble walls. [See more courthouse details here.]
🍺 Brewery Stop
I often include local breweries in my travels, and Revolver Brewing in Granbury is always a favorite. While it’s now owned by Tilray—a Canadian company with cannabis roots—and no longer brews for distribution, it’s managed to retain its laid-back vibe. On-site they have a rotating selection of craft beers, served from three different bars across the property. The spacious grounds include a grassy hill perfect for kids to scramble up, and Saturdays bring the added bonus of live local music, making it a pleasant place to spend a relaxed afternoon. I arrived late in the day and was gifted someone’s wristband with four tastings left—a lucky windfall!
🌳 Cleburne State Park
Cleburne State Park turned out to be an unexpected gem in the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area, just about an hour’s drive from either city. We’ve had buckets of rain this summer, which may have enhanced the park’s star attraction: a scenic three-tiered limestone spillway and dam built by the CCC.
Given the midday heat pushing 90 degrees, I opted for the easiest route to see the main feature. The park has one road running through it, with several parking options depending on your chosen trail. I settled on the lower lot for the White-Tail Hollow Trail. Without AllTrails, I definitely would’ve made a few wrong turns—but it’s the kind of trail where getting a little lost isn’t so bad. There are plenty of streamside paths to explore and having not brought a swimsuit, I enjoyed wading barefoot along the creek bed. Hidden swimming holes were plentiful and the water temperature was warm and inviting.
Once I reached the spillway, the views were excellent all the way up to the dam—and just beyond it, the blue waters of Cedar Lake. I also made the quick drive to Cedar Lake Beach on the north end of the park, a popular swimming spot for families enjoying the spring-fed lake. Personally, I’d still take a secluded swimming hole over a sun-exposed lake any day.
✨ Final Thoughts
This quick getaway was the perfect mix of urban culture, historic charm, nature, and craft beer. Fort Worth continues to grow on me, and working in several historic courthouses and a scenic state park made it feel like the ultimate “Kris trip.”
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