Whether you’re looking to get away for the day or take the kids on a day full of adventure, you can find many day trip locations within a few hours’ drive from Colleyville, Texas. Enjoy the great outdoors, visit a museum, go for a swim, or wind down with some locally made adult beverages. You can do all of that, and more, when you choose any of these five day trips.
Fort Worth
Day tripping to Fort Worth is just a 30-minute drive or a few minutes more if your destination is on the west side of town. If you bring the kids, enjoy a day at Fort Worth Zoo, where you can meet the animal keepers that care for and train the birds, reptiles, and mammals that call this awesome place home. Adult tickets cost $16, children 3 to 12 years old cost $12, and toddlers 2 years and younger are free.
You can also spend your day over at the Stockyards trying to solve your way out of the Cattle Pen Maze, which costs $6 per person, or learning about new and old scientific developments at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, where adults cost $16, children 3 to 11 years old cost $12, and toddlers 2 and younger are free.
Looking for something just for you and your partner? Take a stroll around the Botanic Garden, where you’ll walk a dozen themed floral trails and garden pathways. Dance the night away at a local saloon, or grab a drink at one of the pubs, distilleries, or breweries.
Athens
Head about two hours southeast of Colleyville to Athens, Texas, the birthplace of the hamburger. While this mouthwatering bit of history is enough of a reason to visit, there are some great activities to take part in while you’re searching for the best burger you’ve ever had.
Visit the East Texas Arboretum to view trees, flowers, and critters along nearly two miles of gorgeous trails. You can also dive more into the area’s history by checking out the historic Wofford House Museum, which displays pioneer-era memorabilia and furniture. Or, get a lesson in fishing conservation at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Spot the fish in their aquariums, see the hatchery in action, and traverse the wetlands trails nearby.
If you and the family are looking for a little bit more of an adventure, try scuba diving or ziplining instead! Just a few blocks from the town square is the Athens Scuba Park. Rent some of the park’s gear and jump in to explore multiple underwater wrecks or go on a treasure hunt. If you’ve never gone scuba diving before, you can take a class and get ready to go out the next time you’re in town.
Head a little way out of town to New York, Texas, to fly like a bird over a hidden mountain range. Kids as young as 5 years old can go on a ziplining adventure through the trees.
Turner Falls Park
Image licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by ruthdaniel3444
You can get to Turner Falls Park from Colleyville in just about two hours if you take I-35N all the way up, or you can a more scenic route through Frisco and Whitesboro and get there in under three hours. It’s located in beautiful Davis, Oklahoma, where you’ll find the state’s biggest waterfall at 77 feet tall!
Turner Falls Park offers plenty of swimming holes to escape the hot sun, sandy beaches to relax on, picnic spots perfect for family lunches, as well as hiking trails and caves that offer endless exploration. Plan to stay at least for the night so you can take advantage of the cabin, tent camping, and RV camping options. This park also has delicious concession stands throughout the area, like the Main Grill, and little shops, like the Curio Shop, to grab a souvenir or two. And the angler in the family can go trout fishing from November through March.
Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park is another fantastic outdoors destination that offers a little of every activity you could possibly want. Drive the 3.5 to 4 hours northeast and arrive in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, just over the state border. This stunning area offers all types of camping, whether you want to rough it in a tent, glamp in the RV, or get even cozier at the lodge.
You can go hiking and biking along the park’s seven trails, which range from 1 or 2 miles to 15 or more miles. Or, get out on the water in a kayak, canoe, or inner tube and coast along the Lower Mountain Fork River. Plus, there are about a half dozen rental locations if you didn’t bring your own watercraft. You can also go horseback riding, ATV riding, or golfing at one of the two courses nearby.
If you didn’t bring the kids, you can hit the slots at the Choctaw casino, enjoy a spa day at the spa located just outside the park’s entrance, or have a glass of local wine or beer at the nearby winery and taproom.
Fredericksburg
You’ll find this day-tripping destination about 4.5 hours southwest of Colleyville, but it’s well worth it. Fredericksburg is a gorgeous western town with historic country influences and small-town charm. There are boutiques, restaurants, museums, arts locations, and dozens of festivals and special events each month.
But one of the absolute best places in the area is the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, where you can go hiking, geocaching, birding, rock climbing, and so much more. The park hosts 11 miles of trails, campsites for overnight stays, and some of the best views this side of the Rockies.
If you’re looking to stay closer to civilization, visit some of the historical sites, like the National Museum of the Pacific War, try one of the many local wineries and breweries, and consider staying at one of the area’s bed and breakfasts to make the most of this day trip destination.So there you have it, five of the best day trip locations for a getaway with or without the kids. Did we miss your favorite day trip spot near Colleyville and Dallas? Let Crème de la Crème of Colleyville, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!