With a strong German heritage, a beautiful downtown packed with restaurants and antique shops, and plenty of year-round festivals to hit up, Boerne is a fun and simple way to enjoy a classic small Texas town without traveling far. Home to the second-smallest Texas State Park and the only lighthouse on the Texas coast the is open to the public, Port Isabel is a charming, small port town and a fun addition to a trip to the Gulf Coast! - 8/17/2016 You are sad, young girl from Austin, Texas. Hiram’s Resort in Florida, Top 10 Airbnbs in London for Every Type of Traveler, The Most Festive Christmas Town in Every State. One shouldn’t leave Jefferson off this list, a great small town with a wonderful history. On a hot summer day, nothing beats the refreshing waters at nearby Blue Hole Regional Park and Jacob’s Well, while those looking for a scenic drive will find the entrance point to Devil’s Backbone drive appealing. 2. If you’re looking for a laid-back weekend at the beach, add Port Aransas to your list of small towns in Texas to visit! Known as the “barbeque capital of Texas”, you’ll definitely want to be sure to arrive in Lockhart with an empty stomach and a big appetite! Rollingwood (Pop. By subscribing I agree to the terms Several other Texas small cities — Keller, Little Elm, Allen, Leander and Georgetown — are all in the 95th percentile overall in the rankings. Despite its small size, Luckenbach is well-known as a country music hotspot, and is home to a popular dance hall and far more live shows than one would expect from a town of merely 13 people! Get away from the stress and traffic of big cities and head to this city, where you’ll find easy access to some of the most picturesque landscapes in Texas. Some Texas cities, though, have more to offer retirees than others. Just published a post on Jefferson this week. 1,964) Southside Place (Pop. Considered the gateway to Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, you’re never far from nature here. Granbury is beautiful, charming, and packed with a wide variety of things to do for a town so small, from getting out on the lake to touring the Hood County Jail Museum. The Metroplex proper includes more than 140 small towns and dozens of mid-size cities that share the 9,286 square miles across 13 counties. Most Texans are incredibly familiar with Shiner, even if they’ve never considered visiting this small Texas town with a population of merely 2,000 people: this is the home of Shiner Beer, a staple of all Texas grocery stores! Some links throughout this site are affiliate links. Brenham is a good choice as well. It was and still is a great place to live. Wander through the local galleries and shops in this 15-square-mile town, as this emerging art town offers plenty of shopping opportunities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find Fredericksburg convenient for exploring the vibrant landscapes at nearby Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, where a short hike leads to rewarding views from a pink granite dome. As the hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson, today this tiny town is best known for being a short drive from the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Site and State Historic Site, which can be found on the former president’s beautiful (and still working) ranch. Marfa, Texas, a city with less than 2,000 people, but that's exactly what has made this little town so famous.The 2005 Prada Marfa exhibit is a one-room, stucco replica of a real Prada store designed by artist duo Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset. As the largest town (relatively speaking–the population is just over 4,000 people) on Mustang Island, Port Aransas is known for nearby excellent fishing, and plenty of long, beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. This small Texas town is home to plenty of nods to Ireland, but surprisingly–despite the enormous St. Patrick’s Day celebration and its numerous Irish-themed businesses–this heritage is not what the town is best known for! While meandering along the highways and byways through the rolling hills and along river bends, trees (oak and cypress mainly) peacefully shading you from the warm Texas sunshine, you could sense a calm so thick it’s like floating through a dream. ), and attend the Red Poppy Festival. Explore this small town and you can learn how to blow glass, catch live music or a performing arts show, or indulge in a cold beverage at one of the local craft breweries. and privacy policy. The nearby Blue Hole and Jacob’s Well both draw in plenty of visitors hoping to beat the Texas heat, but if you visit, be sure to also for exploring Wimberley’s wonderful art and music scenes! Of all the lighthouses in Texas, Port Isabel’s is one of the only ones that you can climb. For more information on how we rank, read the Best Places to Live methodology. Once you are done assessing your life, go swimming in the Blue Hole Regional Park which is camouflaged by the enchanting trees. West, TX Housing Market Located on the banks of Lake Marble Falls (which aren’t set on marble at all, but that classic Texas staple of limestone), Marble Falls is a charming Hill Country town perfect for both outdoor enthusiasts and those hoping to hit up the small-but-lovely downtown. Nestled in an ideal location, Marble Falls sits near five picturesque lakes and some of the best wineries in Texas. Best Places to Live in Texas in 2020-21 Everything is bigger in Texas, so if you’re looking to upgrade, consider the best places to live in Texas below. Perfect for a weekend road trip away, here are some of the most picturesque small towns in Texas. Above all, Schulenburg is known for its collection of beautiful painted churches, each with a detailed interior that is a work of art in its own right. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Here are the most affordable cities in Texas: 1. Pound Farmstead, and–my personal favorite–Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Co., where you can pick up local Texas olive oil (it’s delicious). Boasting a downtown so delightful that it has charmed Hollywood producers for decades, Smithville is located less than an hour outside of Austin and makes a fun day trip! For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Brenham! Technically no Irish history here though, although there are a few shops on the square that represent it. Undoubtedly one of the best-known small towns in Texas, popular Fredericksburg is known for two things: its German heritage and its many, many vineyards. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Dublin! As an Amazon Associate, Lone Star Travel Guide earns from qualifying purchases. While the cities are popular and natural areas stunning, there’s no way to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity of the Lone Star State without checking out some of the best small towns in Texas. It is a small town outside of a big city. Founded in 1846 by Prince Frederick of Prussia, Fredericksburg is the sister city of Montabaur, Germany, and much of the quaint town shows strong German influences. However, it’s also very close to Pedernales Falls, so if you swing by, consider making time for visiting both the ranch and charming Pedernales Falls State Park. Home to 40 miles of what is called the Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas, there is no better place to admire Texas’ iconic–and absolutely stunning–wildflowers each spring. Fredericksburg is one of the most popular towns in the Texas Hill Country. For a dazzling panoramic view of the city, climb to the top of the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse. The minuscule town of Driftwood, Texas may be barely a dot on the map–it’s home to less than 200 people–but most Texans have heard of it for one reason: it’s the home to the legendary Salt Lick BBQ, one of the best barbeque joints in Texas! A growing suburb of Houston, Pearland offers families the best of both worlds – the low crime and high quality of life of a small town with access to Houston's big-city amenities and healthy job market. By subscribing I agree to the terms and privacy policy. The Best Places to Retire in Texas Retirement in Texas comes with mild winters, low taxes and affordable housing. Though not as small as it once was due to its current status as a college town, Nacogdoches still deserves a spot considering it's the oldest town in Texas. All rights reserved. Located between San Antonio and Austin, this Texas Hill Country town provides convenient access to both larger cities. One of the oldest cities in Texas, tourists flock here for the beautiful views and access to nearby beaches. Home to the “most beautiful town square in Texas”, Georgetown can sometimes be overlooked as one of Texas’ cutest towns simply because it is so close to Austin that it more-or-less operates as a suburb of the capital these days–but its gorgeous downtown and plethora of things to do make Georgetown a destination in its own right! 5. Get our latest advice & deals in your inbox! Just sayin. With pedestrian-friendly streets and a bustling downtown area, the popular Austin Street is lined with colorful shops and restaurants serving up fresh seafood to friendly locals. 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