6 of the Quirkiest Towns in Texas
Texas residents often welcome visitors with both friendly atmospheres and pride. Texas is the second largest U.S. state in land area after Alaska but boasts over 60 times the population. Not only does it provide a wide variety of landscapes, including deserts, seashores, hills, and more, but Texas gives its guests a playground of natural wonders and unique attractions, and among its charming towns are some of the quirkiest in the state. From the gorgeous parks near Dripping Springs to the vineyards of Fredericksburg, these towns should never be overlooked, as every part of Texas has something to offer.
Bandera
Almost an hour northwest of San Antonio by car, Bandera gained the nickname “Cowboy Capital of the World” because it was a staging area for the final cattle drives of the 1800s. The strong Cowboy culture in Bandera also includes local rodeos and cowboy bars, such as the world-famous 11th Street Cowboy Bar, which features live country swing and country western music. The town is also home to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, which is the second oldest Polish Catholic Church in the U.S. Polish immigrants established their heritage in the area in 1855 when Polish immigrants came to work in the local sawmill. Meanwhile, the Bandera Natural History Museum displays dinosaur replicas and more, while the Frontier Times Museum features is on the quirkier side, displaying oddities, such as a two-faced goat from pioneer times. The Hill Country State Natural Area is 5,000 acres of rugged hill country with trails for hiking and horseback riding. There's also a campsite and a lodge, as well as Ranger Programs that provide special tours upon request.
Dripping Springs
About 25 miles west of Austin is the small town of Dripping Spring, which has plenty of natural spectacles for outdoors enthusiasts. It's known as the "Gateway to the Hill Country" because of its location in the Texas Hill Country. In town are parks like Ranch Park, which has 130 acres of trees, wildlife, and trails; perfect for any picnic goer or bird watcher! Nearby is the natural Hamilton Pool, named after American Politician Morgan C. Hamilton. It's a very picturesque and popular swimming spot on Hamilton Creek, even with a waterfall, adding to its mystique. Also nearby are state parks like Pedernales Falls, with plenty of limestone deposits helping for beautiful landscapes. Trails like the Hackenberg Loop, Jones Spring, and Twin Falls line the park, making the Texas Hill Country quite accessible, especially for anyone staying in Dripping Springs. Meanwhile, in town is Historic Mercer Street, which appears to be frozen in time, with legacy buildings that were built between 1870 and 1940 that still house local businesses, like the old gas station. On the same street is a landmark with fern-covered limestone ledges that drip water into a stream, which is where the name Dripping Springs comes from.
Fredericksburg
The town of Fredericksburg was named after a Prussian prince named Prince Frederick. Many of the German residents of Fredericksburg call it Fritztown, a name that's existed for decades and is still used in certain establishments. The town has more than 60 vineyards and wineries in its borders, which date back to the original settlers in the area who would use Mustang grapes to brew them. Some of the wineries include Augusta Vin, Pontotoc, Six Twists, Santamaria Cellars, Inwood Estates, Kuhlman Cellars, Los Pinos, and so much more. The Longneck Manor in town offers a 75-minute tour with close-up views of giraffes and rhinos, even allowing safe feeding of them. These tours are held twice daily throughout the week. Fredericksburg also hosts over a hundred different stores, offering visitors and residents a chance to shop, shop, shop! Places like the Antiques Mall, the Earthbound Trading Company, Felt Boutique, and Gus Antiques & Wonders are just some of the many options in downtown Fredericksburg.
Marfa
In west Texas is the quaint town of Marfa, which was initially a railroad water stop. It's right in the Big Bend Region, which has plenty of national parks to explore by foot or car, like the Big Bend National Park and the Big Bend Ranch State Park. Despite its small size, the town has a whole host of art spots to stop and see. Places like Artblocks, Exhibitions 2D, Greasewood Gallery, Marfa Open, and the Marfa Studio of Arts are just scratching the surface of art culture in Marfa, harboring many contemporary and antique paintings and sculptures. People who want views of Davis Mountain from up above can head to Marfa Gliders, where people can ride with a certified glider to catch unforgettable sights. One of the quirkiest events in Marfa's arsenal is the appearance of multi-colored lights on the southeast side of town. They're an unexplained phenomenon that people from all over come to see, with some people saying that they're atmospheric reflections. The truth is, the residents don't know, and there's an annual festival called the Marfa Lights Festival, with food, a parade, and music to celebrate this strange occurrence.
Nacogdoches
In the eastern part of the state lies Nacogdoches, which is known as "The Oldest Town in Texas," with centuries worth of history to explore and discover. A good chunk of Nacogdoches history can be found in museums and historic sites like the Caddo Mounds, which feature reconstructed houses of Caddoan origin on a 0.7-mile long trail, or Millard's Crossing, which is a reconstructed historic village mixed with a museum complex made up of 19th century Texas architecture, ranging from Victorian era homes to basic log cabins of the time. It's even open for weddings and receptions, which is sure to spice up any event with an old Texas feel. The town is home to many antique stores including Auntie Q's, Old Pilar Street, Brick Street, and Old Town, each offering different selections, even including vintage comics and vinyl records! In and near the town is a good amount of parks like Blount, Festival, Eugenia Strerne, Banita Creek Park South, and even Camp Tonkawa Springs, which is an RV park less than half an hour from Nacogdoches.
Rockport
In the Aransas Bay are the towns of both Rockport and Fulton. They're often grouped together, with their own travel website being called Rockport-Fulton.org, although they are separate. While Rockport is blocked off from the Gulf of Mexico by San Jose Island, the bay it resides in still provides plenty of water-based activities that have tourists and visitors out in the waters during the summer. Rockport Beach has boat ramps and picnic cabanas throughout, making it an ideal spot for swimmers, boaters, or anyone who wants to relax in the sun. The Texas Maritime Museum has artifacts and exhibits showing the history of shipbuilding and Native Americans in the area, also going through the Spanish exploration centuries ago and the search for oil off the coast. Meanwhile, the Rockport Memorial Park has both trails and natural habitat conservations. Trails like Wilderness Edge and different loops make up 1.65 of likable and bikeable areas right in town.
A Journey Through the Quirkiest Towns in Texas
Texas is such a massive and spread-out state, so it's no wonder that it's full of small, quirky towns to get lost in that are full of charm and wonder. From the beaches of Rockport to the historic structures of Nacogdoches, there's no telling what people will find throughout the state, making it one of the best places in the country to explore. The friendly people and calm atmosphere help welcome people in and explore everything it has to offer, too.
