A good dinner is a fine way to mark an anniversary. But after a few years of the same reservation, plenty of Fort Worth couples want something they'll actually talk about next year. A stay at Mirador's Texas Shire Houses, three hobbit-inspired houses tucked into the hills near Mingus, turns the evening into two days and gives you a story instead of a receipt.
It's about 1 hour 45 minutes west of downtown Fort Worth, which is far enough to feel like a trip and close enough to leave after lunch. Here are anniversary ideas built around Mirador's add-ons and experiences, plus how to plan them.
Why make it two nights
Every Texas Shire House has a two-night minimum, and that works in your favor. Check-in is at 3 p.m., so the first evening is for settling in. The full day in between is for the celebration itself, and checkout isn't until 11 a.m. on the last morning. Nobody has to drive home after a toast.
Take the long way at sunset
Top Drive Cruise ($250 per group of up to four). A host takes you on a 60-minute sunset drive around the property in an Ultimate Top Drive, showing you a side of Mirador you won't see from the lane. Alcohol is available by advance request, so ask for something to toast with when you book it. For an anniversary, this is the headline: an hour of golden light, rolling hills and nowhere to be.
A tasting for two
Wine Tasting ($110 for two). Three bottles of wine, glassware and an educational tasting menu, set up in your house before you arrive. Open the first bottle while you unpack, and save the rest for the evening of the big day.
Whiskey Tasting. The same idea with three bottles of whiskey, tasting glasses and a pairing menu. See the Add-ons & Experiences page for current pricing.
Have a date in mind? Check dates for the Texas Shire Houses first, then add the extras once you've booked.
A picnic by the pond
Pond Picnic Basket ($100 for two). A packed basket with a blanket, place settings, bottled water and light snacks to enjoy beside the pond. Bring your own addition from home, like a bottle from your wedding, a slice of cake or the card you never got around to writing.
An anniversary portrait
Themed Photoshoot ($500 per session). A one-hour session with a professional photographer in the Texas Shire. Mirador encourages guests to bring their own costumes and props, so recreate a favorite wedding photo, wear the dress again or dress the part of a storybook couple. It's the one idea here that leaves you with something to frame.
A movie night of your own
Movie Night. A projector, screen, HDMI cord and popcorn, with setup instructions. Bring a laptop and your wedding video, or the movie from your first date. See the Add-ons & Experiences page for current pricing.
A night off from cooking
Every house has a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, air fryer, sink and refrigerator. The Baker and Writer Houses also have ovens, and the Gardener House doesn't. Dining options near Mirador are limited, so plan your meals before you go. Two add-ons make it easy:
- White Chicken Chili ($45): a slow cooker of white chicken chili with toppings
- Texas Snack Basket ($65): Texas-made jerky, nuts, popcorn, sweets, sparkling water and more
One small rule: the houses don't allow candles or open flames. For a candlelit dinner, pack battery candles or a string of fairy lights.
Match it to the year
If you like a theme, the traditional anniversary list gives you a few easy ones. Lists vary, but most start like this:
- 1st, paper. Write each other a letter at the dining table and seal it to open next year.
- 5th, wood. The houses are full of wood: timber beams in the Gardener, warm wood beams in the Baker and hand-carved wood in the Writer, according to their listings.
- Any year. The Themed Photoshoot or a tasting works for any milestone.
Which house for an anniversary?
All three Texas Shire Houses have a queen bed, so choose by the dates that work and the setting you like best:
- The Writer House (blue door): hand-carved wood and storybook details, with an oven if you plan to cook something special.
- The Gardener House (green door): a living roof and a private garden out front. It has no oven.
- The Baker House (yellow door): stone walls and warm wood beams, with an oven. It's the only house that sleeps five, if your celebration includes the kids.
Our guide to the Baker, Gardener and Writer Houses compares them in more detail. If a midweek escape fits your schedule better, see A Romantic Midweek Escape from Dallas for a two-night plan.
How to plan it
- Pick your dates. Search the live calendar for the house you want. If your anniversary lands on a busy weekend, look at the nights around it too, since open dates vary by house.
- Look at the full price. The booking engine shows your total for the selected dates, including fees, before you confirm. Read the payment and cancellation terms on the listing.
- Request your add-ons. Add-ons aren't included in the stay. Send your reservation details and the extras you'd like through the add-on request form, and mention it's your anniversary. Mirador will confirm arrangements and send a payment link.
- Pack for the drive. Mirador is about 74 miles west of downtown Fort Worth by way of I-20, and the last stretch is on slower country roads. Bring groceries, and see our Texas Shire planning guide for the rest of the packing list.
Plan your anniversary
Check dates for the Texas Shire Houses, then choose your extras on the Add-ons & Experiences page. Happy anniversary.
Sources (checked October 29, 2026)
- Mirador: Add-ons & Experiences (all prices quoted), Texas Shire Houses, FAQ
- Mirador booking site: Writer, Baker and Gardener listings (descriptions, check-in 3 p.m., checkout 11 a.m., house rules) and live calendars (two-night minimum)
- Hallmark: Anniversary gifts by year
- Drive estimate: OSRM routing, downtown Fort Worth to the property (about 74 miles, about 1 hour 45 minutes)
Add-on prices are as listed on Mirador's Add-ons & Experiences page on October 29, 2026, and may change. Add-ons are subject to Mirador's confirmation.