Things to Do in Weatherford

Historic Weatherford seamlessly blends the best of several worlds and serves all of them with a generous helping of hospitality. Here, cowboys mingle with antique hunters, mountain bikers mingle with history buffs, and foodies mingle with festival goers. Come discover the true spirit of Texas and all this welcoming city has to offer.

Explore the Historic Downtown and Shopping District

Founded in 1858, Weatherford retains so many of its historic buildings that the downtown is a National Historic District. The Second Empire-style courthouse (a style of French architecture popular in the 1850s) takes center stage and provides a beautiful backdrop to the annual Parker County Peach Festival and Christmas on the Square. Nearby, the old-fashioned farmers market sells fresh picks of the season. Juicy peaches, giant Halloween pumpkins, and locally grown pecans are crowd favorites. Shopping continues in the historic storefronts along York Avenue and Main Street. You’ll find enough quaint boutiques, specialty shops, and antique emporiums to fill an entire day.

Take a Driving Tour

While you’re downtown, stop by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce for a driving tour map of the historic district. More than 60 beautifully maintained Queen Anne, Victorian, and Greek Revival homes testify to the city’s commitment to keep these architectural gems standing. Historical markers share the history of some of the homes, including one that belonged to actress Mary Martin of Peter Pan and The Sound of Music fame and her son, Larry Hagman aka J.R. Ewing in the Dallas series.

 

Visit the City's Museums

Weatherford is a perfect destination for history buffs. The Doss Heritage and Cultural Center delves into local and state history, including that of Mary Martin and Larry Hagman, while the National Vietnam War Museum takes a candid look at this often-misunderstood conflict. The Museum of the Americas explores the history of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas through captivating displays of artifacts, folk art, and handicrafts.

Car enthusiasts will have a heyday in Weatherford’s fourth museum. The Vintage Car Museum shows off vintage and antique automobiles in mint conditions. Rare finds include LBJ’s Lincoln and Gorbachev’s Limo. 

 

Smell the Roses in Weatherford's Gardens

Chandor Mansion and Gardens — a National Historic Landmark — combines ornate Chinese architecture with English gardens on nearly four acres in downtown Weatherford. It’s named for Douglas Chandor, a renowned artist whose portraits of Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill grace the walls of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Chandor once said he painted so he could create these magical garden rooms filled with lush blooms, water features, and sculptures. It truly is a masterpiece.

A visit to Clark Gardens Botanical Park is equally idyllic, but in a different way. Here, shaded walking trails meander through historic trees. The trees have quite a pedigree, in fact. They’ve been grown from seeds or started from famous trees including the Alamo Live Oak and a Weeping Willow that shaded Napoleon’s grave. The iris garden, which blooms in late April and early May, is nationally recognized as well. Peaceful reflecting pools and fountains add to the garden’s ambiance. And for a bit of whimsy, a G-scale train chugs along a 700-foot track through the garden’s miniature village and landscaped terrain. 

 

Watch a Cutting Horse Competition or Rodeo

Weatherford has always been deeply rooted in cattle ranching. And cutting horses that separate a single cow from the herd have long been a necessity. Thanks to breeders, professional horse trainers, and hall-of-fame horses, Weatherford was named the Cutting Horse Capital of the World. To get in on the action, check out one of the cutting horse competitions. And if you visit in July, it’s rodeo time! The annual, weeklong Parker County Sheriff Posse’s Rodeo includes rodeos, a parade, a street dance, and live music. 

 

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Weatherford’s parks, lakes, and hiking/biking trails allow plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Cherry Park is a serene, downtown green space with a refreshing pool. Another city park, the Love Street Park, surrounds a stocked pond. The park’s splashpad, pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, and picnic areas provide family-friendly entertainment for the whole day.

Lake Weatherford is just east of the city and a destination unto itself. The full-service- marina caters to boating enthusiasts and anglers alike. The floating boardwalk — the U.S.’s longest at 4313 feet — attracts birdwatchers and those looking for peaceful walk in the middle of nature. Mountain biking and hiking in the adjacent Quanah Hill Park offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Waterford. Seven miles of looped trails range from easy to challenging and tackle different terrains within the 100-acre natural area. 

 

Go on a Culinary Adventure

After you’ve worked up an appetite enjoying all that Weatherford has to offer, it’s time to explore Weatherford’s food scene. You’ll find classic American diners serving out-of-this-world breakfasts and rustic BBQ and burger joints that pay homage to the city’s agricultural roots.

Quaint bistros, trendy eateries, and steakhouses in the historic downtown serve ethnic dishes, innovative fusion cuisine, seafood, and steak you can cut with a fork. Whether you’re looking for fine dining for a date night or a gathering place with tasty bites, local brews, and live bands, this food-lover's paradise has you covered.

303 Palo Pinto St.
Weatherford, TX 76086
8175984209
experienceweatherford.com