9 Top-Rated Small Towns In Texas
There is no such thing as a typical Texas small town. Marfa moved Donald Judd's minimalist sculptures into the high desert and built itself into the country's strangest art destination. Bandera bills itself the Cowboy Capital of the World and the hitching posts downtown earn it the title. Fredericksburg has the Pacific War Museum on one block and German wine bars on the next. Jefferson ran steamboats up Big Cypress Bayou back when East Texas was still its own kind of frontier. The nine below cover the whole spread from desert art to Gulf beaches.
Marfa
Marfa sits in the high desert of the Chihuahuan Desert with the Davis Mountains rising to the north. The town has built itself into one of the country's strangest art destinations, full of minimalist installations that visitors come specifically to see.
The Chinati Foundation is the anchor. Founded by sculptor Donald Judd, who wanted a permanent home for large-scale art, the foundation now holds installations by artists including Judd himself and Dan Flavin spread across a converted military base on the edge of town.
Highland Avenue runs through the heart of Marfa lined with historic buildings. The Presidio County Courthouse from 1886 stands at the top of the street with a Goddess of Justice statue topping its dome. Look closely and you'll notice she is missing her trademark scale and sword, allegedly shot off decades ago by an unhappy resident.
Bandera
Bandera goes by the "Cowboy Capital of the World" and the title is well-earned. Hitching posts dot the streets and Western-themed shops sell cowboy gear up and down the main drag.
Rodeos fill much of the calendar. The Summer Series Rodeo runs from June to August and the town hosts other rodeo events through the rest of the year. The Frontier Times Museum covers the broader history of Bandera County for visitors who want context beyond the boots.
The dude ranches around town let visitors get a real taste of cowboy life. Depending on the ranch you can do horseback riding, cattle drives, or just watch the professionals work the animals.
Fredericksburg
The German feel in Fredericksburg is unmistakable. The town was settled by German immigrants in the 19th century and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. That heritage shows up in the annual Oktoberfest plus the German-themed Christmas festival called Weihnachten that anchors Fredericksburg's Christmas Nights of Lights.
The National Museum of the Pacific War is the must-see stop in town. The museum is dedicated to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who grew up in Fredericksburg, and covers the entire Pacific Theater of World War II in real depth.
Spring brings wildflowers including the iconic Texas bluebonnets to the surrounding country. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area sits about 25 minutes north of town with its massive pink granite dome that draws hikers from across the state.
Salado
Less than an hour north of Austin, Salado sits in the rolling hills of central Texas. The town once served as a crossing point on the historic Chisholm Trail when Texas ranches moved cattle north to the railroads, putting Salado in the middle of Old West cattle country.
The Stagecoach Inn still operates downtown. Built in 1861 the inn has hosted Sam Houston and reportedly the outlaw Jesse James. Today it works as a working hotel with espresso and modern rooms.
The Royal Street District is worth time. Grab a beer at Barrow Brewing Company, browse the boutiques, or stop in at the Salado Museum & College Park for local history. Salado runs an unusually broad festival calendar including the Scottish Gathering and Highland Games every November plus an annual Chocolate Festival.
Port Aransas
Port Aransas runs about 18 miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico on Mustang Island. That stretch supports surfing, kayaking, and just walking the sand for hours. The water around the island holds plenty of wildlife so don't be surprised to see sea turtles or dolphins from the shore.
The town carries the title "Fishing Capital of Texas" and runs fishing tournaments throughout much of the year. The Port Aransas Nature Preserve covers four protected sites west of town, set up to protect the hundreds of endangered and sensitive species that live in the area.
For visitors not into wildlife spotting, the Port Aransas Museum runs exhibits on the area's maritime history and cultural heritage.
Wimberley
Wimberley has a population just over 3,000 but packs in more than its size suggests. Summer afternoons fill the Blanco River with tubers floating their way through town.
Wimberley Square anchors downtown with locally owned stores and restaurants. Limestone facades line the surrounding blocks lending the town a vintage feel that holds up under any weather.
Blue Hole Regional Park inside town has a popular natural swimming hole fed by springs and lined with cypress trees. Cypress Creek feeds Jacob's Well, the local icon where cold spring water draws swimmers and divers. The well opens into an extensive underwater cave system that draws experienced divers from around the country.
Grapevine
Located between Fort Worth and Dallas, Grapevine was settled in 1844 and named after the wild mustang grapes that grew on the local prairie. The 19th and early 20th-century buildings along Main Street still anchor downtown. The Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower rises 127 feet over the strip.
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs restored locomotives from Main Street all the way to Fort Worth, a worthwhile day trip on its own. In town, Nash Farm preserves a 19th-century farmstead with interpretive programs and seasonal events including monthly First Fridays that cover heritage skills.
Grapevine also calls itself the "Christmas Capital of Texas." Every December the town goes all-in with lights, festivals, and holiday markets that pack downtown for weeks.
Jefferson
Located on the Big Cypress Bayou in East Texas, Jefferson was officially founded in 1845 and quickly became one of the state's most important inland river ports during the steamboat era. Today Victorian-style homes and 19th- and 20th-century buildings line the downtown area.
The Jefferson Historical Museum sits in the Old Federal Building from 1888 and runs exhibits on the town's past including its role during the Civil War era. The privately owned Jay Gould Railroad Car offers a look at late-19th-century luxury rail travel.
The natural draw is the bayou itself. Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss line the water and steamboat tours run from the docks for visitors who want the view from the river.
Port Isabel
The first thing you notice in Port Isabel is the white tower of the Port Isabel Lighthouse from the 1850s, still overseeing the water. The town sits on the western side of the Laguna Madre, a long lagoon along the Gulf of Mexico.
The Port Isabel Historical Museum is housed in a building from 1899. Its exterior carries a sea-creature mural painted by a local fisherman in 1906.
South Padre Island is a short drive across the causeway. The barrier island holds Isla Blanca Park, Andy Bowie Park, and miles of public beach. Sea Turtle Inc. on the island runs turtle rescues, education programs, and coordinated baby-turtle releases that visitors can attend in season.
Texas in Nine Towns
Texas has been pulling in visitors since statehood in 1845. From the desert art of Marfa to the cowboy traditions of Bandera to the bayous of Jefferson and the beaches of Port Aransas, each of these nine towns covers a different version of what it means to be Texan. Pick whichever fits the kind of trip you're after, then start there.
