The Best Day Trips From Fort Worth, Texas

Situated half an hour drive from Fort Worth, Grapevine is a worthwhile day out for any wine lovers. As the name suggests, the city is home to several vineyards outside of town, which offer a variety of tasting and tours. Outside of sampling Texas’ finest wine, Grapevine high street has plenty of stores, perfect for window shopping.

If you fancy a day in the open air, why not make a quick trip over the state line into Oklahoma and visit the remarkable Lake Murray. With a huge number of outdoor activities available, including paddleboarding, horseback riding and ATV riding, there is no shortage of things to do. If you would like to simply take in the scenery however, the 25mi (40km) road along the lake’s shoreline is perfect for exploring the hidden treasures the state park has to offer.

Comprised of 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of serene wilderness, Dinosaur Valley park is steeped in Texas’s natural history. Depending on the time of year you visit, it is possible to catch a glimpse of authentic fossilized dinosaur tracks laying on the riverbed of the Paluxy River. If fossils are not your jam, however, the park has plenty of activities on offer, including swimming, hiking and cycling. If you have time, the nearby animal conservation center, Fossil Rim, is also well worth a visit.

Frequently voted one of America’s best places to live, the historic town of McKinney is about an hour from Fort Worth. Filled with independent shops, cafés and boutiques, the city is perfect for a relaxed day out. Be sure to visit the Chestnut Square Historic Village, comprised of buildings dating back 150 years where costumed tour guides share a snapshot of life in the town over a century ago.

Home to dozens of historic flying machines, Cavanaugh Flight Museum is located just 40mi (64km) from Fort Worth. Reasonably priced and with plenty of antique aircraft to discover and flight experiences available, the museum caters for historians and thrill seekers alike. The best time to visit is during one of the regular airshows, incorporating most of the museum’s still-airworthy exhibits.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Fort Worth’s larger neighbor Dallas, Texas as an essential day trip. Just 30 minutes down the road and with so much to see and do, a day probably isn’t going to cut it if you’re keen to see everything in the city. From the Dallas Museum of Art to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, history and culture is everywhere in Texas’ third-biggest city. If you do only one thing in Dallas, make it a trip to the top of the Reunion Tower, which offers a spectacular view of the city.