10 Small Towns in Texas Were Ranked Among US Favorites
We all know what vacationing in a small town means. Meeting excited locals, eager to share fascinating tidbits about their town; patronizing casual but classy restaurants and enjoying their delectable farm-to-table meals; strolling through beautiful, cobble-stoned streets that are often free from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and people who breathe down your neck. Then there’s the charm and character of small towns and the absence of cookie-cutter architecture. Even if big cities have their own distinctive appeal, nothing can beat the authentic allure of small towns. Fortunately, the Lone Star State boasts quite a number of just such towns. The following are 10 small towns in Texas that have often been ranked among U.S. favorites.
Dripping Springs
Set in a beautiful, rustic environment complete with rolling hills, Dripping Springs is a cute, Texas stunner that often leaves first-time visitors completely blown away. It should be enough enticement to know that Dripping Springs is located in the Texas Hill Country, a part of the state famous for its natural beauty, an abundance of wineries, and numberless outdoor opportunities. Home to only about 8,200 residents, Dripping Springs exudes the quintessential small-town charm that often tickles the heart of vacationers. And that does not mean you will not enjoy big-city attractions or amenities. The fact Dripping Springs is only 23 miles from Austin is enough rebuttal. Since you will be in the Texas Hill Country, ensure you find your way to Desert Door Distillery, especially if you want to savor the taste of some finely-crafted barrel-aged Sotol, a popular drink in the region.
Wimberley
Wimberley is another cute, little gem, whose sizzling beauty may ensnare you for weeks. This Texas charmer, often ranked among U.S. favorites, is curled up just 14 miles south of Dripping Springs in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. If you have been here, you will agree that this whole area is pretty, and the Wimberly area could very well be the prettiest. If you have nothing to do in Wimberley, wandering around the gorgeous Wimberly town square, while sampling its cute little stores and enjoying its laid-back aura, may make you want to scout for a realtor. And while there are many things to do in Wimberley, such as tubing or swimming at the Blue Hole Regional Park located right in town, or enjoying some splash about 4 miles away at Jacob’s Well, arguably the most famous of Wimberley’s swimming holes, your visit will be incomplete without some delicious crab cakes or any other delicacy, at a cute, little restaurant known as The Leaning Pear, located right at the start of River Road.
Fredericksburg
While only about 11,600 people call Fredericksburg home, this Texas gem is an eye candy worth experiencing for yourself. If you happen to visit Fredericksburg to explore its German heritage and want to savor the taste of some authentic German cuisine, The Auslander, a restaurant that specializes in dishes from the state of Bavaria, and is smack in the middle of historic Fredericksburg, may be worth checking out. Then again, don’t believe anyone who says that the National Museum of the Pacific War, one of the town’s consistent crowd-pullers, is overhyped. The truth is that if you are given a chance, and have the slightest interest in history, this museum, with its incredible number of artifacts, will make you view the entire Pacific War in a whole new light. And if you are an outdoor enthusiast, a visit to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a must-do.
Luckenbach
How about visiting a town that could very well be the tiniest in Texas? Many may be tempted to view such a town as a ghost town, with nothing but two or three dated buildings fit only for bats and owls. Nestled just 13 miles from Fredericksburg, Luckenbach may be a little more than a blip on the map, but don’t let that fool you. This town boasts several things that would tickle a vacationer’s fancy and which makes it among the favorite U.S. small towns. One of Luckenbach’s claims to fame is its popular country music tradition. Since Luckenback is a town of only three buildings of note, a general store that is now a gift shop, as well as a saloon and a dance hall — this may come as a surprise. Yet the town’s saloon and dance hall are often filled with patrons, including those from far-flung states, who enjoy its live music events and year-round festivals.
Marfa
In a desert landscape that exudes an unusual rural American atmosphere, lies the small town of Marfa, a remote, secluded town that, despite its surreal, suntanned landscape, may just be America’s coolest art town. To get a sense of Marfa’s remoteness and seclusion, the closest town is El Paso, yet El Paso is approximately 233 miles away. It is a ride that is often lonely and empty and on roads frequently blocked by tumbleweeds. Yet Marfa, being a hub of minimalist art, will reward those willing to make the trip. Art aficionados will particularly want to check out Chinati Foundation, a popular minimalist art museum known to have whisked Marfa onto the national map. Chinati Foundation was founded by Donald Judd, one man to whom the town owes its rise to fame.
Bandera
A town sometimes called the Cowboy Capital of the World, will, for obvious reasons, be ranked among U.S. favorites. Boasting a population of about 20,900, Bandera is a vibrant rural gem that fully embraces its cowboy label. The town sits along the Great Western Cattle Trail, about 53 miles northwest of San Antonia and therefore, a driving distance of less than an hour. First-time visitors are often blown away by the town’s rustic, Old West look, best experienced at the Frontier Times Museum, a rustic museum popular for its Cowboy culture exhibits. If history is not your thing, but the outdoors makes you come alive, the untouched landscape at the Hill Country State Natural Area will be the place to lace up for.
Shiner
Shiner is located at the intersections of Highways 95 and Alternate 90 about midway between Houston and San Antonio. The town boasts a population of about 2,200 and will pique the interest of vacationers who love a small-town charm, a slow-paced rhythm, and a unique, distinctive character. One of the town’s claims to fame is that it plays host to one of the oldest breweries in Texas. Founded in 1909, the Spoetzl Brewery today offers tours that last about 45 minutes, often done in an engaging, thoughtful manner. First-time visitors will also enjoy some top-notch barbecue at this historic site, in addition to some fine beer. Yet Shiner is more than beer. Other Shiner attractions include Welhausen Park, the historic Gaslight Theater, and of course, the Edwin Wolters Memorial Museum.
Salado
If you want to escape from the steel and soot of a Chicago or an Austin, and you want to enjoy the best of Southern hospitality in settings that are rustic, quiet, and laid back, Salado may just be what the doctor will recommend. This gem of a town, secreted between Austin and Waco, has been called “the Most Peaceful Town in Texas.” If you are a shopper, a day will feel stolen at Shoppes on Main Boutique Marketplace & Cafe where you’ll find a confusing variety of products; whether an on-trend outfit, home decor, or some other handmade one-of-a-kind items. Then again, you may just want to pass by this place for some savory crêpe and coffee. For bibliophiles, Fletchers Books & Antiques will come in handy. However, if you want to understand the fascinating process of blowing glass, Salado Glassworks will meet and exceed your expectations.
Dublin
Yes, there is a Dublin in Texas. So this is not the Irish capital known for that blend of acerbic insight and humor that has often attracted writers, intellectuals, and visitors for centuries. Dublin, Texas is known as the “Official Irish Capital of Texas,” and is nestled on U.S. highways 67 and 377 in southwest Erath County. The town is home to about 3,500 residents. You will not want to set foot in this Texas secret and miss checking out Dublin Bottling Works Company, a legendary facility that used to make the popular Dr. Pepper that was once among the most popular soft drinks in the region. If you want to learn a little bit more about the town’s fascinating history, the Ben Hogan Museum, Dublin Historical Museum, and the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum are three attractions you will not want to miss.
Jefferson
Another small town in Texas often ranked among U.S. favorites is Jefferson. If you are surprised about this, the fact Jefferson has been called the most haunted small town in Texas — as well as one of the most historic small towns in the state, should help you understand the reason this town is on the national vacation map. Tucked away in the eastern part of Texas, particularly in the area’s Central Piney Woods, this cute, little town is encircled by beautiful, heart-ravishing greenery that gives it a storybook setting worth exploring. Then again, historically speaking, Jefferson is a goldmine. It boasts almost 100 historical landmarks - many of which are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Before pressing the “return” button, you will want to enjoy a meal at the Excelsior House Hotel, the oldest hotel in the state and which dabbles up as a paranormal attraction, one of several such sites in Jefferson.
The Takeaway
There are several things that can make a small town famous. It could be its culinary scene such as wineries and barbecues, its spectacular natural scenery, its whimsical geographical landscape, its historical significance, or even its art or music scene. Fortunately, the Lone Star State plays host to several small towns that are famous across the nation for one thing or another. These include Dripping Springs, Wimberly, and Fredericksburg, among many others that boast a unique character and personality.
