10 Most Breathtaking Towns In Texas
The big and beautiful state of Texas is full of scenic small towns to choose from. Art installations, giant cypress trees, a collection of Western-romance film memorabilia: this list rounds up ten of the most beautiful. If you are ready to walk streets lined with preserved houses from different eras, sip local brews while live music plays, and paddle through gorgeous swamps, then you are ready for a road trip through the 28th state.
Fredericksburg
The Germanic town of Fredericksburg is the ideal location for those who want to dig into history. Start with the National Museum of the Pacific War, a Smithsonian affiliate and the only museum in the continental US dedicated solely to the Pacific theater of World War II. This museum honors those who served in the war and commemorates their efforts. For local history, check out the Vereins Kirche Museum, which focuses on the town's heritage and local legend. To talk over your new local and national historic discoveries over a glass of wine, head to Barons Creek Vineyards. Here, guests can choose from an especially curated list of wine and food pairings.
Wimberley
This beautiful little town has a turquoise gem at its center: Jacob's Well, a spring-fed swimming hole beloved by locals. These days, swimming is limited to summer and by reservation only, but the sight of the cypress trees stretching over the water is worth the stop on its own. Dry off and walk through Wimberley Square, which is full of cafes and boutiques. Only 2.5 miles away from the square is another natural wonder.
Old Baldy Park offers the chance to see the entirety of Wimberley Valley. Hikers are only 218 stone steps away from this view, which is breathtaking during the day or beneath the night stars. To learn about the earliest Wimberley settlers, tour the Wimberley Valley Museum. You'll leave with an intimate understanding of a gorgeous town.
Seguin
Begin your journey through Seguin at the Sebastopol House Historic Site, a restored 1856 Greek revival lime-crete mansion. The ultra-sturdy "lime-crete" (a mixture of gravel and lime) construction was popular at the time, but it is now a rare sight. Tour this rare structure to discover the lost art that perfectly blends chemistry and construction.
Then, stretch your legs at Max Starcke Park, where the Guadalupe River winds past a golf course, shaded picnic spots, and walking trails, a local favorite for kayaking and lazy afternoons by the water. Before leaving Seguin, make sure to check out its famous roadside attraction, the World's Largest Pecan, a nod to the town's pecan-growing roots.
Boerne
Founded by German freethinkers in the 1850s, Boerne sits in the heart of the Hill Country and wears its heritage on the limestone storefronts of Hauptstrasse, its historic main street. Stroll the shops and biergartens downtown, then catch the Boerne Village Band, one of the oldest continuously performing German community bands in the country. For natural beauty, the Cibolo Center for Conservation protects creekside woodlands, marsh, and prairie laced with easy trails right at the edge of town. Just outside Boerne, you can descend into the Cave Without a Name, a living cavern of still pools and towering rock formations that more than earns a spot on this list.
Clifton
Clifton was once home to the largest Norwegian settlement in Texas. In the Norse Historic District, about 40 structures remain from this era, offering travelers a glimpse at this small town's earliest days. More beautiful sights await. Known as "one of the 100 best rural art communities in the nation," Clifton houses its impressive collection of art in the Bosque Arts Center gallery. Here, visitors will not only find Western and contemporary art, but also live theater and photography exhibits. The true beauty of Clifton can be found in the preserved pieces of its history. Explore the Bosque Memorial Museum, where visitors can find artifacts from the town's original immigrants. Those exploring the grounds will even find a log cabin in which one of the town's original occupants lived.
Ennis
Ennis is full of rare experiences, such as the Galaxy Drive-In Theatre. This retro theater offers a wide variety of blockbuster films across multiple screens. There is also a snack bar filled with funnel cakes, soft drinks, pizza, and of course, popcorn. After seeing a film, step back into the romantic past of railway travel at the Railroad & Cultural Heritage Museum inside the former Van Noy restaurant. The museum shows the evolution of the railway system in Ennis, featuring exhibits showcasing vintage locomotives and historic photographs. Finally, explore the natural beauty of Texas, which is so beloved at Kachina Prairie. This Blackland Prairie is a rare preserved piece of the long-lost landscape of the past.
Gonzales
Known as a botanical wonderland, the lush Palmetto State Park is the soul of this small town. These grounds are alive with plants, wildlife, and rushing rivers and creeks. The San Marcos River cuts through the park, offering a place to swim or kayak. Get to know this beautiful small town through its gorgeous memorial museum, the Gonzales Memorial Museum. The stone structure not only exhibits halls and sculptures, but also an amphitheater, which hosts public gatherings and entertaining productions. For a darker peek into the past, tour the Gonzales County Jail Museum to see historic jail cells and replica gallows.
Waxahachie
Waxahachie has so much unique beauty to share. Take the Gingerbread House Tour, where Victorian, Gingerbread, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne home styles line the streets. Architecture fans and history buffs will delight in this whimsical walk. After the stroll, cool off in Lake Waxahachie at Spring Park. Aside from being a great place to float and wade through the water, the lake is also locally known as a great fishing spot. Continue your journey downtown at ART on the Square, where locally crafted art is showcased. The murals, abstract paintings, and other crafts are for sale, making it a great opportunity for tourists to take home a piece of Waxahachie's spirit.
Jefferson
Start your voyage through the historic town of Jefferson on a swamp tour. Take a narrated riverboat tour through the magnificent Caddo Lake. This lake is known as one of the most beautiful in the south, being surrounded by cypress trees, Spanish moss, and other wild wonders waiting to be discovered. Get to know this small town more intimately at the Jefferson Historical Museum, which houses the important relics of Jefferson's past. No tour of Northeast Texas is complete without visiting the Gone With the Wind Museum. This nostalgia-packed museum offers a glimpse into the cinematic landscape behind a romantic masterpiece.
Marfa
To understand the true creative spirit of Marfa, visit Ballroom Marfa, which showcases minimalist sculptures and art exhibits. The Ballroom also commissions artists around Texas, so you can find their work (such as the Prada Marfa) on random stretches of highway through Texas. Travelers will find more rare crafts in Raba Vintage, a vintage shop started by Texas locals. Wrap up the day by listening to live music at Marfa Spirit Co., and have a drink of their popular Desert Pechuga made from native ingredients. End the evening by heading just outside town to view the mysterious Marfa Lights, an unexplained natural phenomenon that has intrigued visitors for decades.
Finishing Thoughts
The small towns that comprise the vast state of Texas are full of unique character and rare beauty. At the same time, there is so much beauty to be found in the landscape of the Lone Star State; even more beauty lies within the art of its locals, sprinkled throughout small towns in the form of gallery exhibits, murals, and "gingerbread" houses. The towns on this list may take your breath away, but they will also fill you with the wildest kind of wonder that can only be found in Texas.
