Day Trips From Dallas: Celina Travel Guide

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, even if just for the day? You should look no further than Celina when planning your day trips from Dallas. Located just 42 miles from the city center, you can be there in just under an hour!

Established in 1876, this once rural town that was surrounded by farms and ranches is growing rapidly and is on pace to continue as one of the fastest growing cities in Texas. While it is changing as it grows it still maintains that small town feel for now.

When researching things to do in Celina before our visit, I found a lot of articles that listed places that are not actually in Celina. In fact, some of the recommendations I saw are 30 minutes or more from Celina! You will not find that here. I have personally been to all of the places I recommend, and they are in fact located within the town of Celina.

What To do in Celina on Your Day Trips From Dallas

Historic Downtown Square: 302 W. Walnut St, Celina, TX 75009 (free)

Spend some time walking the square in downtown Celina. There are several shops and restaurants worth checking out! Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Willow House Boutique
2. Annie Jack (closed Sunday and Monday)
3. Hey Sugar Candy Store
4. Summer Moon Coffee
5. Buff City Soap
6. Lucy’s on the Square (closed Monday)
7. Toasted Walnut Table and Market (closed Sunday and Monday)
8. Tender Smokehouse (closed Sunday and Monday)
9. Terramania (closed Monday)
10. Hairy Gorilla Snowballs (open late spring through summer and hours vary)

Insider Tip: There is a small park one block from the square that has a playground, gazebo, horseshoe pit, tennis and basketball courts. A great spot for the kids to burn off some energy! Founders Station Park: 132 N. Louisiana Dr, Celina, TX 75009 (free)

Celina Area Heritage Association Museum: 211 W Pecan St, Celina, TX 75009 (free, donations welcome)

This little museum is actually pretty fascinating if you love history like me. It is filled with historical artifacts from Celina and the surrounding area, consisting of a few small rooms to walk through.

Insider Tip: I wouldn’t exactly call this museum kid-friendly, although children are welcome. There are lots of fragile things within arms reach and I had to watch my four year old carefully. Something to keep in mind if you are traveling with small children.

Old Celina Park: 12670 FM 428, Celina, TX 75009 (free)

Old Celina Park is a nice big park with lots of amenities including baseball fields, multi-purpose sports fields, catch and release pond, covered pavilion with lights and electricity, restrooms, playground with park benches, and walking paths. There is also plenty of parking, which is always a plus.

This park does host most of the local youth and adult sports activities, and can be very busy on weekends so keep that in mind when you are planning day trips from Dallas.

Little Wooden Penguin: 212 N Oklahoma Dr, Celina, TX 75009 ($$)

Kid friendly, pet friendly “experience space” close to downtown Celina that is fun for the whole family! Come try one of the rotating beers and wines on tap while listening to live music, or trying your hand at the 18 hole putting course. There is a succulent bar, shop, as well as indoor and outdoor tvs if that is more your style, and they have rotating food trucks if you want a bite to eat. They also host various workshops and events, which you can find out more about here.

Insider Tip: Food truck availability varies, so don’t come expecting to eat without first checking their Facebook page for the latest updates. There was a food truck on site when we visited, but it was not taking orders.

Does Celina sound like a place you want to consider when planning your day trips from Dallas? Let me know what you think in the comments, I love hearing from you!

Want more recommendations for where to eat, drink, or grab a coffee while in Celina? Check out my list of the best restaurants in Celina, Texas.

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