Explore Cleburne, Texas, for a weekend with family.
I fell in love with this small town I grew up near but never visited. Shame on me for that! Cleburne, TX, offers the outdoor enthusiast a lot of outdoor space and a bit of history. We found this out during our hosted weekend trip through Visit Cleburne. All opinions are my own. Explore Cleburne, Texas, and see why I fell head over hills and will be going back soon.
Small town Cleburne had way more fun things to do than I thought. From the museums to the fun stores downtown, the state park, and all the wonderful people I met on our recent weekend trip.
The people I met in downtown Cleburne are so friendly, and they care about their town and each other businesses. The things to love about Cleburne, TX, will bring you back again. Brody and I will return to Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum for kayaking and horseback riding in May.
Related: 5 Ways to Explore Nature as a Family
How To Explore Cleburne Texas In A Weekend
As I said above, I had never ventured out to Cleburne, but from what I gather about the town, it’s growing leaps and bounds. I had an agenda to follow but found more things to do that the folks I met in town recommended. I love to talk with the locals, because, after all, they are the experts in their town.
For a family-friendly place to stay in Cleburne, consider the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cleburne. The hotel has an indoor pool which my grandson loved, the staff was very nice, and of course, breakfast comes with your stay.
There’s quite a bit to cover in a weekend, so explore what you can and come back to do the rest!
Downtown Cleburne Texas
Downtown Cleburne has many antique shops, boutiques, a cool courthouse, museums, and restaurants. We did it all on foot. Parking is free; from what I saw, there’s plenty of it. Don’t forget to wander down the side streets – often, hidden gems are down those streets.
From talking with the locals, we found a nostalgic candy store with a root beer bar, a unique toy store for kids and adults, and a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel. There are a few murals downtown that is picture-worthy too.
Trovato Street
The nostalgic candy store, Trovato Street, is an experience. It takes you back to yesteryear and leaves you feeling good. You’ll have a great time from the old-time candy that you probably grew up with or perhaps your parents did to the fancy root beer bar in the back. There are lounge chairs and couches inside for you to linger should you want to …and you’ll want to!
If you have the time and the owners are present, ask them for a tour of their newly gutted and decorated loft on the 2nd floor. OMG – it was gorgeous. Here’s their bed –yes, it’s their bed they sleep in. They have opened up their loft for tours.
Liberty Hotel
The Liberty Hotel – a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel located right in the center of downtown, is a quaint place to stay. I enjoyed talking with Nathan. He told me the hotel’s history from the beginning to the present. If you’re not staying there but want to look around, do it. It’s open to anyone who wants to look around.
Cleburne, TX Museums
Gone With The Wind
Step back in time to remember the classic movie “Gone With The Wind,” and visit the Gone With The Wind Remembered Museum. The museum brings devoted GWTW collectors and tourists from all over the world to Cleburne, TX., and is one of the world’s largest private collections of memorabilia from the movie. You will find a full wall dedicated to actors and actresses in the movie, making a spectacular backdrop for a photo outside the museum. You can’t miss it – look for Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara.
The Layland Museum
Free admission to the Layland Museum, where you’ll find displays of original historical pieces found worldwide by Mr. Layland.
The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum
Besides the Big Bear Museum (not pictured), I think we spent most of our time in the Blacksmith Shop. The fine gentleman was working on a piece of furniture and told us how it was making it, plus on the other side of the shop were pieces he had made, and every piece had a story to it!
Brody’s favorite thing to do the whole weekend (even beat out swimming in the hotel pool) was getting locked up in the jail cell and getting inside the jail stagecoach. The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum is a western adventure with great history …just ask Carrie – she is so proud of what she has accomplished with the museum, and great things are happening because of her.
The museum hosts several outdoor events throughout the year, including a Bluegrass Festival in May and Pioneer Days in November, summer, and many others. When the weather gets warmer, kayaks will be for rent on Lake Pat Cleburne, and horseback rides through the trails will also be offered.
For a complete museum tour, start at the Big Bear Native American Museum, then either walk down to the rest or drive your car – there’s plenty of parking, and it’s free. There is a nominal admissions fee that helps the non-profit museum thrive.
Cleburne’s Downtown Restaurants
Jimmie’s Restaurant
The menu may be small, but the meals are huge! If you order Jimmie’s Burger loaded with hot links, bacon, onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and a special sauce, you better be hungry – because it’s mighty. I enjoyed the salmon dinner plate, and Jimmie himself made everything on the menu. His restaurant is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
Lunch At Loaf’N Dog
Family-owned hot dog joint offering awesome one-of-a-kind hot dogs. See them for weekly live music, and order the Texas-style dog!
La Cima Mexican Cuisine
Voted #1 restaurant by locals. If nothing else, go there for the chips and hot sauce –delish! Kid-friendly – Brody loved the hot sauce too.
Cleburne State Park
Cleburne State Park is worth a drive – it’s beautiful, and the park includes a spring-fed lake for swimming, fishing, and boating and over five miles of mountain bike trails. Camping is available with hookups. Bring your own kayak or rent one from the self-kiosk.
So, are you ready to explore Cleburne, Texas? I thought you would be!!
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