10 Prettiest Towns In Texas
Texas is a vast, wild, independent, and beautiful place. From the plains of the Panhandle region to the high desert of Big Bend Country, over to the rolling hills and bluebonnets of Hill County, to the paradisiacal shoreline of the Gulf Coast, and everything in between, the Lone Star State compliments itself through contrast. The only problem is dissecting this massive landmass into digestible chunks. While the cities have their draws, the most authentic magic happens in the small towns. With that in mind, these are ten of the prettiest communities to check out the next time you're in Texas.
Nacogdoches
Often called "The Oldest Town in Texas," though it might actually be the third oldest after Presidio and Ysleta, Nacogdoches is technically a small city. Despite some nitpicking over facts, its aesthetic exudes antiquity mixed with fresh, modern touches. This community in Deep East Texas, within Nacogdoches County, features a historic old town with red brick buildings and streets, Victorian mansions, and lush green trees. The area is lined with creeks and nature trails that historically served as Native American trade routes. Nacogdoches is also renowned as the "Garden Capital of Texas" and as the home of Stephen F. Austin State University.
Canyon
The charming city of Canyon is located in the Texas Panhandle, just minutes from the second-largest canyon in the United States. This college town is home to West Texas A&M University and features a lively downtown district filled with friendly faces. It makes Canyon a great basecamp for exploring the surrounding area and enjoying the acclaimed entertainment. For example, "the Grand Canyon of Texas," Palo Duro Canyon State Park, will take your breath away. It offers numerous hiking and horseback trails, a scenic campground, and an impressive outdoor amphitheater that hosts seasonal shows of the musical TEXAS. Another popular local attraction is the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, which features captivating permanent displays—such as its massive allosaurus skeleton in the paleontology section—as well as rotating themed exhibits.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, or "Fritztown" as it was nicknamed by its early German settlers, is a small city in the heart of the state. This seat of Gillespie County is not only the center of Texas' beautiful Hill Country but also home to more than 100 wineries and vineyards, with 60 located within the county itself, forming the Texas Wine Country. Take a 20-minute drive north of town to visit Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and enjoy a view of the rolling, rocky landscape. Then, explore Fredericksburg's Urban Wine Trail to sample some of the region's award-winning wines. Finish your visit with a tour of the charming Pioneer Museum to learn about the area's 175-year-old German heritage and join family-friendly activities like rope and soap-making, sheep shearing, storytime sessions, and more.
Rockport
Nestled between Copano Bay and Aransas Bay along the Gulf Coast, this beach town offers a welcome change from Texas' vast and often arid landscape. The area's main attraction is the state's first blue wave beach. Rockport Beach is not only carefully managed to protect the environment but also well-maintained for the enjoyment of its eager sunbathers. Just outside town, separated by Saint Charles Bay and Carlos Bay, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge provides a safe habitat for the endangered whooping crane (North America's tallest bird) to thrive, as well as space for hiking, fishing, and observing a variety of wildlife, including Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles and American Alligators. Between outdoor adventures, take some time to browse the colorful specialty shops in Rockport's Heritage District.
Jefferson
Built around the Big Cypress Bayou, filled with almost 100 Historical Landmarks (many of which are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places), and Civil War-era homes that are available for touring, Jefferson is a scenic spot with lots of character. One of the best ways to get a lay of the land is to take the Historic Jefferson Walking Tour, or take it in chunks, perhaps by visiting the Historic Jefferson Railway, or the Jefferson Historic Museum for an afternoon a piece. But don't skip over the colorful quirks of this place. The neon lit Bicycle Hill and the bizarrely-placed Lonesome Dove Exotic Drive Thru Safari are sure to leave an impression.
Wimberley
Another Texas Hill Country gem sits between San Antonio and Austin, atop Edwards Plateau. The village of Wimberley gets about 300 days of sun each year. This makes visiting the various swimming holes an appealing afternoon activity, especially during the hot summer months. The Blue Hole Regional Park is the nearest spot. The Cypress Creek forests provide much-needed shade and serve as a hub for the nearby rope swings. On the northern end of town, still along the same creek, Cypress Falls Swimming Hole offers an open-air spot to splash around, with food trucks and a bar to keep the fun going. At the bottom of the creek, Jacob's Well Natural Area is a perfect place for a swim or a relaxing nature walk. Rent an electric bike and explore them all in a single day!
Salado
Just a little over 50 miles north of Austin, the state capital, the charming village of Salado awaits. Situated along Salado Creek, it offers a vibrant arts scene: try blowing glass at Salado Glassworks, create a custom pottery piece at Mud Pies Pottery, admire Japanese-style stoneware at Ro Shaw Clay Studio, or explore the local galleries showcasing works by some of Texas' most innovative artists. Salado also features boutique and antique shops, community-focused breweries, and lively live music venues – many located in the beloved Royal Street District.
Marfa
Marfa flies under the radar in the beautiful Big Bend Region of far-West Texas. Here, the Lone Star's mountains blend with the Chihuahuan Desert, creating a backdrop like few others. This makes Marfa an ideal home base from which to explore the 300,000-acre Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the adjacent 800,000-acre Big Bend National Park, both of which are a straight shot South, right on the Mexican border. But Marfa is also celebrated as an art lover's paradise. Back in 1971, Donald Judd moved here from New York, bringing his unique, minimalistic visions with him. His Chinati Foundation now displays large indoor and outdoor pieces throughout the site of a former military camp. The Ballroom Marfa also carries the torch – hosting regular exhibits, as well as the Marfa Myths independent music festival.
Bandera
The "Cowboy Capital of the World," is as pretty as it is quirky. This is yet another Hill Country entry, but only in Bandera is it common practice to park one's horse outside the saloon. The residents clearly take pride in their classic, Wild West identity, which helps keep the novelty going for intrigued tourists. While the quiet days are easy to appreciate, Bandera also puts on nightly live music, and Saturday afternoon "gun fights" to spice things up. Horseback riding is obviously a readily available activity, with lots of space to explore the old fashioned way – most notably, the Hill Country State Natural Area, on the Southwest outskirts of town. To get the full Bandera experience, book a stay in one of the local Dude or Guest Ranches, or opt for one of the secluded cabins in the area.
Port Isabel
Port Isabel was established in the 1770s (though under the name "El Fronton"; it was later renamed Port Isabel in 1928), placing it among the oldest towns in the state. This traditional fishing village was founded at the southern tip of Texas, where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors quickly became interested in Port Isabel as a place to escape the scorching inland heat. As a result, the summer resort boom began. Today, tourists can enjoy the best of both worlds. Fishing remains a popular activity here, and Port Isabel still bears its long history (especially at the Port Isabel Historical Museum). The historic Port Isabel Lighthouse (the only lighthouse on the Texas Gulf Coast) instantly evokes a classic summer vacation town.
Everything is bigger in Texas, except the small towns. These little beauties have defied modern expansions, and have instead chosen to clutch to their pioneering roots. Few places can rival the renowned Southern hospitality found in such places. Pair this with the worn but spirited landscape across seven distinct regions and visitors should have lots to write home about. No matter where you go in Texas, it will be a standout trip, but stopping by these ten small towns will also make it a pretty one.
