• Recent
  • Beaches and Lakes
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Texas Cities
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

Texas Travel Talk

All-you-can eat Texas Travel Tips. No bull!

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Authors
  • Where in Texas
  • Categories
    • Recent
    • Texas Cities
    • Outdoor Activities
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Texas Road Trip / Things to do in Columbus, Texas for the Holidays

Featured Recent Texas Road Trip

Things to do in Columbus, Texas for the Holidays

Take your holiday travel to new destinations! Conveniently located between San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, Columbus is where you can make new memories and get a start on holiday memories. Write your letter to Santa, go on a family friendly safari, enjoy delicious restaurants, and pick up gifts at unique shops.

Columbus Texas

**FULL DISCLOSURE: THIS POST WAS PART OF A SPONSORED PROJECT IN CONJUNCTION WITH MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS TRAVEL ALLIANCE TO FEATURE THEIR MEMBERS. THE PARTNERSHIP INCLUDED LODGING, FOOD & BEVERAGE, AND COMPENSATION FOR THE TRIP. THE OPINIONS REFLECTED ARE HONEST AND BASED UPON THE INDIVIDUAL BLOGGER EXPERIENCE.

Santa Claus Museum

Santa Claus Museum Columbus Texas

Santa Claus is coming to town, but not just any town, he’s headed specifically to Columbus, Texas! The Santa Claus Museum in Columbus is the only one of its kind in the south. Having it here in Texas makes it a definite tourist destination for the holidays. The museum currently boasts over 4,000 different Santas including figurines, music boxes, dolls, dishes, ornaments, artwork, and needlework. These Santas come from all over the world and tell a story about how different cultures in different areas celebrate Santa Claus.

The Santa Claus Museum was recently featured on the Texas Bucket List!

Santa Claus Museum Columbus Texas

A few highlights from the collection include a nearly life-sized Santa Claus that was previously displayed in the Priesmeyer Department Store during the 1950s. You’ll find Duncan Royal Santas from around the world, Russian nesting Santas, artwork by Norman Rockwell and Thomas Nast, Lladró ceramic Santas, as well as a complete collection of Haddon Sundblom Coca-Cola Santas.

As an avid crafter and baker I loved seeing all the exquisite Santa needlepoint pieces, the vintage Santa molds, and even a crocheted Santa.

Santa Claus Museum Columbus Texas

The Santa Claus museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from December 1-19 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

While admission during the holiday season is free, monetary donations are gratefully accepted.

Can’t make it those days? The museum is open by appointment only on other days, with an admission of $5 per person. Contact the museum to schedule a visit.

Hatari Wildlife Park

Hatari Wildlife Park Columbus Texas

Drive through the Dunes, a sandy rocky terrain with dry foliage and sparse grasses, then into the Lower Grasslands, like the savanna, providing plenty of tall grass for grazing, and take a walk through Lowland Forest, filled with dense live oak trees and flooded swamp. At Hatari Wildlife Park you can experience all of these areas while interacting with a diverse set of animals.

Hatari Wildlife Park Columbus Texas

Brand new to Columbus, the Hatari Wildlife Park opened just this year. As soon as you enter the park you know you’re in for a grand adventure. Hatari is primarily set up as a drive-thru, where you can make friends with lots of animals. In fact, the animals were there to greet us as soon we drove through the gates! We met Roan, Emu, Sable, Gemsbok, Ostrich, Wildebeest, Bison, and even a Camel.

When you enter the park you’re given a bucket of food for the animals with directions on how to feed them as well as a Safari Wildlife Guide to help you identify all the animals who come up to your car to visit.

Hatari Wildlife Park Columbus Texas

After driving through the Dunes range and then the Lower Grasslands, you’ll have the opportunity to stop by Explorer’s Retreat. Here you can get a bite to eat, visit the git shop, dig for artifacts, pet the barnyard animals, and, probably my favorite part, take a stroll through the Lowland Forest range on a 3000ft boardwalk. The boardwalk is where you’ll see Kangaroo, Bongo, Peacocks, Red River Hog, and many more animals.

The Explorer’s Retreat is also where you can visit the Sahel range and feed the giraffe from an elevated platform.

Hatari Wildlife Park Columbus Texas

You’ll have a blast discovering your own wild side at Hatari.

Historic Columbus

Historic Log Cabin Columbus Texas

History awaits you around every corner in Columbus. Right around the corner from the Santa Claus Museum you’ll find the Abram Alley Log Cabin, dating from the time of the Texas Revolution. The two-room log cabin was built in 1836 and gives visitors a look at early Texas pioneer life.

Columbus Texas Courthouse

From there is another short walk to the Colorado County Courthouse built in 1890, where you can see this stunning Tiffany-style Glass Dome. The Glass Dome can be viewed inside on the second floor of the building and is open as long as court is not in session.

Directly across the street from the Courthouse is the Stafford Opera House. Built in 1886, the Stafford Opera House is not only the largest flat-floored opera house in Texas, but is the only flat-floored opera house still in existence in the state. The historic home next door is where the Stafford family lived, and it is said that Mr. Stafford could watch the live performances on stage from his balcony. At various times the building has been a car dealership, a roller skating rink, and private apartments, but it has since been restored.

Columbus Texas Opera House

Download the Columbus, TX app for a full driving tour of historic Columbus.

Where to Stay and Where to Eat

Lodging Columbus Texas

Charming Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, vacation rentals, and RV parks are all available in Columbus. I chose a vacation home rental in the heart of downtown Columbus, within walking distance of the Santa Claus Museum. The bungalow, named Mary’s Nest, offered a large front porch for relaxing with family or friends. With three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, and a full kitchen, it was everything we needed and more.

Other recommendations for where to stay include The Carriage Step Bed and Breakfast.

When dining in Columbus you can quickly see the influence of German, Mexican, Austrian, and Czech ancestors as you dine on kolaches, klobasneks, Texas BBQ, burritos, and down-home southern cooking.

For dinner, we picked up some to-go seafood pasta from Joe’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza and took it back to our rental and enjoyed dinner at the kitchen table. Dessert was a walk to Kay Klauber Candies for some brittles, peanut patties, and gourmet chocolate. Breakfast was an easy choice, kolaches. (Though Becky’s Cafe also looked tempting for a more sit-down breakfast fare.) I picked up a new to me flavor, cottage cheese, at Keyser’s Market located in downtown, and then enjoyed eating it outside on a bench near the courthouse.

Columbus, Texas

There is so much to explore and enjoy in Columbus, at the holidays or any time of the year. It’s a town full of rich history and adventures. Nestled between Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, it’s a perfect day trip or stop along your way, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Covid-19 Considerations:

Wear your mask. When visiting indoor destinations, like the Santa Claus museum, wear your mask and carry hand sanitizer with you. As this is a museum there isn’t any touching, so it’s pretty easy to keep your hands to yourself.

Enjoy outdoor activities. Hatari Wildlife Park is primarily a drive-thru tour, and contact with those outside of your group is minimal. Explorer’s Retreat is a wide-open space equipped with hand washing and sanitizing stations.

Social distance. It’s easy to get food to-go from locally-owned restaurants and either dine outside on their patio or take the food back to your vacation rental.

Columbus Texas

If you can’t get enough of Columbus, head over to read this post on the Julie Measures blog, Holiday Adventures in Columbus, Texas.

And take a tour of all of the awesome small businesses in Columbus (video made before mask mandates).

Related Posts:


Leave a Comment

About Julie Measures

Julie is a native Texan who is passionate about exploring her home state. From big cities to small towns, from beaches to mountains, and everything in between, Julie knows that Texas has something for everyone.
Facebook: Julie Measures
Twitter: @juliemeasure
Twitter: @juliemeasure

« Top Things to do in Baytown, Texas

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore the Lone Star State

Texas Family
Road Trip
Planner

Escape with your family for a classic Texas road trip. Check out insider tips from real traveling families to help you find your destination and stay safe as you travel the Lone Star State.

Take me to the planner

Howdy!

Welcome to Texas Travel Talk, where you’ll find real travel experiences by real Texas travelers. We’re Kami and Fran, community managers and contributors to this site. We hope the stories and images you find here inspire you to take a trip somewhere in the Lone Star State! Read More…

Stay updated!

All-you-can eat Texas travel tips, served up weekly!

We hate spam and pinky promise to only send Texas Travel Talk email.

Must Reads

Baytown

Top Things to do in Baytown, Texas

tyler texas par

Viaja por carretera en Texas con tu familia

Recent

Santa Claus Museum Columbus Texas

Things to do in Columbus, Texas for the Holidays

Baytown

Top Things to do in Baytown, Texas

Geotag

Quick Categories

  • Must Reads
  • Texas Cities
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Luxury
  • Beaches and Lakes

Most Popular Posts

Santa Claus Museum Columbus Texas

Things to do in Columbus, Texas for the Holidays

posted in Featured, Recent, Texas Road Trip

Baytown

Top Things to do in Baytown, Texas

posted in Must Reads, Recent, Texas Road Trip

tyler texas par

Viaja por carretera en Texas con tu familia

posted in Must Reads, Recent, Texas Road Trip, Travel Tips

Get all the latest Travel Update straight to your inbox

Get outdoors, support local businesses, and find f Get outdoors, support local businesses, and find family fun right here in Texas with our Texas Road Trip Planner. Find it at the the link in our profile!

#ad #TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #StateofTexas, #BestofTexas
Find family fun in local getaways with the Texas T Find family fun in local getaways with the Texas Travel Talk planner📔! Check out the link in profile for more info.
#Ad Time to lace up those hiking boots! @acowboysl #Ad Time to lace up those hiking boots! @acowboyslifeblog is sharing her 10 favorite Texas day hikes in the latest from Texas Travel Talk - find it at the link in profile

 #TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #StateofTexas, #BestofTexas
Find socially distanced family fun with glamping i Find socially distanced family fun with glamping in #Seguin! @liveluvtx and her family have advice on how to make the most of it in a Texas Travel Talk article at the link in profile.

#Ad, #TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #BestofTexas
It's the year of outdoor adventures and @LaughWith It's the year of outdoor adventures and @LaughWithUsBlog is sharing her family's favorite spots to explore in San Angelo! 
Check out the link in profile for more

#Ad, TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TravelTuesday. #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #BestofTexas
Follow along on a tour of #Baytown with @Mcontempo Follow along on a tour of #Baytown with @Mcontemporanea. She shares plenty of outdoor activities for the family - check out the link in profile for all the details!

#Ad
#TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #BestofTexas
Real Texas families helped create out Texas Travel Real Texas families helped create out Texas Travel Talk planner to help you find outdoor fun and small businesses to support without going too far from home. Find the planner at the link in our profile!

#Ad, #TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #HikeTexas, #BestofTexas
Can you find all the pears? @SensiblySara is shari Can you find all the pears? @SensiblySara is sharing her tips on what to do and where to go in #Pearland in the latest article from Texas Travel Talk! Check out the link in profile for more.
 #Ad

#TXRoadTrip20, #TexasTravelTalk, #TexasToDo, #TexasTravel, #TravelTexas, #OnlyInTexas, #ExploreTexas, #VisitTexas, #ILoveTexas, #IGTexas, #Texas_IG, #TexasRoadTrip, #TexasBlogger, #TexasBloggers, #TexasOutdoors, #lonestarstate, #TexasLiving, #TrueTexas, #InstaTexas, #TexasLife, #TexasPride, #TexasLife, #InspireTexasNow, #TexasLifestyle, #TexasForever, #Lonestar, #Texas, #BestofTexas
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Santa Claus Museum Columbus Texas

Things to do in Columbus, Texas for the Holidays

Baytown

Top Things to do in Baytown, Texas

tyler texas par

Viaja por carretera en Texas con tu familia

What to See Do and Eat in Seguin Texas

What to See, Do, and Eat in Seguin TX

Staying Safe and Sane On Road Trips - Eating at local spots

5 Tips For Eating As A Family On The Road

  • Terms & Condition
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2019 · Texas Travel Talk Designed by Rebelute

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy