Welcome to Granbury, Texas, a small city with a great history.
It is Hood County’s seat and its largest city.
Hiram B. Granberry, a Confederate general, was the inspiration for the city’s name.
Some researchers believe there was some misinterpretation of the term Granberry in documents, which explains why the city’s name spells differently.
Recent research, however, indicates that Granberry chose to write his name as Granbury rather than Granberry.
Granbury, Texas, is a charming town on the banks of a lake with one of the most picturesque downtown squares in the state.
It’s an excellent destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
The only other place in the South where you can go back in time and see the ancient dinosaurs and Texas revolution is here.
Granbury is a great weekend getaway destination if you want serenity with a hint of mystery.
Are you thinking of activities to try in this quaint city?
Here are the 25 best things to do in Granbury, Texas:
xradiophotog / Shutterstock.com
Exploring the plaza in Granbury is one of the best things because you will find so much for such a small town square.
Granbury, Texas, is one of several small towns in Texas with courthouse squares, but it stands out for several reasons.
Texas’ first National Register-listed downtown square, the downtown plaza in Granbury, is a source of pride.
Kairos14, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It’s easy to understand why, even at first look.
With over 60 restaurants and shops, including boutiques, wine tasting rooms, the city’s opera theater, guest houses, and more packed together around the square, Granbury’s plaza serves as a vibrant tourist and community hub.
You’ll discover Joanna Gaines’ home décor line at Home Sweet Home, featured on HGTV.
The family-owned Revolver Brewing Company in Granbury, Texas, is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of seeing Granbury’s top attractions.
On Saturdays, tours are available from 12 to 3 p.m., and there are beer samples and snacks available most weekends.
Revolver Brewing Company, which started as a father and son partnership, has swiftly risen to prominence in Texas’ craft beer industry because of its well-known labels such as Sidewinder and Blood & Honey.
This family-run microbrewery is a relatively new addition to the Granbury tourist scene.
It provides tours and samples of its full-flavored beers and other sips from the region.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Can you imagine a white-sand beach in the heart of Texas’ Hood Country?
That’s for sure if you’re in Granbury.
City Beach Park is a short strip of beach on Lake Granbury’s shoreline where you may relax and unwind.
Granbury Resort Conference Center & Boardwalk is just next to this white sand beach, complete with a pavilion, Tiki huts, and water attractions for kids.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You may also reach the old town square on foot from this adorable small beach.
Splash in the water, swim or play beach volleyball.
There are also food stands nearby.
If you get tired from all the water activities, bring your favorite book and take the time to unwind.
Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com
If you’re interested in learning more about Granbury’s supernatural past, take a ghost tour around the city’s downtown if you’re brave enough.
Granbury, with its rich history, is sure to be home to a few urban legends.
A must-do while visiting the city at night, the Granbury Ghosts & Legends Tour, known for its narrative and suspense, brings a spooky twist to your Granbury getaway.
With one of Frommer’s best ghost tours in North America, visitors to historic Granbury, Texas, may learn about the town’s mysterious past and maybe even see the Lady in Red, Indian Joe, and Faceless Girl for themselves.
The trip is available year-round on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 and 9:15 p.m.
TLRaney / Shutterstock.com
Lake Granbury is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, tourists, campers, and locals in the area.
With over one hundred miles of its shoreline, Lake Granbury offers a lengthy area for recreational activities that you can enjoy.
The popular activities in Lake Granbury include fishing, camping, and boating.
TLRaney / Shutterstock.com
Lake Granbury has many camping sites where you can set up your tent and spend the night.
There are also RV parking spaces if you choose to bring your own RV.
During your stay in Lake Granbury, you can bring your own fishing gear and catch some of the common fishes found in the lake, such as catfish, white bass, sunfish, and many more.
You can also rent a boat to explore Lake Granbury.
Granbury has just the place for you if you don’t have pediophobia or want to conquer it.
The Granbury Doll House Museum is a contemporary museum in Granbury, Texas.
Exhibits include celebrity look-alike dolls such as Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable and Prince William and his bride, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Other exhibits include GI Joe figures, Madame Alexander’s Little Women, and Girl Scout dolls.
The museum lies in the historical district, just off the square.
Dolls from all around the world, baby dolls, bridal dolls, dolls portraying religious figures, and more, may be found here.
The museum’s design is eerily similar to a life-sized dollhouse and also hosts doll-making workshops.
The museum has something for every doll lover, whether you want to revisit old memories or make new ones.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Although this article contains lists of the best things to do and places to check out in Granbury, we advise you to stop by the Granbury Visitor Information Center.
Located at Granbury Square Plaza, just around the Historic Square, the visitor center is accessible seven days a week.
It is an excellent resource for the latest information about Granbury’s attractions, including hotels, entertainment venues, and forthcoming events and festivals.
Its helpful tourist information professionals will also offer you coupons for local businesses.
Golf Digest gave this 18-hole championship course a “four-star” rating, and the Dallas Morning News named it one of Texas’ top 18 rural golf courses.
Golfers will encounter challenging fairways bordered by live hackberry, oak, and pecan trees while navigating the 6810-yard par-72 course.
Thirteen of the 18 holes include water, making Sugar Tree a shot maker’s golf course.
Many of these great golf holes require you to bend your tee shots to the left and the right.
The tranquility of its various water features, along with the grandeur of the surrounding landscape, will leave you speechless.
It also includes a well-stocked golf shop with top-of-the-line golf balls, clubs, golf clothing, and premium gloves.
Are you seeking a trip that is both distinctive and enjoyable?
Take a ride on a Segway scooter.
It’s a much less complicated ride than what you may expect.
Guests meet their tour guide and receive a personalized tutorial on operating a Segway at the beginning of the trip on the city center’s outskirts.
Make sure your helmet is secure, and spend some time getting used to riding a Segway.
Once settled down, you’ll be free to zip off to explore Granbury City Park’s shade trees and big open spaces.
Before seeing the ancient attractions of Granbury, you may have some fun on a Segway.
Enjoy a 30 or 90-minute guided tour of historical mansions and parks in Granbury while hearing tales about the area’s fascinating past from an expert guide.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It’s not just big cities that host Broadway-style musicals and such productions.
Did you know that the music scene in Granbury is thriving?
The Granbury Opera House, completed in 1886 and still in operation today, is located on Granbury’s historic downtown square.
According to the Granbury Theatre Company’s website, there have been entertaining plays at the opera house since 1886.
Kairos14, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The opera house has been the Granbury Theatre Company’s home stage for musicals and plays, and it just underwent renovations.
Throughout the year, the local theater puts on well-known musicals and plays.
If opera isn’t your thing, Granbury Theatre Company performs a wide range of musical performances in the Granbury Opera House.
Kairos14, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This hiking and biking trail, completed in 2006, connects two parks.
The route connects the Granbury Airport with Shanley Park at the northern part of Granbury’s Historic Downtown Square and is almost three miles long with concrete shoulders.
It is a great place to get some exercise and clear your head.
Along the path, you’ll see interpretive markers detailing Granbury and Hood County’s history.
As you stroll or cycle, you will spot plaques honoring historical figures, locations, and facts associated with Granbury.
The path has parking and restrooms scattered throughout.
Granbury County Prison, established in 1886 simultaneously with the neighboring Granbury Opera House, was in service as a jail until 1978, serving Hood County and Granbury for over a century.
The old jail’s cell blocks date back to 1885 and are still there.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Are you interested in local history and how customs have shifted through centuries in Granbury and the state as a whole?
You may take a tour of the chambers and discover the graffiti that was left there.
However, be forewarned: according to legend, ghosts haunt the museum premises.
Nicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Almost every old Texas town with a downtown has a train terminal as part of its infrastructure.
Some are off-limits, but the one in Granbury welcomes the community with open arms.
In 1887, the Ft. Worth and Rio Grande Western Railroad arrived in Granbury, Texas, for the first time.
The city paid $25,000 to build a line connecting Granbury and Ft. Worth so that tourists could travel between the two communities.
Granbury’s economy took off as a result of this.
In 1912, a fire destroyed the building.
As soon as the railroad came to the region, the city built a new depot to replace the old one.
Granbury’s railroad station, founded in 1914, is a typical blueprint of traditional Texas railroad stations.
Touring the antiques, artifacts, and fascinating stories on exhibit here doesn’t take long, but it’s a great location to learn more about Texas’s past.
Brazos Drive-In is a historic establishment in Granbury that has continuously provided entertainment since its establishment in 1952.
All you have to do is drive by, turn off your engine, sit back, and enjoy the show.
Brazos Drive-In features a single screen and can accommodate 200 cars in the area so you won’t have to worry about missing a spot.
The audio of the movie is broadcasted through 89.1 FM Station.
Foods and drinks are also available inside Brazos Drive-In so you can just drive and park without bringing some snacks.
Brazos Drive-In is a perfect date spot and a family bonding idea.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Granbury is home to several art galleries, including Against the Grain Studio, Artefactz, Shanley House Art Gallery, Your Private Collection Art Gallery, and Langdon Center Art Gallery.
Clustered around Granbury’s Historic Granbury Square, these galleries feature local, regional, and even national artists’ works.
They’re open seven days a week, and you can get information about their hours and upcoming activities by looking at their listings.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you are an art collector, Your Private Collection Art Gallery will get you all set up.
On Granbury’s historic plaza, you’ll find this exciting and distinctive art gallery.
Specializing in one-of-a-kind gifts and award-winning artwork in a wide range of media, the gallery features over 70 artists.
Because it works closely with the artists, it can meet any request from a customer.
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you want to unwind after a day of exploring Granbury’s historic attractions, the New Granbury Live is the place to be.
The New Granbury Live, located in Historic Granbury Square, is a hotspot for live music fans of all genres.
Walking through downtown, you can’t help but notice Granbury Live’s eye-catching sign!
This intimate theater hosts a variety of events, including concerts and stand-up comedy.
You’ll be up close and personal with some of the greatest artists in Texas at the 270-seat freshly refurbished venue!
Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This lush greenery located in the historic town of Granbury is a must-visit destination for people who wants to stroll around, have a picnic, or just relax.
Shanley Park is a popular location for various musical performances, events, and special occasions, such as weddings, all throughout the year.
The park is turned into a “winter wonderland” during the holidays and it’s decorated with many Christmas decorations.
Shanley Park also features its fields that are landscaped to perfection with fountains, bridges, and pathways that complete an ideal spot for taking pictures and other recreational activities.
The Harbor Lakes Golf Club is a masterwork of architecture by famous designer Dick Phelps.
The course, situated along Lake Granbury’s beaches, is distinguished by its unique style and magnificent natural surroundings.
It was inspired by Texas Hill Country’s undulating topography and seashore links courses.
The course offers players the optimal balance of challenge and beauty for a genuinely elite golfing experience.
Bring your gameplay to the next level; their qualified team is prepared to help you in your attempt to improve your abilities and reach your full potential.
They provide lesson plans and both solo and group instruction.
Harbor Lakes Golf Course’s pro shop is the ideal spot in Granbury to find the most up-to-date gear and accessories for playing your best game.
The Barking Rocks vineyard tucked away just outside of Granbury’s city, offers a laid-back, charming setting for crafting wine, friends, and stories.
Their wines are a natural outgrowth of their connection to the neighborhood.
Each bottle of wine is individually sold from the winery and is produced from premium grape types cultivated in Texas.
A rustic rock barn between ancient Granbury and Thorp Springs creates small batches of fine wines.
Additionally, Barking Rocks Winery has hosted some incredible events over the years.
The Lake Granbury Conference Center is a few blocks from the famed main center and offers views of Lake Granbury.
This location offers a distinctive experience for conferences, business retreats, gatherings, or weddings thanks to cutting-edge audio/visual facilities, internet connectivity, a walkway, and a white sand beach.
It is possible to convert the 15,000-square-foot Lake Granbury Conference Center into ten separate meeting or conference rooms to serve parties of all sizes.
There are 112 parking places available, including four spaces for people with disabilities.
Allow the Lake Granbury Conference Center staff to assist you in planning your upcoming lakeside event!
The Iron Horse Inn has a Main House and a Garden Cottage, both located just outside the back of the inn.
The Main House includes a front parlor, a library, porches, suites, and four guest rooms, all with private bathrooms.
While the Garden Cottage, equipped with a stone fireplace, a personal patio, a king-sized bed, and other excellent features, is ideal for those seeking a little bit more seclusion.
Each morning, all visitors are treated to a sumptuous breakfast that includes the Iron Horse Inn’s renowned cinnamon buns, refreshing fruits, egg and meat dishes, fruit drinks, coffee, and more.
Relax and pamper yourself with an in-room massage at Iron Horse Inn.
The family-run Wagon Yard has been providing high-end home and office furniture and unique décor at reasonable costs since 1977.
They specialize in one-of-a-kind pieces for every area, from stylish light fixtures and paintings to couches and dining sets that you can completely customize.
Several of their patrons have been coming by to browse and purchase from them for more than 25 years.
Exploring their broad choice of items and various themed rooms is a remarkable experience.
Many products are created in America, and Wagon Yard has prices to fit every budget.
So stop by soon and let the family-friendly team assist you in finding the ideal piece for your house or place of business.
Barnes Ian / Shutterstock.com
Located 31 minutes away from Granbury, Fossil Rim helps restore the delicate balance between people, animals, and the environment.
It is part of an international community of wildlife preservation groups.
Barnes Ian / Shutterstock.com
More than 1,100 creatures live in Fossil Rim, including more than 50 different types of indigenous and non-native species, all in harmony with one another on the park’s 1,800 acres.
You and your kids will enjoy observing llamas, antelopes, zebras, ostriches, giraffes, and many more wild creatures along the beautiful Wildlife Drive.
runarut, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eric Urquhart / Shutterstock.com
Take photos with life-sized dinosaurs in Dinosaur Valley!
Alternatively, you may explore the 1500-acre park by following the fossilized footprints made by these extinct animals.
There are other paths to choose from, including the Bird Track, where you may view the first sauropod track ever found anywhere in the world, and the Ballroom Track, where you can see dinosaur footprints all over the place.
Geofox / Shutterstock.com
Dinosaurs aren’t the only thing to see in Dinosaur Valley State Park.
Its 20-kilometer trail is perfect for hikers and bikers.
You may also ride 100 miles through the park on horseback and explore the countryside on foot, fish, or camp at one of the park’s accessible sites.
In Dinosaur Valley, you may see a wide range of animals and flora, or you can participate in a Ranger program to learn fishing, geocaching, or archery instead.
Visit the gift shop for helpful information, supplies, and souvenirs.
Stanley Ford / Shutterstock.com
If you’re up for the challenge, this city offers a wide range of activities to keep your body and mind in shape.
No matter what you do, Granbury’s unique brand of Texas friendliness will have you coming back for more.
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
