Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Mansfield, TX

  • Published 2022/11/07

With beautiful nature parks, athletic fields, rich arts and culture, and historic sites, Mansfield is a change of pace from a big city’s hustle and bustle.

The suburban city of Mansfield in Texas is part of Tarrant County, although some areas are parts of Johnson and Ellis Counties.

Here, you can explore Historic Downtown Mansfield for gift shops, coffee houses, charming boutiques, and restaurants, or simply sit in a park watching people wander past.

To help you out on this trip, here are the best things to do in Mansfield, Texas:

Go Fishing at Joe Pool Lake

Seagull on the waters of Joe Pool Lake

Kimmy Engen / Shutterstock.com

A 7,740 acres reservoir that stretches from Tarrant County to Dallas and Ellis, Joe Pool Lake offers kayaking and fishing activities.

You can go to Britton Park on Seeton Road, which has great access to the lake with two boat ramps and a fishing bank.

You can also launch a boat if you’re up for a paddle in the water while fishing or simply sightseeing.

When it comes to fishing, there are largemouth bass, bluegill, white bass, white crappie, and channel catfish that you can catch.

You only have to follow the fishing regulations of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Along the banks of the lake are designated areas for camping and swimming.

The lake was named after former Texas Congressman-At-Large Joe R. Pool, who passed legislation for the funding of the lake.

The reservoir was constructed in 1977, and the lake was filled in 1989.

Learn about the Past at Mansfield Historical Museum & Heritage Center

As soon as you explore Mansfield, don’t miss checking out Mansfield Historical Museum & Heritage Center.

The museum has two floors of an extensive collection of the city’s history, 1,000 artifacts, collectibles, antique furniture, and a genealogical archive.

It also hosts events related to the museum’s undertaking and the city’s rich history.

You can visit the museum on North Main Street.

Get Closer to Nature at Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park

One of Mansfield’s most popular tourist destinations is Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park, which is nestled on Matlock Road between diverse ecoregions.

Here, you can enjoy fishing while soaking up nature’s beauty and charm.

In the spring, the savannas feature gorgeous wildflower meadows, which become the centerpiece during your hikes in the expanse trails.

It features nature trails, unique bird blinds, geologic formations, and an overlooking treehouse.

The park has two ponds for fishing, although a license is required for ages 16 and up.

You’ll also see the wildlife, including turtles, frogs, dragonflies, blue herons, minnows, squirrels, and beautiful green foliage.

The paved trails are great for strolling with your pet dog or kids.

Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park officially opened in 2014 and has been one of the popular destinations in Mansfield.

Shop for Vintage Items at Antique Mall of Mansfield

For the love of vintage items, you can browse through hundreds of vendors’ booths at Antique Mall of Mansfield.

There are plenty of things to choose from—artwork, handmade products, coins, jewelry, records, clocks, clothes, accessories, and furniture.

It’s your one-stop shop if you’re looking for a perfect souvenir or gift for your friends and family.

They also have free hot coffee!

Ruth Brinkmann, whose late husband John was an antique collector, founded Antique Mall of Mansfield in 1989 on North Main Street.

Get Your Homestyle Comfort Food at Our Place Restaurant

There’s no other way to feed your hungry soul with comfort food than having it at Our Place Restaurant in Mansfield.

The restaurant serves delectable homestyle dishes for breakfast and lunch and delicious homemade pies and cakes.

It’s famous for its chicken fried steak, jalapeño cornbread, and many specialty dishes.

Breakfast is served all day, so if you feel like having it at lunchtime, do it!

Our Place Restaurant was founded in 1986 by Chris and Arif Arslanovski and is now managed by their children Otto Jr, Salina, Rich, and Benji.

You can find it on West Debbie Lane.

Play Golf at Mansfield National Golf Club

In the gorgeous rolling hills sits the 225-acre Mansfield National Golf Club in Bermuda greens.

The center has an 18-hole golf course for a par of 72, which features bunkers that add to the challenge in the beautiful undulating greens.

Stunning trees like oaks, evergreens, cedar, elm, hackberry, and mesquite surround the golf course, providing a delightful ambiance.

The golf club also has a wide driving range, Yamaha golf carts, a clubhouse, and a shop filled with all golfing needs.

Mansfield National Golf Club at National Parkway is a joint venture of the city of Mansfield and Arcis Golf.

It was opened in 2000.

Watch Movies and Shows at the Historic Farr Best Theater

Another tourist gem in Mansfield is the Farr Best Theater, which hosts movies, shows, live performances, and community events.

The theater was established in 1917 by Milton May Farr, who named it the Best Farr Theatre, but it was later changed to Farr Best Theater in 1950.

The Farr family operated it for 58 years.

In 2017, the city of Mansfield bought the historic theater to retain its original use as a theater and maintain its significance in the history of the city.

The restored 158-seat theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

You can find it on North Main Street in downtown Mansfield.

Participate in the Annual Hometown Holidays

An annual celebration in downtown Mansfield called the Hometown Holidays draws many tourists every year.

Carnival games, ice slides, midway rides, tree lighting and fireworks show, Santa visits, and more activities highlight this spectacular event.

Most activities are free, although ride tickets come with a small fee.

The Hometown Holidays event is perfect for visitors to celebrate with the locals, especially for families with young children.

Spend a Picnic Day at Katherine Rose Memorial Park

Welcome sign of Katherine Rose Memorial Park

Jeremiahjr at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of Mansfield’s most popular and go-to parks, Katherine Rose Memorial Park brings you closer to nature and offers fun activities.

The park offers a large covered pavilion and picnic tables with grills for an easier setup when you spend a fine day for a picnic.

It also houses a garden called Katherine’s Garden, which is filled with roses and is famous as a background for photos, especially in weddings.

The park used to be a pecan orchard but was transformed into a memorial park named after the landowner’s wife.

Opened in 1996, the park also features a paved trail perfect for walking and biking, which leads to the Walnut Creek Linear Park.

It also has sports courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground for children.

You can find Katherine Rose Memorial Park at North Walnut Creek Drive.

Experience the Hot Beats & Cold Brews Festival

Downtown Mansfield also hosts a yearly music concert and live performance event called the Hot Beats & Cold Brews Festival.

The four-day festival features several musical acts on Main Street with three stages of free concert series.

Over the years, many tourists from Texas and neighboring states and cities have experienced this extravaganza festival.

Various concession stands are also available at the festival.

Hot Beats & Cold Brews Festival was established in 2007 by volunteers and the Discover Historic Mansfield, Inc.

Watch Tournaments at Big League Dreams Mansfield

On Heritage Parkway South, you can find Big League Dreams Mansfield, with eight replica fields and an indoor pavilion.

The replica fields include the Sportsman’s Park, Wrigley Field, Ebbets Field, Yankee Stadium, Crosley Field, Fenway Park, Polo Grounds, and Rangers Globe Life Park.

The indoor pavilion is used for soccer, banquets, and other events.

The sports park hosts baseball, soccer, and softball tournaments.

Concession stands are also available at the sports park, so you can have a bite while watching a game.

Big League Dreams Mansfield opened in 2008; it’s located on Matlock Road.

See the Man House Museum

Apart from enjoying fun outdoor excursions in Mansfield, it’s also great to step back into the past by visiting the Man House Museum on West Broad Street.

It’s the homestead of Ralph Sandiford Man, who founded the grist mill business with his business partner Julian Feild.

The museum features artifacts that relay the story of Mansfield in the past and its people.

It highlights Man’s personal belonging—a rocking chair he bought for his wife.

Some of the collection from the 1850s to 1880s includes shaving supplies, a spinning wheel, a cupboard, and a bed.

These were all from several people’s homes where Man used to take refuge in North Texas.

The homestead was built between 1865 and 1870.

The Man House Museum was opened in 2020 after its restoration by the city of Mansfield.

Enjoy Fresh Coffee at Flying Squirrel Coffee Company

Start your day right with a fresh coffee from Flying Squirrel Coffee Company on North Main Street.

Founded in 2019, the coffee shop is popular for its delicious and fresh coffee specialties such as Cortado, Latte, and Cold Brew.

If you’re up for something sweet, you can have a slice of cake to pair with your favorite cup.

Plant milk is also available for vegans, as well as oat milk, coconut, almond, and soy.

The coffee shop also serves tea, smoothies, hot chocolate, and boba, among others.

Flying Squirrel Coffee Company is a brainchild of a daddy-daughter tandem who loves to sit and have coffee together.

The coffee shop’s name comes from Amy Ryan’s namesake Squirrel and her dad’s profession as a pilot for the United States Air Force.

Treat Yourself to a Great Massage at Avante Salon & Day Spa

After a long, tiring day going around Mansfield, you can relax at Avante Salon & Day Spa.

The award-winning spa offers one of the best massage therapy experiences in the city, such as Swedish Massage, Hot Stone, and Avante Signature Massage, among others.

It also has massage packages with skin care treatments.

So if you’re feeling beat for the day, Avante Salon & Day Spa is your best choice in Mansfield.

Living Magazine hailed the spa with the Reader’s Choice Award in 2022.

Avante Salon & Day Spa dates back to 2004 and is located on East Debbie Lane.

Explore around Clayton W Chandler Park

One of the popular features of Clayton W Chandler Park is the Splash Pad, which is perfect for families with small children.

If you’re traveling with kids, this park will fascinate them, especially with a Splash Pad to keep them entertained.

The park also has a pond for fishing, playgrounds, sports fields and courts, picnic areas, a walking trail, and more.

Formerly known as North Park, Clayton W Chandler Park was established in 1976 and was renovated in 2004.

You can find it on North Walnut Creek Drive.

Final Thoughts

From beautiful nature parks to tempting coffee shops and restaurants, there’s no shortage of things to do in Mansfield.

The city is also rich in history, arts, and culture that you can share with your friends and family back home.

So start packing and planning your itinerary with our guide on the best things to do in Mansfield, Texas!

© All rights reserved.