Eastern Texas Towns You Need to Spend More Time In

We ’re sure you ’ve spent your comely portion of time hanging in the grownup city around Texas , and rightfully so . They ’ve got medicine festivals , food trucks , and donut meth cream sandwiches . But that ’s not to say that the areas outside the Texas Triangle are all podunk – far from it , in fact . Take a moment to debate branching out to the modest towns and city that are too often forgotten about , like these 10 under - hype dwellings , which charm the eastern half of the state with enticing history , smoked meat , and booze , like any in effect Texas townspeople should .

Brenham

Why it ’s so capital : There ’s even more thanBlue Bellice cream in this Brazos Valley ravisher . For starter , you ’ll also find plenty of natural splendor in the form of Texas bluebonnet , and more importantly , plenty of wine in the form of your enjoyably stained teeth . Brenham has four beauts on itswine track , two of which are within city limits . After you ’ve achieved a respectable wine grease on your mouth and tooth , get a feeling for Brenham ’s account and appeal in the Downtown ’s Main Street district , line with boutiques , antique store , and restaurants & bar . Beneath the street , there ’s a Brobdingnagian organization of late-1800s cisterns , one of which is on video display at Downtown’sToubin Park . you’re able to also sip suds atBrazos Valley Brewery , cut your own refreshed lavender and spend entirely too much money on essential oil atChappell Hill Lavender Farm , and take a 15 - air mile drive to visit anENTIRE FARM OF ALPACAS . While you may obviously stay in Ithiel Town , you may require to head over to Washington toThe Inn at Dos Brisas , a super - luxurious five - ace ranch that seriously ca n’t get more gorgeous . Must - wipe out foods : Old - fashioned sandwiches and PIE atMust Be Heaven , tapas and wine at96 West , peppery pork ribs and fatty brisket atTruth BBQ , and ice emollient at Blue Bell .

Nacogdoches

Why it ’s so great : At around 300 years old and steeped in story , Nacogdoches is the oldest Ithiel Town in the entire Lone Star country . In some ways , it feels that fashion , too , with the nineteenth - 100 Durst - Taylor House & Gardens and Millard ’s Crossing Historic Village bringing you right smart back , and the Ghosts of Nacogdoches Historical Trail bringing you elbow room , wayback . But with Stephen F. Austin University add in a sundry of cultures , and a burgeon music view ( Willie Nelson even named an album after it ) , the honest-to-god Ithiel Town in Texas has entered into a new historic period . Do n’t omit the theNacogdoches Music Festival , a four - twenty-four hour period country , soul , and rock rager hold in the first week of March ; hit upThe Liberty BellandBanita Creek Hallto get your year - pear-shaped musical kicks , and store for sick , sure-enough - timey string instruments at Downtown’sGeneral Mercantile and Oldtime String Shop . Must - deplete foods : costa - heart steak sandwiches atButcher Boy ’s , old - fashioned burgers and handcut Roger Fry atNacBurger , and greasy - spoon use up like CFS atDolli ’s Diner .

Jefferson

Why it ’s so great : Just a gemstone ’s throw from Louisiana , this historic riverport has been called the “ Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas . ” We ’re not sure how much competition it actually has , but it has us impressed yet … and you probably will be , too , if you ever take a trip to the sleepy , atavistic town . elude the hustle and flurry of urban center life by trading it in for stuff like steamboat rides , horse - drawn pusher , and one-time - fashioned root beer float at an1870s world-wide store . Peruse old-fashioned shops and grandiose Grecian revival homes , and partake in in the ultimate foreplay : a shade walk . Must - deplete solid food : Cornbread sandwiches and vintage pies atKitt ’s Kornbread Sandwich & Pie Bar , amazingly effective mulct - dining menu atMcGarity ’s Saloon , top - notch East Texas - style barbeque atJoseph ’s Riverport Bar - B - Que , and honest ol’ Southern American classics atAuntie Skinner ’s Riverboat Club Restaurant & Bar .

Denton

Why it ’s so great : Denton is the Dallas / Fort Worth area ’s unsung little bro . But it ’s right smart cool than its big bro , because its freehanded bro is kind of a d - suitcase , plus it ’s got awing stuff like one of the state ’s mostunderrated euphony scenesand theNorth Texas State Fair & Rodeo . cover 911 straight miles , the indie town is also home to two university , Texas Woman ’s University and the University of North Texas , where the telling College of Music only adds to the pulse of the city . euphony fans should check outThe Abbey Undergroundand Dan ’s Silverleaf , and look out for festival like theDenton Arts & Jazz Festival . Not astonishingly , the combination of college kid and live music makes for a resilient night life that is missing in many other East Texas ‘ goon . On top of all that , the Downtown is downright beautiful . Must - eat foods : Actor Jason Lee is a partner in the ever - hipBarley & Board , where you ’ll obtain cherry - picked charcuterie and Malva sylvestris control panel , a sloppy house burger , and standout brunch . For donut , Gallus gallus biscuits , and donut - chicken - biscuits , appear no further thanHypnotic Donuts .

Salado

Why it ’s so great : Salado has been call the “ Best Art Town in Texas , ” and even if that ’s a ego - extol rubric , it ’s still pretty coolheaded . The township has become know as a mecca for artists , its Main Street lined with innumerous art galleries , antique store , gourmet food stores , jewellery entrepot , and furniture & home decor boutiques . Once you get your shopping fix , unwind at theSalado Lone Star WineryorChupacabra Craft Beerbefore descend in at a cozy bed & breakfast . presently enough , you ’ll be able to love a stay at theStagecoach Inn , which was once the oldest continually operating hotel in Texas , though since it stopped operate for renovation in 2015 , we do n’t think that count anymore . It ’s also one of the honorable places to visit during the vacation , when its yearly Christmas Stroll beats overcrowded picks like San Antonio ’s River Walk . Must - eat foods : While the Stagecoach is closed , read/write head toThe Range at the Barton Housefor an elegant , chef - repulse meal of smoke costa - oculus and grilled spiced quail , and do n’t lose specialty shop likeSir Wigglesworth ’s Homemade FudgeandThe Strawberry Patch .

Round Rock

Why it ’s so great : This highly underrated metropolis is often overshadowed by its flower child - heavy crony , Austin , but it ’s whole deserving the 30 - arcminute drive from Downtown ( or however long the drive is from wherever you ’re occur from ) . Most importantly , the food view is booming , as creative - given chefs are cluster to the area and bringing the heat with them . pillowcase in peak : The Scarlet Rabbit , anAlice in Wonderland - animate eatery set in a 1940s bungalow that offers diners the chance to take " an immersive trip down a culinary hare hole " through mod takes on southerly classic . If you have some clip , shoot over to the neighboring Georgetown , where you ’ll discover atotally dope underground cavethat was hidden for nearly 10,000 years , and amodern Mexican restaurantwith a patio overlooking the city ’s iconic Blue Hole on the San Gabriel River . Must - eat foods : Get unbelievable donuts the sizing of Texas atRound Rock Donuts ; artisanal pizza pies and block French fritter atFire & Ice Pizza Bar ; firm - smoked duck and brisket confit sandwiches made from scratch atThe Blind Squirrel ; and whimsical southerly fare atThe Scarlet Rabbit .

Galveston

Why it ’s so dandy : The Third Coast ’s easterly side often gets a derriere rap , but we ’re here to tell you why that reputation is extremely unworthy . For starters , Galveston has ano - joke food scene , covering everything from steam - tympani okra and languid étouffée atLittle Daddy ’s Gumbo Barto Romance American all right dining atRudy & Paco , and itsdrinking sceneisn’t too moth-eaten either ( foxiness beer nerds will be well-chosen to lie with the island has itsown brewery ) . Then there ’s the historic Strand District , a 70 - block jewel where you ’ll find gorgeous Victorian building housing museums , dress shop , theaters , and sport poppycock like an quondam - fashioned icing pick shop class and annualChili Quest & Beer Fest . Oh , andthese 70 + other reasons . Must - eat intellectual nourishment : Those aforementioned eats , plus paw - dunk chocolates , saltwater taffy , and low - mass ice cream atLa King ’s Confectionary , a beachside brunch atPorch Cafe , and shrimp & stuff atShrimp ' N Stuff . Look out for the Billie Jean Moffitt King of all Warren E. Burger , Hubcap Grill , opening in the old Harborside Mercantile spot .

Bastrop

Why it ’s so majuscule : Not only does Bastrop have a quaint historical Downtown and rad thing like alive Bluegrass Region , First Friday Art Walks , and acrazy haunted Halloween Park , it also is just around the street corner from the cool blank space to get lose in East Texas , and that ’s the Lost Pines in the 660 - acre Bastrop State Park . The LP underwrite 13 miles of forest , with 18,000 - year - one-time loblolly pine and hardwoods that are separated by over 100 nautical mile from the famous Piney Woods that enshroud East Texas , southern Arkansas , western Louisiana , and southeast Oklahoma . Head out for a hike and stop for a present moment to take it all in at lookout point like Fehr ’s Overlook . Must - exhaust foods : The jalapeño cream high mallow Burger atRoadhouse , and big - ass country breakfast , volaille - fried steaks , and standout pie atMaxine ’s Cafe .

Shiner

Why it ’s so great : Because the beer ! This old Czech and German townspeople is home to a fiddling stead by the name of Spoetzl Brewery , akaShiner Brewery , not certain if you ’ve ever heard of it . It ’s still alive and kicking after being in performance since 1909 , with over 6 million lawsuit of beer shipped out across the rural area . The brewery offers spell and tastings multiple multiplication a day every weekday , and there ’s a gift shop with merch ranging from Shiner coasters and tees to toys for Fido . After you blow out your thirstiness at the oldest brewery in the state , shop class for old geezer , art , and beer , strike an old - schooldrive - in movie theatre , and get live music and brew atHoward ’s , a gas station with a hidden beer garden that basically defines Texas . Must - eat on intellectual nourishment : Head 10 minutes north toKloesel ’s Steakhousein Moulton , or stop in for deep-fried chicken atFridays Fried Chicken .

Uncertain

Why it ’s so great : Deep in East Texas , this overlooked gem trifle home to one of the most beautiful spots in the Lone Star State , and that ’s Caddo Lake . With Spanish moss encase thick cypress tree Tree and a sprawl labyrinth of luxuriant bayous and wetland , Caddo was create by a gigantic log crush knight “ The Great Raft ” – which began backlogging the Red and Atchafalaya Rivers as far back as 1100 - 1200 AD . It ’s one of the only naturally formed lake in Texas , and it ’s just begging to be kayak . It ’s no admiration a bantam town with a universe of 196 has become a destination for hunter and fisher cat . Must - eat foods : Fresh seafood and all - you - can - eat catfish at the nearbyRiverBend Restaurant .

jefferson, texas