8 Most Charming River Towns in Texas to Visit in 2024
Whenever you think of Texas, you often conjure the image of a a desert where tumbleweeds and old-school cowboys are swept away in hot winds. However, the Lone Star State is not necessarily arid. Several bountiful and nutritious rivers crisscross the land, bringing fertility to a stereotypically lifeless region. These azure serpents are some of the most charming river towns in Texas that visitors will visit in 2024. From history-heavy towns like Goliad and Gonzales to jubilant and tenacious settlements like Concan and New Braunfels, these towns, alongside Texas’ glorious rivers, are evidence of the state’s vivacious atmosphere. See for yourself why these towns are the most charming river towns in Texas.
Goliad
Basking beside the San Antonio River, Goliad is the third oldest community in Texas. Beginning in 1749, when Spanish missionaries relocated the Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga from the Guadalupe River to the San Antonio River, Goliad became a prominent exodus destination for many Catholics. Today, the refurbished, Spanish Colonial-era Mission of Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga can be worshipped and admired at the Goliad State Park. Visitors can also pay homage to General Ignacio Zaragoza at the Presidio la Bahia, the place of his birth.
Nearby, the Fannin Battleground State Historic Sites memorialize Goliad’s most brutal historical episode, the Goliad Massacre. It was there that Colonel James W. Fannin and 342 of his soldiers were executed after the Battle of Coleta Creek during the Texan War for Independence. During the battle of San Jacinto, soldiers shouted, "Remember Goliad!" to inspire morale. Only about 26 miles from Victoria, find out more of what Goliad has to offer while staying at Antlers Inn.
Gonzales
On the banks of the Guadalupe River in the town of Gonzales, the Texas Revolution commenced with the first cannon fire. Travelers can admire the actual cannon that started the conflict at the Gonzales Memorial Museum. More importantly, you can appreciate the volunteers from Gonzales who fought in the Alamo, known as the Immortal 32. For a more visceral experience of the past, one can tour the estates of Eggleston House and the Pioneer Village Living History Center or see the artifacts and exhibits of the J.B. Wells House Museum. Amazingly, there are over 100 historical markers all over Gonzales, educating self-guided tourists about the deep history the town has experienced, such as the 1835 Attack at Sandies Water Hole and the 1835 Battle of Gonzales. Uncover more secrets and knowledge from Gonzales, only 73 miles from San Antonio.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels, midway between the cities of San Antonio and Austin, is an austere, German-inspired oasis in a desert of high-spirited, cowboy Texan culture. The town is dissected not by one but two major rivers in Texas, the Guadalupe and Comal rivers. These twin waterways meander through New Braunfels’ arboreal parks, such as Cypress Bend and Landa Park. The Sophienburg Museum & Archives tell of the German immigrants’ trials and tribulations in establishing New Braunfels. One can be thrust into the past while walking through the historic Gruene district, where German-Texan architecture like Gruene Hall—a concert hall for famed musicians like Lyle Lovett and Hal Ketchum—stands proud and tall.
Beneath the ground, the Natural Bridge Caverns houses a network of limestone caves, while the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch fosters a safari for the local wildlife in the area. For those seeking to cool down in the Texas heat, the Schlitterbahn Water Park provides aquatic activities for you. Most of all, sample the best of the wurst during New Braunfels’ Wurstfest in the first week of November. When it comes to lodgings, the Gruene Mansion Inn, the Resort at Schlitterbahn, and Edelweiss Inn have all the comforts you crave for a long stay in New Braunfels.
Wimberley
Bisected by the Blanco River and Cypress Creek and about 25 miles north of New Braunfels, the town of Wimberley is a humble destination for weary and worn travelers. The Wimberley Valley Winery bestows luxurious and bubbling nectar that characterizes the excellent wine culture of the area. Take a dip or a splash at the fine swimming holes of the Blue Hole Regional Park, a 126-acre region filled with cypress trees, Cypress Creek, and tons of enjoyment. Similarly, the artesian spring of Jacob’s Well is a popular swimming and scuba diving spot in Wimberley, as it is the headwaters of Cypress Creek and the largest continually flowing karstic spring in the Texas Hill Country. For those who prefer to have their fun on dry land, the Wimberley Zipline Adventure promises a soaring escapade through Wimberley. As for lodgings like Wimberley Inn + Bar, Prow’d House Bed & Breakfast, the Bygone, and Blair House Inn, you will feel relaxed and unhurried in this lovely town.
Concan
Concan is a placid settlement on the banks of the Frio River. Only about an hour and a half away from San Antonio, Concan earned its name from the Mexican, rummy-style card game, “coon can” or “conquian.” People flock to the town for its convenient and beautiful position in the Frio River, a mesmerizing water road strewn with fascinating rock formations and surrounding scenery. The Concan Swimming Hole is a particularly favored spot in the Frio River. The nearby Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area are verdant paradises for the local flora and fauna and great places for exploration. When it comes to cultural appreciation and expression, the Rio Frio Fest is the biggest music festival in town that transpires annually in March. Better watch out for thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats bursting out of the Concan Bat Cave at dusk. And remember to book rooms at Neal’s Lodges or Andy’s on River Road.
Llano
Llano is known as the “deer capital of Texas” due to the high abundance of white-tailed deer, and these majestic animals can be found sipping on the waters of the Llano River. Because the town is located where Byrnes Creek ends and the headwaters of Llano Lake stream into Llano River, one can find many riverside attractions in the area. Badu Park and Grenweldge Park are excellent locations for hiking and camping, while the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, built out of a massive granite dome, promotes panoramas of the grandiose landscape. Travelers can immerse themselves into Llano’s past at the Llano Red Top Jail, or they can appreciate cowboy articles and artifacts at the Llano County Historical Museum. About 20 minutes west, Buchanon Lake is a vibrant and exhilarating playground for kayaking and fishing. For lodgings, look to Dabbs Hotel to have all your needs and wants met.
Nederland
Approximately 20 minutes from Beaumont, the town of Nederland guards the rolling rapids of Neches River, which spills out into Sabine Lake. Fort Grigsby, specifically, guarded the river during the American Civil War, and the garrison in the town had to defend the pass for nine months when the Sabine Pass was abandoned. Nowadays, Nederland is a famous tourist hub due to the nearby parks and recreational areas. The Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area boasts a diverse and organized array of fishing locations and boating spaces for you to cherish the outdoors. The Dutch Windmill Museum celebrates the town’s ties with the Netherlands and commemorates the Dutch immigrants who, much like the German immigrants in New Braunfels, carved an oasis in the Texan pie. Come see more of this town, along with its many tight-knit neighbors.
Blanco
Fed and watered by the Blanco River, the town of Blanco sits at the heart of the Texas Hill Country, where life is an untroubled and relaxing joyride. Although the Blanco State Park is one of the smallest parks in the state, it is remarkably spellbinding and striking in its verdant displays. Admire avant-garde and exceptional art pieces at the Sculpture Garden at Echo, or study the Wild West legacy of the town at the Buggy Barn Museum and Pine-Moore Town. Engage in scientific interactions at the Science Mill and be astounded by theatrical performances at the Emily Anne Theatre & Garden. On June 7, be jovial as the air in Blanco is perfumed with the natural scent of lavender during the annual Lavender Festival. Discover for yourself why Blanco is a beloved town, and stay a while at the Sweet Serengeti Cabin, the Blanco River Hotel, or the Blanco County Inn.
In Conclusion
As exciting as it might be to explore Houston and sightsee what NASA has brought from other worlds, there is still plenty of majesty and wonder on planet Earth, especially in the most charming river towns in Texas. In unique cultural oases like New Braunfels and Nederland, pivotal battlefields and military bases such as Gonzales and Goliad, and pleasant dwellings as best exuded by Blanco and Llano, one can never feel too exhausted or hindered along the Texan rivers that give life to an often-barren landscape. So, while the year 2024 is just beginning, begin your adventure in a region where cowboys roamed and rivers stream down into the Gulf of Mexico.
