Wimberley, Texas. Editorial credit: Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com

The 9 Most Laid-Back Towns In Texas

If a big, vibrant town with a high-octane entertainment scene is bliss, a small, laid-back location with nice farm-to-table restaurants and cute, family-owned shops is heaven. The former has its appeal, but the latter is where you go to kick off and unwind. The goal is always to return refreshed and renewed, to reset your body's rhythm. Fortunately, although Texas is huge, it is beautifully dotted with small, laid-back locations, places you visit when you want to relax and move at a slower pace. Starting with Dripping Springs, discover nine laid-back towns in Texas.

Dripping Springs

Hamilton Pool Preserve near Dripping Springs, Texas.
Hamilton Pool Preserve near Dripping Springs, Texas.

If you crave the feeling of being lost somewhere deep in Texas, yet in a neat, small town with iconic landmarks, Dripping Springs is what you have in mind. The city is situated in the highly photogenic Texas Hill Country, just west of Austin. The historic Mercer Street features old-fashioned storefronts, some of which date back to the 19th century. Start by smelling your way to restaurants like the Great British Baking Company, a local favorite renowned for its flavor-rich sausage rolls, tender steak pieces, and succulent gravy.

Welcome to Dripping Springs sign from this small town in the Texas Hill Country.
Dripping Springs, Texas USA - April 6, 2016: Welcome to Dripping Springs sign from this small town in the Texas Hill Country. Editorial Photo Credit: Fotoluminate LLC via Shutterstock.

If you are looking for a no-frills dance hall, where people gather to two-step the night away, Mercer Dancehall is what everyone will recommend. This is a delightful diversion and appears to be a place from another era. You can explore the iconic Hamilton Pool, a unique grotto with a cascading 50-foot waterfall, or Charro Ranch Park, famous for its extensive birding opportunities, diverse wildlife, and peaceful trails.

Bandera

A scene from Bandera, Texas.
A scene from Bandera, Texas.

Saddle up. Bandera is where horseback riding is a significant component of any vacation. Known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, the town is known for its ranches, Western charm, and laid-back atmosphere. The Dixie Dude Ranch is a rustic all-inclusive resort set on over 700 acres of pastureland and offers day riding, provided there's available space.

The Cowboy Store in Bandera, Texas
The Cowboy Store in Bandera, Texas. Image credit Barna Tanko via Shutterstock

The wranglers are knowledgeable, patient, and always handle guests with grace and humor. If you swing by on Saturday, the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters, one of downtown Bandera’s most beloved attractions, should be on your list of things to experience. There is the Bandera Natural History & Art Museum, which offers a variety of animal exhibits, dinosaur statues, and fun fossil-digging areas. The trick is to start with a family-style meal at O.S.T. Restaurant, especially chicken-fried steak.

Marfa

Plywood tribute to the 1956 film "Giant," erected by artist John Cerney in Marfa, Texas.
Plywood tribute to the 1956 film "Giant," erected by artist John Cerney in Marfa, Texas. Editorial credit: Magraphy / Shutterstock.com.

Probably because of its vast skies and expansive landscapes, Texans fondly refer to their state as God's Country. The truth is, there is nowhere else to experience this aspect of the Lone Star State than in Marfa and the area around it. Although tiny and laid back, Marfa is as quirky as it is artsy. It boasts several unique, mind-rousing attractions that make it a truly special place to visit.

Outdoor bar in Marfa, Texas.
Outdoor bar in Marfa, Texas.

For example, Ballroom Marfa is a whimsical art gallery that features intriguing exhibits, prompting you to think outside your usual boundaries. The Chinati Foundation, widely regarded as the town's crown jewel, is an extraordinary space with a touch of the mysterious. Although designed to be a minimalist art display of concrete objects in the desert, it is way more than that. Pass by the Marfa And Presidio County Museum, a well-curated space in a humble 1880s adobe home.

Wimberley

Colorful shop with artwork on display in Wimberley, Texas.
Colorful shop with artwork on display in Wimberley, Texas.

A sign at the entrance to Wimberley says: “A little bit of heaven.” Once aloof and secreted in an untamed terrain with lazy tubing rivers and blooming wildflower fields, Wimberly has not completely discarded its aloofness. It still grants the same respite from the hassle and bustle of other places— the same oasis-like atmosphere that it has traditionally been known for. At the Wildflower Art Gallery, dreamy landscape depictions of Texas’s abundant spring blooms awaken the senses.

Colorful shop with artwork and vintage items on display in the small Texas Hill Country town of Wimberley
Colorful shop with artwork and vintage items on display in the small Texas Hill Country town of Wimberley, via Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com

At the same time, delicious fried olives tantalize the unaccustomed taste buds at the centrally located Longleaf Craft Kitchen + Bar. This beautifully designed space blends rustic charm with modern elegance. If you want to touch trees and feel the texture of leaves, Blue Hole Regional Park is conveniently located in town and offers a beautiful swimming hole with clear water, stunning views of a creek lined with cypress trees, and fantastic hiking trails. There's also the chance to admire scintillating artworks at Art on 12, a warm place filled with high-quality productions.

Fredericksburg

Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas
Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas

With its charming Main Street, highly touted German heritage, and scenic Hill Country views, Fredericksburg has always drawn tourists from every nook of the country. And you can't fault it for this. Fredericksburg is incredibly adorable and still grossly underappreciated. From the beautiful historic storefronts that stud Main Street to farm-to-table restaurants serving fresh food with fresh ingredients to the nation's largest working wildflower farm, Fredericksburg has it all.

The Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas, also known as "The Magic Mile."
The Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas, is also known as "The Magic Mile." Image credit ShengYing Lin via Shutterstock

Wildseed Farms, a 200-acre wildflower farm and vineyard that appeals to every sense, features an outdoor botanical shop, an indoor shop selling adorable, handcrafted items and a variety of yummy local snacks, nearly half an acre of walking trails, and a unique wine-tasting room. The best part is that you are allowed to sip the wine as you browse the shops and gardens. Just don't miss the phenomenal National Museum of the Pacific War, Pioneer Museum (for a crash course in local history), and the decadent German pancakes at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant.

Port Aransas

Aerial view of the marina at Port Aransas, Texas.
Aerial view of the marina at Port Aransas, Texas.

Even if you can't brave the ocean and are not a fan of deep-sea fishing, Port Aransas has other excellent features and attractions that make it incredibly visit-worthy. The town takes its repose on Mustang Island, a narrow stretch of pretty beaches that spans more than 15 miles. Businesses like the Red Dragon Pirate Cruises offer thrilling water rides with dolphin sightings, magical sunsets, and entertainment. If tagging kids along, this may turn out to be a trip highlight.

Texas SandFest in Port Aransas, Texas
Texas SandFest in Port Aransas, Texas. Image credit: Jonathan Cutrer via Flickr.com

The Whooping Crane Festival, which brings hundreds of avid birders from around the area, comes to town every year in late February. Start with a scrumptious breakfast at Island Bakery, a sweet little gem, whose “Cruffin" is to die for. From here, you can walk or ride a golf cart to the pier, a lovely space to enjoy the breeze or watch the ships go by. Just don't miss the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, an observation area for birds and alligators with well-constructed boardwalks and exquisite views.

Rockport

Rockport Texas waterfront.
Rockport Texas waterfront.

Rockport is a serene location on Port Aransas Bay, allowing visitors to combine it with Port Aransas to maximize their coastal experience. It is quiet and laid-back, making it perfect for a low-key beach trip where relaxation is the primary objective. Area highlights include Rockport Beach, which holds the distinction of being the state's first “Blue Wave Beach.” With no vehicles allowed, and no pets either, you will enjoy an afternoon of calm and clarity under thatched-roof palapas.

Rockport, Texas
Rockport, Texas. Editorial credit: starmaro / Shutterstock.com

There's Rockport Pier, where you can reel in a yummy catch, and Goose Island State Park, an outdoor playground with plenty of activities to enjoy, particularly birding. Please note that Goose Island State Park spans over 300 acres. If you are a confessed gifter, you can browse a vast selection of shells to make jewelry, photo frames, and all sorts of ocean-themed DIY crafts at Sea Shell Shop. The shop also keeps a ton of ready-made wind chimes, decorations, and even hermit crabs, just in case you know someone who would love a sea creature for a pet.

Llano

The Grace Episcopal Church building in Llano, Texas.
The Grace Episcopal Church building in Llano, Texas.

Even for those who are not easily impressionable, there is something about the Texas Hill Country that lifts the mood and melts the insides. It could be the many miles of Texas bluebonnets, an imposing granite courthouse, or the unusual presence of some of the most graceful creatures in the world: deer. Keep in mind that Llano styles itself as the Deer Capital of Texas and boasts the highest density of white-tailed deer in the United States.

The historic Llano Courthouse in Llano, Texas
The historic Llano Courthouse in Llano, Texas. Editorial credit: Fotoluminate LLC / Shutterstock.com

You can pick or admire a piece of Western art at Gridiron Gallery, a mind-rousing space that features works by respected, self-taught Western watercolor artist Jack Moss, enjoy delicious enchiladas at the La Hacienda De Jalisco, or float down the Llano River, one of the few popular fly fishing destinations in the entire state.

Jefferson

Historic Jefferson General Store in downtown Jefferson,
Historic Jefferson General Store in downtown Jefferson, Texas. (Image credit LMPark Photos via stock.adobe.com)

Jefferson is a small, slow town with Old World charm, historic homes and churches, and scenic streets. The air that blows here is palpable with echoes of yesteryear, especially as you appreciate the many pre-Civil War era structures that dot the town. It is like taking a journey back through time, particularly to a bustling 19th-century river port. For perspective, the city boasts more state-registered historic structures than any other place in the state of Texas.

Jefferson, Texas, is known for its folklore and history
Jefferson, Texas, is known for its folklore and history. Photo by Nina Alizada via Shutterstock.

You can appreciate some of this history at the Jefferson Historic Museum before browsing the fascinating collection of unique items at the Jefferson General Store. This nostalgic space has served East Texas as a hardware store and a general store since the 1870s. The Hive, renowned for its bee-themed atmosphere, serves delicious lattes, scones, and other tantalizing treats. If you still have some time, The Grove is an old, fascinating property that strikes the perfect balance between history and the paranormal.

So, next you are planning a vacation in the Lone Star State, carry flip-flops, some sunscreen, and nothing else. You are coming to relax and recharge. What you need is a small, laid-back spot with zero crowds and a big heart. Depending on what floats your boat, you can find such dreamy spots in any part of the state, whether the Hill Country and its dazzling scenery, or the coast with its sugar-white beaches.

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