8 Picture-Perfect Main Streets In Texas
When planning your next getaway, add Texas to your list of destinations. Many of the state’s small towns feature charming Main Streets that would make perfect backdrops for family photos and impressive selfies. These towns, rich in history, boast some of the most stunning architecture. As of 1845, Texas became the 28th state in the US. Extending almost 1,000 miles from north to south, Texas is the largest state in area except for Alaska. Texas lies in the south-central portion of the country, bordered by the Red River, the Rio Grande, and the Sabine River.
In Texas, there is no shortage of activities to pursue. Whether you are a foodie, a historian, an appreciator of the great outdoors, or an adventurer up for anything, Texas’ small towns have the ideal activity for you. Consider these eight small towns in Texas with picture-perfect Main Streets for your next escape.
Granbury
Home to the most historic courthouse square in Texas, Granbury is a small town with a lot of charm. Granbury sits 36 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas, on the shore of Lake Granbury. The city serves as the county seat of Hood County and attracts visitors with its array of historical sites and entertainment options.
Take a stroll around the Historic Granbury Square on East Pearl Street, the state’s first downtown square to earn a designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can find an abundance of things to do here, such as checking out historical sites like the Hood County Courthouse and Clock Tower, as well as the Granbury Opera House. This historic theater underwent a $3.5 million transformation in 2012, making it an ultra-modern art venue. The venue shows a variety of performances covering a range of musical interests and Broadway plays. Head northeast on East Bridge Street to find unique spots, such as the Doll House Museum, a place featuring over 6,000 dolls dating back to the 1800s and continuing up to the present day.
Lockhart
Uncover a perfect blend of history and delicious food in Lockhart, Texas. Situated in the central part of the state, Lockhart is home to one of the most photographed courthouses in all of Texas. Lockhart is the county seat of Caldwell County, located southeast of Austin, Texas. The small town features a bustling downtown area dotted with historical sites, museums, and mouthwatering barbecue.
On South Main Street is the Caldwell County Courthouse, built in 1894. It is one of Lockhart’s most highly recognized landmarks, and for good reason. The building looms high over downtown Lockhart, with its mansard roofs, high central tower, and four-way Seth Thomas clock. Three stories high, the building features Muldoon limestone and red Pecos sandstone trim. Another architecturally captivating building is the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, less than five minutes away. Erected in 1899, this library is the oldest continuously operating library in the state, still housed in its original structure. The library’s facade features a striking brick-red exterior and a distinctive dome roof, while its interior features a pressed tin roof, original lighting fixtures, and stained glass windows.
If unique museums captivate your interest, make sure to visit the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches. Located on San Antonio Street just north of the library, the museum displays numerous clocks and watches in various shapes and designs. In 1999, the Texas Legislature designated Lockhart as the Barbecue Capital of Texas, meaning a visit to the town is not complete without enjoying local barbecue offerings. The Original Black’s Barbecue on North Main Street, owned and operated since 1932 by the same family, serves standout brisket, baby back ribs, incredible sides, and homemade peach cobbler.
Jefferson
Jefferson, Texas, is a deeply historic small town with a friendly atmosphere and plenty of fun things to enjoy. Situated on Big Cypress Creek and Caddo Lake, Jefferson is the county seat of Marion County. Founded in the early 1840s, the town was named after Thomas Jefferson. The pre-Civil War town offers scenic streets, beautiful lodging, quaint restaurants, and unique displays of Jefferson charm.The best way to explore the historic streets of Jefferson is via trolley. Take a 1-hour narrated Historic Jefferson Trolley Tour through the Downtown Historical District and the surrounding neighborhoods. Tours begin and end on West Lafayette Street.
Even if you book a stay somewhere else, the Excelsior House Hotel on West Jefferson Street is worth stopping by for a visit. The historical 1858 hotel features 15 guestrooms furnished with antiques. Additionally, it is the site where several famous guests once stayed overnight, including Oscar Wilde and Ulysses S. Grant. Head northwest onto North Polk Street for breakfast at The Carriage House. Located inside a bed and breakfast, the restaurant serves a multi-course breakfast daily and dinners on Fridays and Saturdays. Come nightfall, walk for about a mile in the opposite direction and check out the Howe Truss Train Trestle. The LED light show display on East Austin Street goes from dusk to dawn every evening.
Bastrop
Amid rolling hills and plains as far as the eye can see lies Bastrop, Texas, a small town beckoning history lovers and foodies alike. Bastrop, of Bastrop County, rests southeast of Austin along the Colorado River, at an elevation between 400 and 600 feet above sea level. Peruse the historic district on Main Street for a journey through time. The downtown area features over 130 sites, ranging from homes to historically significant commercial structures, each showcasing a variety of architectural styles.
Some of the sites you can find here are the Bastrop County Courthouse and the Old First National Bank. The courthouse, built in 1884 and situated on Pecan Street, using 1.3 million bricks, features a Neoclassical Revival structure. The bank on Main Street, erected in 1889, played a major role as the city’s main financial center and now houses the post office. Bastrop is also a hub for mouth-watering places to eat. The Chestnut Grove Food Truck Court on Chestnut Street is a great place when you want to try a little bit of everything. With a variety of vendors, from coffee to tacos, the food court provides different options to enjoy Bastrop’s cuisine under a spacious, roof-covered dining area.
Brenham
Historical Brenham, Texas, established in 1844, is a place where the past comes to life around every street corner. Located northwest of Houston, Texas, Brenham is the county seat of Washington County and lies along the Texas Pioneer Trail. The small town is named after Dr. Richard Fox Brenham for his efforts in practicing medicine in the area. Visitors to Brenham can find a variety of historical sites, including museums and structures, and enjoy delicious barbecue in a unique setting.
Start on South Market Street to see the 1867 Brenham Fire Museum and view rare antique fire engines. Here, guests can learn about the fire that burned Brenham and how a system of public cisterns was created beneath the streets to provide water for future fires. Visitors can learn more about the cisterns by touring Toubin Park, located less than five minutes away on South Park Street. The self-guided tour takes guests on a journey, learning about the role of the cisterns, the early railroad, a rough Boom Town, and the people who shaped Washington County. Do a little shopping and a little observing on West Main Street at Glissman’s Gift Gallery and Historic Drug Store, a source for unique gifts and collectible items. The shop, housed in an 1860s two-story masonry building, also showcases items from the original Glissman’s Drug Store. Enjoy Texas barbeque nearby on the same street in a historic train depot at Pioneer Smokehouse and Mercantile. The establishment offers authentic pit-smoked barbecue with rustic outdoor seating.
Nacogdoches
Known as the Garden Capital of Texas, Nacogdoches, Texas, is bursting with outdoor beauty via its multiple trails and downtown murals. Nacogdoches, located in Nacogdoches County in the eastern part of the state, lies near the Angelina River. The small town, founded in 1779 and recognized as the oldest in the state, is northeast of Houston, Texas.
You can bask in Nacogdoches' natural beauty with a stroll along the Lanana Creek Trail. The 5.89-mile route begins at Liberty Hall on East Main Street and features thickets of dogwood, paw-paw, and scarlet blooming buckeye. Amongst the trail, birdwatchers can spot (and hear!) a myriad of species, including pileated woodpeckers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Another of Nacogdoches' best trails is the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Gardens managed by Stephen F. Austin State University. Located on North University Drive next to the school, there are 1.25 miles of accessible trails with an array of stunning blooms, like rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and camellias. Open from dawn to dusk, the garden was previously an overgrown loblolly pine forest, but is now a nature lover's dream. Discover beautiful paintings through a self-guided downtown mural tour. Each mural highlights different aspects of Nacogdoches and its history, such as the Garden Capital of Texas Mural on the corner of Main and North Streets. The painting depicts a colorful compilation of flowers.
Bandera
Discover cowboy heritage in Bandera, Texas. Bandera rests in Texas Hill Country, northwest of San Antonio, Texas. Featuring stunning landscapes and a wealth of history, Bandera is a place for nature enthusiasts and history lovers. On Main Street, you can find a souvenir to bring home at the Bandera General Store. The building, built in 1907, was once a saddle shop, feed store, appliance store, and a movie theater. Now the shop houses quaint offerings, such as a fully functional 1950s ice cream fountain, boots, old-fashioned candies, cowboy hats, and more.
Enjoy a picnic at Bandera City Park, just off Main on Maple Street. The 77-acre park invites visitors to enjoy meals on the banks of the Medina River, as well as swimming and fishing. Discover Bandera’s history at the Frontier Times Museum, a place where visitors can view over 11,000 artifacts and oddities. The museum showcases some of the state’s greatest cowboys, cowgirls, and rodeo champions in its Texas Heroes Hall of Honor. To cap off a quintissential Texas experience, take the whole family to one of the city’s rodeos, such as the Summer Series Rodeo at Mansfield Park, to see incredible displays of bull riding, bronc riding, barrell racing, and other classic events.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Texas, boasts a rich history with German roots. The small town, founded in 1846 by German immigrants, is the county seat of Gillespie County. Located 70 miles to the west of Austin, Texas, Fredericksburg lies in the central part of the county and offers a little bit of everything, from fun shopping excursions to breweries. This small town is worth adding to your travel itinerary.
Main Street is the hub of Fredericksburg, with over 150 shops, restaurants, museums, and more. A unique aspect of this downtown area is that every store is locally owned, as franchises are not allowed to open up shop. Visit the Carousel on Main on East Main Street, a boutique department store, to find a variety of apparel, home items, accessories, and gifts to bring back home. Immerse yourself in German heritage by grabbing a bite from the oldest operating brewpub in the state, Fredericksburg Brewing Company, on East Main Street. Learn more about Fredericksburg’s German history at the Pioneer Museum. Located on West Main Street, the 3.5-acre Pioneer Museum Complex features artifacts, a one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin, a barn, a smokehouse, a Sunday house, and other culturally significant displays. Throughout the year, the museum also hosts storytelling events for the whole family, demonstrating activities such as rope making, sheep shearing, and soap making, while educating audiences about life in Fredericksburg over 175 years ago.
The small towns of Texas overflow with good eats, historical sites, stunning outdoor spaces, and a wealth of hospitality. Visit Lockhart or Brenham for incredible barbecue, Bastrop for a variety of local food trucks, or Fredericksburg for authentic German cuisine. Explore Texas history through sites like the Historic Granbury Square or the Jefferson Trolley Tour. Enjoy picturesque outdoor spaces at the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Gardens in Nacogdoches and City Park in Bandera. These small towns in Texas, with their picture-perfect Main Streets, have so much to offer.
