A Paris road trip is a must for anyone. Not quite the city of lights you would find in Paris, France, but Paris, TX does have its own enamoring charm. From my location in Grapevine, TX, it’s a quick two hour drive. The scenery along the way is nothing short of what you would expect to see on two-lane highways, in the country, with cattle and horse ranches. Anyone who enjoys a nice Sunday drive will absolutely love going to Paris, TX.
Upon arrival into Paris the roads split into a divided thoroughfare until you get into the southern part of the city. Continuing on through downtown, you’ll pass the vintage train station and Heritage Park. There is a community college, a legitimate theater, town square and antique shops scattered throughout the downtown area.
Is That The Eifel Tower
Complete with its own cowboy hat, this version of the Eifel Tower is one of two located in the United States. The second one is located in Paris, Tennessee. As sticking with tradition, the Eifel Tower in Paris, TX is larger than the one located in Paris, TN, originally by 5 feet, but then the cowboy hat was added to make the total height of the tower 65′. wikipedia.org. I found that to be an unexpected bonus on my road trip to Paris, TX.
Unlike Paris, France you can’t scale or go on the tower in Paris, TX, but it’s still an attraction worth seeing. There’s a perfect photo-op area just underneath and a monument marking what part of the state you are located. The grounds are meticulously kept with the Love Civic Center being close by as well as a park with basketball courts and a bike/skateboard park complete with jumping ramps. You can watch my vlog from Paris, TX on YouTube here https://youtu.be/a6ZlJz1ehPI.
A Memorial Honoring Veterans
The Red River Veteran’s Memorial is an impressive collection of monuments, plaques and statues honoring the veterans of all branches of military. The entrance impressed me with the US Flag adorned gates. I found the layout easy to follow. The route around the memorial provides a natural flow to reading the plaques and viewing the monuments in a chronological manner.
The memorial is located right next to the Eifel Tower, the Love Civic Center, and the park surrounding the entire complex. It’s an impressive site to behold and very worthy of a visit. If you appreciate military history you wont be disappointed.
Heritage Park
Located just on the southern side of downtown Paris is Heritage Park. Here you can see the historic train station which now houses a museum and genealogy library. On the grounds of the park is a memorial rose garden, open land and a vintage iron gazebo.
Downtown Paris, TX
A place to sit and reflect in Downtown Paris, TX is in the town-square. Here you can enjoy the rippling sound of the JJ Culbertson Fountain. The park setting is complete with trees, views of vintage buildings, complete with corner-stone markers. Boutiques, banks, businesses and antique shops complete the scene that makes Paris, TX a worthy city to visit.
If you enjoy day trips and live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, or if you are visiting, please put this quaint city on your list of places to visit. Put on some French music, plug in your earbuds, and sit in the park, and you’ll believe you’re in France.
My Next Stop In Europe, TX
Ok, so there really isn’t a Europe, TX. But you can definitely do a European tour in Texas, if in namesake only. Check out my blog How To Take A European Tour-In Texas and learn more about this exciting, scenic drive. With my Paris road trip now under my belt I have to decide on whether I want to go to Moscow, London, Dublin, Vienna or Rhome. Stay tuned and check back often. If you have a favorite small town or charming city and would like me to visit, please drop me an email at theketotraveler94@gmail.com. Thank you and have a good day.
Jason, The Keto Traveler 94