What is Mineral Wells, Texas, Famous For?
What is Mineral Wells, Texas, famous for?
This question probably popped up when you wanted to visit Lake Mineral Wells State Park. You will drive for more than one hour, so you want to explore the city of Mineral Wells, TX, too.
The short answers to the question are:
1. The Crazy Water
2. The Baker Hotel
3. Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Now, let’s dig into more information about these places in Mineral Wells, Texas. I’ve been to Mineral Wells many times, and my husband used to live there in the 1980s.
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Mineral Wells, Texas, is Famous For:
1. THE CRAZY WATER
Mineral Wells is identic with the crazy water. This crazy water is mineral-rich and comes straight from the earth. There are no added minerals. It contains calcium, sulfate, alkaline, manganese, and other minerals, but no flavor.
Crazy Water has been making people feel good inside and out since 1881.
At one time, there were more than 100 wells in Mineral Wells. Then, the city became a premier spa resort town of the South. Over 150,000 visitors from all over the country came to sip and soak in the healing mineral waters.
Several years later, Mineral Wells was home to 21 mineral water companies.
Unfortunately, fewer people came to town, forcing most mineral water companies to close by the end of the decade during World War II.
Today, the Crazy Water Company is expanding its distribution to collect more crazy fans nationwide. You can find the water in grocery stores, health stores, sports stores, and even on Amazon!
Of course, you must buy this famous mineral water straight from the Crazy Water Company when visiting downtown Mineral Wells. There are some crazy souvenirs to bring home, too.
Address: 209 NW 6th St., Mineral Wells, TX 76067. Phone: (940) 325-8870.
Hours: Monday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday closed.
2. THE BAKER HOTEL and SPA
The Baker Hotel has been a Mineral Wells landmark since 1929. You will see it as you enter the downtown area.
It was a destination for celebrities, famous musicians, cattle barons, political leaders, and even Bonnie & Clyde until the 1950s.
The hotel closed its doors in the early 1960s, reopened, and closed again in 1972.
Since 2019, the hotel has been under renovation with a plan to reopen in the spring of 2026. Mineral Wells hopes for a transformation as the historic Baker Hotel comes to life.
Address: 201 E Hubbard St.
3. LAKE MINERAL WELLS STATE PARK
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is one of the most visited Texas State Parks near Dallas. Visitors come here for camping, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, kayaking, riding horses, swimming, and many more.
Penitentiary Hollow in the park is one of a few natural rock climbing spots in North Texas. It is made up of sandstone rock formations. There’s a hiking trail along the lake shore in this area.
The Cross Timbers is another hiking spot in the park with more than 10 miles of trails. Visitors can hike, bike, or ride their horses. At the beginning of the paths, you can see Fort Wolters, an army training center during the 20th century.
There’s a trailway spur that connects the park to a historic railroad route from Weatherford to Mineral Wells. Most visitors enjoy this trail on their bikes.
Some people come here for fishing while others enjoy nature and the night sky from their campsites.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park offers attractive ranger’s programs. Check out their event page for the latest programs before you visit the park.
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: 100 Park Road 71.
Other Places to Check When in Mineral Wells
– CLARK GARDENS BOTANICAL PARK
You must stop at this hidden gem if you love flowers and gardening.
We visited during Mother’s Day Weekend, and we were not disappointed. Flowers were blooming, and the gardens looked amazing!
Our son loved the G-Scale Model Trains that run seasonally from Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend and the first weekend in March through July 4th. However, it does not run during rain.
Clark Gardens is pet-friendly. Click here for the general admission and hours.
Address: 567 Maddux Road, Weatherford, TX 76088.
– NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR MUSEUM
It is an educational stop about the Vietnam War. You will find unbiased stories of the servicemen and servicewomen who served in the war, the civilian contractors who supported their efforts, the Vietnamese people with their culture and history, and those on the home front who supported and protested the war.
There are indoor and outdoor exhibits, whereas the outdoor are accessible even when the museum building is closed.
Address: 12685 Mineral Wells Highway, Weatherford, TX 76088.
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
– MINERAL WELLS FOSSIL PARK
Fossil enthusiasts, paleontologists, and students will love this park because they can take the fossils home. It’s for personal use only, though.
Your little paleontologist will have fun digging and finding treasures here.
We went several times for our son’s science project when he was in second grade.
If you are lucky, the Dallas Paleontological Society will be there to showcase their fossil collections. They will answer your fossil-related questions, too.
There is no entrance fee to enter the park.
Address: 2375 Indian Creek Road, Mineral Wells, TX.
– EAT & DRINK AT THE CRAZY WATER HOTEL
If you want fine dining in Mineral Wells, go to Second Bar + Kitchen in the Crazy Water Hotel.
Crazy Coffee and Water Bar is your place if you’re thirsty. All drinks, even the almond milk, are made with Crazy Water. They also have merchandise like coffee mugs, hats, hoodies, and soaps.
And there is a craft brewery inside the Crazy Water Hotel!
Check out the hotel website for hours of operation.
Address: 401 N Oak Ave.
Where is Mineral Wells?
Mineral Wells is located in Palo Pinto County.
The closest city to Mineral Wells is Weatherford, about twenty miles to the east.
It is around one-hour drive east to Fort Worth. It makes Mineral Wells a good day trip from Fort Worth.
The next closest big city to Mineral Wells is Dallas, less than two hours drive to the east.
Driving Directions to Mineral Wells, Texas.
From Dallas, follow I-30 W to Fort Worth. Continue on I-20 W towards Weatherford before you take exit 405 to US-180 W, which will take you to Mineral Wells.
If you haven’t been to Mineral Wells, use this travel guide to help you plan a detour to the city when you visit Lake Mineral Wells State Park.
Here are more articles on towns in or around North Texas that you may want to check out:
– 17 Best Outdoor Sculptures In Downtown Fort Worth.
– Free Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tour.
– 11 Cool Things To Do in Muenster, Texas.
– Best Things To Do in Corsicana, Texas.
– Tour The Veldhuizen Cheese In Dublin, Texas.
– 21 Awesome Things To Do In Glen Rose, Texas.
– Things To Do In And Near Downtown Waxahachie, Texas.
– 17 Best Things To Do in Hillsboro, Texas.
If I drove in and found a sign with “Home of Crazy” I might wonder. So it was good to read more about the town of Mineral Wells. And to learn that the “crazy” is water. It would be interesting to see if this mineral water really is magic. Of course we would not miss hiking in the Lake Mineral Wells State Park on a visit. Another good stop on a Texas road trip.
I know, right? I think we must drink the water for certain times to find out its magic.
I am intrigued to try the crazy water, I thought it would make you crazy lol! It’s cool that there is a state park, one I’ve not heard of, but it sounds like a great place to spend the outdoors. The Baker Hotel is clearly a landmark here, it has a long history!
The Lake Mineral Wells State Park is one of North Texans favorites.