7 Fun Things to Do in Brady, Texas, While Driving Through Town.
Driving through Brady, Texas? Keep reading to find the fun things to do in town when you only drive through.
Brady is the Heart of Texas, as it is the closest to the geographical center of Texas. It is twenty miles northeast of Brady.
We made a short visit to Brady in McCulloch County after spending a long weekend in Fredericksburg.
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It was thirty minutes longer to our house in the south of Fort Worth, but it was worth the detour.
Without further ado, here are the fun things to do in Brady, TX, for a short visit in town.
Fun Things to Do in Brady, Texas.
1. Take a Picture by the Heart of Texas Monument.
On the grounds of the courthouse is the Heart of Texas granite marker. In 1963, the Texas Historical Commission designated McCulloch County the geographical center of Texas. It makes the monument a must-visit for a photo op.
2. Take a Picture of the General James Earl Rudder Statue.
Also on the grounds of the courthouse is the General James Earl Rudder Statue. He was the D-Day Hero and served as the mayor of Brady from 1946 to 1952.
My son just started at Texas A&M, and the name Rudder sounded familiar. I did a Google search, and apparently, it was the same man. Later, General Rudder became the President of Texas A&M.
Address: 199 County Courthouse Square.
3. Visit the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum.
The museum not only documents the history of Texas Country Music, but the entire Country Music Industry.
You will find over 100 artists represented through their stage costumes, musical instruments, autographs, posters, and other memorabilia.
Outside, you will find Jim Reeves’ tour bus, built in 1956. There are cars and a limo from other musicians.
Free admission.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 1701 South Bridge St.
4. Visit the Heart of Historical Museum.
Like most other county museums in Texas, the Heart of Historical Museum is housed in the former McColluch County jail.
It has collections from the early settlers’ lives, cattle trails, memorabilia from the sheriffs who lived there, and much more.
Behind the County jail is the Curtis Field Control Tower. It was located at the Curtis Field, a training center for pilots from 1941 to 1945.
The building is dedicated to the 10,000 men and women who trained there, as well as to veterans of all branches of military service from McCulloch County.
The tower houses military memorabilia and uniforms, flight books, and hosts one of the largest model airplane engine collections in the world.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram once called this museum the “best small museum in Texas.”
Hours: Friday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Address: 117 North High Street. (one block from the Courthouse.)
Fun Things to Do in Brady, Texas: Continue.
5. Stop at D&J’s Good Ole Days Antique Store.
If you like to pick up something odd, vintage, or antique during your trips, D&J’s is a place for you. They have nostalgic treasures and uncommon items from around the world displayed in their two stores.
One of the stores is across the Courthouse on 109 W. Commerce St. The other one is on 905 S. Bridge St.
6. Take a stroll around the downtown square.
Brady’s downtown square is not big. You can easily walk around it, looking for murals and old buildings.
7. Stop at the Geographic Center of Texas Historical Marker.
A drive through Brady is not complete without a stop at the Geographic Center of Texas Historical Marker. It is around 20 miles northeast of Brady on US Hwy 377.
The exact location sits on private land, five miles northwest of the marker.
Several yards from the marker, there’s a Heart of Texas Roadside Park. Walk up the watch tower in the park to see the sights of the center of Texas.
Cars, trucks, and 18-wheelers are moving fast on the highway. Pay attention to your GPS so you won’t miss the turn to the park or the geographic center stop.
There you go. It’s time for you to check out these fun things to do in Brady, TX, for your quick stop in town.
How to Get to Brady, TX.
If you come from Fredericksburg like us, you will drive on US-87 N through Mason, approximately 70 miles, or about an hour.
From Brady, you will take US-377 N to Fort Worth, driving through the Geographic Center of Texas, Early/Brownwood, Dublin, Stephenville, and Granbury. It is about a 3-hour drive or 182 miles.
The driving distance from San Angelo is about the same, coming from the west.
If you come from San Antonio, add another hour, as you will drive through Fredericksburg and follow the same direction.
From Austin to Brady is 128 miles, or approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. You will go northwest via State Hwy 71 E and State Hwy 71 W.
Small Towns Near Brady
– Mason, 29 miles south.
– Menard, 34 miles southwest.
– San Saba, 42 miles east.
– Brownwood, 46 miles north.
– Llano, 53 miles southeast.
