Welcome to
The Texas Porch
Pull up a chair, y’all. We’re your front-porch guide to small towns, good eating, weekend road trips and the everyday stories that make Texas feel like home.
Fresh Off the Porch
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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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Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana: Fruitcake Season at the Texas Bakery That Ships Worldwide
Corsicana’s Collin Street Bakery has baked since 1896, and fall is fruitcake season. Here’s the history, the DeLuxe cake and where to…
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Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball 2026 in Anson: Dates, Bands, Tickets and Dress Code
The Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball returns to Anson’s Pioneer Hall Dec. 17–19, 2026. Here are the bands, ticket prices and dress code.
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Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor: Hours, What to Order and How to Make a Day of It
Taylor’s smoke-stained Louie Mueller Barbecue has fed Texans since 1949. Here’s when it’s open, what to order and what to see downtown.
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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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Fredericksburg’s Christmas Season: The Marktplatz Tree, German Pyramid and Eisbahn Ice Rink
Fredericksburg lights its Marktplatz tree and German Christmas pyramid nightly each holiday season. Here’s what to know for 2026.
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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…
Plan Your Texas Weekend
Day Trips
Scenic drives, hidden swimming holes and getaways within a tank of gas.
Events
Festivals, rodeos, fairs and what is happening around Texas this weekend.
Texas Life
News, history and everyday living for folks who call the Lone Star State home.