Best Day Trips from Dallas – Hico, Texas
Hico is a small, friendly Texas town full of historic charm, vintage murals, fantastic shopping, a world-class chocolate shop, wonderful dining, and one-of-a-kind Texas experiences.
WHERE WE ARE
Only an hour and 45 minutes from Dallas, 2 hours from Austin, and an hour from Waco, Hico is the northern gateway to the Texas Hill Country. With great shopping, unique dining, and laid-back small town vibes, Hico is one of the best day trips from Dallas for a weekend away from it all.
WHAT TO DO
Experience a day of climbing in a converted grain silo turned climbing gym, or stay in a one-of-a-kind vintage Airstream trailer at Off the Vine RV Park. Get your chocolate fix at award winning Wiseman House Chocolates, or shop the day away at the Hico Mercantile, a collection of shops in an 1890’s Opera House.
Whatever you decide to do in Hico, there are plenty of friendly faces, lots of small town charm, and unique Texas experiences around every corner.
Where to Shop in Hico, Texas
Shopping in historic Hico, Texas is a one-of-a-kind retail experience. Take a stroll down tree-lined Pecan Street and browse for antiques, farmhouse decor, custom leather, original art, vintage treasures, hill country home decor and more. Satisfy your sweet tooth with award winning handmade chocolate, stock up on local farm fresh produce, or take home a bag of specialty popcorn.
Hico Mercantile
Housed in the historic two-story 1895 Opera House, Hico Mercantile is a collection of shops with farmhouse home decor, unique gifts, men’s and women’s apparel, candles, jewelry and more.
- 101 Elm Street, Hico, TX 76457
- www.hicomerc.com
- 254-796-0908
Wiseman House Chocolates
Wiseman House Chocolates makes fine handmade chocolates including award-winning chocolate truffles, ganache, almond toffees and carefully curated gifts. Stop by their restored Victorian home in heart of Hico, next to the Koffee Kup Family Restaurant.
Blue Star Trading
Blue Star Trading has been defining Texas style with original art, handmade jewelry, custom home furnishings, and thoughtful gifts since 1999 in historic downtown Hico, Texas. Stop in for a tour of the Historic Hico Museum in the beautifully restored upstairs.
Where to Eat in Hico, Texas
The best day trips from Dallas have to include good food, and Hico has plenty of big flavors to offer when it comes to food. From the chef-driven Chop House in the Historic Midland Hotel, to fresh farm to table cuisine, sandwiches made with the highest quality Texas ingredients, to Hill Country style BBQ, there are great restaurants to please any palate in Historic Hico, Texas.
The Chop House
Nestled inside the beautifully restored Midland Hotel in the heart of historic downtown Hico sits The Chop House. Helmed by Chef Eric Hunter, the Chop House serves steaks, burgers, salads, fresh off the boat weekly fish specials, and much more. Be sure to visit The 1896 Saloon with a full bar including craft cocktails, beer and wine.
Eis Sandwiches
Eis uses the highest quality ingredients locally sourced for an authentic Texas lunch. From sandwiches, ice cream, salad and homemade sides to craft soda and tea. You can even build your own ice cream sandwich with fresh baked cookies, just don’t forget the sprinkles.
Flacas
After a morning of shopping or exploring, stop by Flacas to satisfy your hunger with real handcrafted food. Flacas serves fresh salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, nachos, street tacos, wraps and more. Sip on Texas craft beer and wine, smoothies, and sodas, and stop by the next door Billy the Kid Museum to learn about the infamous outlaw.
- 110 Pecan Street, Hico, TX 76457
- www.flacas-hico.com
- 254-796-1972
Where to Stay in Hico, Texas
There are plenty of unique places to stay after a long day of shopping, exploring and playing in historic Hico, Texas. From glamping and bed and breakfasts to hotels and RV parks, no matter where you stay, you’re in for an authentic Hico experience full of Texas hospitality.
Off the Vine RV Park
Off the Vine RV Park offers a one-of-a-kind lodging experience with renovated vintage Airstreams, RV hook-ups and safari tents in Hico, Texas.
Midland Hotel
The historic Midland Hotel is a 14 room hotel in downtown Hico, Texas. Built in the 1890’s and beautifully restored in 2014, the hotel houses The Chop House restaurant and 1896 Saloon.
Cabin on the Creek
This unique getaway just outside of Hico is glamping at its finest. Set among the trees on a live creek, the Cabin on the Creek is a fantastic place to relax and unwind. Surrounded by nature, you will enjoy all 240 square feet of the cabin’s unique amenities. Enjoy s’mores at the fire pit, play a variety of games, or sit and enjoy the ripple of the creek. The cabin has a full bed, and a bench that folds into a twin bed.
Where to Get Coffee or Wine in Hico, Texas
A good cup of coffee, and a place to sip on wine and beer is essential for any road trip. Hico has plenty of places to do both. Grab a cup of Whiskey Morning Coffee at Buzzed Brumby, a mobile coffee shop in a converted horse trailer. For something a little stronger, stop by Pecan Street Drink Shoppe for local Texas wine, beer and liquor. At Silver Spur Winery, enjoy a wine tasting from their award winning premium dry wines, or take a bottle or two home.
2nd Street Bakeshop & Coffee Co.
Shop Local. Eat Local. Be Local. Stop in this coffee shop and bakery near downtown Hico for fresh handmade baked goods, hand pies, coffee, tea and more. Sip some coffee on the front porch swings, or gather with friends on the outdoor patio with a pastry and tea.
Pecan Street Drink Shoppe
Pecan Street Drink Shoppe features adult libations and fun gift items. Locally made raw milk artisan cheeses, jerky’s and a variety of local nuts make for a perfect snack to go with any drink.
Silver Spur Winery
What to Do in Hico, Texas
There are plenty of fun, one-of-a-kind activities in historic Hico, Texas. Climb to new heights in a converted grain silo turned climbing gym, learn about Hico history in one of the many museums, roll around the battlefield in mini tanks playing paintball, or book a fishing or hunting adventure on one of the many ranches around town.
Siloville Climbing Gym
Visit Siloville Climbing Gym for a one-of-a-kind climbing experience. The climbing gym is housed in a converted grain silo with climbing inside and outside. Test your strength and agility on the obstacle course and low ropes course or take a trip on the zip line.
- 455 Elm Street, Hico, TX 76457
- www.siloville.com
- 254-340-0737
Billy the Kid Museum
The legend of Billy the Kid lives on at the Billy the Kid Museum in historic downtown Hico, Texas. Visit today to view artifacts and learn the history of Billy the Kid.
