The Best Small Towns In Texas For Lone Star Charm

Add these Texan gems to your travel bucket list.

All 270,000 square miles of Texas have plenty of travel appeal. Between the bustling cities to the tiny honky-tonk towns, it'd be nearly impossible to see and do it all—but you can certainly try. Find the Lone Star State's spirit through its charming small towns where friendly smiles and Southern hospitality are still the norms, and you're rarely far away from a Tex-Mex taco or piled-high barbecue sandwich.

While innumerable places and sights are worth visiting, we've rounded up our favorite Texas towns to help make Texas feel smaller. Here are the best small towns in Texas.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Located in the thick of Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg still holds its German heritage with biergartens on its Main Street (which also has plenty of galleries, restaurants, and boutiques for all-day perusing) and an annual Oktoberfest celebration each fall. This part of Texas, known as "wine country," has over 100 wineries and tasting rooms in and outside town for entertainment and education of Texas grapes.

New Braunfels, Texas

Gruene has long been a favorite family destination for Texans for more reasons than one, starting with its position along the Guadalupe River, which is a popular route for floating on rafts and innertubes during warm months. It's also home to the oldest live music dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall, in the historic district near the beloved rustic eatery, the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar. (Tip: Get the chicken-fried steak. It's as authentic as it gets.)

Boerne, Texas

If you're looking for old-fashioned fun, Boerne (pronounced BUR-nee) is where to grab a Coke float and feel transported back in time. Located only about half an hour from San Antonio and less than two hours from Austin, the town is primarily centered around a lively downtown district known as the Hill Country Mile, which consists of the Main Street drag lined with dozens of antique shops and specialty stores, including The Dienger Trading Co.

Round Top, Texas

It's easy to get distracted by the twice-yearly antiques fair extravaganza in Round Top, where you can score all sorts of unexpected goodies, but this town has much more to it than just shopping. Visit Royer Round Top Café, a family-run institution since 1987, for a slice of their famed pies, such as the Original Buttermilk Pie and the Texas Trash Pie. The converted silos available are host to a glamping experience.

Port Aransas, Texas

We'd be remiss to ignore Texas' Gulf Coast, and Port Aransas—a town of around 4,000—can be found on Mustang Island, a barrier island just off the mainland. Known for the abundant fishing nearby, it's a treasure trove of boating charters and fresher-than-fresh seafood restaurants steps from the marina. You're rarely ever further than a quick walk or golf-carting traipse away from the beach. (Golf carts are the main transportation around town.)

Grapevine, Texas

It's almost impossible to get bored in this nostalgic town just 30 minutes from Dallas via car. You'll find winery tasting rooms and plenty of shopping in the historic downtown. Take a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, a unique experience on authentic 1920s Victorian coaches, or plan a visit to the kid-friendly LEGOLAND Discovery Center. You can even catch a Christmas Wine Train in December.

Marathon, Texas

This West Texas town is just a short distance from Big Bend National Park, one of the country's most majestic natural areas. Back in town, Marathon's center of gravity is undoubtedly the Gage Hotel, a carefully restored historic property opened in 1927 by wealthy local rancher Alfred Gage, which is the perfect spot to wind down after a day of hiking.

Johnson City, Texas

Johnson City usually rings a bell in Texans' minds for two reasons. First, it's the hometown of former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Secondly, it is famous for throwing one of the biggest "lights spectacular" holiday events in the South—with over one million twinkling lights draped across the town square and streets for visitors to stroll through or drive through with hot chocolate. To top it off, come summertime, the local peaches are delightful.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.