Some of the best getaways for two don't happen on a weekend. Take Tuesday and Wednesday off, leave the city behind, and spend two nights somewhere that looks nothing like home. No crowded brunch, no Sunday-night dread. Just time together.
Mirador's Texas Shire Houses, near Mingus, Texas, are built for that kind of trip: three storybook-inspired houses with round doors, set into grassy hillsides on a quiet ranch west of the Metroplex. Here's how to plan a midweek escape for two from Dallas.
Getting there from Dallas
Mingus is roughly 100 to 110 miles west of downtown Dallas by way of I-30 and I-20. Plan on about two hours of driving, depending on where you start and on traffic through Fort Worth. Mirador sends exact directions and arrival details before your stay.
Check-in starts at 3 p.m., so a late-morning departure gives you time to stop for groceries on the way. That matters here. Mirador is intentionally tucked away, and dining options nearby are limited, so Mirador recommends arriving with your food, snacks and drinks.
Night one: arrive and slow down
Keep the first evening simple. Unload, open a bottle of something you brought, and let the house do the work. Each Texas Shire House has a queen bed, a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, air fryer, sink and fridge (the Gardener has no working oven) and Starlink Wi-Fi, though this is a good trip to leave the laptop closed.
If you'd rather not cook the first night, the Smokestack Restaurant in nearby Thurber has been open since 1971 and serves from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Or skip the outing entirely: Mirador's White Chicken Chili add-on ($45) brings a slow cooker of chili with toppings for an easy dinner in.
Day two: an unhurried day for two
Choose one or two of these and leave the rest of the day open.
A pond picnic. The Pond Picnic Basket ($100 for two) includes a blanket, place settings, bottled water and light snacks to enjoy beside the pond on the property.
A little history in Thurber. The W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center, run by Tarleton State University at the site of the Thurber ghost town, tells the story of what was once Texas' leading coal-mining town. It's open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays. Adult admission is $5.
A short walk with a view. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, near Strawn, opened to visitors in March 2026. For a short outing, Ben's Trail (0.8 miles, rated moderate) follows the cliffs above Tucker Lake, and the accessible Raptor Ridge Trail (about 1 mile round trip) has overlooks along the way. Day entry is $7 per adult, and the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
An evening worth planning. Two add-ons are made for couples. The Wine Tasting ($110 for two) includes three bottles of wine, glassware and an educational tasting menu, ready in your house before you arrive. The Top Drive Cruise ($250 per group of up to four) is a hosted, 60-minute sunset drive around the property, with alcohol available by advance request.
Day three: one more slow morning
Checkout is at 11 a.m. Make breakfast, take your coffee outside and give yourselves a final hour before packing up. Leave by 11 and you can be back in Dallas in the early afternoon.
Which house is best for two?
Any of the three. Every Texas Shire House has a queen bed, so choose by the dates that work and the house you like best:
- The Writer (blue door): hand-carved wood and storybook details, made for slow mornings.
- The Gardener (green door): a living roof and a private garden outside. It has no working oven.
- The Baker (yellow door): stone walls and warm wood beams. It's the only house that sleeps five, so it's often the pick for families.
Our house-by-house guide compares all three in more detail.
Booking a midweek stay
- Start with weekday arrivals. Stays have a two-night minimum. Search Sunday, Monday or Tuesday arrivals as well as weekends, since open dates vary by house.
- Look at the full price. The booking engine shows your total for the selected dates, including the cleaning fee and guest service fee. A weekday stay doesn't automatically mean a discount, so compare dates.
- Read the terms. Review the payment and cancellation terms shown on the listing before you confirm.
- Add the extras after you book. Add-ons aren't included in your stay. Send your reservation details through the add-on request form, and the Mirador team will confirm availability and send a payment link.
Plan your escape
See the houses, photos and starting rates on the Texas Shire Houses page, then check weekday dates for the house that suits you. Browse every extra on the Add-ons & Experiences page.
Add-on prices are as listed on Mirador's Add-ons & Experiences page on October 27, 2026, and may change. Attraction hours are from each venue's website on the same date; confirm before you go.