6 Most Memorable Small Towns In Texas
One of the many traits that makes America unique is the individual autonomy given to each state. Not only does the cumulative landscape contain almost every conceivable ecosystem, but the cultural identities vary just as widely. Texas, in particular, does things a little differently. Drawing on a storied history filled with contention that was directed to the North, South, and internally, a thrilling landscape, and a mix of long-standing cultures with fresh, endemic personalities to boot, the Lone Star State is a place like no other. If you want to get a feel for Texas and come away with a lifetime's worth of cocktail or campfire stories, try visiting these six memorable small towns.
Lockhart
They say that scent is the sense with the strongest ties to memory. Well, then, "The Barbeque Capital of Texas" is guaranteed to leave a mark. For a state known for its savory grill-outs, such a designation is really saying something. Lockhart is located just 30 miles South of Austin and a little less than 70 miles Northeast of San Antonio, so the famous, multi-generational BBQ joints are understandably busy on weekends and during the lunch and dinner rush. But waiting in line will build your appetite and, therefore, your capacity to eat more! In the end, you won't remember the queue but will boast of the roasts that fell off the bone every time you recount your trip through Texas. Lockhart also has some great attractions to visit between meals. Lockhart State Park offers a 9-hole golf course, a swimming pool, fishing ponds, and short hiking trails on the South side of town. Additionally, the Caldwell County Courthouse, the Southwest Museum of Clocks, and the Dr. Eugene Clark Library have fantastic facades and free-to-explore interiors.
Bandera
Along with communal cookouts, another cultural bedrock in Texas is the cowboy way of life. Nowhere is this better embodied and enshrined than Bandera: the "Cowboy Capital of the World." This humble, rough-and-tumble Hill Country town actually blends a number of distinct demographics into one quirky community. Native Americans (namely, Apache and Comanche), Mexicans, Polish settlers, and Spanish Conquistadors, along with other Western influences, have all played their part in shaping and upholding Bandera. The cowboy identity was secured when it facilitated the last great cattle drives of the late 1800s. Since then, several National Rodeo Champions have been bred in Bandera – a phenomenon that is proudly honored with a bronze monument on the lawn of the courthouse. And for all us curious visitors (casual or equestrian masters alike), there are rodeos to watch, ranches to stay at, horseback riding tours to partake in, and old-fashioned saloons (often with horses parked out front just like in the good ol' days) in which to mix and mingle. There are even weekly (simulated) gun fights to spice up the scene and pay homage to the Wild West.
Ennis
The fields of bluebonnets are yet another quintessential symbol of Texas. And there's no better place to appreciate the state flower than Ennis – the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas and home of the Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail. Each year, between March and April, these beauties bloom and stimulate the open, rolling fields immediately Southeast of Dallas. There are 40 miles of suggested scenic driving to help take in the seas of wild floral arrangements, or one can simply stroll through Bluebonnet Park, which sprawls between Ennis' brick-lined historic district and Bardwell Lake. To boost morale even more, Ennis puts on an annual Bluebonnet Festival – injecting live music, good grub, and family-friendly activities into the mix.
Rockport
It is always a memorable occasion to visit Texas' Gulf Coast. While there is no shortage of charming interior towns because so much of the Lone Star's real estate is landlocked, the saltwater breeze along the Southeast shoreline is extra appealing. Rockport is actually sandwiched between Copano Bay and Aransas Bay, sheltered from the Gulf of Mexico by San Jose Island. The result is an idyllic and refreshing beach town. In fact, Rockport Beach was awarded the state's first Blue Wave Beach designation – meaning it is not only immaculately maintained for seasonal sun-seekers but also upholds the highest of environmental standards. Speaking of the environment, directly across the bay is the 22,500-acre Aransas National Wildlife Refuge – a sanctuary for the last migrating population of Whooping Cranes – the tallest bird in North America. If beach days and birdwatching aren't enough to cement lifelong memories, one of the many year-round festivals (such as the Rockport Art Festival, HummerBird Celebration, Rockport-Fulton Seafair, or the Taste of Rockport-Fulton) is sure to seal the deal.
Port Isabel
Another town along Texas' Gulf of Mexico that is impossible to forget is the summer resort town/historic fishing village of Port Isabel. This Cameron County community traces its roots back to early Spanish settlers but was formally founded in the 1770s (albeit under the name "El Fronton") and quickly proved to be a popular respite during the brutally hot summer months of the budding republic's interior. The historic Port Isabel Lighthouse (the only lighthouse on Texas' Gulf Coast open to the public) serves as the charming focal point of Port Isabel's waterfront. Eclectic restaurants circle the beacon, ready-to-indulge vacationing bellies (everything from the expected seafood dishes to breakfast tacos to Texan and Mexican specialties). And just a short ride across the Queen Isabella Causeway, the beaches and waterfront amusement parks of South Padre Island are bound to leave a positive imprint.
Marfa
Though somewhat hidden in the Big Bend Region of West Texas, the aesthetic mystique of Marfa will not soon be forgotten. Here, the vast and battered landscape of the Chihuahuan Desert surrounds the minimalistic, avant-garde architecture of Donald Judd and the Chinati Foundation. Built on the grounds of an old military camp, these creations give dimension to the tiny desert town and draw art-loving tourists by the tens of thousands each year to admire the displays within. But Marfa isn't just "America's Coolest Art Town"; it is also a basecamp from which to explore the 800,000-acre Big Bend National Park (one of only two national parks in Texas) and the additional 300,000 acres of the adjacent Big Bend Ranch State Park – both surprisingly rich in biodiversity and outdoor activities.
From desert to seascape, wildflowers to Wild West saloons, salt-of-the-earth ranchers and cowboys to renegade artists, Texas is unapologetically itself. The best way to experience the ineffable essence of the Lone Star State is to visit its diverse small towns. Given that it is the largest state in the lower 48, it might take a few trips. But for an instant surge of glowing memories, start with some of these six spots.
