Crystal Wise
Plopped in the middle of one of the best public school districts in Texas, it’s easy to see why Southlake has become such a desirable place to live. But, contrary to popular belief, the DFW town isn’t all great schools, luxury brands, and big houses. While it certainly has that in spades, if you know where to look, the city has more than a few surprises up its sleeve. You can always have a shopping spree at Southlake Town Square, but with fall upon us, it’s prime time to get outside and explore. Here’s where to take a hike, ride a horse, learn about the town’s history, and, of course, grab a bite.
BOB JONES NATURE CENTER AND PRESERVE has more than 20 miles of dirt hiking trails to wander down, some of which will take you along the shores of Lake Grapevine. As you step out into nature, keep an eye out for deer, birds, and other inhabitants of the Cross Timbers ecosystem that thrives here. There’s history along these trails, too. Part of this land once belonged to John Dolford “Bob” Jones, a freed slave and one of Southlake’s largest landowners in the 1800s. He lived in the area with his wife, Almeady Jones, and their 10 children. Walk through the nature center to learn more about Bob Jones’ life and the impact he had on the Southlake area.
355 E. Bob Jones Road
Crystal Wise
At MARSHALL CREEK RANCH, it doesn’t matter if you’re a horseback riding pro or if you’ve never saddled up before. Marshall Creek’s ranch wranglers will show you the way along rustic, traditional trails as you meander down to Lake Grapevine and back. They’ll also answer any questions you have on your 1 1/2-hour trail ride and make sure you’re paired with a horse that’s the right fit for you. Don’t want to be around hootin’ and hollerin’ kids on horseback? Make a reservation for an adults-only ride, offered almost every weekend. People tend to book their rides pretty far in advance, so be sure to check the schedule and call ahead before making your way down to the ranch.
4401 T W King Road
Adobe Stock
RIDE WITH PRIDE has been teaching kids how to ride horseback since the 1980s. Children as young as 3 years old are welcome to come learn all about horses and horseback riding from owner Doreen Bruton and her certified instructors. They’ll teach your kiddo basic horsemanship skills and other key things they should know as a horseback rider, such as safety rules, grooming, barn chores, and games. They offer group classes and private lessons, as well as birthday party packages where you can party with the ponies.
480 W. Highland
Crystal Wise
SOUTHLAKE’S PUBLIC ART makes for a great self-guided tour. The city has art on display in its parks, roundabouts, and in front of public buildings. You can find where the art is located on the Experience Southlake website, then familiarize yourself with the town by driving around to find all of these unique art pieces. New art is added in town every year, so keep an eye on the website for new sculptures and murals.
Crystal Wise
TAKE A HISTORY TOUR with the help of Southlake Historical Society’s online, interactive map. Although the city was established in the 1950s, this area’s history goes all the way back to the 1800s. The map includes spots like Lonesome Dove Cemetery, the resting place of many Southlake pioneers. Here lies a veteran of the War of 1812 and a girl who was kidnapped (but then returned) by the Comanches when she was young. Another historic stop is located outside of Bicentennial Park: a log house made with materials from the 1850s and 1860s. Bill Marquis, a well-known restorer of log houses, assembled pieces from three old, deteriorating log houses in Southlake and used classic pioneer techniques to build this log house in 2008.
southlakehistory.org/history-of-southlake/history-tour
Crystal Wise
SOUTHLAKE SAFE We’re all working together to stay safe and healthy this year. Southlake has created “Southlake Safe” to help businesses and community members rest assured they’re going above and beyond with safety precautions. Before heading out on your adventure, you can take a look at southlakesafe.com to see which businesses have signed the pledge or simply keep an eye out for the Southlake Safe decal before heading into a store or restaurant. Every business that has taken the pledge has been provided with a “Southlake Safe Pledge Kit” filled with PPE essentials and is committed to keeping the community safe with proper health protocols.
Hungry for more? Check out our Foodie Guide's to Southlake for ideas on where to eat like a local.