There's a world of hidden gems beyond the bustling metropolises of Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
BY LAURA RATLIFF AND MADISON ALCEDO
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Welcome to the Lone Star State, where the possibilities for an epic road trip are as vast as the Texan landscape itself. Texas, known for its sprawling highways that seem to stretch on forever, offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking adventure on the open road—and as you hit that road, you'll discover that beyond the towering skyscrapers and bustling metropolises of Dallas and Houston, there are plenty of hidden gems tucked away along Texas's charming backroads.
From Amarillo to Terlingua, these treasures beckon with their authentic charm, warm hospitality, and a glimpse into the heart and soul of Texas. Whether it's a town known for its world-class barbecue, a haven for artists and craftsmen, or a place steeped in historical significance, each stop on this list offers something truly special, but most importantly: the chance to slow down, take in the sights, and experience the true essence of Texas.
From the friendly locals who greet you with a warm "howdy, y'all" to quaint main streets lined with boutique shops and local eateries, every small town (or, yes, a city or two that we find equally charming) in Texas has unique character waiting to be explored.
Gruene
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When visiting Gruene, a town established by German farmers in the 1840s, the no. 1 thing on your to-do list should be seeing a show at the famous Gruene Hall, Texas's oldest operating dance hall, built in 1878. And just a few steps away, you'll find this sweet bed and breakfast: Gruene Mansion Inn.
Fredericksburg
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If you're looking for the perfect spot for a girls' getaway, Fredericksburg is a great home base for visiting some of Texas's best wineries. The Texas Hill Country region is home to more than 45 vineyards, including favorites like Barons Creek Vineyards and 16 others that are all a part of the local winery association, Fredericksburg Wine Road 290.
Luckenbach
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Only 13 miles from Fredericksburg, Luckenbach is another must-see Hill Country town. You can still visit its oldest building today—it's a combination of a general store, post office, and a saloon, which opened in 1886, a few decades after the town was established as a trading post in 1849.
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Laredo
Visit the border town of Laredo, one of the oldest border-crossing points, which sits on the north bank of the Rio Grande River. In the heart of the downtown historic district, don't miss visiting the Cathedral of San Agustin, which dates back to 1872.
Marfa
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It might seem unlikely that a Prada-themed art exhibit would exist in the middle of nowhere, a.k.a. Marfa, Texas, a city with less than 2,000 people—but that's precisely what has made this little town so famous. The 2005 Prada Marfa exhibit is a one-room, stucco replica of an actual Prada store, designed by artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset. It's become a cultural landmark for the tiny town, with visitors, including celebs like Beyoncé, passing through to see it.
Brownsville
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Saying you've visited Brownsville, located at the southernmost tip of Texas, is an accomplishment in and of itself, since the state is so large! While you're there, don't forget to visit the beautiful historic downtown on Elizabeth Street.
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Amarillo
If you're driving along Route 66, make a pit stop in Amarillo, where you'll find The Big Texan Steak Ranch, home of a 72-ounce steak. And if you're in the mood for something quirky, check out the roadside art attraction Cadillac Ranch, featuring 10 graffiti-covered Cadillacs.
Granbury
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Known for its historic courthouse square and namesake lake, Granbury has plenty to offer visitors. After a walk around the square, check out the Granbury Opera House for a live performance. When you’re ready to hit the lake for fishing and water sports, Granbury has its own sandy beach, City Beach Park, perfect for families looking for a fun day out.
Waco
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If there’s one town on this list you’ve heard of, Waco is probably it. Home to HGTV's "Fixer Upper" stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco has significantly transformed since the pair first appeared on your TV set. Head downtown to the Silos and Magnolia Market to shop and grab a bite to eat at the Magnolia Table—and then see a Broadway-style show at the Waco Hippodrome Theatre. Not far away, the Dr. Pepper Museum showcases the history of the beloved Texas soft drink invented in the town. Baylor University also has several museums that are open to the public, including the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Mayborn Museum Complex.
Port Lavaca
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Port Lavaca is a coastal Texas town that offers a serene escape with its beautiful beaches and scenic waterfront. The town is especially popular for fishing and water sports, but visitors can also relax on the sandy shores of Magnolia Beach or explore the nearby Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area.
Port Isabel
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Located on the southern tip of Texas, Port Isabel is a small coastal town that boasts a rich history. Climb to the top of the Port Isabel Lighthouse for panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and explore the nearby Port Isabel Historical Museum to learn more about the area's past.
Cooper
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This small north Texas town features a charming town square with many unique boutiques and antique shops. The square is the heart of the town’s many festivities, like the Cooper Crawfish Bash and the Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally. You can also find plenty of outdoor recreational activities at Cooper Lake State Park nearby, like camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Dripping Springs
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About 23 miles west of Austin, you'll find the town of Dripping Springs, where you can take a refreshing dip in the Hamilton Pool Preserve, a picturesque swimming hole created thousands of years ago after an eroded underground river collapsed.
Galveston
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This vibrant coastal city is located on Galveston Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Known for its historic architecture, stunning beaches, and lively entertainment, Galveston offers plenty of things to do: Visitors can explore the Strand Historic District, filled with Victorian-era buildings; relax on beautiful beaches; and enjoy attractions, such as the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens.
Dublin
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Ask any Texan, and they'll tell you: The Dr. Pepper you can get in Dublin, where the drink originated, is the best of its kind. For more than 120 years, Dublin Bottling Works has been bottling sodas, and the company's Texas-made Imperial Pure Cane Sugar makes their Dr. Pepper so unique and sweet. While the company no longer bottles Dr. Pepper, you can still taste the soda at Old Doc's Soda Shop.
Port Aransas
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As the only established town on Mustang Island, Port Aransas offers plenty of family-oriented activities, including visiting several local beaches, fishing on the Horace Caldwell Pier, and visiting the Lydia Ann Lighthouse.
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Lockhart
This small town in Caldwell County holds a big claim to fame: It's renowned as the "Barbecue Capital of Texas." Famous for its mouthwatering barbecue, with several legendary barbecue joints serving up delicious smoked meats, Lockhart also boasts a charming downtown area with historic buildings, boutique shops, and local restaurants. The nearby Lockhart State Park also offers camping, hiking, and swimming.
Shiner
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It might be home to a little more than 2,000 people, but Shiner is also home to the famous Texas brewery, Shiner Beer, which started brewing in 1909. You can take a tour of the Spoetzl Brewery, where they still produce every single drop of Shiner Bock.
New Braunfels
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If you've never been floatin', grab your inner tube, because New Braunfels is a good place to start. Relax while floating down the Guadalupe River, or you can visit the famed Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort if nature's not your thing.
Comanche
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The Comanche Museum and Cultural Center features exhibits on the town's interesting history, including the Comanche Indian tribe, pioneer life, and the Chisholm Trail. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike or trail ride through beautiful terrain at nearby Comanche Trail Park and end the day by checking out one of the town's many wineries.
Marble Falls
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Whether you're just passing through the quaint lake town of Marble Falls or making a weekend visit, you have to stop by Blue Bonnet Cafe, especially for its pie happy hour. Once you've had your fill of delicious pie (if there's even such a thing), make sure you get plenty of R&R at Lake Marble Falls or even Lake Lyndon B. Johnson.
Terlingua
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If you've always wanted to visit a real-life ghost town, you've come to the right place. Terlingua, often called Ghost Town Texas, is a former mining community, part of the Study Butte-Terlingua group of communities in Big Bend Country, near Big Bend National Park. There are plenty of abandoned buildings to explore, left behind by miners after they fled when the mercury market crashed in the mid-1800s.
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Glen Rose
In addition to its natural beauty, Glen Rose is famous for its prehistoric wonders, including Dinosaur Valley State Park, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs and admire their preserved tracks along the Paluxy River. Another local favorite is the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a drive-through safari that allows visitors to observe and interact with diverse exotic animals.
Wimberley
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Despite having fewer than 3,000 residents, this small town located between Austin and San Antonio features a lively public art scene, fantastic restaurants, and curated boutiques in their town square. A perfect blend of natural beauty and plenty of things to do, this Hill Country gem is also known for its idyllic swimming holes, Blue Hole and Jacob's Well. The town also hosts Wimberley Market Days, a monthly event featuring arts, crafts, and antiques.
Alpine
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A wacky West Texas town, Alpine has a thriving arts scene and is home to the Museum of the Big Bend and the annual Viva Big Bend music festival, which brings together local musicians and draws a crowd from all over Texas. For those who prefer the outdoors, the town is surrounded by mountains, perfect for hiking and camping, and is home to many Tex-Mex restaurants, including La Casita, which has been serving locals and tourists for more than 50 years.
Salado
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Just 45 minutes north of Austin, sleepy Salado is known for its charming main street lined with stores and restaurants—including the historic Stagecoach Inn, originally built in the mid-1800s as a rest stop along the Chisholm Trail. Visit Salado Glassworks to see live glassblowing and even create your own unique piece of art during their "blow your own" events. Salado also hosts several art, music, and cultural events throughout the year, like the Texas Wine and Rogue Art Festival.
Hico
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Looking for a delightful Texas experience that's off the beaten path? Head to Hico, a town known for embracing its Western heritage, with several cowboy-themed shops and a famous Old West-style saloon. Visitors can explore the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, learn about the rich history of cowboys and ranching in the region, and attend the annual Billy the Kid Festival, which celebrates the legendary outlaw.
Burnet
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Spring is the perfect time to visit the "Bluebonnet Capital of Texas," when the town is overflowing with Texas's state flower. Burnet is also home to several historic sites, like the Fort Croghan Museum and Grounds, Longhorn Cavern State Park, and Inks Lake State Park, for those looking for something more adventurous than wildflower spotting.
Anson
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Visiting Anson is like taking a delightful journey back in time to a quintessential Texan town. Explore the historic Jones County Courthouse, with its elegant Romanesque architecture, or head to nearby Lake Fort Phantom Hill to enjoy boating, fishing, or a leisurely lakeside picnic surrounded by the stunning West Texas landscape.
Rockport
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This small coastal town is home to the Texas Maritime Museum, where visitors can learn about the state's maritime past, from pirates to oil rigs. Rockport also has a thriving arts community, with galleries and studios throughout the town. The Rockport Center for the Arts hosts monthly art walks offering guided tours of many galleries.
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Mason
Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Mason has several natural wonders, such as the Eckert James River Bat Cave and the nearby Fort Mason City Park, which offers hiking trails and picturesque views. Mason is known as the "gem of the Hill Country" as people flock to the town to hunt for topaz, the state gem of Texas, which coincidentally, in Texas, can only be found in Mason. The town is also home to several wineries that offer tastings and tours.
Llano
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Often referred to as the "Deer Capital of Texas," due to its abundant wildlife and hunting opportunities, Llano is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who can enjoy activities such as fishing and kayaking in the nearby Llano River, or hiking in the beautiful Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Meanwhile, the historic downtown area is filled with charming shops, local eateries, and art galleries—and Llano hosts plenty of annual events, like the Llano Crawfish Open and the Llano Fiddle Fest.
DeLeon
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The small town of DeLeon, about two hours west of Dallas, embraces visitors with its warm, friendly atmosphere and a deep-rooted sense of community. The town is well-known for its annual Peach & Melon Festival, a staple since 1914, and the DeLeon rodeo, usually held in September.
Gladewater
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Known as the "Antique Capital of East Texas," this quaint town boasts a treasure trove of antique shops and boutiques waiting to be explored. Strolling along Main Street, you'll find well-preserved historic buildings that showcase Gladewater's rich history as an oil and railroad boomtown. Don't miss family-owned Guadalupe's Mexican Restaurant.
From: Country Living US
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Laura Ratliff is a New York City-based writer, editor, and runner. Laura's writing expertise spans numerous topics, ranging from travel and food and drink to reported pieces covering political and human rights issues. She has previously worked at Architectural Digest, Bloomberg News, and Condé Nast Traveler and was most recently the senior editorial director at TripSavvy. Like many of us, Laura was bitten by the running bug later in life, after years of claiming to "hate running." Her favorite marathon is Big Sur.
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Madison Alcedo was the Assistant Editor at WomansDay.com and Redbookmag.com.
