7 Texas Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

Ask any Texan, and they will tell you their people are some of the friendliest around. In fact, "friendship" was officially adopted as the state motto in 1930. Even in the big cities, you are likely to get a smile and a wave. Some of the warmest welcomes, however, come from the state's small towns. In these close-knit communities, you might be invited to a summer concert series, a food and wine festival, or a local fishing competition. And even if there is no event happening, you can count on a hospitable host at a barbecue joint or aboard a Gulf cruise. If you are looking for a friendly weekend getaway this summer, these seven Texas towns are sure to leave you smiling.

Port Aransas

With its warm waters, sandy beaches, and sunny summers, Port Aransas is a Texan favorite for a vacation. And its community is just as warm and inviting! The town’s fishing tournaments are a favorite among both locals and visitors, hosting more than 20 tournaments throughout the summer. The Deep Sea Roundup, taking place from July 10th through 13th this year, is one of the oldest saltwater fishing tournaments in the world, dating back more than 80 years.

Travelers hoping to see some dolphins in the Gulf can sign up for a cruise with one of the town’s hospitable operators, such as Scarlet Lady Dolphin Adventures, which offers tours on a catamaran-style vessel. There are lots of places in town to enjoy fresh seafood as well. For some fresh fish with views of the water, consider grabbing dinner at either Grumbles Seafood Co. or Virginia’s On The Bay, which are both situated along the eastern edge of the harbor.

Fredericksburg

Founded by a group of German immigrants in 1846, Fredericksburg continues to preserve and celebrate its German heritage today. The town’s largest festival is Oktoberfest, which takes place on the first weekend of October. Across three days, the festival features several stages of Oompah music, German cuisine, and authentic German crafts. Food and wine lovers, meanwhile, should make sure to attend the annual Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, which attracts over 75 Texas wineries and dozens of food vendors.

Craving some German grub? There are plenty of cultural restaurants to try, including Old German Bakery and Restaurant, which serves scratch-made food using traditional German recipes. To experience life the way that Fredericksburg’s early pioneers did, stop by the Pioneer Museum, a 3.5-acre complex with artifacts, buildings, and displays.

Marfa

Travelers heading to Big Bend or West Texas should make sure to stop by Marfa, a small, western-style community. The town hosts numerous cultural festivals throughout the year. The Agave Festival is coming up in June, celebrating the cultural diversity of the region through talks from expert speakers, border-inspired music, and local food and drink. CineMarfa is another cultural event that takes place each year, screening experimental documentaries, narrative cinema, and other independent works in the town’s historic Crowley Theater.

Marfa is also renowned for its museums in town. Travelers, for example, can learn about the town’s history in film, fashion, mining, geology, and more at the Marfa and Presidio County Museum. Margaret’s is a beloved local restaurant, serving main dishes like baked eggplant parmesan and grilled salmon.

Boerne

Boerne, located in the Texas Hill Country, is another small town with German roots and a friendly community. The Kendall County Fair, held each August, is one of the town’s key events, featuring a livestock show, rodeo, parade, live music, food vendors, and more. Moreover, the community comes together for the weekly Boerne Farmers Market, which features meat, dairy, bakery, produce, and honey vendors.

Families should spend an afternoon at Arrows Active Play Park, an 8,000 square foot indoor playground and cafe serving coffee and sandwiches. If you want to go horseback riding, set up a trail ride with the friendly folks of Diamond C Stables and Ranch, a ranch that has been in the community for over 25 years.

Wimberley

Just an hour’s drive from downtown Austin, Wimberley offers a friendly respite for those coming from the city. The annual Wimberley Arts Fest is a key cultural event that takes place each April and features an art exposition, live music lineup, and car show. To unwind and enjoy the Texas Hill Country, grab a bite at Chills on the Creek, which has an outdoor patio along Cypress Creek.

Wimberley Valley Winery is another great place to relax, offering educational wine tastings and wood-fired pizzas. On the weekends, local residents and visitors are often found on the Blue Hole Hike & Bike Trail, a well-maintained network of hiking and biking trails that stretches about 6.2 miles in total.

Granbury

With a robust festival calendar, Granbury is always celebrating something! The town kicks off the year with the annual Goosebump Jump, in which attendees jump into the chilly waters at Granbury City Beach, followed by hot tubbing and coffee, cocoa, and cookies. Travelers can celebrate the upcoming Memorial Day weekend with the community at Granbury’s annual Memorial Day Weekend Festival, which features live music, karaoke, local merchants, food, and more.

At the end of September, LakeFest takes over the Granbury City Beach with entertainment, concerts, games, and family-friendly fun. Year-round, travelers can enjoy a movie screening at the Brazos Drive-In Theater, which has been a family-operated business in Granbury since 1952.

Brenham

Located between Austin and Houston, Brenham has gained statewide recognition in recent years for its barbecue trail. Travelers craving some mouthwatering smoked meats can head to one of the town’s hospitable restaurants, such as Truth BBQ, which cooks its meat for 18 hours on a wood-burning smoker. LJ’s BBQ is another local favorite, which uses premium meat cuts prepared with signature sauces and rubs.

In addition to exploring Brenham’s barbecue scene, travelers can explore its German heritage during MaiFest, which takes place in May and features German music, a parade, a home brew competition, and delicious food. In July, consider attending the town’s Hot Nights Cool Tunes Summer Concert Series, which offers the public a series of free music performances on Courthouse Square.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a Texas native or just planning a visit to the Lone Star State, a trip to a small, friendly community might be just what you need. Luckily, Texas is full of towns that welcome visitors with open arms. While it is no easy task to narrow down the friendliest spots, these stand out for their German heritage festivals, creekfront restaurants, and sunny beaches. And who knows? You might just find yourself wanting to stay a little longer.