Dallas to Hot Springs Through Diamonds and Miracles

Step into a world of history at the Southwest Dairy Museum. This charming museum, housed in a former dairy barn, transports you back in time to the heart of Texas' dairy farming heritage.
Explore exhibits showcasing the evolution of dairy farming, from the early days of hand-milking. Discover the fascinating journey of milk, from farm to table, through quaint exhibits and educational presentations.

There are lots of classic car collections out there, but this one stands out for being well-curated. Have a look through some of the muscle cars of the '50s to older models from the turn of the century, all in mint condition.
Open Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm only.

Have a stop and expect decent dinner when you enter the Big Gilley's Smokehouse and Diner. The chicken fried chicken gets a thumbs up and there are daily lunch specials.

Hop out of the car for a bit and learn about diamonds. The park is on a diamond-bearing volcanic crater that has long gone dormant. While the diamond search area closes at 4 p.m., the gift shop and Diamond Discovery Center are open a bit later. And they have a water park that is open seasonally.
The gift shop and Diamond Discovery Center are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. The water park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and in August it may be open weekends only.

Why not dine lakeside? This gem of a restaurant on Hot Springs serves up fresh seafood in a charming environment full of corners to explore. Order the crab stuffed shrimp or a platter of raw oysters, selected by the chef.

Stay in an intimate hotel with amazing views of Lake Hamilton. Enjoy seasonal access, for free, to a kayak, canoe, or pedal boat if you'd like to get out on the lake. And there's top-tier on-site dining if you'd like to get breakfast — in your room or in its lovely dining room.