Who doesn’t love a town with a picturesque town square?
Downtown squares are what make a small town so special, wouldn’t you agree? Texas has a few of them that we just love. Recently, I wrote an article on the Most Charming Downtowns in Texas, and readers commented that I left out a few. Maybe I should have put them all in one article, but I didn’t. This information is about the most charming downtown squares in Texas, and most, if not all, have their courthouses right in the center.
Most Charming Downtown Squares in Texas
Most small-town squares are centered on their courthouse. There’s nothing better than shopping and dining in stores with a beautiful courthouse right in the middle of it all.
Georgetown, TX, is often considered the best town square in Texas. Have you been? You’ll see why when you do.
Georgetown
With a title of “Red Poppy Capital of Texas,” and highly regarded as the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas,” it is a no-brainer town to visit.
Whether you visit in spring for the Red Poppy Festival or during the holiday when the whole downtown square is lit, you’re in for a surprise. There are many nice restaurants to choose from, wineries on the square, and shops galore. This is one of our favorites, especially at Christmastime.
Granbury
What can we say about Granbury that hasn’t already been said? They continue to win awards for their downtown. And, if you think it was special back in the day, it’s still the same. The town prides its self of keeping the newness alive in or on its downtown square -one of the best around!
Glen Rose
Why, yes, you’ll find dinosaurs all around the downtown square… and they are not all green! When we visited in the summer of 2025, construction was going on, and a few new shops were preparing to open. I’m sure the downtown area is much more exciting now. The beautiful Romanesque Revival Courthouse is at the center of it all. There are a couple of restaurants to choose from, plus a cute ice cream store to indulge your sweet tooth in. We saw several darling boutiques open and a couple of museums, all around the square.
Hamilton
If you travel on Hwy 281 from the DFW area going towards the Hill Country, you’ll want to make time to stop by this downtown square. The beautiful courthouse, a mix of Richardsonian Romanesque, Neoclassical, and Spanish Revival styles, is eye-catching at the main stoplight in town. Stop by for eats, shopping, and perusing the historic buildings.
Graham
Not only is Graham’s downtown square charming, but it’s also the largest downtown square in America. What’s not to love about this downtown? Being a mile in circumference, you can get your steps in while perusing the shops, restaurants, bars, and courthouse. It’s amazing. We met some fantastic and friendly people when we were there. Lunch at Neri’s was fabulous (both times), the rooms at The Middleton Hotel were something we’d never seen before – they are containers! I could go on and on about Graham, TX, and I did so below.
Wimberley
Wimberley centers on its charming, walkable downtown square, called Wimberley Square. It’s a lively hub filled with unique shops, restaurants, art galleries, and seasonal events, all wrapped in that unmistakable Texas Hill Country vibe. There is no courthouse in the middle, but from what I remember, it’s a restaurant and a few shops that are smack in the middle of this downtown square – but more like a circle. It’s really a precious area, but it can get a little crowded at times. Here’s an article written by us on 26 Things To Do in Wimberley (52 shares so far).
Decatur
With a population of around 8,266, I’m surprised this small town is still small. It’s a growing community in North Texas, where everyone seems to be moving. Decatur’s historic courthouse, like Denton’s (but not a small town), is in the center of its town square. Around the courthouse are many historic buildings filled with shops, coffee houses, antique stores, boutiques, and restaurants.
I wrote a piece about Decatur that has gotten 116 saves so far. It’s worth a read if you’re wondering if you should visit or not – but we think you should!
Fort Worth’s Sundance Square
Sundance Square is a great place to take the kids any time of the year. And I hear Santa Claus is there during the Christmas holidays. Vivid upscale shops and fine dining all around, the water fountains to boost, and lots of history make this town square a must-visit place. There is so much to do in Fort Worth around downtown – just bring your pocketbook!
Whether you’re looking for charming downtowns or charming town squares in Texas, we’ve got you covered right here. Let me know if I left out any! But be nice ~~~
I know there’s more, but I just haven’t been to them all, but I’m working on it.
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