Small Towns
Main streets, courthouse squares and the Texas towns worth the drive.
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Weikel’s Bakery in La Grange: Kolaches, History and How to Spend a Morning in Town
Weikel’s has baked kolaches on Highway 71 since 1985. Here’s what to order and what to see in La Grange while you’re…
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Bellville, Texas: A One-of-a-Kind Courthouse Square, a Castle and Pioneer History Down the Road
Bellville pairs an unusual 1960s courthouse, an 1896 jail museum and kolaches with nearby San Felipe de Austin’s recreated colonial village.
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Monument Cafe and the Georgetown Square: Breakfast, Pie and a Stroll Through One of Texas’ Prettiest Downtowns
Start with breakfast and pie at Georgetown’s Monument Cafe, then stroll the 1911 courthouse square. Hours, fall events and tips.
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Bastrop, Texas: A Historic Main Street, an 1889 Opera House and the Lost Pines Next Door
Bastrop pairs a walkable historic Main Street with the Lost Pines of Bastrop State Park. Museum, park fees and holiday plans.
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Wimberley, Texas: A Small-Town Guide to Market Days, Old Baldy and Cypress Creek
Wimberley’s shady square, monthly Market Days, a 218-step climb up Old Baldy and creekside parks make it an easy Hill Country day…
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Historic Downtown McKinney: A Walking Guide to the Square, Its Museums and Thanksgiving Weekend’s Home for the Holidays
McKinney’s 1848 courthouse square packs 200-plus shops and restaurants. Here’s how to spend a day downtown, plus 2026 Home for the Holidays…
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Palestine, Texas: Dogwood Heritage, a Historic Downtown and What to See This Fall
Palestine pairs a 44-block historic downtown with deep dogwood roots. Here’s what to see this fall and when the blooms return.
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Bandera, Texas: How to Spend a Day in the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’
Bandera’s free Saturday cowboy shows, frontier museum, honky-tonks and Hill Country State Natural Area add up to a real Western day trip.
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Albany, Texas: An Art Museum in an 1878 Jail, a Historic Courthouse and Longhorns Up the Road
Albany, Texas packs in a free art museum in an 1878 jail, a restored 1883 courthouse and the state longhorn herd at…
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Denison, Texas: Eisenhower’s Birthplace, a Prize-Winning Main Street and a Railroad Past Worth the Drive
Ike was born in a small frame house in Denison. Here’s how to tour it, walk the award-winning Main Street and plan…