The South Padre KOA has great little cabins on the waterfront. Jefferson. 813 Main St. 512-412-6114. Founded in 1845 by German immigrants, Gruene was once a thriving cotton-producing community. Inside, youll find an incredible collection of decorative art, paintings and furniture. This old brewery town is a great place to visit if youre a fan of local beers and wines. Its not just the impeccably manicured hedges, flower beds and fountains that are impressive. From the plains of the Panhandle region to the high desert of Big Bend Once youve visited the Alamo, its a pretty hard place to forget. For a bit of nature, check out the Hamilton Pool Preserve, formed by thousands of years of water erosion, which created the collapsed grotto, canyons, and 50-foot waterfall. From its scenic location on the shores of Lake Marble Falls to its rich history and vibrant arts community, there is much to love about this special place. With its plentiful farm-to-table dining options and charming historic architecture, Georgetown is one of Texas's cutest towns. The town is located right on the banks of Caddo Lake. When she's feeling the love, she lets her darling 84-year-old mother come along as well. Austin gets more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Greg Abbott just named San Marcos "the Mermaid Capital of Texas." Spend some time on the Guadalupe River or Comal River for some fun rafting, fishing, or river tubing while you are visiting Gruene. This primarily historic town has several buildings from the late 1800s. There are over 40 wineries in the area, and you can either pop into the tasting rooms up and down Main Street or drive out to the many nearby vineyards for some on-site sampling. Its a small town, but theres lots to do. Known for its cowboy Its also home to many award-winning bed and breakfasts that are packed with charm. If you love large festivals, you may want to visit in May for the Main Street Fest or in September for GrapeFest. You can also try H-E-Bs scrumptious peach tea (for free!) Grapevine never stops growing. The towns motto, Come and take it, speaks to the defiant history where Texas fight for independence from Mexico and their annexation by the U.S. began. While youre here, drive down to Mustang Island State Park for even more outdoor recreation. We should mention that its also a particularly great place to cool down when the thermometer reaches 100 degrees, as its known to do in the summertime. Come here to see the birthplace of the Texas Revolution. While its known for thriving large cities like Dallas and Houston, the Lone Star State is also home to many charming small towns. 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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Its named after Jacob Luckenbach, a German nobleman and one of the first settlers in the area, and it consists of a general store, a bar, and a dancehall. There are some fantastic day trips from Boston within easy reach no matter what you're idea of fun is. An ancient cavern that dates back to prehistoric times, Longhorn Cavern is rife with carvings and sinkholes, plus the stealthy history of a gunpowder manufacturing facility during the Civil War. Come here to see some gorgeous open vistas in the Davis Mountains. For history and charm, this pre-Civil War town in East Texas is just the ticket. But before you venture to Palo Duron Canyon State Park to explore the impressive natural landscapes, grab some food and learn more about Canyon's history at the Historic Downtown Square and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. 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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Spend some time on the banks of Lake Granbury. Even if you arent a particularly skilled driver or putter, its worth booking a tee time at the Lanny Wadkins-designed Black Jacks Crossing Golf Course. Settled by Czech farmers, the town of Ennis boasts an adorable historic district, an annual polka festival, and great Czech food. Amanda Ogle is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in travel, food and drink, sustainability, and general lifestyle topics. An epic road trip through these small Texas towns is a great way to see the state. .a massive colonial-style courthouse from 1883 that still has the original clock and bell! Whether youre interested in history, shopping, or hanging out in nature, youll have countless activities to choose from. Don't leave the town until you grab a slice of some of the best pie in Texas from the legendary Bluebonnet Cafe. At just 30 minutes outside of Austin, it is a must-visit for anyone who is curious about the smaller towns within the state and has a taste for BBQ. Every time I write a story about Texas, it seems that Fredericksburg makes my list. If you're planning on visiting, always reserve a spot, because this place fills up! Thats it. There are numerous German restaurants and shops in the city, as well as a Bavarian-style brewery. WebBeyond the subdivisions and traffic jams, our states small towns beckon travelers with the simple promise of room to breathe. Houston and Austin can quibble all they want about who has the best barbecue, but the clear winner is Lockhart. San Antonio has a little, er-a lotof everything. Amarillo is located on historic Route 66, deep in the Texas panhandle (although Route 66 doesn't technically pass through Amarillo anymore, thus the word "historic"). TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. The US state of Texas is home to many wonderful small towns-set in the vicinity of big cities. While the saying is "everything is bigger in Texas," Texas has many small towns that beg to differ. A weekend here is the perfect place for a girlfriends getaway or an outdoor experience or two. The most popular place in Northern Texas is Dallas. Lindsay Cohn is a travel writer and serial trip planner who has visited 46 countries across six continents (and counting). The town is known for its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and variety of outdoor activities. If you love peaches, youll want to visit Weatherford in July, despite the heat. Looking for something a bit less strenuous? Its also a fabulous place just to slow down and unwind. Pick out a belt buckle, boots, and a cowboy hat at the Bandera General Store and make your way to a dude ranch for a full cowboy experience. This is the "Barbecue Capital of Texas," and it's home to an array of legendary barbecue spots, like Black's, Kreuz, and Smitty's, along with many craft breweries to quench your thirst after a big plate of brisket and pulled pork. For good seafood in the area try Fins Grill and Icehouse to sample the catch of the day. Granbury is a short drive from Fort Worth and has a wonderful lake to play on. It has a few residents and a few cheesy shops and art installations, but otherwise, its pretty much abandoned. Georgetown offers lots of cute wineries and a prettylagoon parkjust a stone's throw from downtown. The streets are lined with beautiful old buildings, and the residents are friendly and welcoming. Stroll around Henkel Square and Rummel Square, grab a slice of pie from Royers, and drop by St. Martin's Catholic Church, the world's smallest active Catholic church. This is a great place to unbuckle your spurs and have a whiskey or root beer. The Old Wild West towns appeal to those seeking Texas history, excitement, and adventure. The Cave without a Name is one of Boernes most popular attractions. Granbury Granbury is a short drive from Fort Worth and has a wonderful lake to play on. Beyond exploring the unique location and eating some awesome tex-mex, there are several other activities available in Laredo. When not globetrotting, shes most likely either doing Diana Oates is a freelance writer living in Dallas with her husband and three kids. At Dixie Dude Ranch, try horseback riding, enjoy a campfire sing-along, or hunt for fossils and arrowheads after a cowboy breakfast on the range. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church are close seconds. Travel writer and road trip enthusiast of My Traveling Roads, Kim Croisant, is a proud native Texan passionate about seeing the world by car, plane, train, RV any way she can. In addition to its arts and culture scene, Wimberley is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Make a quick drive in the other direction over the causeway and youll be on South Padre Island, a destination popular with spring breakers but also known for its birding and sea turtle rescue. After checking out the numerous quirky museums that line the town, bring a can of spray paint to Cadillac Ranch, one of the most popular roadside attractions along Route 66. In the historic district, Henkel Square Market has various shops housed in historic buildings that date back to the 1800s. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Jefferson was an important river port for the state and a critical supply point for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Located about 40 minutes west of Austin, Dripping Springs is home to the Hamilton Pool Preserve swimming hole and lots of craft wineries, breweries, and distilleries. This small town is full of charm, and the funky shops and good grub are just two of the reasons I love it. Have a hearty Mexican breakfast at Chili Pepper Cafe, stop off for a drink at the Porch, or chow down at the annual international chili cook-off festival. A town in northeastern Texas with a ton of small-town flavor. It's an ideal destination for both outdoor enthusiasts and downtown day-trippers looking to browse local boutiques. From hiking and biking trails to wineries and breweries, theres something for everyone in Dripping Springs. Youll also be near Caddo Lake State Park, where you can kayak or canoe along miles of paddling trails through the swamps and bayous. The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum is owned by the Stanzel Family; model aircraft royalty who was inducted into the Model Aircraft hall of fame. Granbury was voted the Best Historic Small Town in America, primarily because of its Historic Downtown Square! Marfa makes a perfect stop on the Big Bend National Park road trip. Originally from Texas, she is currently based in Berlin. When its time to eat, youll have your pick of delicious local establishments, but both The Leaning Pear and Wimberley Cafe come highly recommended (expect a wait at both.). Her travels include many road trips through Texas and beyond. Most people associate striking fall foliage with places like Vermont and Connecticut (OK, basically all of New England) and New York, but locals and in-the-know travelers know Lost Maples State Park, located two hours northwest of San Antonio, is the best spot in the Lone Star State to peep fiery leaves. Aug 19, 2023, 2:07 AM. On the fringes of Big Bend National Park in West Texas isTerlingua, a former quicksilver mining boom-and-bust town. Welcome to the mythical, legendary Texas Hill Country. The rest of us should probably just watch in amazement from a safe distance.

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