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AREA ATTRACTIONS |
There are endless amounts of recreational and entertainment opportunities in the Central Texas region. The counties of Somervell, Hood, Johnson, Erath, Bosque, and Hamilton provide enough facilities and natural beauty to keep the whole family entertained for a lifetime. Browse the information and links below to learn more about northern Texas Hill Country recreation. Somervell County l Hood County l Johnson County l Bosque County l Erath County l Hamilton County Somervell County
Dinosaur Valley State Park contains over 1,500 acres of layered rock formations and some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. Activities in the park include camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding (no horses furnished), swimming, fishing, and wildlife observation. The park also contains two gigantic fiberglass models of dinosaurs, built during the New York World's Fair Dinosaur Exhibit of 1964-1965. Dinosaur Valley State Park isn't the only attraction in Somervell County, though. The following is a list of fantastic recreational and entertainment opportunities/facilities in the county: • Creation Evidences Museum: Features artifacts and fossil displays, including dinosaur footprint casts and acrocanthosaurus bones. • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Offers over 3,000 acres of endangered and exotic animals for the whole family to view. • The Promise: Performed at the Texas Amphitheater, The Promise is a contemporary musical re-enactment of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. • Somervell County Historical Museum: Displays items depicting local history, fossils, and relics. Open on select days, year round.
For additional information concerning recreational opportunities in Somervell County, feel free to Contact Us at anytime. Hood CountyThere are some great opportunities for recreation and entertainment in Hood County. The completion of Lake Granbury in 1969 and the recent restoration of downtown Granbury has turned Hood County into a popular recreation and resort center. Some points of interest in Hood County include: • Granbury Opera House: Constructed in 1886, this opera house seats just over 300 people and brings in more than $4.5 million a year. In addition to a theatre, the opera house consists of a company dormitory, a prop house, dressing rooms, rehearsal space, and a costume building. • Acton State Historical Site: Texas' smallest state park, this site features Elizabeth Crockett's gravesite, among other things. • Artisans Craft Mall: The county's largest gift store, this mall features over 100 crafters and artists, as well as The Stacks bookstore. • Barking Rocks Winery: Located between historic Granbury and Thorp Springs, this winery features premium wines being handcrafted in an old rock barn. • Bass Schoolin': Largemouth bass fishing guide service on Lake Granbury. • Brazos Drive-In: An authentic 1950's drive-in, you can bring your car or lawn chair and enjoy movies every weekend. • Brazos River Music Fest: An all-day concert on March 25th featuring Texas country music, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Hood County. • Granbury Riverboat: An authentic riverboat offering a variety of cruises on Lake Granbury year-round, this riverboat contains a climate-controlled dining room and a covered upper deck. • Harbor Lakes Golf & Swim Club: Golf course, club house/restaurant, and pool.all open to the public. • Whispering Creek Ranch: 200-acre wildlife preserve with great views, including a wedding chapel and a beautiful reception hall. • Rhino Ridge Outfitters: Biking, hiking, and kayaking tours on Lake Granbury, Brazos River, and other areas. • Railroad Depot Museum: A railroad depot restored to its 1914 grandeur, this museum is open Tuesdays and Saturdays. • Chrysalis Cultural Center: A performing arts center featuring concerts and special events.
• Granbury Market Day: Held in early May, this festival features arts and crafts, flowers, a farmer's market, and a 4-H Children's Safety Fair. • Granbury's Old Fashioned 4th of July: Includes a parade, arts and crafts, games and contests, buffalo burgers, and fireworks. • General Granbury's Civil War Reenactment: Held in late September, this event is an authentic depiction of battles and skirmishes in General Granbury's career. • Harvest Moon Festival: Held in late October, this festival features arts and crafts, scarecrow contests, pumpkin contests, and much more. • Granbury Country Christmas Celebration: Held in late November, this event features an evening parade, Santa's arrival, and more. • Granbury Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes: Held the first week in December, this event features a Christmas tour of historic homes and buildings, with festival entertainment and horse-drawn carriages that tour the historic district. If you'd like additional information regarding recreational opportunities and events in Hood County, feel free to Contact Us at anytime. Johnson CountyJohnson County offers some wonderful opportunities for recreation and entertainment, including the phenomenal Cleburne State Park. With 528 acres and a 116-acre spring-fed lake, Cleburne State Park offers 5.5 miles of mountain-biking trails, fishing and boating on Cedar Lake, and all the comfortable amenities your family needs. In addition to Cleburne State Park, Johnson County also offers plenty of other recreational opportunities, such as: • Layland Museum: Located in the 1904 Carnegie Library, this museum features Johnson County Historical relics, fossils, genealogy records, and pre-Colombian Native American artifacts. • Lake Pat Cleburne: A 1,550 acre municipal lake, this body of water is known for its fishing, sailing, skiing, and swimming. • Pate Museum of Transportation: Features cars, airplanes, antique railcars, minesweeper boats, and much more.
January • Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet (26th) February • Johnson County Jr. Livestock Show & Youth Fair (21st - 25th) March • Master Gardeners' Lawn & Garden Show (11th ) April • Taste of Cleburne (4th) • Chamber Golf Tournament (21st) • Springfest (28th - 30th) May • Cinco de Mayo Celebration (5th) June • Relay for Life (9th -10th) • Carnegie Players Present "Music Man" (23rd - 25th, 30th) July • 4th of July Parade (4th ) • Goatneck 100K Bike Ride (29th) August • Johnson Co. Pioneers & Old Settlers Reunion (14th - 19th) September • Antique Alley and Yard Sale (15th - 17th) October • Senior Citizens' Total Health Fair (21st) November • Native American Pow Wow (11th) • Brazos Chamber Orchestra Concert (11th) December • Whistle Stop Christmas Parade & Activities in Park (1st) • Cleburne International Christmas Market (2nd) For a full list of annual events in the city of Cleburne, click here, and go to Annual Events. For additional information concerning entertainment and recreational opportunities in Johnson County, feel free to Contact Us. Bosque CountyBosque County has some great recreational and entertainment opportunities available, including a wide array of annual events for which the county has become known. Some events in the county include: January • Annual Chili and Stew Supper: Held the last Saturday of the month, in Mosheim. February • Conservatory Photo Contest: Held in Clifton. • Young Farmer's Sale: Held the last Saturday of the month, in Valley Mills. March • County Wide Clean Up April • Conservatory Big Event: Featuring an auction, dinner, and dance. Held the first weekend of the month, in Clifton. • Community Easter Pageant: Featuring a sunrise service and breakfast. Held on Easter morning, in Iredell. • County Wide Garage Sale May • VFW Memorial Day Service: Held the Saturday before Memorial Day, in Iredell. • West Shore Civic Barbecue: Held the Saturday before Memorial Day, in Laguna Park. June • Freedom Fest: Featuring a 5K run, arts & crafts, and softball. Held the last Saturday of the month, in Clifton. • Chigger Fest: Held in Meridian. July • Central Texas Youth Fair and Rodeo: Held the 16th-19th, in Clifton. • Plaza Nights in Heritage Plaza: Held the 19th, in Clifton. • 4th of July Country Fair: Held in Iredell. August • National Championship Barbecue Cook-Off: Held the 4th Saturday of the month, in Meridian. September • September Fest: Featuring art & crafts, a parade, a barbecue, a street dance, and a 5K run. Held the 2nd Saturday of the month, in Cranfills Gap. • Texas' Largest Fish Fry: Held the Saturday before Labor Day, in Laguna Park. October • Community Barbecue: Held the first Saturday in October, in Coyote. • Market on Main Street: Held on the 18th, in Clifton. • Trick-or-Treat with Clifton Main Street: Held on the 31st, in Clifton. • Chamber of Commerce Halloween Carnival: Held in Meridian. November • VFW Hunter's Fish Fry: Held the first day of Deer Season, in Iredell. December • Lighted Christmas Parade: Held in Clifton. • Bosque Conservatory Gallery of Trees: Held in Clifton. • Lute fish Supper: A Norwegian Christmas delicacy, held the first Saturday of the month, in Cranfills Gap. • Bosque County Christmas Fair and Parade: Held in Meridian.
In addition to the annual events held in Bosque County, the area also contains some great parks that offer a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. These parks include: • Katy Park • Kimball Bend Park • Morgan Lakeside Park • Plowman Creek Park • Soldiers Bluff Park • Steele Creek Park If you'd like more information about recreation and entertainment in Bosque County, you can Contact Us at anytime. Erath CountyErath County offers an unlimited amount of parks and other wildlife areas for hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and much more. The following is a list of some of the outdoor attractions located in the county: Lakes and Reservoirs
For a full list of lakes, reservoirs, and other bodies of water in Erath County, click here. Parks • Stephenville City Park: Features a recreation hall, two pavilions, a swimming pool, baseball/softball fields, batting cages, RV hook-ups, picnic areas, soccer fields, a gazebo, and much more. • Stephenville Optimist/Jaycee Park: Features picnic areas, a playground, a jogging/walking track, a baseball field, basketball courts, and a pavilion. • Wright Historical Park: Featuring well-preserved historical buildings and playgrounds.
• Brooks Art Gallery: Features a collection of wildlife and landscape captures in various artistic forms. • Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council: A non-profit fine arts presenter organization which makes cultural activities accessible to all citizens. • Hoka Hey Fine Arts Foundry & Gallery: One of the foremost bronze foundries in the U.S., including a nine foot wax sculpture of John Wayne that used to be housed in the Orange County California Airport. • Thompson Gallery of Original Art: Features work by local, regional, and national artists. For more information about recreational and entertainment opportunities in Erath County, feel free to Contact Us at anytime. Hamilton CountyHamilton County is a down-home community offering lovely recreational and entertainment opportunities. With more than 40 local civic organizations, the city of Hamilton is never lacking in community events, festivals, and entertainment facilities. Three parks with a total of 60 acres roll through the city as well. Below is a list of some of the recreational and educational opportunities located in Hamilton: • Pecan Creek Park: Penetrates 10 downtown blocks, with 3 recreational areas and a swimming pool. • Perry Country Club: Features a golf course and pool. • City Lake: Features year-round fishing, boating, and other water sports. • Cowhouse Creek: Features year-round fishing, boating, and other water sports. • Leon River: Features year-round fishing, boating, and other water sports. • Lake Proctor: Features year-round fishing, boating, and other water sports. • Hamilton County Dove Festival: The dove season-opening is a city-wide event that attracts about 5,000 people to the county each year. • Hamilton Civic Theater: Features 5 live shows each year, beginning in the spring and ending with the children's Christmas pageant. • Hamilton Fine Arts Center: Features exhibits, seminars, art and dance classes, and much more. • City Pool • Baseball Park
• Billy the Kid Museum: Read the documents and see the pictures depicting the legend of Billy the Kid. Also contains a unique gift shop and bar, and special tours. Open daily. • Miss Jessie's Cottage: Located in the heart of downtown Hico, this cottage offers bed & breakfast, quaint shops, crafts, antiques, multiple restaurants, Miss Jessie's kitchen, hand-crafted chocolates, and much more. Great rates. Open year round. • Poverty Point Park: Features 10 RV spaces, rental cabins, and bathhouses. • Bobby Kerr Cowboy Art: Features beautiful western art, furniture, mirrors, and much more, all done in metal. • Wiseman House Chocolates: Located in a Victorian house and offering handcrafted chocolates made in the European style. • McAdams Horse & Cow Art Gallery: Features original paintings by Jerry McAdams, plus other prints. If you'd like additional information concerning area attractions in Hamilton County, feel free to Contact Us at anytime.
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