Dr. Pepper Texas -- Dublin, Texas

"Come as a stranger, leave as a friend." How's that for a motto? That's the way I feel every time I visit Dublin, Texas. Dr. Pepper Texas for sure. Why? Well, the only soda-pop bottling plant in the world that still makes Dr. Pepper with pure cane sugar is in Dublin and is a main attraction for visitors and shoppers. There are also major historical sites such as the Dublin Historic Museum, the Rodeo Museum, and the Grist Mill. It is very inexpensive to visit in Dublin. That makes it a wonderful family destination for a day trip or longer.

Texas is vast. The second largest state in the United States. A little drive down the road can easily be a few hundred miles. Most of the towns in Texas ended up where they are because they were either on the railroad lines (or hoped for routes) or in the center of their counties. Most country seats are geographically located with the original idea that a farmer/rancher could drive a wagon to market in about one day. You can follow the line of county seats on most Texas state highways like beads on a string. A town like Dublin with its county seat up the road in Stephenville, has to make a hard push to survive. No easy task!

With an eye to economic development, many of the historic sites and museums in Dublin (and other Texas towns) are being created and improved with the hope of bringing in tourist dollars. Many old Texas towns have just about dried up and blown away. Dublin is thriving in large part due to Dr. Pepper and the volunteers at the museums. More power to them!

Quick Tips:

You cannot visit Dublin without making a visit to the Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant and Old Doc's Soda Shop on the corner of Elm and Hwy 377. For you can take a tour that includes a bottle of Dr. Pepper original to drink and you tour. No, you can't take the collector's item bottle away with you! However, you can still buy one or a few in the gift shop--cheaper than on Ebay!

Best Way To Get Around:

You must drive to get to Dublin. This is rural Texas, after all. Once you get there, park the car. You can do most of your touring, shopping and eating in town without moving the car.

Gosh this place is cute! Memories of childhood for many of us. This soda shop (and gift shop) is just the ticket for a quick lunch, dessert, or cold drink on a hot day when on a family visit. Open seven days, Sunday after 1pm.

The various ice cream treats are great, especially a float made with real, original Dr. Pepper and cold ice cream. Light sandwiches and other desserts. Nice seating area. That isn't fake decor on the walls--it's real collector's items from the long history of Dr. Pepper. Some are for sale. Great fun for kids, especially when they are sick of being in the car.

The staff here are really friendly and nice. Free parking at the door. You can buy cases of real Dr. Pepper to take home, but you can only get the original bottles if you bring in a case of your own. Otherwise you get the 'no deposit' ones. The girls are Texas beauty queen beautiful!

This is a fine tour and opportunity to see how real Dr. Pepper is made. Bottling on many Wednesdays. Cost is $2 for adults. Tours start whenever a group gathers. Your tour guide is usually a pretty and perky Dublin high school girl or guy. There is a long tradition of working for Dr. Pepper for the young people in Dublin.

You are handed an ice cold bottle of Dr. Pepper, made with pure cane sugar to enjoy as you tour the plant. Finish it before they take you into the museum. Fantastic old machinery that still makes Dr. Pepper and several other soda pops.

The museum includes many items that are one-of-a-kind and is fascinating for most people who grew up when soda pop came in glass bottles. A very enjoyable tour for sure. I can promise you this!!! Total tour time about 45 minutes. Telephone ahead if you want to make sure that they are bottling. (888) 398-1024. Do you remember the slogan 'Drink Dr. Pepper at 10, 2 and 4'?

(254) 445-4550. Open 1pm to 5pm daily except Christmas and Thanksgiving. No charge, but donations are welcome (and needed). This is the type of museum the whole family can enjoy. Well lighted and cheerful, it is divided into sections having to do with the way people lived, worked, worshipped, and went to school in the past. There is also a section for World War I and II. The volunteer guides are friendly, cheerful, and often will let you touch the items on display. How often can you do that? Photography allowed.

Special attention given to children with the hope that they will increase their understanding of pioneer life in Texas. In a lovely, historic building (shared with the Dublin Rodeo Museum). Well worth a visit. Allow for at least one hour.

The 1882 Grist Mill is the center of this historic park. The old mill ran on steam, not water, so don't look for the river! It is a fine example of how early settlers used locally available stone and a building material that has certainly lasted more than 100 years.

In due time the grist mill will be open to the public. Now you can peer through the windows. Also in the park is a pavillion, picnic area, and the 1855 Turnbow Barbee Log Cabin. Free parking. No admission charge.

Once a Bed and Breakfast inn, this fastastic Victorian restorian is a superb example of what can be done with time, money, and intelligence. Even though you can't spend the night there anymore, it is worth finding just to see how fine it is. Perhaps the owners will let you have a peak. Even if you can only see it from the street, it is certainly worth your time to do so. You don't see one like this every day!

I am a real fan of old houses. If the walls in this gem could talk, what stories they could tell.

Save the second Saturday in June for your time at the Alley Fest in Dublin, Texas, the day that Dr. Pepper says a big 'thank you' to the town of Dublin. Tours of the plant and museum are free. Gallons of Dr. Pepper are poured. Plenty of food, flowers, and fun in the alleys of historic Dublin, TX, also known at Dr. Pepper, Texas!

This is such a big festival that you might have to walk three whole blocks to get to the fun! Enjoy seeing the old buildings, munching on the food, enjoy the free entertainment, and of course, the Dr. Pepper! No admission charge! Family friendly. Just plain friendly!