If you’ve never heard of Weatherford Texas, we’re going to change that. Located 30 miles west of Fort Worth and 60 miles west of Dallas, Weatherford is the county seat of Parker County. It’s an easy add-on to DFW area vacations or a quick weekend getaway for residents from Denton down to Dallas. Weatherford is known as the Cutting Horse Capital of the World and the Peach Capital of Texas. Beyond horses and peaches, there are plenty of other things to do in Weatherford Texas. Let’s go through some of our favorites!
Pretend you’re an heiress at Chandor Gardens.
711 West Lee Avenue Weatherford, TX 76086
The brainchild of British portrait painter Douglas Chandor, the Chandor Gardens was originally called White Shadows. Chandor’s widow renamed it after his death. The gardens cover 3.5 acres combining ancient Chinese architecture and the elegance of a formal English garden. The City of Weatherford now owns the gardens. The picturesque grounds are frequently used for weddings. Visitors love exploring the gardens and taking in the waterfalls and fountains. Just be sure to check the hours before visiting. They are closed on Mondays.
Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring bottled water, especially in the summer heat.
Take pictures at Clark Gardens Botanical Park.
567 Maddux Road Weatherford, TX 76088
Clark Gardens is a breathtaking 50-acre oasis that aims to inspire and demonstrate the rich horticulture of North Texas. With beautiful gardens, ponds, and walking trails visitors can immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings. A G-scale model train circles areas of the gardens as well. Clark Gardens also hosts various workshops and special events. Trails are handicapped accessible.
They are currently working on an outdoor area called Pioneer Cabin Park which will feature a walking trail and five pioneer-style cabins when complete.
- Keep your eyes peeled for the resident peacocks.
- Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
Explore the history of Parker County at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center.
1400 Texas Drive Weatherford, TX 76086
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of Parker County. The center offers exhibits and educational programs to engage visitors in the rich history of the region. Self-guided tours are free. Guided tours need to be arranged in advance and are $5/person.
- Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
- Exhibits change frequently, so there’s always something new to see.
Learn about native cultures at The Museum of the Americas.
216 Fort Worth Highway Weatherford, TX 76086
Learn about the native people of this area of Texas and beyond at the Museum of the Americas. Permanent exhibits feature indigenous crafts, pottery, serapes, and religious art. Items are presented with cultural context and you’ll learn a lot! They’re open Wednesday through Saturday so plan accordingly.
Honor Veterans at The National Vietnam War Museum.
12685 Mineral Wells Highway Weatherford, TX 76086
The National Vietnam War Museum in Weatherford features both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The museum aims to bridge the gap of knowledge and understanding about the Vietnam War era, mentioning that most children don’t learn about it until 8th grade and only spend a week or two on it. Presenting unbiased stories on behalf of 2.7 million servicemen and women, civilian contractors, and the Vietnamese people, the museum covers a lot of ground.
Although the address says Weatherford, the museum is actually located very close to the edge of Mineral Wells, Texas. Placing the museum near Mineral Wells was an intentional choice. During Vietnam, most helicopter pilots received their training in the town at Fort Wolters. There is a permanent exhibit dedicated to the history of Fort Wolters.
Snap a picture at Parker County Courthouse.
1 Courthouse Square Weatherford, TX 76086
The Parker County Courthouse is a popular spot to photograph in Weatherford. The Second Empire style features five distinct sections. In the center, the tower reaches three stories. The tower and the two end segments have red shingled roofs that contrast with the limestone building. It’s a stunning photograph. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It sits in the center of Courthouse Square, where Main Street and the Forth Worth Highway curve around leaving an island.
Sample local flavors at the Weatherford Farmer’s Market.
217 Fort Worth Highway Weatherford, TX 76086
Shop for fresh produce, baked goods, plants, and handmade crafts at this year-round local open-air market. It’s open daily but we recommend checking their Facebook page for any updates to their hours.
The farmers market offers a wide variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and unique decor. Offerings change with the season. Texas produce is in its prime from June to August. From September to November pumpkins and gourds are prominent. Starting in November you can find pecans and Christmas trees.
Practice your swing at Canyon West Golf Club.
160 Club House Drive Weatherford, TX 76087
Enjoy a round of golf at this beautiful and challenging golf course. The course’s unique design includes water features, streams, and fountains. This wasn’t the original design but when they first started construction they kept hitting giant limestone slabs, so they worked them into the course! In addition, in an almost mini golf-inspired fashion, there are 21 scenes located around the course that include rustic tools and Western memorabilia. You can book tee times up to 14 days in advance online.
Go shopping in the downtown historic district.
Weatherford maintains a small-town feel, even though it is only 30 minutes outside of Fort Worth. The downtown district has shops, boutiques, historic buildings, and cafes that you can wander in and out of to fill your day.
Numerous special events like the Wine and Whiskey Walk, Sunset on the Square, Candy Crawl, and the Downtown Hoparound are held throughout the year. When these events occur, Wally the Trolley makes an appearance. You can hop onboard and ride him around town.
Read More: 9 Fun Day Trips Outside of Dallas
Join the scene at Lake Weatherford.
210 West Lake Drive Weatherford, TX 76087
A popular spot for boating, fishing, and picnicking this is the place to see and be seen in Weatherford. Located east of Weatherford and north of I-20, the Weatherford Marina has a boat ramp, convenience store, tackle, bait, and more. Lake Weatherford is a must-see even if you have no plans to boat.
On the top of our things to do in Weatherford Texas list is the longest floating boardwalk in the United States. The boardwalk connects East Lake Drive and West Lake Drive. The trailheads are located at 2864 East Lake Drive and 1198 West Lake Drive. It’s a pretty walk that comes in at just under a mile. Benches dot the trail so you can hit a coffee shop before heading out to sit and think for a bit.
Read More: 7 Places to Get Your Feet Wet in Texas
Get some exercise at Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway.
100 Park Rd 71 Mineral Wells, TX 76067
At the heart of Lake Mineral Wells State Park is the 640-acre lake. The area used to be popular as a health resort and the park still offers amenities to its visitors. There’s a rock climbing area called Penitentiary Hollow, an amphitheater, and six different fishing piers for anglers. If you don’t have a boat you can rent one. Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards, and flat-bottom boats with trolling motors are available.
The park has 12.8 miles of trails in it. If you want to go further, the 20-mile Trailway runs from Mineral Wells to Weatherford TX.
Check out log cabins at Holland Lake Park.
1419 Holland Lake Road Weatherford, TX 76086
If you’re looking for a park experience but don’t want to cover as much ground, check out Holland Lake Park. This 40-acre park has everything you’d expect in a park – hike and bike trails, a playground, sports fields, and a stocked pond. It also features two mid-1800s log cabins to check out and explore.
Find treasures at First Monday Trade Days.
317 Santa Fe Drive Weatherford, TX 76086
Happening monthly, these trade days aren’t actually on a Monday. They happen on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday preceding the first Monday. It’s one of the largest open-air markets in Texas. The whole tradition started when courthouse trials occurred monthly. Local ranchers and shop owners would set up to sell and trade with those coming into town. That tradition continues today. You’ll find a mix of artisans, second-hand goods, antiques, crafts, and of course food. First Monday Trade Days tops the list of unique things to do in Weatherford Texas. You never know what you’ll see or find!
View automobiles at the Vintage Car Museum.
100 Fort Worth Highway Weatherford, TX 76086
This museum was a passion project of Tom and Terese Moncrief. It features a rotating roster of vehicles, some from Tom’s collection and some loaned to the space. You can see a current list of cars on display on their website. Admission to the Vintage Car Museum is free.
Attend special Events and festivals in Weatherford.
If you’re already thinking about heading into town plan you can plan around special things to do in Weatherford, like festivals.
Weatherford Music Festival
Held in March, the Weatherford Music Festival features 50+ musical artists. It also has food vendors, shopping, and a kid’s area. It’s held at the First Monday Trade Day grounds. Purchase your ticket early to save 50%!
Parker County Peach Festival
Celebrate the Peach Capital of Texas with this annual festival featuring peach-themed food, arts, and crafts. The Parker County Peach Festival is held in downtown Weatherford in July. Visitors can enjoy delicious peach treats, shop for unique crafts at over 200 vendor booths, listen to live music, and participate in various activities.
Weatherford College
The local college’s fine arts programs put on performances throughout the year. You can check out their event schedule to see if any will be happening during your visit.
Holiday Events in Historic Downtown Weatherford
Christmas on the Square and the Weatherford Lights the Night Parade happen annually. Want to feel that Christmas spirit? Take a day trip out for the 36th Annual Christmas on the Square.
Read More: Best Christmas Lights in Texas and the Southwest
What is your favorite thing to do in Weatherford Texas?
