Small towns keep small-town hours. That's part of the charm of this corner of North Texas, but it also means a weekday trip goes better with a little planning. Some places close on Mondays, others keep different hours on weekends, and dinner options are few enough that it's worth knowing them before you arrive.
This guide covers what's open on weekdays around Mingus, Thurber and Strawn: about 75 miles west of Fort Worth along I-20. It's written for guests staying in Mirador's Texas Shire Houses, but it works for any road trip through the area.
At a glance: weekday hours
| Place | What it is | Weekday hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| W.K. Gordon Museum, Thurber | History museum at the Thurber ghost town site | Tue–Fri 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Closed Mondays; Sun 1–4 p.m. |
| Smokestack Restaurant, Thurber | Family restaurant, since 1971 | Daily from 7 a.m.; until 9 p.m. Sun–Thu | Until 10 p.m. Fri–Sat |
| Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, Strawn | Texas' newest state park | Daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m. | Office 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Mary's Cafe, Strawn | Small-town cafe known for chicken-fried steak | Daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun–Thu | Until 9:30 p.m. Fri–Sat |
Hours as published on October 27, 2026. Call ahead, especially around holidays.
The short version: If you can, plan your outing day for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, when everything on this list is open.
Thurber: a ghost town with a big story
Thurber is tiny today, but between 1918 and 1920 it was home to an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people and was the leading bituminous coal-mining town in Texas, according to the Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas. The Texas and Pacific Coal Company built an entire company town here: schools, churches, stores, an opera house seating more than 650, and a 200-room hotel. A large brick plant followed in 1897.
When railroads switched from coal to oil, Thurber's mines declined. By the late 1930s, it was a virtual ghost town.
Visit the W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center. Run by Tarleton State University, the museum sits at the site of the old town, off I-20 at exit 367, and its exhibits explore the rise and fall of the company town.
- Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday, 1–4 p.m.; closed Monday
- Admission: $5 adults (12+), $4 seniors and military, $2.50 children 5–12, free for children under 5
- Parking: On-site, inside the museum gates
Stop at the Smokestack. Just off the same exit, the Smokestack Restaurant has been serving travelers since 1971. It opened in Thurber's old drugstore; after a 1992 fire, it was rebuilt in part of the old Texas & Pacific Mercantile building, made with original Thurber brick in the late 1890s. The restaurant takes its name from the 128-foot power-plant smokestack that once supplied the town with electricity, still visible from I-20. It opens at 7 a.m. daily and stays open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, which makes it one of the more reliable options for an early breakfast or a weeknight dinner.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park
Palo Pinto Mountains opened to visitors on March 1, 2026. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, it's the first new state park to open in North Texas in more than 25 years. The park covers 4,871 acres of former ranch land just north of I-20 near Strawn.
What to do:
- Hike or bike 16 miles of multiuse trails, 1.25 miles of which are accessible. Good short options include the accessible Raptor Ridge Trail (about 1 mile round trip, with overlooks) and Ben's Trail (0.8 miles, rated moderate, along the cliffs above the lake). For a longer outing, the Tucker Lake Trail is 4.2 miles and takes about two and a half hours.
- Fish from the pier on 90-acre Tucker Lake. No fishing license is needed inside the park, and the park lends fishing gear.
- Paddle from the accessible kayak and canoe launch. Gas motors aren't allowed.
Plan ahead:
- Fees: $7 per day for visitors 13 and older; children 12 and under are free.
- Hours: Open daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; the office is open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Outside office hours, day visitors use the self-pay station.
- Day passes: The park can reach capacity on weekends and holidays, which is one more reason to go on a weekday. You can reserve a day pass up to a month ahead through Texas State Parks.
- Closures: Trails may close after wet weather. TPWD also plans prescribed burns between October and April, which can temporarily close some areas, so call (254) 672-5684 if you're unsure.
- Directions: From I-20, take exit 361 north toward Strawn, then follow FM 2372 for about 4 miles to the park headquarters.
Strawn: lunch worth the detour
Strawn is a small town just off I-20 at exit 361, and for many travelers, it's known for one thing: the chicken-fried steak at Mary's Cafe (119 Grant Ave.). Portions are generous.
- Hours: Listed as 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Holidays: Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; closes at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and July 4
- Phone: (254) 672-5741
Pair lunch at Mary's with an afternoon at Palo Pinto Mountains, which is on the same side of the interstate.
Plan your meals before you arrive
Dining options near Mirador are limited, and the Texas Shire is intentionally tucked away. Mirador recommends bringing groceries, snacks and drinks for your stay. Each house has a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, air fryer, sink and fridge; the Baker and Writer also have ovens, and the Gardener has no working oven. See the FAQ for details.
For a night off from cooking, Mirador offers a White Chicken Chili add-on ($45) and a Texas Snack Basket ($65). Both are listed on the Add-ons & Experiences page and are requested separately after you book.
A simple weekday itinerary
Arrival day (from 3 p.m. check-in): Settle in at your Texas Shire House. Have dinner at the Smokestack, or cook in.
Full day: - Morning: Hike Raptor Ridge or Ben's Trail at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. - Lunch: Chicken-fried steak at Mary's Cafe in Strawn. - Afternoon: The W.K. Gordon Museum in Thurber (closed Mondays; closes at 4 p.m.). - Evening: Back to the house for a quiet night, or a sunset Top Drive Cruise around the property ($250 per group of up to four, by request).
Departure day (11 a.m. checkout): A slow breakfast, then home.
Make it a weekday stay
Texas Shire stays have a two-night minimum, and open dates vary by house, so weekday arrivals are often the easiest way to find room. Compare the Baker, Gardener and Writer Houses, then check live dates.
See the Texas Shire Houses and check weekday dates
Sources (checked October 27, 2026)
- W.K. Gordon Center, Tarleton State University: Plan Your Visit
- Texas State Historical Association, Handbook of Texas: "Thurber, TX"
- Smokestack Restaurant: Hours and Our History
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, Trails, Entrance fees, Opening news release, Feb. 25, 2026
- Texas State Parks reservations: Palo Pinto Mountains day entrance
- Mary's Cafe hours: Tripadvisor listing and Yelp. Call ahead to confirm hours.