11 Beautiful Small Towns In Texas You Must Visit
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Are you looking for the most beautiful small towns in Texas for a getaway or an upcoming trip? You have come to the right place. We take you through the best towns that are pretty, quaint and worthy of being explored in Texas.
Being the second largest state in the United States, Texas is filled with diverse landscapes. While it has big cities like San Antonio, Dallas and Houston that you may love to visit, there is nothing like having a quiet getaway to one of the quintessential and beautiful small towns in Texas. These small towns are rich in heritage, have delicious local cuisines to offer and many outdoor recreational activities. Away from the hustle of big cities, the charm of small towns in Texas guarantee that you will have memorable experiences to cherish.
Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, a long relaxing holiday or a romantic trip, you will find a small town in Texas that would certainly match up to your expectations. Here are the most beautiful small towns in Texas that are perfect for a relaxing and enjoyable getaway.
Beautiful Small Towns In Texas
1. Marble Falls
For outdoor enthusiasts and wine lovers, Marble Falls is the perfect small town to find an adventure. This gorgeous small town is located in the Texas Hill Country, only 1 hour away from Austin, and is nearby plenty of beautiful lakes and amazing Texas state parks.
There are plenty of fun things to do in the area, like taking a walk by the scenic Lake Marble Falls, which you can also go kayaking in. Otherwise, you can take a wine tour to sip on various tasty wines while getting driven around the town and seeing some sightful views.
There is also a farm in the town where you can pick pumpkins and feed cute farm animals. There are also plenty of hiking and biking trails close to the area, which you can explore.
While it’s never a bad time to visit, going there during the fall might be your best bet if you are looking for comfort. You can avoid the blazing hot summer weather while also being early enough to avoid the cold winter temperatures.
Where To Stay In Marble Falls :La Quinta by Wyndham
By Martin Soto of Travel Explorator
2. South Padre
South Padre calls itself Tropical Texas and is a popular beach getaway along the Texas Gulf Coast in the southernmost part of the state. While the small Texas town (only 2.5 square miles) has a year-round population under 3,000 persons, South Padre hosts nearly one million visitors every year. Spring Break through September sees the biggest crowds while winter is relatively quiet but with amazing weather.
Besides the incredible US Gulf Coast beaches, fun things to do in South Padre include sunset sails with Osprey Cruises or Ka Motion, fishing excursions and other boating adventures, savouring fresh seafood, and up close interactions with animals at Sea Turtle, Inc. and SPI Birding, Nature Centre, and Alligator Sanctuary.
Compared with other US beach destinations, a unique opportunity here in South Padre is the concept of a “two nation vacation”—with the entrance to Mexico less than one hour drive away. Annual sandcastle competitions and kite flying festivals, bird migrations, and Space-X launches attract avid fans.
The town of South Padre occupies only the lower five miles of South Padre Island and 20 miles of remote beaches north of the town boundary tempt intrepid explorers.
Where To Stay In South Padre : Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites
By Charles McCool of McCool Travel
3. Fredericksburg
One of the most beautiful towns in all of Texas is Fredericksburg. This small town is the centre of the Texas Hill Country, a vast region of cute towns, incredible wineries, and live music. Located just 90 minutes west of Austin, this is a popular weekend getaway for people all over Texas and across the South.
Much of the town’s beauty comes from the Sunday Houses, the distinctive whitewashed limestone buildings throughout town. These were the weekend homes for local farmers who stayed here when they came to market or attended religious services. The town was settled in the mid-1800s by German immigrants and still has a rural European charm. The main street, square and even some businesses are all still named in German.
While visiting, be sure to check out the over 50 wineries that surround the town in the Hill Country. Just a few miles outside of town is the famous Luckenbach Dance Hall, made famous in several country songs. And you’ll find some of the best BBQ in all of America here.
There’s no bad time to visit Fredericksburg. The summers are most popular, but the spring and fall are cooler and more enjoyable. And the town square has one of the best Christmas displays in Texas.
Where To Stay In Fredericksburg : Fredericksburg Inn and Suites
By Lance and Laura Longwell of Travel Addicts
4. Buda
Buda pronounced “buuuDA” is a beautiful small town in Texas located just south of Austin. Austin and the surrounding areas is known as Hill Country. These beautiful rolling hills are breath-taking. Hill Country (including Buda) is known for its barbeque, beauty, and live music.
Buda has a charming small town feel. One of the highlights of Buda is stopping downtown. There are locally owned antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants. There are many more things to do in Buda including watching the famous wiener dog races. These pups race at the “Buda”-ful Buda City Park.
The best time to visit Buda is anytime. Summer can be a little hot but the weather is nice all year round. You will enjoy your time strolling around and appreciating the laid back and inviting atmosphere of Buda, Texas.
Where To Stay In Buda : Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
By Lisa of Planning Away
5. Alpine
Alpine is a small town located in the Big Bend region of West Texas. Many travellers briefly stop here while en route to Big Bend National Park. Unexpectedly, this small town has a quirky vibe comparable to Austin and there are many things to do in Alpine. Spend a weekend hiking, eating, and shopping in Alpine.
Be sure to hike to the old desk on Hancock Hill and end your hike with the best glazed donuts in Texas from Baker’s Dozen Donuts. Downtown Alpine has countless antique shops and alleyways brimming with street art and unique art installations.
The temperatures can be extreme in the summer and winter, making the best time to visit Alpine and the Big Bend region in the spring or fall.
Where To Stay In Alpine : The Maverick Inn
By Chris Bailey of HTW Travel
6. Gruene
The charming small town of Gruene is located deep in the Texas Hill Country. It’s approximately 40 minutes from San Antonio or Austin. Although the town is tiny, it has a big presence. It’s known for Gruene Hall, which is one of the oldest continually operating dance halls in the state of Texas. Many famous musicians got their start there, and visitors can still find popular acts performing at the dance hall nearly every weekend.
There are plenty of cute shops in Gruene to keep visitors busy for an entire day, and they also offer Old Gruene Market Days the third weekend of every month. The Gruene Wine Festival is one of the most popular annual events, but there are many things to do in Gruene year-round.
The town also hosts an annual town lighting ceremony during the holiday season. Visitors travel from nearby cities to see “Cowboy Kringle” ride into town on his horse and pass out candy canes to the kids. When he flips a special switch, all of the shops simultaneously illuminate in the beautiful glow of Christmas lights. Plenty family-friendly activities are associated with the event, including a live reading of The Night Before Christmas.
Where To Stay In Gruene : Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
By Erin Clarkson of Sun Sand and Messy Buns
7. Marfa
In West Texas, Marfa may not look like much on a map. But like a buried treasure, it takes just a little digging to discover everything this desert city offers. Marfa has a natural beauty because many of the surrounding areas being nearly untouched from development, preserving the desert ecosystem as it’s been for thousands of years.
Your backpacking camera will record breath-taking views during a glider tour of the Davis Mountains or Chinati peak from the local Marfa airfield. If you prefer to stay closer to the ground, nearby Big Bend National Park offers several hiking trails of varying difficulty. You could even visit the ghost town of Terlingua, an old mining town.
Marfa is also known as an art hub, with many galleries and public spaces dedicated to showing off unique works of art. But Marfa’s biggest “art” exhibit is actually a small Prada store about thirty minutes away. You can’t go inside, but the store, but it’s the only one like it and it draws visitors from all over the world.
When planning your trip to Marfa, it’s important to remember that it’s a desert town in West Texas. This means there are certain months when you can cook an egg on the sidewalk in just a few minutes. The best time to visit Marfa is in the spring, in April and May, or the fall, between August and October. Those are also the months that the city hosts the most events, making your trip the most memorable.
Where To Stay In Marfa : Hotel Saint George
By Catalin Geangos of Travel Trained
8. Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a small town right off the Gulf Coast. Home to both beautiful scenery and rich culture, Corpus Christi is a perfect Texas destination depending on what you want to experience. Arguably, the winter season (November-March) has the most variety of activities, with mild temperatures that turn the area into an easy getaway for snowbirds to explore the beautiful Spanish architecture and warm waters.
The late Selena Quintanilla is the beacon of the city and fans can visit multiple memorials dedicated to the artist, including Selena’s gravesite, the Selena Museum, and her statue overlooking the pier. Plus, if you are visiting in January, your trip might overlap with Fiesta de la Flor, a two day music festival that celebrates the life and legacy of Selena, the “Queen of Tejano.”
However, if you are more interested in nature, winter is also the prime wildlife viewing season on South Padre Island as well as the annual kite festival. Stop by the site of the first ever Whataburger, which is still in operation, though the best restaurants are the locally owned spots such as Hester’s Cafe, Ramen Legend, and 8TE. On your way out of town, Packery Channel Park has the best souvenir store in town.
Where To Stay In Corpus Christi : Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
By Kay of The Awkward Traveller
9. Wimberley
Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the charming small town of Wimberley makes the perfect Texas getaway. With a whimsical, artsy charm, there are plenty of fun things to see in Wimberley.
Two of Texas’ most beloved swimming holes–Jacob’s Well and the Blue Hole–call Wimberley home, and while you’ll need to make advance reservations in order to take a dip, they’re both worth the wait.
Other cool things to do in Wimberley include climbing Mt. Baldy (it’s only a couple hundred steps!) to enjoy a fantastic view of the Hill Country, perusing Wimberley’s many galleries and boutiques, sampling the many excellent restaurants, and snapping photos of the many uniquely painted boot statues around town.
If you’re hoping to swim, the best time to visit Wimberley is definitely the summer, when the swimming holes are open. Otherwise, you can’t beat early to mid-April, when the bluebonnets are likely to be at their best in the Hill Country, for a trip to Wimberley.
Where To Stay In Wimberley : Mountain View Lodge
By Kate of Lone Star Travel Guide
10. Terlingua
A trip to Terlingua will make you feel as though you have stepped back in time to the great Wild West. What was once a booming mining town at the base of the Chisos Mountains, is now a ghost town and perfect home base for all your Big Bend adventures. The town itself boasts unique stays (yurts, stargazing tents, airstreams), local restaurants, live music, and self-guided tours of the ghost town (you can pick up maps inside Terlingua Trading Company). They also host an annual chili cook-off that draws in thousands of visitors each year.
If hoping to check off some hikes in Big Bend National and State Park, visit in the winter or early spring. Summers in Texas can be brutally hot and unsafe for long hikes. Although there are many unique stays in Terlingua, reserving a stargazing tent with Ocotillos Village is highly recommended.
West Texas has some of the best stargazing in the United States, and these wooden tents allow you to marvel at the night sky through the plexiglass tops. Whatever your ghost town adventures bring, Terlingua is a must-see beautiful Texas small town.
Where To Stay In Terlingua : Lajitas Golf Resort
By Jordan Wohlwend of The Homebody Tourist
11. Canyon
Canyon is a quintessential small town in Texas where you will find one of the best attractions in the United States, the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, largest history museum in Texas, Panhandle- Plains Historical Museum, Bar-Z winery, beautiful parks, farmers market and notable sightings.
If you are looking for adventure, head to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, known to be the second largest canyon in the country. Here you can enjoy activities like mountain biking, hiking and horse riding.
Where To Stay In Canyon : Holiday Inn Express
These are some of the most beautiful small towns in Texas that are totally worth a visit. Its always amazing to explore your own small towns that are unique in their own way. Its also a great way to get to taste the authentic local cuisines, breathe in some fresh air at the country side, be close to nature, rejuvenate yourselves and have amazing fun through outdoor recreational activities. There really is something for everyone in these beautiful small towns in Texas.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan a fabulous getaway to one of these small towns in Texas. Share with us in the comment section below, your favourite small town in Texas.
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