8 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Texas You Should Visit

Texans already know it, but it bears repeating: Texas is huge. To put it in perspective, it is more than twice the size of Italy, significantly larger than France, and 10 times bigger than Ireland. With that much space to roam, weekend or day trip possibilities are nearly endless. If you are searching for some of the most scenic and interesting towns to visit, these eight are a great place to start. You will find everything from deep canyons and clear swimming holes to strong German heritage, showcasing not only the vastness of Texas but also its remarkable diversity.

Wimberly

Sitting in the Texas Hill Country, about an hour from Austin, Wimberly is a go-to destination for laid-back weekend trips. When the weather is nice and warm, you can go for a dip at Blue Hole Regional Park, which features a natural swimming area with pristine waters, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The shopping scene is also one of Wimberly’s highlights, with adorable shops and boutiques scattered throughout. Vintage Lily Boutique is an example of one you can pop into, selling jewelry, clothing, accessories, and more. Dinner doesn’t get much more scenic than that at Chills On The Creek, a waterfront restaurant along Cypress Creek that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Marfa

Smack dab in the middle of the West Texas Chihuahuan Desert, travelers will find Marfa, an energized, artsy town. The Chinati Foundation is a must-visit museum during your visit, a permanent installation of large-scale artworks that artist Donald Judd founded in 1986. Another stop worth visiting is the Marfa Studio of Arts, a 1,000-square-foot gallery that showcases local work and includes a shop where you can purchase pieces. The culinary establishments in town are just as unique as the art. Planet Marfa is an eccentric favorite, an outdoor bar that hosts occasional live music performances under the stars.

Canyon

Canyon’s name is quite fitting: The town is home to the second-largest canyon in the country, which travelers can visit at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. This state park has plenty of ways to explore the canyon, including 30 miles of trails and campsites. The TEXAS Outdoor Musical also runs seasonally in the park, a family-friendly show that tells the story of the Panhandle’s early settlers For a drink and some good music, check out local venues like The Lumberyard, a restaurant and bar that holds live concerts throughout the year.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is not what many picture when they think of Texas. The town’s strong German heritage and thriving wineries result in a pleasant surprise in the Hill Country. There are plenty of places to grab some good German grub in town, one of which is the Old German Bakery & Restaurant, which serves homemade food made with German recipes. Looking for a nice glass of wine? Invention Vineyards is nearby, a 35-acre estate with a full production winery and a tasting room. If you are in town during the holiday season, you should definitely keep some of its holiday events on your radar, such as the Light the Night Christmas Parade, a parade down Main Street that ends with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Boerne

About 40 minutes south of Fredericksburg, Boerne also embraces German heritage, an impressive brewery scene, and natural wonders like nearby caverns. Cascade Caverns is the town’s oldest tourist attraction, dating back to 1932, with tours today passing through five major rooms, including a breathtaking Cathedral Room. If an afternoon on the lake sounds nice to you, make sure to visit Boerne City Lake Park, which is popular for fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. Finish your day at Cibolo Creek Brewing Co., a casual brewery that brews its own IPAs, blondes, lagers, stouts, and more.

Jefferson

If you have ever wanted to see Texas’s beautiful swamps and bayous, Jefferson is the town for you. Located just west of Caddo Lake, the town has several tour operators, including Caddo Lake Bayou Tours, which takes visitors through the lake’s riverways, swamps, and bayous. The town’s history is equally fascinating, with many buildings dating back to the 19th century. Travelers can experience a piece of this history at the Excelsior Hotel, which was established in 1858 and is furnished today with antiques and old-world touches. Just across the street from the hotel, visitors can also view the historic Jay Gould Railroad Car, a 19th-century private parlor car with four staterooms, a dining room, a kitchen, a lounge, and even a ballroom.

Waxahachie

Waxahachie, located roughly 30 minutes south of Dallas, is especially known for its replica of the Munster Mansion from the 1960s sitcom The Munsters. Since the original blueprints were unavailable, the builders studied the show closely and recreated each room in detail. Touring the mansion today, you will likely feel as if you have stepped foot into the show. Another attraction to visit while in town includes the Ellis County Museum, which contains displays and interactive exhibits that encompass 130 years of history. Boaters and anglers, meanwhile, can head to Lake Waxahachie, one of the best fishing lakes in North Texas, with largemouth bass, white bass, catfish, and crappie being abundant.

Ennis

You will likely want to visit Ennis in the spring, once the bluebonnets begin to bloom. The State Legislature named Ennis the home of the Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail in 1997, and every April, the town maps over 40 miles of viewing routes and hosts a weekend festival with live music to celebrate. If all of the bluebonnet viewing and festival going has worked up an appetite, you can grab some classic Texas barbecue at Bubba’s BBQ & Steakhouse, which serves brisket, pulled pork, sausage, ribs, and chicken. Grab a souvenir from a local shop like BOOM Beauty & Boutique, which sells clothing, jewelry, and accessories.

There is so much to see throughout Texas. Sweeping desert, rolling bluebonnet fields, swampy bayous, and the lush Hill Country are just a few of the treasures that await you in these towns. The towns themselves are just as vibrant as the landscapes, filled with live music bars, vineyards, and German bakeries that will keep you entertained all weekend long. There is no substitute for experiencing it firsthand, however. Venture out and discover what makes Texas so unique for yourself.