Granbury, Texas Is One Of The Top 10 Historic Towns In America
By Katie Lawrence|Published August 07, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
A perennial favorite, Granbury, Texas, is constantly hailed as the top historic small town in the U.S. by USA Today. Between its charming town square, old-fashioned drive-in theater, city beach park, and so much more, this little North Texas gem is definitely worth a visit.
A small North Texas town seemingly frozen in time, Granbury has a population of just over 10,000. Between its rich history, charming town square, and loads of activities, the quaint little community is perfect for a relaxing getaway.
With the stately Hood County Courthouse as its centerpiece, Granbury's town square was the first in Texas to earn a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Over 40 additional Texas Historic Landmarks are scattered around town -- you could spend an entire day just trying to find them all!
An upbeat entertainment hub, the town square features shops, restaurants, art galleries, and so many more unique places to check out. There are over 40 one-of-a-kind stores!
Hop on the Granbury Trolley for a chauffeured tour of the city. You'll see all the major highlights without having to lift a finger in terms of planning.
Not far at all from downtown is Granbury City Beach Park, which brings a little piece of the coast up north. This lakefront oasis features pristine sands, a splash pad, kayak rentals during the summer, and paddleboarding, volleyball, and bicycle concessionaires.
Once night falls, head to the longest continuously operated drive-in theatre in Texas: The Brazos. Since 1952, this family-run venture has been delighting locals and tourists alike with its double features.
You can also visit the newly refurbished Granbury Opera House, which was originally built in 1886. Between the opulent chandeliers, curved staircases, and filigree iron balcony railings, the decor is just modernized enough without sacrificing its antiquated charm.
Granbury has no shortage of bed and breakfasts and hotels for guests looking to extend their stay overnight. Pictured here is the iconic Nutt House Hotel, built out of limestone in 1893. It was erected for Jesse and Jacob Nutt, two blind brothers who helped establish Granbury as the seat of Hood County.
