If you want to get to know a state on a heart and soul level, visiting its smallest towns is a good place to start. Some of the best small towns in Texas offer everything from spring wildflowers to summertime watermelon festivals, homemade apple pie in the fall to Polar Express train rides in the winter. You’ll want to visit all 12 of these charming towns this year.
- January - Canyon
Facebook/Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife The town of Canyon may be small, but it’s home to the second-largest canyon in the entire United States. Palo Duro Canyon is an iconic Texas landmark worth visiting year-round, but it’s especially beautiful covered in a fresh dusting of snow. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA
- February - Luckenbach
Flickr/Mobilus In Mobili With a population of just 3 (!!), Luckenbach has the honor of being the smallest town in Texas. Located about 13 miles from Fredericksburg, this tiny blip on the map is a world-famous country music venue, thanks in large part to Waylong Jennings’s hit song “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love).” The town hosts its annual Hug-In and Valentine Ball every February, so it’s the perfect time to visit. Luckenbach, TX 78624, USA
- March - Pilot Point
Facebook/Texas-Tulips March is peak season at Texas Tulips, a sprawling u-pick tulip farm in the small town of Pilot Point with over a dozen varieties to choose from. Pilot Point, TX 76258, USA
- April - Ennis
Facebook/Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival If you’ve never visited Ennis during wildflower season, consider this your sign. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival is held each April, featuring over 40 miles of mapped routes lined with eye-popping bluebonnet fields. Ennis, TX, USA
- May - Marble Falls
Flickr/Jim Howard The charming Hill Country town of Marble Falls is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful springtime weather. Pick your own berries at Sweet Berry Farm, do a bit of hiking at Balcones Canyonlands NWR, then savor a slice of homemade pie at Blue Bonnet Cafe. Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
- June - Stockdale
Wikimedia Commons/Renelibrary Oh, sweet summertime. Stockdale is home to one of the oldest watermelon festivals in Texas, the Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee. It’s held on the third weekend in June every year, and we can’t imagine a better way to welcome the season. Stockdale, TX 78160, USA
- July - Wimberley
benedek / E+ via Getty Images Texas summers can be brutal, so finding opportunities to cool off is key. One place you can do that is Jacob’s Well, located in the small town of Wimberley. After taking a dip in the spring-fed waters, perhaps you’ll go ziplining or do a bit of antique shopping. Wimberley, TX, USA
- August - Tow
Facebook/Fall Creek Vineyards and Winery Grape harvest season is late August-early September, so a visit to Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow is warranted. Situated on 400 acres, Fall Creek is the oldest vineyard & winery operation in the Texas Hill Country, boasting scenic views and award-winning wines. Tow, TX 78672, USA
- September - West
Wikimedia Commons/Renelibrary The tiny town of West is the place to be for Labor Day Weekend, as that is when the annual Westfest is held. This vibrant celebration of the town’s rich Czech heritage features music, dancing, and lots of delicious food. Be sure to explore while you’re here - the architecture will make you think you’ve been transported to a quaint Eastern European village! West, TX 76691, USA
- October - Fredericksburg
Oktoberfest October 6-8, 2023 Fredericksburg Texas One of the most authentic Oktoberfests in Texas is held in beloved Fredericksburg, and it’s a can’t-miss event full of food, games, dancing, and music to celebrate the town’s German heritage. Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
- November - Vanderpool
Facebook/Lost Maples State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife November is peak leaf-peeping season in Texas - especially at Lost Maples State Natural Area. Take a gorgeous fall hike, then pop on over to Love Creek Orchards for a slice of fresh-baked apple pie. Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA
- December - Palestine
Facebook/Visit Palestine, Texas It isn’t Christmas in Texas until you take a ride on the Texas State Railroad’s Polar Express train. Drink hot cocoa served by dancing chefs and visit with Santa at the North Pole as you listen to a narration of the classic children’s book, The Polar Express. Palestine also hosts other holiday festivities all month long - it’s like a Hallmark movie in real life! Palestine, TX, USA
How many of these best small towns in Texas have you visited? Which ones are still on your bucket list? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Facebook/Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
The town of Canyon may be small, but it’s home to the second-largest canyon in the entire United States. Palo Duro Canyon is an iconic Texas landmark worth visiting year-round, but it’s especially beautiful covered in a fresh dusting of snow.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA
Flickr/Mobilus In Mobili
With a population of just 3 (!!), Luckenbach has the honor of being the smallest town in Texas. Located about 13 miles from Fredericksburg, this tiny blip on the map is a world-famous country music venue, thanks in large part to Waylong Jennings’s hit song “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love).” The town hosts its annual Hug-In and Valentine Ball every February, so it’s the perfect time to visit.
Luckenbach, TX 78624, USA
Facebook/Texas-Tulips
March is peak season at Texas Tulips, a sprawling u-pick tulip farm in the small town of Pilot Point with over a dozen varieties to choose from.
Pilot Point, TX 76258, USA
Facebook/Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival
If you’ve never visited Ennis during wildflower season, consider this your sign. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival is held each April, featuring over 40 miles of mapped routes lined with eye-popping bluebonnet fields.
Ennis, TX, USA
Flickr/Jim Howard
The charming Hill Country town of Marble Falls is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful springtime weather. Pick your own berries at Sweet Berry Farm, do a bit of hiking at Balcones Canyonlands NWR, then savor a slice of homemade pie at Blue Bonnet Cafe.
Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Renelibrary
Oh, sweet summertime. Stockdale is home to one of the oldest watermelon festivals in Texas, the Stockdale Watermelon Jubilee. It’s held on the third weekend in June every year, and we can’t imagine a better way to welcome the season.
Stockdale, TX 78160, USA
benedek / E+ via Getty Images
Texas summers can be brutal, so finding opportunities to cool off is key. One place you can do that is Jacob’s Well, located in the small town of Wimberley. After taking a dip in the spring-fed waters, perhaps you’ll go ziplining or do a bit of antique shopping.
Wimberley, TX, USA
Facebook/Fall Creek Vineyards and Winery
Grape harvest season is late August-early September, so a visit to Fall Creek Vineyards in Tow is warranted. Situated on 400 acres, Fall Creek is the oldest vineyard & winery operation in the Texas Hill Country, boasting scenic views and award-winning wines.
Tow, TX 78672, USA
The tiny town of West is the place to be for Labor Day Weekend, as that is when the annual Westfest is held. This vibrant celebration of the town’s rich Czech heritage features music, dancing, and lots of delicious food. Be sure to explore while you’re here - the architecture will make you think you’ve been transported to a quaint Eastern European village!
West, TX 76691, USA
Oktoberfest October 6-8, 2023 Fredericksburg Texas
One of the most authentic Oktoberfests in Texas is held in beloved Fredericksburg, and it’s a can’t-miss event full of food, games, dancing, and music to celebrate the town’s German heritage.
Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
Facebook/Lost Maples State Natural Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife
November is peak leaf-peeping season in Texas - especially at Lost Maples State Natural Area. Take a gorgeous fall hike, then pop on over to Love Creek Orchards for a slice of fresh-baked apple pie.
Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA
Facebook/Visit Palestine, Texas
It isn’t Christmas in Texas until you take a ride on the Texas State Railroad’s Polar Express train. Drink hot cocoa served by dancing chefs and visit with Santa at the North Pole as you listen to a narration of the classic children’s book, The Polar Express. Palestine also hosts other holiday festivities all month long - it’s like a Hallmark movie in real life!
Palestine, TX, USA
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