5 best small towns in Texas
See the Lone Star State from a new perspective and find what unique experience each Texas small town has to offer. Horseback ride through vineyards in Fredericksburg, snap a photo of the lighthouse in Port Isabel, or float the day away along 32 natural springs in Marble Falls. While the attractions change from place to place, you can rest assured great barbecue, adventure, and country music are around every corner.
Everything’s bigger in Texas—and that includes small town vacations. Adventure out to find your new favorite corner of the world.
Our first best small town might be the most well-known, as a staple to any true Texas Hill Country trip. Fredericksburg is beloved for its abundant wineries and scenic Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, offering plenty of activities for foodies, historians, and adventurers alike. After a day of museum tours and hiking trails, settle into a view of beautiful West Texas from the porch and share a glass with loved ones.
With its sapphire waters, it’s no surprise that Canyon Lake has been nicknamed “The Jewel” of Texas Hill Country. The lakeside community offers a perfect excuse to lounge out by the water, boat away the afternoon, and peruse the small town’s bed and breakfasts, Cajun restaurants, hiking or horseback riding trails, and golf courses. Take advantage of surrounding must-see spots by a road trip out to Wimberley’s locally famous swimming spot, The Blue Hole, and neighboring New Braunfels’ Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Gruene Hall dance hall.
Port Isabel rests on the very southern tip of the Lone Star State, promising the best of both small-town charm and laid-back coastal atmosphere. Kick back at an oyster bar, tour the 170-year-old Port Isabel Lighthouse, and time a dolphin cruise just right to catch the sun set on the ocean. Check out Treasures of the Gulf Museum for its fascinating display of 16th-century shipwrecks and interactive exhibits, or laze the days away at the beach.
Outdoor enthusiasts, thrifters, and foodies, your dream destination awaits just an hour's drive from Austin. Out of the hub of activity in Marble Falls, you’ll find ancient limestone caverns at Longhorn Cavern State Park, local swimming holes, and an array of restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, and general stores downtown. Before you leave, make a stop at Krause Springs for a relaxing float or swim in its 32 spring-fed pools, with trickling waterfalls and picnic spots under the cypress trees.
On a coastal stretch of East Texas, Crystal Beach welcomes you with white-sand beaches and small-town quirks. The town’s quiet beaches offer a relaxing slower pace and are perfect for water sports, swimming, or catching up on a good book. Mosey over to the Point Bolivar Lighthouse for a tour, chow down and enjoy live rock and country music shows at the Stingaree, or rent a golf cart and plan your trip in time for the Golf Cart Poker Run, which includes a parade and award for best-decorated cart.
For the best small towns by the beach, head to Port Isabel and Crystal Beach. The best Texas small towns for outdoor adventure are Canyon Lake, Marble Falls, and Fredericksburg. New Braunfels and Dripping Springs are also worth a visit.
Texas has so many vacation opportunities to offer, from seeing live music shows in the city, to enjoying the Texas Gulf Coast. Grab a gulf-front condo on Mustang Island for a beach vacation or book a family home in Austin to see city attractions. If you’re looking for good food, wine, or an outdoor adventure, a Texas Hill Country stay will keep you close to it all.
