This Is The Most Welcoming Town In Texas
It is rare to find a town so inherently welcoming that Hollywood directors travel thousands of miles just to capture its spirit on film. This place is none other than the North Texas community of Waxahachie. For decades, Waxahachie has been a favorite hometown for the big screen, serving as the cinematic set for over 30 different films. Its gingerbread architecture and nostalgic pubs most definitely contribute to this welcoming spirit, as well. And to top it all off, it hosts all kinds of eccentric events, like Renaissance fairs and Crape Myrtle festivals! Texas is already known as a friendly state, but Waxahachie manages to take that hospitality to the next level. Here is a closer look at why this community stands out as the most welcoming in the Lone Star State.
A Calendar Of Unforgettable Festivals
Leave it to Waxahachie to host some of the most unique festivals in Texas. With so many niche events on the calendar, there is something here for just about every kind of traveler. The most famous is arguably the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, which will be taking place between April 4th and May 25th this year. During the festival, the area turns into a 16th-century English village, hosting renaissance-era activities like full combat armored jousts, a shopping village with over 200 shoppe vendors, and Birds of Prey exhibitions, to name just a few. A massive performing company also fills the festival’s streets, acting out characters like villagers, peasants, the royal court, and dignitaries.
If you have always wanted to celebrate Mardi Gras but haven’t been able to make it to Louisiana, you can also celebrate in Waxahachie during the town’s iconic Hachie Gras! This celebration will take place on February 14th, featuring a Hachie Gras parade, downtown food and drink crawls, and plenty of live music. Waxahachie, also known as the Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas, hosts the Crape Myrtle Festival in July, which celebrates the colorful tree with fireworks, live music, food trucks, and vendors.
The Film-Friendly Gingerbread City
The film industry’s frequent return to Waxahachie proves just how film-friendly the community is. Its filmmaking history dates back to 1967, when Bonnie and Clyde was filmed here. Other films that have used the town as a backdrop include Places in the Heart, Tender Mercies, and The Trip to Bountiful. The town’s distinctive architecture plays a major role in its popularity with filmmakers, which has earned it the nickname “The Gingerbread City.” Victorian, Gingerbread, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne are just a few of the architectural styles that you can appreciate throughout town, with one of the most beloved highlights including the Ellis County Courthouse. Completed in 1897, the courthouse features a Romanesque Revival design built from pink granite and Pecos red sandstone, finished with intricate surface ornamentation.
Welcoming Cafes and Diners
Waxahachie’s dining spots sit at the heart of the community, offering welcoming places to gather and enjoy a meal together. Travelers craving a morning pick-me-up can start their day at Vita Coffee House, a cozy coffee shop downtown that is woman-owned and operated. In addition to some fantastic coffee classics, you can choose from the coffee shop’s signature menu as well, which includes beverages like sopapilla lattes and rose lattes. For lunch, swing by The Doves Nest, a local restaurant serving southern comfort food, housed in a hardware storefront that dates back to 1913. For a good drink, you also might enjoy College Street Pub, a British-style pub with Texas flair that serves a varied selection of beers, a full bar, and classic pub fare dishes like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie.
Hospitable Inns
If you are looking for some good old-fashioned southern hospitality in Waxahachie, you will find it in one of its warm inns. The Chaska House & Cottages is a great place to plan your stay, offering a main house with four guest rooms that can be booked together, along with one- and two-bedroom cottages available for separate bookings. The main house is filled with history, constructed in 1900 with a revival-style architecture. You can have more of an international experience, meanwhile, at The English Merchant’s Inn, an English-style inn with a north Texas twist. Each stay includes a $30 coffee and meal credit to keep your stomach happy!
Extending Your Trip
Nobody ever wants their trip to come to an end, especially after having such a great time in a town like Waxahachie. Fortunately, it is easy to extend your trip a few days by visiting another nearby town. If you want to explore more of that incredible North Texas history, you might enjoy visiting Granbury, which is about an hour and 20 minutes west of Waxahachie. Here, you will find iconic architecture like the Hood County Courthouse and the 1886 Granbury Opera House. In fact, the Granbury Square was the first courthouse square in Texas to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Dinosaur Lovers can also venture out to Glen Rose, which is an hour and 10 minutes from Waxahachie, famous for Dinosaur Valley State Park, which contains dinosaur tracks and 20 miles of trails to hike. Your adventure was really just beginning in Waxahachie!
A Town Where You'll Feel At Home
Waxahachie is one of those places where you will immediately feel at home, even if you are in town for only a weekend. You can easily get involved in the community at events like the Renaissance Festival, or enjoy a hospitable weekend at one of the town’s local inns. As a plus, you will be surrounded by gorgeous architecture that has been meticulously preserved. A travel destination has never looked quite so inviting!
