Everyone has heard by now about the supposed UFO sightings in Stephenville, Texas. There have been tons of articles and news stories written about the alien UFO debate. This article is not about the UFO sightings or aliens. It’s about the quaint town of Stephenville and the small towns surrounding it. There are more things to enjoy and learn about in this area than just the recent onslaught of UFO sightings!
Stephenville City Park
378 W. Long
Ph: 254-918-1260
I grew up in a small town not too terribly far from Stephenville and the city park of a small town is a hot spot for family activity on any given day. These small hometown parks are host to family reunions, picnics, play dates, baseball or football games, and general outdoor fun. The city park in Stephenville has 3 different play areas for kids with swings, slides, monkey bars, etc. There are also plenty of tables and chairs for parents to sit in the shade and supervise the kids while they play, or to have a good old-fashioned picnic in the park! There are also six baseball fields with concession stands where the little league teams come for area tournaments. They also have a skate park, walking trail, tennis courts, basketball courts, and an amphitheater. If you get too hot, there is a public pool to enjoy and the Bosque River runs through the park so you can feed the ducks or do some fishing.
Stephenville Antiques and Flea Markets
Most smaller towns have their share of antique stores and flea markets, and Stephenville is no exception. The Stephenville Hometown Antique Mall is located at the junction of US Hwy 377 and Business 377, where you’ll find a gift shop, tea room, and a fair showing of antiques. The Chicken House Flea Market is located on just south of Stephenville on US Hwy 377 just south of Stephenville and is open two weekends per month. Woody’s Trade Days is located just south of Stephenville on US Hwy 377 and is considered to be one of the largest in the area and draws many exhibitors and it’s open every Saturday and Sunday.
Dr. Pepper Plant in Dublin, TX
105 E. Elm
Ph: 888-398-1024
Dublin Texas is about 15 miles from Stephenville Texas and is home to the oldest Dr. Pepper bottler in the world. The Dublin Dr. Pepper plant is still in operation today and is the only plant that still bottles with the original Dr. Pepper formula using Imperial Pure Cane Sugar. Let me tell you, I am not a fan of Dr. Pepper, but the Dr. Pepper at the Dublin plant tastes so good! It doesn’t really taste like the Dr. Pepper you buy off the store shelves. You have to taste it to believe it! You can take a tour of the plant to watch the bottling process, and enjoy a free bottle of authentic Dr. Pepper while you tour. Tours start at 10:15 am and run every 45 minutes, and end at 4:15 pm. After the tour, stop in at Old Docs Soda Shop for a bite to eat. The soda shop sells the original formula Dr. Pepper, as well as logo’d t-shirts, hats, etc to commemorate your time there. You will not be disappointed with your stop at the Dublin Dr. Pepper Plant!
Dublin Town Square in Dublin, TX
After you’re all revved up on Dr. Pepper, you can burn off the energy walking around the historic town square. You’ll find historical sites of interest such as the Dublin Historical Museum where you can see artifacts and memorabilia depicting a look into the lives of “Dubliner’s” during days gone by. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Right next door is the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum where you can learn about the rodeo legend and the cowboys and cowgirls who participated. The downtown square is also home to the Hoka Hey Fine Arts Foundry and Gallery, which is known around the world for its bronze sculptures. You’ll also find several antique shops and gift stores. Contact the Dublin Chamber of Commerce at (254) 445-3422 for more information about this interesting town.
Historic Town Square in Hico, TX
Hico Texas is about 20 miles from Stephenville Texas. The buildings in Hico’s historic downtown area date back to the 1890 and are still intact with their original limestone and murals. History and architecture buffs will be thrilled with the beauty and preservation of these buildings. Housed in these old buildings is shopping for even the most discriminating shopper. You’ll find antiques, custom jewelry, western décor and supplies, gourmet chocolates, and specialty gift shops offering unique goods.
So whether you’re looking for a chance to spot a UFO or an alien, or just want to kick back and enjoy a small town atmosphere, Stephenville Texas and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer.
