Day Trip to Mineral Wells 💧 (FULL EPISODE) S2 E9
THROWBACK EPISODE - This episode originally aired on PBS on June 9, 2011. Some of the locations may have changed. Check thedaytripper.com for the most up-to-date information.
For years, people have been CRAZY about Mineral Wells and for good reason too. Whether you stop in to drink some of its healing waters or maybe just take in the gallons of history around each corner, this town will have you satisfied by the end of the day.
To really understand the special kind of crazy surrounding this town, you’ll want to visit Downtown Mineral Wells where tucked away in a parking lot, you’ll find the well that started it all. Tired of traveling to other towns for fresh water, James Lynch dug his own well in the 1900s. After drinking from it, he noticed that he felt healthier than he ever had. People traveled from near and far to get a taste of his healing water and so Mineral Wells was built.
Sadly, all of the wells dried up but one. If you’re hoping for a taste of the crazy, you can find it at the Famous Mineral Water Co. The company bottles the water from the remaining well and sales this liquid vitamin in water bottles and sodas.
While you’re in town, you should also check out the hauntingly beautiful Baker Hotel and Crazy Water Hotel. Both were built during the crazy water hay day to accommodate the massive crowds that flooded into town just for a taste of the healing waters. And both, which are still standing today, were abandoned after all the wells dried up. However, the Baker Hotel is in the process of being restored, and it’ll even include the famous mineral water spas!
Just outside of town, you’ll find Fort Wolters, the largest base for helicopter pilots during the Vietnam War. You can learn about this well-known base just a little further down the road at the National Vietnam War Museum. In the museum, you can see the iconic UH1 (or “Huey”) Helicopters that pilots learned to fly here or pay your respects at the Vietnam Memorial Garden, a half-scale replica of the memorial in Washington D.C.
For some good, clean fun, head over to the Laumdronat Washing Machine Museum to learn about the evolution of the washing machine. You can also do your laundry because it is a full-functioning laundromat as well.
If you enjoy climbing, then you’ll definitely want to take a shot at the Penitentiary Hollow in the Lake Mineral Wells State Park. This is one of the most unique places to climb in Texas because instead of climbing up it, you top-rope down the towering sandstone into the crevices beneath. It is fragile when wet, so it is closed when it rains. Legend has it that this hollow was named after the jail kept in its crevices. For an amazing bike trail, check out the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway in the state park, a 20-mile path on an old railway line that used to connect downtown Mineral Wells and Weatherford. Plus, Garner, TX, is a nice pit-stop along the way!
You can frolic in flowers at Clark Gardens, a 35-acre botanical garden with every kind of flower and greenery you can imagine. And for all the train-fanatics, there’s a model train set that includes a mini Mineral Wells and Baker Hotel!
You can time-travel back to the dinosaur days by digging for fossils at Mineral Wells Fossil Park. While you have to supply your own shovels, you can take home any dino bones you find.
Sadly, since we filmed this episode, Dee’s Diner has permanently closed.
If you want a meal that’s sure to last you for at least two more, head to Mary’s Café for the biggest chicken fried steak you’ve ever seen. Seriously, this steak is the size of Texas, and you’ll want to be sure to wear some comfy pants to devour this dinner.
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Пікірлер: 28
This is an old show. The Baker is coming back. They are doing a major 65 million dollar renovation to bring it back to its original glory. Hope it works. Looking forward to staying there. Wife and I stayed at the Crazy Water Hotel for a getaway weekend. It was wonderful!
@terryvalleryii2721
Ай бұрын
I heard it's opening Spring 2026! I can't wait!!
Come back! You won’t recognize the town! The Baker, the Crazy Water….even the Vietnam museum, all look so different! Come see us!
@inexperiencedladywithagun7851
6 ай бұрын
When was this episode filmed?
@texasrangers4
6 ай бұрын
I will check it out
@juderickman8275
19 күн бұрын
💖
Hello Daytripper! I'm a big fan of your show. I've noticed that Rosenberg, Texas hasn't been featured yet, and I highly suggest visiting during the annual glass show in February. It's an incredible sight you wouldn't want to miss, occurring biannually and promoted by Max Miller, a key figure in Houston's antique glass collecting community. Beyond the show, Rosenberg itself is charming, boasting numerous restaurants, a vintage theater, historical buildings, and unique shops to explore.
A lot has changed since you have filmed here. The baker has had its main ballroom and the upper ballroom restored. Also, Clark's garden is in the middle of remodeling their train garden.
Ok, you can’t put this out on Mineral Wells and pretend it’s current, when it’s obvious this was made years ago. You must come back and do an update. They’ve completely remodeled and opened the Crazy Water Hotel, the Baker Hotel renovation is steaming ahead on all cylinders, many shops have opened in the downtown area, and they built a replica of the giant Crazy sign that straddles Highway 180 West. Plus, Palo Pinto County will soon have the first new State Park in 25 years, the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. This park is set to open this year. So, two State Parks in the same small county. One on either side of Mineral Wells. This area is making a come back and it needs to be seen.
@TheDaytripper
5 ай бұрын
We put the notice in the caption
I'm from Dallas, and I go through Strawn sometimes on my way out west to get some chicken fried steak at Mary's. The first time I went, I conquered the large steak just to know if I could, but I've gotten the smaller one since because the large one is just too much damned food LoL! I honestly don't think it's THE best chicken fried steak in Texas, but it's up there. It may be the biggest though. The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells is pretty cool, and they're currently renovating it finally!
It’s a shame you didn’t eat the “Downtown Danny Brown” Platter on this trip. It was created for Mr Brown after his untimely passing several years back. His favorite meal there came about when he had the cooks combine Chicken Fried Steak (with all the trimmings) and a Tex-Mex Enchilada Dinner (with all the trimmings), into one gigantic meal. Your Dad played football with Danny (and me as well) at Stephenville High School. It’s one of my favorite things on the Menu…I’ve been known to “Daytrip” to Strawn from Tyler, just to sink my teeth into that Danny Brown Special. Thanks for a great episode and keep ‘em coming… “Ol’ Scooter” down in East Texas!
@mattramsey9426
2 ай бұрын
Ole Danny Brown! Nicest man I ever met. Worked with him at Jerry's for years.
I love this show!!
I understand this is an older show you need to come back they have revised the downtown the Baker Hotel is under renovation the crazy water hotel is open and they even rebuilt the crazy water sign which is over Highway 180 now sorry to say though the laundromat Museum caught fire and the cool cafe is now an Allsup's come back you here come back you here
Woot like #4 Love your channel!
That is a serious size steak.
Looking at this show makes Texas look enjoyable. However, after living in a town of 200 people in east texas, I can tell you that it is very unenjoyable. Good video though
Howdy. This video shows posted 2 weeks ago. I don’t know when you really did the M. Wells visit but the Laundrnat and Dee’s cafe in Cool are both permanently closed. 😢. Not meaning to complain. I live close by and wanted to go to both. Just letting you know.
@TheDaytripper
5 ай бұрын
I know. So sad. We have the original date of release in caption.
You should visit jacksboro Tx . It's an hr away from mineral well tx
God bless Texas
👍🏽
The man with no eyes
I have been there. They are deep in the hill country.
The hotel has been bought and restored it might be open by now but it was purchased by nsc nix sprinkle company in mineral wells so yes it was purchased by a local company
@bflotv5633
4 ай бұрын
This is all wrong lol
We had to stop watching due to the poor camera work on the video.