Sometimes you just want to pack up the family and get away for the weekend. Nothing big, nothing fancy. Just a simple change of scenery for a few days. With the price of travel climbing every day, what is a family to do? Weekend trips are ideal. You get to get out of town and make lasting memories without taking too much time off work and without breaking the bank. Win, win for everyone.
Here are 5 family friendly destinations that you can take for 2-4 days within driving distance from Allen.
Tyler
This is definitely a favorite of ours. We have gone camping, stayed in a cabin, stayed in a hotel, and stayed at The Village which has its own water park connected. There are so many things to explore in Tyler that you can make this trip regularly and never run out of fun things to do.
Here are 5 of our favorite attractions to visit while in Tyler:
- Caldwell Zoo: animals are healthy and out for people to see. You can feed the giraffes and parakeets. Get up close to Lions and bears and all sorts of animals.
- Tyler State Park: You can tent camp or rent a convenient cabin for the family. You can boat, swim, fish, hike, bike, and more.
- Water Park at the Villages: This is an indoor park with numerous slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and playground. Enjoy the water without the worry of getting sunburned.
- Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary: This preserve and sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates all sorts of animals including tigers and lions. A great way to teach our children about animals that need out help.
- Discovery Science Place: A hands on play exhibit to explore tunnels, bat caves, cause earthquakes. Everything interactive for the kids.
Burger's Lake
This little spring filled gem of a lake is located just outside of Fort Worth. With 2 sandy shores for the littles to play in, plus 6 diving boards, slides, and a trapeze everyone is sure to have a good time. There are also lifeguards stationed throughout the lake to ensure the safety of its patrons. Picnic areas, grills, and a restaurant too. It's a great place to spend a lazy afternoon or 2 or 3.
Fort Worth
This city has so much to offer. Restaurants, exhibits, museums... the fun keeps coming. We enjoyed the Fort Worth Zoo, which was recently named the top zoo in the US. But we also had a lot of fun seeing the famous Texas Long Horns in the Stockyards. Wow, those bulls are huge and the horns are amazing. We enjoyed good food and walking around in downtown. You can also find a whole list of free things to do here: 22 Free Things to Do in Fort Worth | The Herd, Museums & Trails
Holly Ranch
This is my daughter's favorite place to visit. She had so much fun and asks to return every time we ask where she wants to go. And surprisingly it's one of the simpler places. We stayed in the Holly Ranch Resort: Holiday Inn. These cabins offer apartment like rooms with a full kitchen and grills. Several pools, lake access for canoeing, paddle boats, and fishing, hiking trails, mini golf, mini movie theater, arcade, games, and more. My children didn't have a dull moment unless they were purposely taking a break.
Waco
Everyone has heard of Waco and Magnolia Farms, but we found a much better place to visit if you want to do more than shop. Homestead Heritage is an adorable little community that has amazing food, crafts, and art. They grow their own crops on their 550 acre farm and you get to partake in some of their delicacies in the on site restaurants and cafes. Then step over to the woodworkers workshop to see amazing handcrafted boxes, and rocking chairs that are designed without the use of any nails. Or join the blacksmith and make your own spoons (for the kids), hooks, dinner triangle bell, or signs. Enjoy flavored honey or flour from their mill. Don't forget the hand crafted baskets, soaps, candles, etc. It really is an amazing little treasure hidden within the city.
