Discover the rural charm of Texas: Towns to visit and fall in love with a destination little known to tourists. What do you think?
Texas is one of the states with the largest Spanish-speaking population in the United States, and its history dates back to colonial times. So let's discover together these charming towns that are less well-known to foreign travelers.
Texas
First, let's say that Texas is one of the states that make up the United States. Its capital is Austin, but the most populated and well-known city is Houston. It has a long border with Mexico and it seems that It is the second most populated state in the country.
It is a state with a turbulent history: first the Spanish, then the French, then the Mexicans, and then the annexation by the United States. The discovery of oil At the beginning of the 20th century, it helped its development and all that history can be seen in the towns we are going to visit today.
Fredericksburg
Our list of towns to visit in Texas It is headed by one of the most picturesque and famous towns: Fredericksburg.
It is a village founded in 1846, named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Its early German residents began calling it Fredericksburg. It is near San Antonio, 110 kilometers, and 126 kilometers from Austin, and Texan German was a dialect spoken by those German settlers who did not want to speak English.
They live here 12 a thousand people, and like every town with German roots worth its salt, it has its Oktoberfest with music, food and lots of beer. But it's not the only festival, there's also the Hill County Film Festival, of independent cinema, the Peach Jamboree and Rodeo, and the activities typical of the Christmas holidays.
During all these events, the town is a great place to visit. Afterward, on Main Street, you can stroll among shops and restaurants where the food is excellent and accompanied by local wines. In this town, the surroundings are already There are more than 50 wineries What can you visit.
Also on that street is the Pioneer Museum, With all the information about the German settlers, the National Museum of the Pacific War, and Lyndon B. Johnson National and State Historical Parks, home of one of the American presidents.
Finally, the landscapes of this town in Texas are beautiful, especially with the spring flowers. You can take advantage and visit the America's largest wildflower farms, Wildseed Farms, or biking through Enchanted Rock State Natural Area with its stunning views.
Goods
Marfa is a town founded in the early 1880s, as a stop to refill water. It's that Marfa is in the desert, between the Davies Mountains and Big Bend National Park.
The name honors a character from Jules Verne's novel "Michael Strogoff," and today it is a destination that attracts art-loving touristsWhy? In the 70s, minimalist artist Donald Judd moved from New York and set up a studio for his enormous works.
After his death in 1994, a couple of foundations were created to preserve his legacy, and that's why travelers from all over the world continue to come here. It's also true that other artists later moved here and even An arts festival is organized annually.
Luckenbach
We continue with the rural charm of Texas and it's the turn of Luckenbach, a small town just 19 kilometers from Fredericksburg and yes, also has German heritage.
In the 60s it almost disappeared due to the lack of inhabitants, but thanks to music festivals has remained afloat, without losing even today, airs of ghost townFrom its earlier years, it retains a post office, a general store, and a dance hall, which has recently been joined by a modern souvenir shop.
Be careful not to go in the summer, as it's very hot and humid, but if you like music, you can go any weekend, as there's live music. And if you play an instrument yourself, on Sundays, anyone can play with anyone else, and it's a really fun time.
Poteet
Poteet is the birthplace of one of the Most famous country musicians: George Strait. Also because it has long been the headquarters of the Strawberry Festival because this fruit is grown here.
Poteet is 48 kilometers south of downtown San Antonio, in Atascosa County. It has a history dating back to the late 19th century when Francis Marion Poteet purchased this land with money he had made in the California gold mines.
Some time later, Henry Mumme bought the land at Poteet and it seems that he was the one who introduced the cultivation of strawberries at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, Poteet is often referred to as the strawberry capital of Texas.
This 2025 the festival took place between April 10 and 13.
Jefferson
This town in Texas It was founded in 1841 on lands that formerly belonged to the Caddo Indians.
The people It was one of the most important ports in Texas in the 19th century, as it allowed navigation to St. Louis and New Orleans via the Mississippi and Red Rivers. Its population peaked after the Civil War.
But when, with the invention of nitroglycerin, he blew up a natural dam that complicated river navigation, the channel was freed, all traffic was disrupted, and Jefferson lost popularity and inhabitants.
His story leaves a lot of historical sites: There are more than 100. Including mansions and pre-Civil War houses, carriage rides, museums (one from the movie gone With the Wind), walks organized by heritage lovers and much more.
West
The United States is a country of immigrants, and just as there were German immigrants founding Frederickburg, we have Czech immigrants in the village of West. So on our list of Discover the rural charm of Texas: Towns to visit It's the turn of another small town of immigrants.
The first settlers arrived in the mid-19th century, ranchers, cotton, wheat and sorghum farmersThey grew up around a natural spring, Bold Springs, and within two or three decades the town already had a church, a blacksmith shop, and a post office.
Later, a railway branch would arrive, bringing prosperity. It was then that Czech immigrants arrived, buying very good land and opening businesses with more European culture. Today there is a festival, the WestFest, which celebrates Czech heritage.
You may recall that in 2013, a fertilizer plant exploded with the power of a 2 magnitude earthquake, killing many people.
Well, these are the ones Most popular towns in Texas for day trips from San Antonio or AustinYou probably didn't know them. They don't appear much in Hollywood movies, the main window through which we experience the United States. But if you like renting a car and exploring, then take note of this list.