2025's Most Underrated Towns In Texas
Quiet, quirky, and packed with charm, Texas is dotted with several small, beautiful towns that will light up the faces of first-time visitors. Many serve up history in all its rich and fascinating flavor, while towns such as Luling are top-notch foodie hotspots. Although a bit under the radar, Luling is known for the best barbecue in Texas. But there are others, tucked between the 4-lane highways that run across the whole breadth of the state. Starting with neighborly Nacogdoches, discover 2025's most underrated towns in Texas.
Nacogdoches
People skip the eastern flanks of the state for the scenery and vineyards of the Texas Hill Country. However, if there is a place one should not overlook, it has to be Nacogdoches (pronounced na·kuh·dow·chuhs), a quaint and beautiful small country town with trees on every side and fabulous sunsets.
History lovers, particularly, have no excuse. Nacogdoches was founded in 1779 and, hence, is the oldest town in Texas. Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library is a nice little gem that has captivating stories of notable guests such as Colonel David Crockett, the "King of the Wild Frontier." If you have a thing for flowers, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden is Texas's largest azalea garden. Keep in mind that Lake Nacogdoches is a doorbell away and offers great fishing and tranquil spaces.
Gonzales
You know why Lexington and Concord are often called the Birthplace of American Liberty? These towns witnessed the first shots that triggered the American Revolution and, in a sense, set the nation on the path to Independence. What you may not know is that Gonzales acted in a similar, albeit less-known, role down in the Lone Star State. Here, in the 1830s, the first shots of the Texas Revolution were fired.
Today, Gonzales is known as the Birthplace of Texas Freedom. In the 1800s, after the silence of cannons, Gonzalez became a booming financial centre thanks to trade in cotton and cattle. Subsequently, the well-heeled businessmen built lavish homes, many of which are handsomely preserved.
Catch a glimpse of the 1903 First Shot Monument in next door Cost, sample the Sylvan splendor of Lake Wood Recreation Area, or catch a show at Crystal Theatre, a historic venue whose history goes back to 1913. Don’t forget that Gonzales is home to the first Texas History Museum District in the state. It is also the only one.
Alpine
Don’t take Alpine as just a quick stopover to Big Bend. This is what many people do, making them miss out on a town that is a superb destination on its own. You will not find big shopping malls, not even a Walmart, but it has the Museum of the Big Bend, a deceivingly small space with a collection that spans centuries of exploration, settlement, and artistic expression. Brace yourself for interesting tidbits about the history of West Texas and the whole Big Bend Area.
Sul Ross State University (SRSU), one of the few four-year institutions between El Paso and San Antonio, is home to Kokernot Field, once dubbed the “Best Little Ballpark in Texas (or Anywhere Else).” Check out the Used Books Store at the Alpine Public Library before enjoying some tender meat at Line Thai Cafe, whose outdoor patio features a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.
Cuero
Texas is a big state with big names. No wonder towns such as Cuero, which had its start in the cattle trade and leather industry, rarely get attention. Today, Cuero has an interesting nickname: The "Turkey Capital of the World." They host the Turkey Festival, which draws hordes of tourists every October. Also, everyone should visit the Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas, an old, fascinating space whose history goes back to the 1880s. You will see old prescriptions, wall-to-wall medical displays, and even some bloodletting tools of the past.
But there is another hidden gem a few steps away: The Cuero Heritage Museum. This museum is unique for its nostalgic collection of antique Coca-Cola memorabilia, some of which you will not find anywhere else. Cuero was established on the Chisholm Trail, so you won't want to miss the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum.
Albany
If you visited the area around Albany some years ago, you would find a community of free-spirited cowboys, soldiers, and buffalo hunters. Today, Albany is a tight-knit community with fewer than 2,000 residents. So, why visit Albany in 2025? You may not have gotten the memo, but this town hosts the oldest outdoor musical in the entire state.
The Fort Griffin Fandangle started small, as a high school senior play. Today, it brings tourists from every nook of the country and tells the story of the proud, tough people who lived in the area and made it what it is. There is the Old Jail Art Center, which has replaced prisoners with evocative artwork, and the Aztec Theatre, an intimate space with phenomenal acoustics.
Port Isabel
Port Isabel is so far down that you will feel like you are leaving the United States. For perspective, it is Texas’s southernmost city and port. It is witnessing significant interest, including an upcoming Hilton-branded franchise. So, while visitors often skip it for South Padre, it is worth every minute and dime.
The Port Isabel Lighthouse, which predates the Civil War by almost a decade, is the only remaining Texas coast lighthouse open to the public. There is a beautiful boardwalk down at the pier, a relaxing area that offers great dolphin-watching. History lovers will be impressed by the Port Isabel Historical Museum, a neat facility with an eye-catching mural on the outside. If hunger pangs begin to set in, Joe's Oyster Bar serves delicious fried seafood and po' boy sandwiches in a cool, unfussy interior.
Glen Rose
Dinosaurs are the main attraction in Glen Rose, but because it is a bit of a hassle to get there, many tourists avoid it altogether. The story starts with a kid who went out fishing and stumbled on the dinosaur footprints. Today, the Dinosaur Valley State Park is Glen Rose’s stand-out attraction.
Aside from the fossilized dinosaur footprints along the river, visitors often enjoy swimming in the Blue Hole, hiking the trails, and inhaling the spectacular scenery. Check out Barnard's Mill as well, an iconic landmark that has served as a dance hall, a meetinghouse, and a town hospital. Its history goes back more than 160 years. You can also visit the nearby Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, which powers more than a million Texas homes and businesses.
Luling
Are you a self-proclaimed foodie? Rounding off the list of 2025’s most underrated towns in Texas is the quaint, neighborly town of Luling, a city in south-central Texas known for the best barbecue in the state. To enjoy this aroma-filled delicacy, whether ribs or brisket, City Market is known for down-home BBQ ordered straight from the pitmaster. And it has been whipping up these kinds of meats since 1958, before John F. Kennedy’s presidency.
A visit here is an introduction to one of the last vestiges of traditional meat market-style barbecue in the Lone Star State. What else? There is the Luling Watermelon Thump Festival, a long-running tradition that lights up the town every last weekend in June. Pass by Zedler Mill, a beautiful property on the San Marcos River with pecan trees and a nostalgic feel.
There is no regret like missing out on a life-changing experience because you did not know better. In the world of travel, such moments play out in the small, slow-paced towns that people skip for big names and big parks. And so, while Texas is filled with bold reputations and big cities, you will be blown away by the cornucopia of small towns that offer a mix of quiet beauty and high-octane adventure. From Alpine to Albany, Gonzales to Glen Rose, Texas’s most underrated towns in 2025 are worth a visit.
