Small-Town Beauty in Texas

Castroville is known as the Little Alsace of Texas with a French heritage. It was founded in the mid-1800s by French settlers from the Alsace region. The stone houses, narrow streets, and preserved historic buildings will make you feel like you're in Europe. To get a touch of France, just come to Texas.

The town is also the "Artichoke Capital of the World."  Visitors can explore the Artichoke Trail, which features various restaurants and farms in the area, highlighting the importance of artichokes in local gastronomy.

The Steinbach Hause Visitor Center offers a look into how Alsatian settlers lived and adapted to South Central Texas.

The Alsatian Festival each April celebrates the region, showcasing their food, music, and dance.

Visitors enjoy Castroville Regional Park for birdwatching, hiking, and picnics by the Medina River.

Luckenbach is located just outside of Fredericksburg and is actually a gathering place.

There is a country song for it where Willie, Waylon, and the boys met. There are wonderful large oak trees.

One of the important buildings is the Luckenbach Dance Hall with live country music performances every day.

It is known for events such as the Luckenbach, Texas, Bull Bash, among others.

The Luckenbach Texas General Store was established in 1849 and carries regional goods and souvenirs.

Marfa is a remote desert town that is an international arts destination that features large-scale contemporary installations. The Chianti Foundation places art in former military buildings and across open land.

Enjoy the art museums like Ballroom Marfa and the Ayn Foundation.

Visit the popular cafe, the Sentinel Marfa with local flavors.

Stay and visit the Big Bend National Park, a natural paradise with canyons beneath a great big open sky.

Round Top in the rural heart of Texas has around 100 residents. It is surrounded by rolling hills and wildflower fields. Visitors enjoy the historic Main Street with historic buildings, galleries, and boutique shops.

The town is known for its antique fair, The Original Round Top Antiques Fair. The annual event transforms barns, tents, and open pastures into sprawling showrooms filled with furniture, folk art, architectural salvage, and vintage décor.

At Royers Round Top Cafe, you can enjoy hearty Texas comfort food.

Salado in Central Texas has long been more of a stopover place than a destination for Native Americans, early Texas settlers, and 19th-century travelers. The downtown area is filled with antiques and art galleries.

The town has Scottish heritage and hosts the annual Scottish Gathering and Highland Games with traditional music.

Visitors enjoy stopping at Salado Glassworks to see the glassblowers at work.

There are winding trails through parks and creekside areas. Take the time to see Sirena, the Indian Mermaid Statue.

The small West Texas town of Valentine attracts attention every February 14th. The town was founded on Valentine’s Day and has an annual Valentine’s Day celebration with music, dancing, and regional cuisine. Be prepared to see Cupids flitting about.

The historic Old Mercantile Building is the focal point for festival activities.

Visitors send cards to loved ones at the Valentine Post Office, established in 1886, which offers the Valentine-themed special cancellation mark.

Nearby is the Prada Marfa art installation, standing empty as a surreal landmark in the desert.

Wimberly in the Texas Hill Country grew out of a 19th-century trading post. It is a thriving hub for nature lovers and artists. The town has art galleries, craft shops, and seasonal markets.

Wimberley Glassworks offers glassblowing demonstrations.

The Emily Ann Theater offers outdoor amphitheater performances and indoor community events.

Commune with nature listening to the water flowing in the Bianco River and in Cypress Creek.

Among the highlights in town is Blue Hole Regional Park with a spring-fed swimming spot framed by tall cypress trees.

Jacob’s Well Natural Area had many trails for hikers, while swimmers can cool off in the deep, artesian spring.