Nocona is known for many things varying from fame (Nocona Boots) to infamy (the Black Widow serial killing nurse), but we are only interested in the fun times today. Nocona is following suit with so much of north Texas in a vibrant explosion of culture. From revitalization of old buildings to new tastes popping up in fun places, they are on top of their game in this little slice of the lone star.
For the start of our day, we go to what was once the fabled Nocona Boot factory. The headquarters of this old boot maker has long since moved to El Paso, but in it's stead, has popped up a classic car museum. My husband being a lover of all things four wheeled, or two, and old insisted we start there. I like shiny things, so I was happy to oblige.
The museum oozes with charm from the get go with old gas pumps outside next to benches that welcome passers by to take a break and peer into the past. On the inside we peruse tons of classic cars and trucks that I thought were cute, but the hubby was drooling over. When he caught my interest drawn to one particular car, he got excited and started spouting off facts and figures about it that made little difference to me. I bet if he knew that the little red Camaro I was looking at caught my eye because it was the same kind driven by a high school crush of mine, he would have been a little less excited.
As the warm day pressed on, we were both pretty thirsty and ready for a change of gears (pun intended). We made our way to a really cool newcomer to the north Texas scene, Nocona Brewery. This place is amazing. The architecture and design are not what you would expect from a small town Texas brewery. Touches of glass and shiny metal accents in juxtaposition to vintage touches like refurbished fifties style rocket pedal car make for a perfect ambiance for cold beer consumption. They have some really great options, and while the stout is very good, I was so thankful for the cold lager to quench my thirst! They offer live music and often have BBQ on site for a full night without going anywhere else. However, we had plans made already for that evening, so on we went.
From here, we went on to Daddy Sam's Saloon and Gertie's Dance Hall on the town square. This is a really neat project come to fruition. What was a grocery store once, was recreated by the original owner's grandson into something entirely new, a saloon and dance hall. Daddy Sam's oozes old time feel in every direction from the ceiling covered in antique pressed tin tiles to the black an white photos and sassy bar signs in every direction. The music here is great with touring acts that are hard to beat or even find in such an intimate setting. 
Nocona is such a special place, that I always find myself entertaining the idea of moving here for at least a moment whenever I come for a visit. Fortunately, it's close enough
to make visits a common thing!
