8 Whimsical Towns to Visit in Texas
Texas has always been known for its massive size (spanning a whopping 268,820 square miles), one-of-a-kind attractions, like the San Antonio River Walk, and historic sites, such as The Alamo. However, its smaller towns are where the exciting parts of the Lone Star State really live. From Fredericksburg to Marfa, the whimsical and unique towns scattered throughout this Southern state draw in countless visitors every year, making them well worth the drive from metropolis hubs like San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
Gruene
Few places in Texas are more famous than Gruene (part of New Braunfels) for those who enjoy a spot of dancing. This is the site of the oldest dance hall in the state, and it has hosted many country music legends. In fact, this attraction alone has been one of the biggest draws to the community, where travelers can watch live music every night at Gruene Hall. The visitors might come for the music and dance history, but there is more in Gruene than initially meets the eye.
Guests to the town can also gain easy access to the Guadalupe River for tubing and other watersports. If you just want a quaint and nostalgic shopping experience to accompany your visit to the oldest dance hall in Texas, look no further than Gruene General Store for anything you need.
Glen Rose
Ready to take a detour to the wild side? Glen Rose has just what you and your family are looking for when it comes to getting close to the wilder side of life. This begins with the Dinosaur Valley State Park, where visitors can walk in the literal footprints of the prehistoric beasts that once called the region home millions of years ago.
Families and wildlife lovers also like to drive to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, which also calls Glen Rose home, to have a drive-through safari experience with giraffes, rhinos, and zebras—much like being out on an actual safari in the untamed plains of Africa. No matter what experience you seek, if you want to get up close with beasts past and present, Glen Rose is the stop.
Fredericksburg
Whimsical is undoubtedly the word for Fredericksburg, with a blend of American and German culture from its early settlers. This is a part of the town's identity, with eateries like the Old German Bakery and Restaurant or hangout spots like the Altdorf Biergarten on W Main St. The long-standing German roots take flight during the fall for the annual Oktoberfest celebration, drawing thousands to town.
For history buffs already excited by the overwhelming German cultural explosion through the community’s businesses, you can also check out the National Pacific War Museum—a center focused on the town’s cultural significance concerning global crises like World War II. Whether you discover this community through Oktoberfest or just by exploring the state, it is worth a visit.
Jefferson
While the South and West are known for their ghost towns where residents seemingly up and vanished without a trace, moving on to new adventures or migrating to where the work was, Jefferson might be a definition of an actual ghost town. The community's lore involves a great deal of tragedy, which has made locations like the Jefferson Hotel and the Excelsior House Hotel hotspots for paranormal activity and ghost sightings.
The town’s council members have embraced the paranormal connections with the community, supporting events like ghost tours through the historic streets. Guests should also take a moment to marvel at the antebellum architecture. You can learn more about this strange town through the Jefferson Historical Museum. From its dark past to its spooky present, Jefferson is a town worth checking off your list.
Marfa
If you want to find a mystery wrapped up in a small town, Marfa, in the high desert of far western Texas, has a lot to offer. One of the things that sets this community apart is the Marfa Lights, a strange recurrence where orbs of glowing lights appear in the dark desert sky. While many theories exist about where they come from, the phenomenon attracts many travelers and encourages them to stay in the town long after nightfall.
Perhaps one of Marfa's most well-known aspects is its connection with modern art. From the Prada Marfa—a fake luxury store seemingly just in the middle of nowhere—to the famed works of minimalist Donald Judd, Marfa is a mix of bizarre and incredible.
Luckenbach
For fans of country legend Waylon Jennings, you might already be familiar with the town of Luckenbach. Or, at the very least, the concept of the town, as it only has a population of three people. It is primarily a place that people pass through, taking pictures and appreciating what has rapidly become an iconic destination for fans of classic country music.
That is not to say there is nothing to do here when you visit. It is one of the best small towns in Texas to chill out, after all. Check out the iconic and legendary Luckenbach Dance Hall for live music that is happening regularly, a spot where many famous crooners have stopped. You can also check out the general store, a gathering spot for the tiny community serving thirsty patrons since 1849.
Bandera
Residents of Bandera, refer to it as the Cowboy Capital of the World, and to see its shops, streets, and attractions, you might be inclined to agree. Everything happening in the community points to the old ways of the West, from accommodations at a dude ranch like Silver Spur, where guests can embrace their inner cowboy and give lassoing and herding cattle a shot.
Guests will also enjoy a weekly rodeo the town sponsors and a very active nightlife for line dancing and boot stomping at locations like Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar. With its placement in the Hill Country, Bandera is undoubtedly an excellent place to step away from the modern and embrace the old ways of the Wild West.
Granbury
Some of the most whimsical and lively towns in the country are the ones that come with lore and stories that add to the intrigue and mystery. One commonly told story of Granbury is that it was once the home of legendary outlaw Jesse James. But if you want fun that you can see and believe, Granbury Lake is also available for water sports and recreation almost every day of the year.
The town square features long-standing architecture like the Hood County Courthouse and the Opera House, which has been a staple of Granbury since 1886. Combined with modern elements like a local artisan Revolver Brewing craft beer, this town has become a quintessential blend of Wild West history and contemporary American life.
Texas is home to small towns and cities that appeal to everyone, from ghost towns to art epicenters. With so much ground to cover in one of the biggest states in the country, there is plenty to keep even avid adventurers busy experiencing all of the quirky, whimsical locations. With countless small towns in the Lone Star State, get out and enjoy the history, culture, and one-of-a-kind environments waiting in every corner of Texas.
