Waxahachie is small enough to feel easy with kids and close enough to Dallas and Fort Worth for the big stuff. This guide covers it all: splash pads and playgrounds, a drive-in movie, bowling and IMAX, pumpkin patches, the State Fair, zoos, dinosaur tracks, and the festivals that fill the calendar all year.
We host a tiny home about 8 minutes from downtown Waxahachie that sleeps up to seven, with a full kitchen and a porch made for watching the stars once the kids are in bed.
At a glance
- Our bar
- Only places with strong reviews (4.3 stars and up when we checked), plus city parks
- Closest fun
- Hooky Entertainment: bowling, IMAX, and an arcade, about 5 minutes away
- Free fun
- Splash pads, playgrounds, the Ellis County Museum, and the courthouse square
- Happening now
- The State Fair through October 18 and Scarborough's Hollow on Saturdays through October 31
- Big days out
- Dallas Zoo about 35 min, Perot Museum 40, Six Flags 50, Fort Worth Zoo 1 hour
- Animals
- Giraffes that eat from your hand at Fossil Rim, about 1.5 hours away
- The tiny home
- Sleeps 7, full kitchen, washer and dryer, pets welcome with approval
From Google listings, the City of Waxahachie, the Waxahachie CVB, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and each attraction's site, checked October 1, 2026. Hours change, so call ahead.
Fall 2026
Happening now near Waxahachie
- State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas (about 45 minutes): through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Big Tex, the midway, the livestock barns, and fried everything.
- Scarborough's Hollow, 2511 FM 66 (about 15 minutes): a family fall fantasy festival on the Renaissance festival grounds. Saturdays through October 31, plus Sunday, November 1, 1 to 9 p.m.
- Stampede of Speed and the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals, Texas Motorplex (about 15 minutes): October 9 to 18, with a free cattle drive through downtown Waxahachie at noon on Friday, October 9. NHRA says kids 12 and under get into the Fall Nationals free. See our Motorplex guide.
- Country Day on the Hill, Cedar Hill (about 30 minutes): Saturday, October 10, with a parade, crafts, food, and three stages. Free.
- Trunk-o-Palooza: Saturday, October 17, 3 to 6 p.m., Getzendaner Park (about 10 minutes). Waxahachie's trunk-or-treat, billed as the largest in Texas.
- Crossroads of Texas GO TEXAN Country Festival, downtown Waxahachie (about 8 minutes): Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 200+ booths and 10+ stages. Free.
- Ennis pumpkin patch and hay maze, downtown Ennis (about 20 minutes): in 2025 they were free all October. The Autumn Daze festival, with carnival rides, live music, and pumpkin painting, is October 24 and 25, 2026. Confirm this year's patch hours with Visit Ennis before you go.
- Country Critters Farm, Alvarado (about 40 minutes): its fall season starts October 3, with pony rides, a barrel train, hayrides, a bounce pillow, a maze, a petting zoo, and pumpkins.
- Halloween: trick-or-treating on the downtown squares in Waxahachie, Midlothian, and Ennis. In 2025, Waxahachie's was October 30, 3 to 5 p.m.
Christmas is next. See our holiday guide for light shows, the parade, and every event through the new year.
The Waxahachie Tiny Home
A calm home base for the family
- Room for everyone: a queen bed downstairs, two queen air mattresses in the loft, and a sofa.
- A full kitchen for breakfasts and picnic lunches, and a washer and dryer for splash-pad clothes. H-E-B is about 8 minutes away.
- Wide-open country: sunsets over 1,800 acres of farmland and real stars after dark.
- Good to know: the loft is up a wooden staircase, so little ones need a grown-up on the stairs. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., since we live on the property.
- Bring the dog with approval, and there's room to park a trailer or RV.
Downtown Waxahachie and local history
Downtown is about 8 minutes from the tiny home. Park once and walk the square.
The courthouse square
Ellis County Courthouse · downtown, about 8 min
The pink granite and red sandstone courthouse from 1895 is one of the most photographed in Texas. Walk around it and look for the faces carved into the stone, then browse the shops on the square.
Ellis County Museum
201 S. College St. · about 8 min
130+ years of local history in downtown's oldest building, from 1889: farming, railroads, and baseball legends, with activities for kids. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Ellis County African American Hall of Fame Museum and Library
441 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. · about 8 min
A small museum honoring Ellis County's African American history and leaders. Open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Munster Mansion
3636 FM 813 · about 10 min
A full-size replica of the house from the 1960s TV show The Munsters, with props and set pieces. It's a private home, so tours are by appointment only: 469-305-0033 or munstermansion.com.
The Gingerbread homes
Around downtown
Waxahachie's Victorian homes, many covered in the fancy carved trim that gave it the name Gingerbread City, line the streets around downtown. A slow drive or stroll through the neighborhoods off the square is a free tour. Every June, the Gingerbread Trail opens some of them to visitors.
Railyard Park
455 S. College St. · downtown
An award-winning downtown park with an amphitheater for concerts, festivals, and movie nights, plus a splash pad.
Waxahachie Farmers Market
701 Howard Rd. · about 8 min
Saturday mornings in season, under a covered pavilion next to the dog park: produce, baked goods, and local crafts.
Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum
105 NE Main St., Ennis · about 20 min
Train history in a railroad town. Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
Parks, splash pads, and the outdoors
Splash pads (warm months)
- Railyard Park, 455 S. College St., downtown: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- George Brown Plaza, 209 N. Jackson St., downtown: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gated and shady, with picnic tables and a restroom.
- Matthew's Park, 501 Harvest Grove Dr. (about 8 minutes): 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., next to a playground.
- Midlothian Community Park, 3601 S. 14th St., Midlothian (about 20 minutes): one of the best parks in the area, with three playgrounds, a splash pad, and walking trails.
Getzendaner Memorial Park
400 S. Grand Ave.
Waxahachie's showpiece park: three playgrounds, a maze kids love, shade trees, a walking path, and the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, which is on the National Register. Tulipalooza fills it with tulips in late winter. Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lake Waxahachie
Boat Dock Park, 111 Lakeshore Dr.
Fishing, boating, and a picnic by the water. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mockingbird Nature Park
1361 Onward Rd., Midlothian
Easy prairie trails with wildflowers and a pond. Bluebonnets in the spring; stick to the paths, since there's cactus. Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Bardwell Lake
Near Ennis
Corps of Engineers parks with boat ramps, picnic areas, and fishing. The Corps doesn't list a designated swim beach, so swim at Cedar Hill State Park instead.
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center
1206 FM 1382, Cedar Hill
Short trails through a wooded canyon, great for spotting birds. Wednesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cedar Hill State Park
1570 FM 1382, Cedar Hill
A gravel swim beach on Joe Pool Lake, a kid-friendly perch pond, trails, and Penn Farm, an 1800s farmstead you can walk through. $7 for adults; kids 12 and under free. It fills up, so reserve a day pass.
Indoor and rainy-day fun
Hooky Entertainment
108 Broadhead Rd.
The big one: 13 movie screens including IMAX, 14 bowling lanes, a 17,000-square-foot arcade, and a full menu. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to midnight.
Hilltop Lanes
2010 US-287 Business
An old-school local bowling alley. Opens 10 a.m. most days (noon Sunday) and stays open late on weekends.
Galaxy Drive-In
5301 N. I-45, Ennis
A real drive-in with several screens, open nightly from 6 p.m. Bring pillows and blankets and tune in through your car radio. Get there early on weekends for a good spot.
Redbird Skateland
1206 N. Duncanville Rd., Duncanville
A classic roller rink. Public sessions are mostly evenings and weekend afternoons; check the schedule.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie
Slides, a lazy river, and a kids' area, all indoors and warm year-round, plus an arcade. It closes some weekdays, so check the calendar.
Color Me Mine
4000 Five Points Blvd., Arlington
Paint your own pottery and pick it up later, or have it shipped.
Monster Mini Golf
950 E. Malloy Bridge Rd., Seagoville
Glow-in-the-dark mini golf with monsters and an arcade. Afternoons and evenings, from noon on weekends.
Ninja Kidz Action Park
320 E. Main St., Crowley
A big indoor action park for kids who need to burn off energy. Open daily from 9 a.m.
For little kids
- The Flamingo Nest, 1107 Ferris Ave. (about 8 minutes): an indoor play space with a separate toddler area, a gentle sensory hour in the mornings, and fresh coffee for the grown-ups. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Georgie Boy's Ice Cream is in the same building.
- FeFe's Indoor Play, 301 W. Main St., Midlothian (about 20 minutes): weekday mornings and early afternoons, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Play Street Museum, Mansfield (about 30 minutes): a pretend-play town for small kids, with timed play sessions. Book online.
- Play Park MTX, Mansfield (about 35 minutes): indoor play, open daily.
- Splash pads and playgrounds in town, listed above, are the easy win on a warm afternoon.
- The Perot Museum in Dallas has a kids' play area and water play out front. Pack a towel.
Animals and farms
Dallas Zoo
650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy., Dallas
Texas's biggest zoo, with giraffe feeding that kids talk about for weeks. Open daily, with hours that change by season. Go early in summer, when the animals and the people are more active.
Country Critters Farm
3709 County Rd. 617, Alvarado
A farm visit with a petting zoo, pony rides, and hayrides. Its fall pumpkin patch season starts October 3, 2026.
Dallas World Aquarium
1801 N. Griffin St., Dallas
Half aquarium, half indoor rainforest, with birds, sloths, and monkeys overhead. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's warm inside, so dress light.
Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Pkwy., Fort Worth
One of the best zoos in the country, with a petting area, giraffe feeding, and the Safari Splash water play area for hot days. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium
Grapevine Mills mall
Sharks, rays, and an ocean tunnel, indoors. About an hour and a half to see it all.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
2299 County Rd. 2008, Glen Rose
A drive-through safari where giraffes, zebras, and antelope walk right up to the car and eat from your hand. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The guided safari truck is a step up from driving yourself.
Big days out: Dallas, Arlington, and Fort Worth
Everything here is an easy day trip, and you're back on the porch by sunset.
Dallas (about 35 to 50 minutes)
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy.
A park built over a freeway, with a playground, splash fountains, lawn games, and food trucks. Free. Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Aviation history
Commemorative Air Force, Dallas Executive Airport
WWII warbirds up close at the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, home base for the B-29 "FIFI" and the B-24 "Diamond Lil" when they aren't touring. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Its DFW Wing hangar in Lancaster (about 30 minutes) opens weekends.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
2201 N. Field St.
Floor after floor of hands-on science, dinosaur skeletons, and gems, plus a children's museum. Plan on 4 hours or more.
Reunion Tower GeO-Deck
300 Reunion Blvd. E.
A 360-degree view of the skyline from 470 feet up, indoors and out. Go at sunset and stay for the city lights.
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
2021 N. Stemmons Fwy.
Knights, horses, and a joust while you eat dinner with your hands. A once-a-childhood kind of night.
The Sixth Floor Museum
411 Elm St., Dealey Plaza
The story of President Kennedy's assassination, in the old Texas School Book Depository. Best for older kids and teens. Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
State Fair of Texas
Fair Park
Late September to mid-October each year (through October 18 in 2026). Big Tex, the midway, the Texas Star Ferris wheel, and the famous fried foods.
Dallas Arboretum
8525 Garland Rd.
Gardens on White Rock Lake that change with every season, plus the Children's Adventure Garden for hands-on science. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arlington and Grand Prairie (about 45 to 50 minutes)
Six Flags Over Texas
Arlington
Roller coasters, plus plenty of rides for little kids. It runs on a seasonal calendar, so check the dates before you go.
AT&T Stadium tours
1 AT&T Way, Arlington
About 90 minutes behind the scenes at the Dallas Cowboys' home, including the locker rooms. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Field access depends on event prep.
Globe Life Field
Arlington
Ballpark tours, or a Texas Rangers game from April to September.
Fort Worth (about 1 hour)
The Stockyards cattle drive
Fort Worth Stockyards
Longhorns walk down Exchange Avenue every day at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay for the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, with some 1:30 p.m. matinees.
Kimbell Art Museum
3333 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Monet, Picasso, and Caravaggio, with a free permanent collection and gardens outside. Closed Mondays. The Modern Art Museum is next door.
Glen Rose (about 1.5 hours)
- Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: the drive-through safari, under animals.
- Dinosaur Valley State Park: real dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River, a swimming hole, and trails with a scenic overlook. Wear water shoes; the rocks are slippery. Pair it with Fossil Rim for one big day.
Sports, racing, and rodeos
- Texas Motorplex, Ennis (about 15 minutes): NHRA drag racing, including the Texas Fall Nationals, October 14 to 18, 2026. Bring ear protection for the kids. See our Motorplex guide.
- Friday night lights: Waxahachie Indians football at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium, 200 Indian Dr. (about 8 minutes), on fall Friday nights. It's small-town Texas at its best.
- Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, Arlington (about 50 minutes), April to September.
- Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium (about 50 minutes) in the fall and winter, or a stadium tour any day.
- Rodeo: the Mesquite Championship Rodeo on summer Saturday nights at 7:30 (about 50 minutes), the Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth, and Waxahachie's free rodeo on the Fourth of July.
- Jousting: the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, weekends from April 10 to May 31, 2027 (about 15 minutes). Kids 4 and under are always free. See our Scarborough guide.
Once-in-a-lifetime family experiences
A sky full of stars
The Waxahachie Tiny Home
No city glow out here. After the kids are in bed, or with them, look up from the porch.
A drive-in movie
Galaxy Drive-In, Ennis
The whole family in pajamas, piled in the car under the big screen.
Feed a giraffe
Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, or Fossil Rim
Every one of them lets kids hand a giraffe its lunch.
Climb into WWII history
Commemorative Air Force, Dallas Executive Airport
Stand under one of the only flying B-29s in the world. The CAF also sells rides in vintage warbirds.
Helicopter tour over Dallas
You Take Flight, Dallas Executive Airport · Leading Edge Helicopters, Grand Prairie
See the skyline from above. Ask about age and weight rules when you book.
A knight's dinner
Medieval Times, Dallas
Cheer for your knight through a live joust.
A real cattle drive
Fort Worth Stockyards
Longhorns on the street, twice a day, free.
Hot air balloon ride
Rohr Balloons, Allen
A sunrise flight north of Dallas. Book well ahead, check the age and height rules, and expect weather to move your date sometimes.
Walk in dinosaur footprints
Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose
Tracks from about 113 million years ago, right in the riverbed.
Family fun through the year
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays from early February | Waxahachie Farmers Market season | 701 Howard Rd. |
| Late February to mid-March | Tulipalooza: hundreds of thousands of tulips and daffodils, flower picking, and food trucks (Feb 27 to Mar 15 in 2026) | Getzendaner Park |
| Mid-March | Spring break (Mar 15 to 19, 2027 for most local schools) | Everywhere |
| April | Bluebonnet Trails, 40+ miles of mapped wildflower drives | Ennis |
| Apr 10 to May 31, 2027 | Scarborough Renaissance Festival, weekends | Waxahachie |
| Memorial Day weekend | National Polka Festival, with a parade and kolaches (expected May 28 to 30, 2027) | Ennis |
| June | Gingerbread Trail tour of Victorian homes; Juneteenth festival | Waxahachie; Railyard Park |
| Jul 3 to 4 | Crape Myrtle Festival, fireworks, parade, and a free rodeo | Waxahachie Sports Complex (about 5 min) and downtown |
| Summer | Splash pads, Hawaiian Falls, and Saturday night rodeo in Mesquite | Around DFW |
| Late Sept to mid-Oct | State Fair of Texas (Sept 25 to Oct 18 in 2026) | Fair Park, Dallas |
| Last Saturday in September | Waxahachie Chautauqua | Getzendaner Park |
| October | Scarborough's Hollow, Stampede of Speed, Trunk-o-Palooza, Crossroads of Texas, pumpkin patches | See happening now |
| November and December | Christmas lights, the parade, Bethlehem Revisited, and more | See our holiday guide |
Treats and family-friendly meals
Ice cream and sweets
- Georgie Boy's Ice Cream, 1107 Ferris Ave. (about 8 minutes): open daily from noon, until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pair it with The Flamingo Nest next door.
- The Dessert Spot, in the historic Rogers Hotel, 100 N. College St.: cookies, cheesecake, and ice cream. Tuesday to Saturday.
- Farm Luck Soda Fountain, 109 W. Franklin St., downtown: an old-fashioned soda fountain with sandwiches. Open daily.
- Mochinut, 2801 N. Hwy 77 (about 10 minutes): mochi donuts and Korean corn dogs.
- The Sundae Social, Red Oak (about 20 minutes): sundaes, Tuesday to Sunday.
- Donuts at dawn: Donut Time, Snowflake Donuts, and Donut Palace all open at 5 a.m.
- Buc-ee's, 1402 I-45, Ennis (about 25 minutes): the famous Texas travel stop. Brisket sandwiches, Beaver Nuggets, and the cleanest restrooms in the state. Open 24 hours.
Easy meals with kids
- Breakfast: Eggsquisite Cafe and First Watch on N. Hwy 77, or Country Cafe on US-77, a mom-and-pop spot that's our family's pick.
- Lunch downtown: The Dove's Nest, our family's favorite, with homemade pies. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Dinner: Roma's Italian and Tuscan Slice for pizza and pasta, Bluebonnet BBQ and Fingers 2 Tha Bone for barbecue, Mi Casa for Tex-Mex, or a giant chicken-fried steak at Rockett Cafe.
- Or cook: the tiny home's full kitchen, with H-E-B about 8 minutes away.
Every pick, with hours and drive times, is in our where to eat guide.
Family day plans
Plan A: A classic Waxahachie Saturday
- MorningDonuts and the squareDonut Time at 5 a.m. if the kids are up, then the free Ellis County Museum (opens at 10) and a walk around the courthouse.
- MiddayLunch and a parkLunch and pie at The Dove's Nest, then playgrounds at Getzendaner Park or the Railyard Park splash pad in warm weather.
- AfternoonIce creamGeorgie Boy's, and The Flamingo Nest next door for the little ones.
- NightDrive-inA double feature at the Galaxy Drive-In, then stars from the porch.
Plan B: The rainy day
- MorningBowling and arcadeHooky Entertainment, 5 minutes away, opens at 9:30.
- AfternoonIndoor water parkEpic Waters in Grand Prairie (check the calendar), or an IMAX movie back at Hooky.
- EveningPizza night inTakeout from Roma's or Tuscan Slice. Bring a board game for the living room.
Plan C: Big-city Dallas
- 10 a.m.Perot MuseumDinosaurs and hands-on science.
- LunchKlyde Warren ParkFood trucks, the playground, and the splash fountains across the street.
- SunsetReunion TowerThe skyline lighting up, then home in about 40 minutes.
Plan D: Cowboys and critters
- 11:30 a.m.Cattle driveLonghorns on Exchange Avenue in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
- AfternoonFort Worth ZooGiraffe feeding and the Safari Splash water area.
- EveningRodeoThe Stockyards Championship Rodeo, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., then about an hour home.
Plan E: Giraffes and dinosaurs
- 8:30 a.m.Fossil Rim safariLeave early; it's about 1.5 hours to Glen Rose.
- AfternoonDinosaur ValleyDinosaur tracks in the river and a swim if it's warm.
- EveningBack to the porchSleepy kids, a quiet drive, and dinner from the kitchen.
Tips for families
- Beat the heat. Summer afternoons in North Texas regularly hit the high 90s or more. Do outdoor things in the morning, save indoor things for the afternoon, and bring water everywhere.
- Watch for fire ants in the grass at parks and in the country, and wear closed-toe shoes on trails.
- Reserve ahead for Cedar Hill State Park day passes, the Munster Mansion, Medieval Times, balloon rides, and stadium tours.
- Look for kid deals: kids 12 and under are free at Cedar Hill State Park and, per NHRA, at the Texas Fall Nationals; kids 4 and under are always free at Scarborough.
- Plan for traffic on trips into Dallas and Fort Worth. Our drive times assume no traffic; weekday rush hours can add a lot.
- If someone gets hurt: Expedian Urgent Care, 1601 N. Hwy 77, is about 8 minutes away (weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; call ahead), and the Baylor Scott & White emergency room in Waxahachie is about 10 minutes away. In an emergency, call 911.
- Hours change, especially for seasonal places. Call or check the website before you drive.
How far is everything from the tiny home?
| From the tiny home to | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Hooky Entertainment (bowling, IMAX, arcade) | 2.2 mi | About 5 min |
| Waxahachie Sports Complex (July 4 fireworks) | About 2 mi | About 5 min |
| Downtown Waxahachie (museum, splash pads, square) | 3.7 mi | About 8 min |
| Matthew's Park splash pad | 3.7 mi | About 8 min |
| The Flamingo Nest and Georgie Boy's Ice Cream | 4.1 mi | About 8 min |
| Lumpkins Stadium (Friday night football) | 3.9 mi | About 8 min |
| H-E-B Waxahachie | 3.8 mi | About 8 min |
| Getzendaner Memorial Park | 5.2 mi | About 10 min |
| The Munster Mansion | 5.4 mi | About 10 min |
| Hilltop Lanes | 5.7 mi | About 10 min |
| Lake Waxahachie (Boat Dock Park) | 7.9 mi | About 15 min |
| Scarborough Renaissance Festival | 6.7 mi | About 15 min |
| Texas Motorplex | 10.3 mi | About 15 min |
| Galaxy Drive-In, Ennis | 10.7 mi | About 20 min |
| Downtown Ennis (pumpkin patch, railroad museum) | 15.5 mi | About 20 min |
| Midlothian Community Park splash pad | 15.8 mi | About 20 min |
| Mockingbird Nature Park, Midlothian | 14.4 mi | About 20 min |
| Bardwell Lake (High View Park) | 18.2 mi | About 25 min |
| Commemorative Air Force DFW Wing, Lancaster | 18.7 mi | About 30 min |
| Hawaiian Falls, Mansfield | 24.2 mi | About 30 min |
| Play Street Museum, Mansfield | 25.4 mi | About 30 min |
| Dallas Zoo | 28.3 mi | About 35 min |
| Klyde Warren Park, Dallas | About 32 mi | About 40 min |
| Tippie Aviation Center, Dallas Executive Airport | 25.5 mi | About 35 min |
| Redbird Skateland, Duncanville | 26.5 mi | About 35 min |
| Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, Cedar Hill | 25.1 mi | About 35 min |
| Cedar Hill State Park | 26.4 mi | About 40 min |
| Country Critters Farm, Alvarado | 28.5 mi | About 40 min |
| Perot Museum, Dallas | 32 mi | About 40 min |
| Dallas World Aquarium | 31.8 mi | About 40 min |
| Reunion Tower and the Sixth Floor Museum | 31.2 mi | About 40 min |
| Medieval Times, Dallas | 33.3 mi | About 40 min |
| State Fair of Texas, Fair Park | About 35 mi | About 45 min |
| Epic Waters, Grand Prairie | 35.5 mi | About 45 min |
| Color Me Mine, Arlington | 34.9 mi | About 45 min |
| Monster Mini Golf, Seagoville | 30.3 mi | About 45 min |
| Dallas Arboretum | 37.1 mi | About 50 min |
| Mesquite Championship Rodeo | 39 mi | About 50 min |
| Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, Arlington | 38.6 mi | About 50 min |
| Six Flags Over Texas | 38.8 mi | About 50 min |
| Ninja Kidz Action Park, Crowley | 40.5 mi | About 55 min |
| Fort Worth Stockyards | 47.7 mi | About 1 hour |
| Fort Worth Zoo | 48.2 mi | About 1 hour |
| Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth | 46.8 mi | About 1 hour |
| SEA LIFE Grapevine | 51.8 mi | About 1 hour |
| Rohr Balloons, Allen | 61.2 mi | About 1 hr 15 min |
| Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose | 70.8 mi | About 1.5 hours |
| Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose | 71.6 mi | About 1.5 hours |
Estimated drive times without traffic, October 2026.
Questions we get
What is there to do in Waxahachie with kids?
Start downtown: the free Ellis County Museum, the courthouse square, and Georgie Boy's Ice Cream. Then splash pads at Railyard Park, George Brown Plaza, and Matthew's Park, bowling and IMAX at Hooky Entertainment, and a movie at the Galaxy Drive-In in Ennis. The Dallas Zoo is about 35 minutes away and the Perot Museum about 40.
What's happening near Waxahachie in October 2026?
The State Fair of Texas runs through October 18, Scarborough's Hollow fall festival runs Saturdays through October 31 (plus Sunday, November 1), the Stampede of Speed and NHRA Texas Fall Nationals run October 9 to 18, Trunk-o-Palooza is October 17, and the Crossroads of Texas Country Festival fills downtown Waxahachie on October 24.
Are there splash pads in Waxahachie?
Yes, three. George Brown Plaza (209 N. Jackson St.) and Matthew's Park (501 Harvest Grove Dr.) run 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Railyard Park (455 S. College St.) runs 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in season. Midlothian Community Park, about 20 minutes away, has a well-loved splash pad too.
Is there a water park near Waxahachie?
Epic Waters in Grand Prairie, about 45 minutes away, is an indoor water park that's open all year; check its calendar, since it closes some weekdays. Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield, about 30 minutes away, is an outdoor park for the summer season.
Where can kids see animals near Waxahachie?
The Dallas Zoo (about 35 minutes), the Fort Worth Zoo (about 1 hour), and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose (about 1.5 hours), where giraffes eat from your hand. In the fall, Country Critters Farm in Alvarado (about 40 minutes) has a petting zoo, pony rides, and hayrides.
Is there a pumpkin patch near Waxahachie?
Downtown Ennis, about 20 minutes away, sets up a pumpkin patch and hay maze in October (free in 2025), and its Autumn Daze festival is October 24 and 25, 2026. Country Critters Farm in Alvarado opens a farm-style pumpkin patch for the fall starting October 3, 2026.
Is there a drive-in movie theater near Waxahachie?
Yes. The Galaxy Drive-In Movie Theatre in Ennis, about 20 minutes from the tiny home, opens nightly from 6 p.m. with several screens.
What can we do in Waxahachie on a rainy day?
Hooky Entertainment, about 5 minutes from the tiny home, has 13 movie screens including IMAX, 14 bowling lanes, and a 17,000-square-foot arcade. Add the free Ellis County Museum, The Flamingo Nest indoor play space for little ones, or a drive to the Perot Museum or the Epic Waters indoor water park.
What are free things to do in Waxahachie?
The Ellis County Museum is free. So are the city parks and playgrounds, the courthouse square, the Stockyards cattle drive in Fort Worth, and the Kimbell Art Museum's permanent collection. Many festivals, like Crossroads of Texas, Trunk-o-Palooza, and the Fourth of July fireworks, are free too.
How far is Waxahachie from the Dallas Zoo and Six Flags?
From the tiny home, the Dallas Zoo is about 35 minutes, the Perot Museum about 40, Six Flags Over Texas about 50, the Fort Worth Zoo about 1 hour, and Fossil Rim about 1.5 hours, without traffic.
Where can we swim near Waxahachie?
Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake, about 40 minutes away, has a gravel swim beach. Day passes are $7 for adults, kids 12 and under are free, and the park recommends reserving because it fills up. For little ones, the splash pads are closer.
Is the Scarborough Renaissance Festival good for kids?
Yes. Jousting, games, and costumes make it a family favorite, and children 4 and under are always free. The 2027 season runs weekends from April 10 to May 31. See our Scarborough guide for tickets and tips.
Can you tour the Munster Mansion in Waxahachie?
Yes, by appointment only. It's a full-size replica of the house from the 1960s TV show The Munsters and a private home, so call 469-305-0033 or book through munstermansion.com.
When is Tulipalooza in Waxahachie?
In late winter. In 2026 it ran February 27 to March 15 at Getzendaner Memorial Park, with hundreds of thousands of tulips and daffodils, flower picking, and food trucks. Watch for the 2027 dates in early 2027.
Where can we see a rodeo near Waxahachie?
The Mesquite Championship Rodeo runs Saturday nights in the summer, about 50 minutes away. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth runs Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, with some 1:30 p.m. matinees. Waxahachie also holds a free rodeo on the Fourth of July.
Is the tiny home good for families with kids?
Yes. It sleeps up to seven: a queen bed downstairs, two queen air mattresses in the loft, and a sofa, with a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. The loft is up a wooden staircase, so little ones need a grown-up on the stairs. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
About this guide
Written by the hosts of The Waxahachie Tiny Home, a family-run rental on farmland just outside Waxahachie. We checked the details on this page against official sources and update it as things change. Hours, prices, and dates move around, so confirm before you go.
Last updated October 1, 2026
