8 Towns in Texas that Were Ranked Among US Favorites
Texas, known best for being home to approximately thirty million people, the San Antonio Riverwalk, and the Space Center in Houston, is also home to a plethora of scenic, picturesque towns. Many of these towns possess natural, historic, and/or cultural attributes that encourage visitors to return year after year. From Port Isabel on the Texas coast to Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, the eight towns below offer something for everyone from ages one to one hundred and one. From the Port Isabel Lighthouse Historic Site to Enchanted Rock State Park, these eight small towns were ranked among the best within the entire state of Texas.
Port Isabel - Cameron County
Aerial view from Port Isabel, Texas. Editorial credit: Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com
The charming town of Port Isabel is twenty miles from the eastern border of Mexico and 250 miles south of the city of San Antonio. This quaint southern town has several cultural, natural, and historic attributes that attract new and returning visitors every year. The Port Isabel Lighthouse, which was first built in 1852, and the Port Isabel Historical Museum, local history and U.S.-Mexican War artifacts, while shipwrecks are specifically covered by the nearby Treasures of the Gulf Museum, while the Pirate’s Landing Fishing Pier, another great treasure in Port Isabel, is conveniently located a couple of miles near the entrance to the Queen Isabella Causeway, which allows travelers to continue on to South Padre Island and Isla Blanca Park.
Jefferson - Marion County
The town of Jefferson is home to several exciting historical venues that welcome visitors back each year. The Museum of Measurement and Time, the Jefferson Memorial Museum, and the “Gone With the Wind” Museum all display different aspects of historical accuracy, while the Schluter House, formerly owned by one of Jefferson’s first settlers, and Atalanta Jay Gould’s Railroad Car add that sense of hereditary importance to the mix. There are also a variety of festivals and events that take place in downtown Jefferson, including the Civil War Symposium, presented each year by the Marion County Chamber of Commerce in August, and Jefferson’s 1st Indoor Art Walk at the beginning of September. The Indoor Art Walk is supported by over 30 local businesses and offers the chance to experience individual artistry to a higher degree.
Goliad - Goliad County
The quaint town of Goliad is another great place to visit in Texas, especially if historical accuracy is important. Named the birthplace of Texas ranching, this town of just under 2,000 people has a plethora of excellent attributes that showcase the heritage of the area, including the Presidio, which began as a Spanish frontier fort in 1749 and was known best for the Goliad Massacre in March of 1836. The Mission Espiritu Santo in Goliad State Park is also a great find in the town of Goliad. Along with learning about the history of this colonial Spanish mission, as well as exploring the ruins of Mission Rosario, built in the 1750s, there are several nature-related activities available, such as hiking and camping in other parts of Goliad State Park.
Bastrop - Bastrop County
Aerial view of the town of Bastrop, Texas.
Approximately 35 miles east of the city of Austin, which is known for being the self-proclaimed Live Music capital of the world, the picturesque town of Bastrop sits along the banks of the Colorado River and is currently home to around 10,000 permanent residents. Also home to Bastrop State Park, which offers guests everything from hiking to camping, the town of Bastrop is an excellent getaway for everyone in the family. There are also several great places to eat in downtown Bastrop, including Cedar’s Mediterranean & Italian Grill, and a variety of places to stay overnight, like the 1903 Victorian Pecan Street Inn, which offers a comfortable stay with free parking and wi-fi.
Boerne - Kendall County
Hidden away just above the city of San Antonio, the town of Boerne is a haven for anyone who wants to get away for the weekend, either from or with the family. Home to a plethora of physical venues, like Arrows Active Play Park and Boerne Skate Park, and a wide variety of historical attributes, like the Old Jail Museum and Herff Farm, Boerne welcomes everyone with the opportunity to enjoy time away from home. There are also several festivals held annually in Boerne, including the Boerne Berges Fest, which includes Dachshund races, a small-town parade, live entertainment, and much more. A Dickens Christmas is also celebrated every year in downtown Boerne, featuring live music, an ice carving show, and even various street performers.
Granbury - Hood County
Whether it is the cultural venue of the Granbury Opera House, first built in 1886, the natural aspects of Lake Granbury, or the historical attributes of the Granbury Square, possibly the most historic town square in the state of Texas, the quaint town of Granbury is known for a plethora of great sites and locales that bring visitors back each year. There are a variety of festivals held annually in downtown Granbury as well. The Annual Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts is held at the end of October and showcases art from almost a hundred different artists, while Lost in Texas Music Fest, occurring every November, offers the chance to experience a variety of music from several bands and performers.
Lockhart - Caldwell County
Home of a vast variety of historical sites, including the Caldwell County Jail Museum, the Caldwell County Courthouse, and the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches, the town of Lockhart is enveloped in the heritage of the area. Yet, this picturesque town is also home to several natural and cultural amenities, like Lockhart State Park, which has a great golf course, and the Gaslight Baker Theater, which features everything from Live community theater to summer camps offering students learning in drama, music, and the arts. There are also several great places in Lockhart to get some delicious barbeque, including Chisholm Trail BBQ on Colorado Street and Black’s Barbeque on Main.
Fredericksburg - Gillespie County
The town of Fredericksburg, home to Enchanted Rock State Park and Old Tunnel State Park, has several natural amenities that are perfect for the entire family. From scaling a pink rock dome over three hundred feet in height to checking out a 920-foot abandoned railroad tunnel, the subtle taste of adventure is everywhere in this quaint, charming town. There is also a wide variety of excellent sites and locales that promote the historical values of downtown Fredericksburg. The Pioneer Museum on Main Street showcases a German immigrant heritage, while the National Museum of the Pacific War on Austin Street caters more to WWII along the Pacific Coast, with a Japanese submarine on display from Pearl Harbor and an informative exhibit showing a replica of an actual Atomic Bomb.
Plan Your Next Texas Adventure in These Small Towns
Are you and your friends looking for what some say might be the best barbeque in all of America? Do you wish to explore adventure-filled state parks offering camping, hiking, fishing, and swimming opportunities with the family? Do you want to study the influence Spanish forts had on the history of southern Texas in the past? Here are eight of the most highly ranked towns in all of Texas. From Port Isabel to Fredericksburg, there is something for everyone in Texas, the 2nd largest and 2nd most populous state in America.
