Explore the best of rural Texas starting in Giddings, TX.
Located on Highways 290 and 77, about an hour’s drive from Austin and 97 miles from Houston in Central Texas, Giddings, TX, is where rural Texas begins. The town displays countryside living and Wendish heritage throughout. It’s said to be the gateway to rural Texas. Here are the top attractions in Giddings, TX, that you do not want to miss, especially if you are interested in Texas history.
The town offers a fascinating blend of culture and history, especially with the Wendish heritage preserved at the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum. Its historic sites, like the Lee County Courthouse and the Schubert-Fletcher House, add to its charm.
Top Attractions In Giddings, TX
The top attractions on your list should include the red brick courthouse, the painted murals, the Schulbert-Fletcher Home, the gorgeous First Presbyterian Church, and the 1900s Antique Carousel in Firemen’s Park (if it is visible at the time of your visit). Everything else is a bonus!
1899 Lee County Courthouse
200 S. Main Street
The architecture of this red brick courthouse is Richardsonian Romanesque, featuring columns of Texas granite. Its shape is octagonal, with four sides facing the four points of the compass. Cool, huh?
I couldn’t get close because the courthouse is under construction, and a wired fence surrounds it. Hopefully, they will finish the restoration soon, and I’m sure the inside is just as beautiful.
1879 Schubert-Fletcher Home & Lee County Museum & Visitor’s Center
183 E. Hempstead
This home is now the Lee County Museum and the offices of the Visitor’s Center. Stop by to learn about Lee County from the days of the Native Americans to the present day. It is closed on weekends.
Painted Murals In Giddings
All over downtown.
Some murals include the ones in this article, such as Bull Durham, This is So Good, The Business of Giddings, and Train Travelers. While there, I saw a few, and they looked in pretty bad shape. Nonetheless, it’s Texas History showing out. See the complete list of murals in Giddings here – Murals of Giddings, TX.
1886 First Presbyterian Church
192 S. Grimes
The sanctuary has been used since 1886, making it the oldest church building in continuous use in Giddings, TX. Sunday service is at 9:30 am.
9/11 Memorial In Giddings, TX
151 W. Independence St.
If you want to see two pieces of metal beams from the New York Twin Towers, by all means, go by here and snap a photo.
Giddings Public Library And Cultural Center
276 N. Orange St.
The Giddings Library contains one of the largest Native American collections in the state. Also see the display of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Hilton Lee Smith – a Giddings native.
Dime Box Heritage Museum
On FM 141, downtown Dime Box
The museum is 12 miles northeast of Giddings. Here, you can learn about the history of Dime Box, TX, and see many primitive and unique items on display.
Historic Freight Depot
235 W. Railroad Row
The Houston & Central Texas Railway built a freight depot in the 1880s.
Antique Carousel In Giddings, TX
1915 C. W. Parker (Fireman’s Park)
This is special. If you’re lucky enough to be in town on the days the 1900s wooden carousel operates, ride it! It’s only open twice yearly—during the Lee County Fair in May and the Fireman’s July 4th Celebration.
Texas Wendish Heritage Museum
1011 CR 212, Serbin (8 miles southwest of Giddings)
A museum that depicts the history and culture of the Wends who came to Texas many years ago.
You can see the Serbin Community, where German Wends settled on FM 2239 in Serbin, TX. One of the Painted Churches is also there.
Mark your calendar for the September 28, 2025, Wendish Fest in Serbin, TX.
Lexington Log Cabins
524 Fourth St., Lexington, TX, 979-773-8400, (14 miles north of Giddings)
If you want to take a short road trip to Lexington, there are these authentic log cabins depicting the life of the early settlers from the 1830s and 40s. One includes the Guthrie House. Call before you go for an appointment to see them.
On the same day, I also briefly visited La Grange, TX. Here is what I gathered from my visit.
Places to Eat in Giddings, TX
- Los Patrones Mexican Grill at 2880 E. Austin
- Lost Pines BBQ at 1534 E. Austin
- Reba’s Deli & Pizzeria at 208 E. Austin
- Hunan’s Chinese Restaurant at 2448 E. Austin
- Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill at 2156 CR 217
- Dellrif Ice, LLC at 596 E. Austin
As you can see, there are many attractions in Giddings, TX. You may want to take a full weekend to explore.
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