Small Towns
Main streets, courthouse squares and the Texas towns worth the drive.
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Lampasas, Texas: The Old Spring Resort Town With an 1884 Courthouse Square
Mineral springs once made Lampasas a resort town. Here’s how to see the springs, the 1884 courthouse square and downtown murals today.
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San Saba, Texas: A Fall Visit to the Self-Proclaimed Pecan Capital of the World
San Saba has called itself the Pecan Capital of the World for generations. Here’s the history, where to buy pecans and what…
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Columbus, Texas: A Historic Courthouse Town on the Colorado River
Copper-domed courthouse, an 1886 opera house, giant live oaks and a river paddling trail make Columbus an easy I-10 day trip.
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Alpine, Texas: The Gateway to Big Bend and Home of the Museum of the Big Bend
Alpine, Texas makes a great Big Bend base: the Museum of the Big Bend, a walkable downtown, Hancock Hill and Artwalk in…
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The Painted Churches of Schulenburg: How to Tour Fayette County’s Most Beautiful Country Churches
Near Schulenburg, Czech and German settlers built country churches with stunning painted interiors. Here’s how to tour them.
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Fort Davis, Texas: Star Parties at McDonald Observatory and a Frontier Fort Worth the Drive
Plan a Fort Davis weekend: McDonald Observatory star parties, the frontier fort, and practical tips for the high country of West Texas.
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Shiner, Texas: Spoetzl Brewery Tours, Barbecue and a Small Town Worth Sticking Around For
How to tour the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, what it costs, and what else to see in this small Lavaca County town.
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Mason, Texas: A Quiet Hill Country Square, Old Fort Mason and Some of the State’s Oldest Pit Barbecue
Mason has a rebuilt 1909 courthouse, the hilltop site of Fort Mason, an old movie house tied to Old Yeller and a…
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Llano, Texas: A Granite Courthouse Town on the River, and the Pit Barbecue at Cooper’s
Llano pairs an 1893 courthouse, a 1935 river bridge and old-time downtown with Cooper’s, where you pick your barbecue right off the…
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Goliad, Texas: Visiting Presidio La Bahía and Mission Espíritu Santo
Remember Goliad: how to visit the 1749 Presidio La Bahía, Mission Espíritu Santo and the quiet courthouse town nearby.