The video above takes you on a full tour of the city of Glen Rose, a small town of just a few thousand people located about 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Known officially as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas, Glen Rose has a lot more going on than you might expect from a town this size. David Bridwell headed there for a gig and spent time exploring the dinosaur attractions, the historic downtown square, and a few local spots worth knowing about.
Why Is Glen Rose Called the Dinosaur Capital of Texas?
Glen Rose earned the title because of the massive number of dinosaur tracks discovered in the area. Back in the 1960s, excavations for a state building uncovered fossilized footprints in the rock. Estimates put the total at around 2,000 dinosaur tracks, of which about 500 have been removed, leaving roughly 1,500 still in place. That area was preserved as Dinosaur Valley State Park, which sits along the Paluxy River. You can walk along the riverbed and spot actual dinosaur footprints in the water and rock, though visibility depends on river levels. In August 2022, drought conditions revealed new tracks that are normally submerged, which made national news. The park is one of the main reasons people visit Glen Rose, and it's a genuinely cool experience whether you're eight or forty-eight.
Then there's Dinosaur World, which features about 150 life-size dinosaur replicas spread across a walking trail. It's one of only three Dinosaur World locations in the country — the others are in Florida and Kentucky — and it landed in Glen Rose specifically because of the nearby fossil discoveries. Walking among those replicas gives you a real sense of scale and a reminder of how enormous and strange these animals actually were.
What Is There to Do on the Glen Rose Downtown Square?
The historic downtown square in Glen Rose is a nice spot to walk around, with a well-lit central building and interesting storefronts lining the streets. Here are some of the places worth checking out:
- Blacky's on the Square — A live music venue right on the historic square where David Bridwell performed during his visit. It's got a cool room and a welcoming crowd, even on a rainy night.
- Bull Lion Ranch Winery — A hangout spot on the square for wine and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Sexton Mill — A popular local venue that also hosts live music.
- Love and Amen Coffee Bar — Formerly known as Jitters Coffee Bar, this is a friendly coffee shop on the square with helpful staff who know the area well.
- La Vita Italian — A nearby restaurant worth visiting for the Stromboli, which is essentially a folded pizza stuffed with all the classic pizza ingredients wrapped in really good bread. You don't see Stromboli on menus often enough.
- Somervell County Museum and Texas Treasures — A small local museum that adds some historical depth to a visit to the square.
A Small Town Worth the Drive
Glen Rose started as a settlement built around a grist mill on the river, and it still has that unhurried, small-town feel. It's a popular spot for hiking, and the combination of real dinosaur fossils, a walkable downtown, and a handful of solid places to eat and listen to music makes it a worthwhile day trip or weekend destination from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If you're into Texas music, keep an eye on spots like Blacky's and Sexton Mill for upcoming shows.