Small Texas Towns With Big Charm

Fall in love with these small Texas towns with big charm.

Texas has large cities surrounded by numerous incredible small towns, each with its own beauty. As I travel through the Lone Star State, where I’ve lived for many years, I am always intrigued by the historic buildings filled with boutiques, restaurants, and unique shops that line the main street of each small town. It’s my favorite part about the charming towns here in Texas. Here are my favorite small Texas towns with considerable charm.

Small Texas Towns With Big Charm

There are highways to take almost anywhere you want to go in Texas, but I prefer taking the backroads whenever possible. Some of the best places in Texas can be found on a back road and off the beaten path.

Blanco

I consider Blanco my home away from home because it’s not a far drive from where I live in San Antonio. This small town has so much charm that I try to visit it at least once a month to shop at the boutiques and have lunch. It’s only a 30-minute drive from my house, and there are enough places to explore and eat that I never get bored visiting.

Where To Eat in Blanco

My favorite place to eat is Redbud Cafe. They have a fantastic mimosa flight, and all of their food is spectacular, from the salads to the sandwiches. My husband’s favorite place is Old 300 BBQ. I have to admit, their smoked blueberry cheesecake is to die for. Their prices are reasonable, and we’ve never had a bad meal at their establishment.

What To Do

Every 3rd Saturday, they have a market day open to the public. There are cute boutiques to shop in and breweries, wineries, and a state park you can explore. The Old Blanco Courthouse, originally a bank, is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can even host an event at the courthouse.

How To Get There

Straight north up 281 is the best way to get there from San Antonio. Straight south down I-281 is the best way to get there from Dallas, although you can also take Hwy 35.

Did You Know

Blanco, Texas, is the Lavender Capital of Texas. It is home to the first commercial lavender farm, Hill Country Lavender Farm. They invite visitors to come out from May through July to pick Lavender bushels. And every year, people from around the world flock there for the Lavender Festival.

Dublin

As I am of Irish descent, I always seek out the Irish towns in each state. Dublin is known as the “Irish Capital of Texas.” It’s one of the smaller Texas towns with a population of around 3,800. But don’t let this fool you; it’s filled with Irish and Texas charm …and it’s big!

Where To Eat in Dublin

Granny Clark’s, named after my Granny, is the go-to place for high-calorie Texas food. If you like the brewery and winery scene, Lucky Brewing and Lucky Vines Vineyard and Winery are worth checking out, though they are only open on the weekends.

What To Do

If you’re interested in history, the Dublin Rodeo Heritage Museum is my top recommendation for a visit. Up until 1959, Dublin hosted the Championship Rodeo. After each rodeo, they would load the entire rodeo onto trains and head north to Madison Gardens in New York. The Dublin Historical Museum is another great stop for the history buffs in your family. If you’re a golf fan, you will want to visit the Ben Hogan Museum. All museums are open from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How To Get There

Located in central Texas, Dublin is 2 1/2 hours southwest of Dallas and about 4 hours north of San Antonio.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

Of course, there is a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in the Irish Capital of Texas. It’s a 3-day celebration featuring three beauty pageants on March 16th and 17th, and a full day of Irish fun on March 18th. The fun begins with an Irish Stew Cook-off, vendors to shop from, a car show, and a parade.

Did You Know

Dublin Bottling Works continues to produce pure cane sugar craft sodas, including the 1891 Red Cola.

Navasota

Considered the Hill Country of Houston, Navasota is one of those small Texas towns with big charm. The downtown area reminds me of the small town I grew up in, with only one main street, though it offers so much more.

Where To Eat in Navasota

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch at the Classic Rock Coffee Co. & Kitchen in downtown Navasota. They had everything from sandwiches to smoothies and some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. There is a pet-friendly patio outside, and the music vibe inside brings back a little bit of history from many years of rock & roll.

What To Do

There are a few breweries close to Navasota, and a local meadery, Wildflyer Mead Co., is a must-visit. It features Alice in Wonderland-themed drinks, live music, ample outdoor seating, and an adjacent all-natural bee farm and store. They offer family and pet-friendly fun year-round.

The downtown area has boutiques, antique shops, and even a local bookstore.

If you love ice cream, head up the road to my favorite ice cream maker, Blue Bell –“the best ice cream in the country.” Located just a short drive from Navasota in Brenham, they offer tours and all-you-can-eat ice cream for only $1 a scoop. They are closed on weekends.

How To Get There

Located about 3 hours south of Dallas, take 45 South or 35 South and then State Highway 6 East. If you are heading there from San Antonio, be sure to enter the location into your GPS. You’ll want to start on I-10 and then follow your GPS through the countryside.

Did You Know

Navasota is home to one of the most significant events in the area. The Texas Renaissance Festival is held every year, just 6 miles outside of town.

Canyon

One of my favorite places to stop and explore on my way out of Texas is Canyon, in the Texas Panhandle. It’s home to 15,000 people and one of my favorite places for adventure and Texas History.

Where To Eat in Canyon, Texas

My favorite place to stop and grab a bite is actually at the bottom of the Palo Duro Canyon. There is a trading post with some pretty great food. However, if you’re looking for something close to the Main Street Historical area, I recommend Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner.

What To Do

Palo Duro Canyon is always at the top of my list for outdoor activities when people ask me what to do in Canyon, Texas. It’s known as the mini Grand Canyon, but it is much more than that. It’s approximately 12 miles from the city, and you can explore it on foot, horseback, mountain bike, or by car.

If you take a road trip to Colorado with me and have never been to the canyon, I’ll be the first to show you this unique and beautiful attraction. In the summertime, they host an outdoor musical from Tuesday to Sunday at the amphitheater, showcasing the amphitheater’s natural beauty.

How To Get There

The best way to get to Canyon from San Antonio is to take Highway 87 straight up, which turns into Highway 27 for a bit, then back to Highway 87 after Canyon. It’s a little over a 6-hour drive from San Antonio, which makes it the perfect place to stop for me on my way to Colorado. If you are coming from Dallas, take Highway 287 northwest for about 6 hours. Canyon is very near Amarillo.

Did You Know

In the late 1800s, the Northern Texas Railway arrived, making Canyon City a central shipping point for cattle and cotton. West Texas A&M University opened in 1910. It wasn’t until 1985 that Canyon, Texas, became a tourist destination with the establishment of the Panhandle Plains Museum and Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Boerne

Boerne is another town I live close to, and when I want to get away to the hill country, it’s just right there, north of my home. This hill country town boasts major shopping boutiques that I love, making it the perfect place to buy a dress or outfit for my next trip. You’ll find plenty right on Main Street. The town is known for its shopping. They are not called “Hill Country Mile” for nothing. Meaning, there is a mile of shopping on Main Street!

Where To Eat in Boerne, Texas

Since Boerne is filled with shops on Main Street, it’s also home to numerous restaurants where visitors can relax after shopping.

What To Do

Besides shopping all day, you can take a stroll down my Cibolo Creek and watch the ducks play in the water. It’s so peaceful down there by the bridge. There is also a trail leading up to The Kendall, where I have stayed. There are several brewers in town, and if you drive out a little, you’ll come to two of my favorite wineries – Sister Creek Vineyards and Saint Tryphon Farm & Vineyards.

How To Get There

The most scenic route to Boerne, TX, is Highway 281 if you are coming from the DFW area. Although from San Antonio, where I live, you can take Highway 10 up.

Did You Know

Boerne, Texas, has come a long way from where it is now. The town’s people and the CVB have worked hard to make it a destination for tourists to visit and stay for a weekend getaway. It’s a “pleaser” town, aiming to please its tourists with shop after shop, great restaurants, a rich history, and plenty of beer to drink!! And if you don’t love this town by now, it’s on the list of Texas’s small towns voted most picturesque in America.

There you have it, five small Texas towns with BIG charm. Which is your favorite?

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