I love to travel and I’m always up for a new adventure, especially when it involves spending time with girlfriends. I recently took a girls day trip from Dallas to Decatur and had so much fun exploring some hidden gems that I thought I would share them with you here so you can plan your own day trip or girls’ weekend!
As much as I love a good adventure I think it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. I’m guilty of going to the same restaurants, visiting the same places and rarely venturing out of my suburban comfort zone. Sometimes with busy schedules and limited time, it’s just easier to go to places you know, but there are so many great spots located within an hour of Dallas that it is worth venturing out for.
Getting to Decatur, Tx
Depending on where you are in the metroplex, Decatur is just over an hour drive, which makes it ideal for the perfect day trip. While I normally don’t look forward to an hour commute anywhere in the Metroplex I was looking forward to road tripping with my girlfriends in the new Chevy Traverse. This midsize SUV offers the technology to help keep you on track, the capability you can depend on and advanced safety features to help you arrive with confidence.
The 2019 Chevy Traverse comes equipped with the latest and greatest technology to make any road trip a success. From the 4G LTE Wi-Fi availability to the OnStar Technology you can be sure you are connected at all times on the road.
The Android Auto feature gives you access to all your phone’s features on the vehicle’s display – so you can make calls, send or receive messages, use Google Maps and listen to your favorite playlists right from the touchscreen. A road trip just isn’t complete without my favorite “Road Trip” playlist, or 80s jams, it makes that one hour in the car fly by!
What to Do in Decatur, TX
To be completely honest I wasn’t exactly sure how we were going to fill an entire day in this small town, but I was pleasantly surprised. I even found myself wishing I had more time to do everything. This quaint little town offers everything from historic buildings and history to shopping, wineries, crafting and the perfect spots to relax and unwind.
Decatur Downtown Square
I was meeting up with several fellow Dallas Bloggers so we agreed to meet up at Trinity Street Coffee on the downtown square. This little coffee shop is super cute and a cozy place to start the morning off right with a steaming cup of gourmet coffee. I loved that this coffee shop also doubles as a bar in the evening so you can start your morning there with a cup of coffee and end the day with a specialty drink at the bar with friends.
Since you are already downtown you’ll want to wander around the square and visit all of the darling little shops. You’ll find everything from the sweet Hey Candy Sugar Shop to a fun little yoga studio, The Divine Center of Yoga. After you’ve shopped until you drop you can visit Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes or the Rooster’s Roadhouse for lunch, then be sure to grab a sweet treat from Cakes by Leisha.
Marker Cellars
After we explored the quality little downtown area we loaded up in the Chevy Traverse and headed out to the country to a small winery and vineyard called Marker Cellars. Located just a few miles outside of Decatur in the tiny Texas town of Alvord sits this little gem called Marker Cellar Winery.
We spent a few hours with the owner Mark learning all about how he and his wife turned their 90 acres into a thriving, yet intimate Texas winery. Nestled amongst the native bluestem grasses of the LBJ National Grasslands, the Marker Cellars is home to a rich heritage of protecting natural resources and producing classic Texas wines.
I love learning all about the process and hearing the stories behind how the wines were named, but the best part was sampling the wine, telling stories and laughing with girlfriends.
DIY Studio Decatur
Probably my favorite part of the day was our stop at the huge workshop and studio where we got to make our own signs. You know how much I love a good craft project, and this place was like a dream come true with so much crafty goodness I could have spent all day here. This isn’t your typical craft workshop. What makes DIY Studio Decatur unique is it is a production manufacturing facility, with lots of space, lots of tools and lots of expertise. You may even recognize some of their stuff when you visit that little old shop, the Magnolia Market in Waco. That’s right their products have been featured on Fixer Upper and they have supplied many products and signs featured in homes on the show Fixxer Upper and even have product lines at the Magnolia Market.
We each got to make our own signs. I decided to make a large Welcome sign for my front porch and I absolutely love how it turned out. The DIY Studio has every paint color and stains you can imagine so you can customize your sign to your personal taste and home decor.
The entire process was super easy, and I loved being creative with my fellow girlfriends. When I craft I’m usually at home by myself and on a deadline to finish up blog projects so the process isn’t always enjoyable. It was so fun to be able to create something just for fun while laughing and chatting with friends!
DIY Studio Decatur offers parties and classes all month long, but you do need to sign up in advance. You can pick from a huge collection of signs, but if you have a custom idea in mind don’t hesitate to ask. The owners are super accommodating and have lots of resources on hand to make your experience an unforgettable one!
I loved having something tangible to take home from my fun outing to Decatur. Thanks to the Chevy Traverse, I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to get my giant Welcome sign and my friends home. The Chevy Traverse flexes and fits your lifestyle and needs. Stuff comes in big shapes and awkward sizes, but the Traverse makes sure it all conveniently fits. From the easy to fold down seats, maximum cargo space and hidden storage compartments for smaller items you can be sure that all of your goodies from your Girls Day Out in Decatur will make it home safely.
Where to Stay in Decatur, TX
If you are like me and you find that one day just isn’t enough, or you want to plan an entire weekend with the girls there are some great little places to stay in Decatur.
The Courthouse Suites
The Courthouse Suites is a historic little B&B that has quite the story. This space used to be a brothel, is rumored to be haunted and is an exciting blend of rustic character with a glimpse of history that tells you what life was once like in Decatur. There are suites with a view and rooms feature decor with a mix of mid-century modern luxury or a rustic country feel. Either way, you and your friends are sure to have an unforgettable stay at this unique little spot nestled in the heart of downtown Decatur.
The House on Main
We actually had lunch at this charming B&B and I instantly fell in love with this beautiful historic home. Slated to open Spring 2019, the owners, a mother-daughter duo have been busy renovating, designing and operating this charming B&B that can be rented out for girlfriend getaways and wedding party stays. The House on Main is filled with southern hospitality, quaint sleeping quarters and they can help you cater an amazing lunch for any occasion. Decatur is actually the perfect place for a beautiful country wedding, while here we also learned about The Big White Barn, a sweet country venue with 80 acres of grassy plains and the perfect backdrop to exchange vows underneath the vast Texas sky.
Why You Should Visit Decatur, TX
It’s a charming little town, packed full of boutique shops, history and Instagram worthy photo ops! Locals are passionate about their city slogan “Eighter from Decatur, county seat of Wise” so be sure to ask the locals for a history lesson on the meaning, there seem to be quite a few versions floating around.
You can view the best little courthouse in Texas, the Wise County Courthouse, stop by the intriguing Petrified Wood Gas Station, Tour the Waggoner Mansion, or take in the views of the sweeping LBJ National Grasslands. But, if you ask me the best part about this little gem just north of the Dallas Metroplex is the opportunity for adventure, crafting and reconnecting with new and old friends. If you are looking for an adventure, look no further and start planning your Girls Day Trip from Dallas to Decatur with these helpful tips!
Special Thanks to the city and businesses in Decatur, TX for having us out to enjoy the town!
Read more about visiting Decatur, Texas:
That looks like such a fun trip. That area is pretty to drive around and so full of cute finds. I did a little road trip there from the Dallas area to Fredericksburg and it was so much fun. Beautiful country.
Traverse is really a nice SUV for road trips, long or short. I have a 2015 Traverse and the lease is up this month. I test drove a 2018 a couple months ago and fell in love.