Glen Rose

Situated on the Paluxy River, an hour southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth, Glen Rose is where Lone Star adventure meets unique charm. Unique is no exaggeration. The Dinosaur Capital of Texas offers surprises you won’t find elsewhere—from prehistoric wonders to modern music and cuisine.  

Step back in time at Dinosaur Valley State Park, where you can walk in the footprints of those “terrible lizards” that once roamed the earth. Then, fast-forward to the present day with a drive-thru safari at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. More than 50 different threatened species do some roaming of their own across 1,800 acres of wild terrain. Along the way in Glen Rose, encounter life-size replicas of dinos at family favorite Dinosaur World. Save time to wade through the serene Paluxy River at Big Rocks Park and take in a sky full of stars when the sun goes down. Plan to leave your footprints in Glen Rose, same as the dinosaurs.  

Along with a sensational outdoor scene, Glen Rose offers a must-see Historic Downtown Square, where quirky boutiques, antique shops and artisanal finds attract many a shop-a-haulic. Don't miss Barnard Street Mercantile, home to more than 40 local vendors, or Barnard’s Mill, an architectural relic-turned-art museum. When hunger strikes, fuel up at local favorites like Loco Coyote, known for its massive burgers and impossibly tender barbecue, or indulge in a slice of homemade heaven at Pie Peddlers. Fall visitors won’t want to miss the Glen Rose Charity Wine & Arts Festival, serving up a delicious mix of Texas wines, inventive delicacies from area restaurants, and live music. 

Glen Rose isn’t just about sightseeing and fossil spotting—it’s about memory-making, too. One of the most popular experiences is The Promise, a theatrical retelling of the life of Jesus set beneath the Texas sky. Music lovers will find their groove at Spring Fling, a yacht rock festival on the Historic Town Square, and the Paluxy Music Festival, where country tunes inspire boot-stompin’ good times across multiple venues. When the holidays roll around, the season-long Christmas Town in Glen Rose transforms the city into a twinkling, carol-filled wonderland, complete with Santa sightings and festive markets. 

With so much to see and do, one day isn’t enough. Glen Rose is a perfect weekend, or multi-day escape. Rest comfortably in one of the area’s many welcoming accommodations, including brand name and boutique hotels, rustic cabins and RV parks with riverfront views.  

A marvelous destination for history buffs, outdoor adventurers, foodies and festival-goers, Glen Rose has something everyone. Visit Glen Rose and see how this bite-sized town packs a Texas-sized punch.