Saturdays · places we went

Where we go when we leave the house

Places worth going, with the drive, what it cost us, the window that actually works, and an honest verdict — including the ones we would not do again. Mostly around home; sometimes much further.

Every place we have written down

PlayingLearningMovingExperiencingExploringJoining

The front of Bep Nha, green lettering across the stone facade, with hanging flowers and a few patio tables under the awning.

JoiningBếp NhàWorth the SaturdayOur regular. The staff knows us, the room is bright, and the free weekend dessert bar is food we are happy to let the kids choose from themselves.

The entrance to the Half Price Books flagship on a clear day, red steps up to the doors and the big red Books Records Magazines sign above them.

LearningHalf Price Books, the flagshipWorth the SaturdayNot a destination on its own, but the best hour you can spend between other things. The kids run first and read second, and both are allowed here.

The Scheels All Sports sign across the front of the building against a blue sky, with a bronze statue of a mountain biker on a plinth below it.

PlayingScheels at GrandscapeWorth the SaturdayWhere we go when we want to take the kids out but not fight a crowd to do it. Kills an hour, costs almost nothing, and they get to go shopping, which has become a novelty.

A lawn curving around the pond at the Arboretum, with a stone planter bed and chrome bird sculptures under the trees

ExploringDallas ArboretumWorth the SaturdayThe place we return to most, and the only outdoor option that survives a Texas July. Buy the membership and go in the morning.

The playground at Bonnie Wenk Park, shaded by green canopies.

PlayingBonnie Wenk ParkWorth the SaturdayOne of three parks in our rotation and the one we pick when the boys need to burn something off. Bring lunch.

The Grumps Burgers building in Glen Rose.

JoiningGrumps BurgersWorth the SaturdayYummy, spacious and fun. In a town without many good options, this one is worth knowing.

The Shoo Fly Soda Shop storefront, open sign lit.

JoiningShoo Fly Soda ShopWorth the SaturdayThe best time we had in Glen Rose was exploring the small town, and this was part of it.

The green storefront of Storiebook Cafe in Glen Rose.

JoiningStoriebook CafeWorth the SaturdayThe one we would go back to. A cute place with a play area that actually works, and a free merry-go-round outside.

A young giraffe running alongside a safari vehicle at Fossil Rim.

ExploringFossil Rim Wildlife CenterWorth the SaturdayThe highlight of the whole trip. Costly with a car full of kids, but they are still talking about it weeks later.

ExploringDinosaur Valley State ParkWorth the SaturdayAmazing camping, and cheap. Come for the river and the town, not the tracks, and think about the water before you get in.

The fountain court at the entrance to the Crow Museum of Asian Art.

ExperiencingCrow Museum of Asian ArtWorth the SaturdayA nice hour. Go right at opening for the street parking, and expect to come back — the art rotates.

The Deep Ellum mural on a brick wall - a guitarist in a hat, the Dallas skyline, and the Adam Hats sign above the parked cars

JoiningDeep EllumWorth the SaturdayAini had a lot of fun. Pairs well with the Crow Museum in the morning, which is ten minutes away.

Lake Texoma from the shore at Eisenhower State Park.

ExploringEisenhower State ParkWorth the SaturdayA light trip. Not a lot to see, but the breeze off the lake was nice and the Buc-ee's on the way made it festive.

The Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center building.

MovingStephen G. Terrell Recreation CenterWorth the SaturdayOne of two places we fall back on when the sun makes outdoors impossible. Worth timing against the school calendar rather than the weather.

The show floor at the Texas Mineral and Fossil Show.

LearningTexas Mineral and Fossil ShowWorth the SaturdaySurprisingly big, completely free, and she stayed for hours. We will watch for it next year.

Take the Saturday field notebook

Four pages the kids fill in the car on the way home — what we saw, one drawing, one question nobody could answer.

Read the guide