There was a time when most Texans lived “over yonder,” but now, 85 percent reside in cities, while only 15 percent live in rural areas, as per the Texas Demographic Center. This shift is driven by booming job markets, cultural diversity, and the fast-paced allure of urban living. Yet, as city life expands, many Texans find themselves longing for the simplicity and breathing room of the countryside.
Here, we highlight 10 small towns (under 20,000 population) thriving through reinvention and revitalization, offering a perfect escape and a chance for discovery. These charming spots reveal Texas’ rich history, warm hospitality, and unique lifestyle. Ready for a road trip? Let’s explore the best small towns in Texas, and consider HomeExchange as a great way to stay while you’re here and beyond.
Top 10 Best Small Towns in Texas
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- New Braunfels, Texas
- Boerne, Texas
- Round Top, Texas
- Port Aransas, Texas
- Grapevine, Texas
- Marathon, Texas
- Johnson City, Texas
- Dripping Springs, Texas
- Brenham, Texas
1. Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg, located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is famous for its wineries and German heritage. The Pioneer Museum showcases settlers’ homesteads and artifacts, while Marktplatz features the Vereins Kirche, a replica of a 19th-century German church. The National Museum of the Pacific War highlights WWII exhibits, including a recreated combat zone.
This charming small town balances Texas’ cowboy culture with chic city living. Main Street is lined with biergartens, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques, and hosts an annual Oktoberfest. With over 100 wineries nearby, it’s a prime spot for wine enthusiasts.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area provides camping, picnicking, hiking, rock climbing, wildlife watching, and cave exploration, making it a top attraction for visitors.
2. New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels, founded in 1845, offers a unique quality of life rooted in German and Hispanic heritage. Spanning 45 square miles, the city’s population is nearing 100,000 and has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and one of the best 50 places to live.
Located at the edge of Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels sits between San Antonio and Austin along the I-35 corridor. The Comal and Guadalupe rivers flow through the city, which is near Canyon Lake’s boating and fishing. The city boasts 41 parks, including the 62-acre Fischer Park and 51-acre Landa Park.
Attractions include the famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark, historic Gruene Hall, Naeglin’s Bakery, Wurstfest, Natural Bridge Caverns, and the Texas Ski Ranch. The Comal ISD and New Braunfels ISD provide education, and the city offers diverse business opportunities.
New Braunfels is a cultural haven with water activities, scenic views, and culinary delights, making it ideal for a weekend getaway. Visitors can enjoy river tubing, historic sites, and annual events like Wurstfest, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
3. Boerne, Texas
Boerne, nestled in the Texas Hill Country, captures the region’s spirit with its rolling hills, oak forests, and pristine rivers. Boerne was founded in 1849 by German immigrants near Cibolo Creek, and its historic buildings, like the Kuhlmann-King Historical House and the courthouse from 1870, represent its rich past. The town was renamed Ludwig Börne in honor of the German poet after it had been known as Tusculum.
Discover the town’s beauty by traveling the Hill Country Mile, which is Main Street, or “Hauptstrasse,” lined with restaurants, boutiques, and antique stores. The paths at Cibolo Nature Center, the water sports at Boerne City Lake Park, and nearby caverns like Cascade Caverns are all great for outdoor enthusiasts. Boerne is the ideal retreat with lots of charm, history, and adventure, yet it’s only a short drive from Austin and San Antonio. Come discover why this community is one of the Hill Country’s gems.
4. Round Top, Texas
Round Top, Texas, is a little town with a big-city edge that attracts style forecasters, adventurers, and inquisitive creatives who are looking for design, adventure, and discovery. Located midway between Austin and Houston, this one-square-mile treasure offers amazing views, unique discoveries, and mouthwatering cuisines with a distinct sense of nostalgia.
Round Top is where enchantment flourishes and the commonplace evaporates, whether you’re treasure hunting or just lounging on your porch. It’s easy to get distracted by the twice-yearly antiques fair extravaganza, where you can find all sorts of unexpected treasures, but this town has more to offer than just shopping.
Stop by Royers Round Top Café, a family-run institution since 1987, and enjoy a slice of their famous pies, like the Original Buttermilk Pie or Texas Trash Pie. For a unique experience, the converted silos in Round Top provide a one-of-a-kind glamping opportunity.
5. Port Aransas, Texas
Port Aransas, Texas, is on Mustang Island along the Texas coast. It is famous for its Gulf of Mexico beaches and fish-filled waterways. Roberts Point Park features an observation tower for bay views and dolphin sightings, while the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center offers a boardwalk over alligator-inhabited wetlands, home to birds like roseate spoonbills. Boats at Fisherman’s Wharf can take you to the secluded San José Island.
We’d be remiss to overlook Texas’ Gulf Coast, and Port Aransas—a town of around 4,000—sits on Mustang Island, a barrier island just off the mainland. Famous for its nearby fishing, it’s a haven for boating charters and seafood restaurants that offer the freshest catches, just steps away from the marina. Whether you’re strolling or using the town’s preferred mode of transportation—golf carts—you’re never far from the beach.
Don’t miss the fun at the Port Aransas Community Theatre, where a comical production brings the wackiness of every family to life with an original story. It’s every father’s nightmare when Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, falls in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. Now, Gomez Addams must keep a secret from his beloved Morticia, leading to a fateful dinner with Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Get your tickets and enjoy the laughs!
6. Grapevine, Texas
Grapevine, Texas, is a city known for its charming restored 19th- and 20th-century buildings, many of which line the historic downtown’s Main Street, where you’ll find restaurants, galleries, and shops. The Cotton Belt Railroad District is a hub of artisans’ workshops, featuring everything from a glass-blowing studio to a blacksmith and a bronze foundry.
If you’re visiting the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Grapevine is the perfect place to make your home base. Located just minutes from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), this city is packed with activities, including outdoor adventures at Lake Grapevine, exploring the bustling historic downtown, and staying at one of the massive resorts that offer a vacation all on their own. True to its name, Grapevine is famous for its wineries and tasting rooms, thanks to the region’s native wild grapes, ensuring great wine and fabulous food are always on the menu.
It’s about impossible to bored in this dreamy town just 30 minutes by car from Dallas. Stroll through winery tasting rooms, enjoy shopping in the historic downtown, or take a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a unique experience aboard authentic 1920s Victorian coaches. If you’re visiting in December, don’t miss the festive Christmas Wine Train. For a family-friendly adventure, plan a visit to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and create lasting memories.
7. Marathon, Texas
Marathon, Texas, is an iconic part of the Big Bend experience, located just 40 miles north of Big Bend National Park. This small town, with a population of 386 residents, with essential amenities like a grocery store, two gas stations, and several restaurants and cafes. Don’t miss on the unique overnight lodging varieties like casitas and cottages.
The town’s centerpiece is the Gage Hotel, a beautifully restored historic property established in 1927, best for unwinding after a day of hiking with amenities such as a grocery store, half a dozen restaurants, cafes, and eateries, we’ve got you covered.
8. Johnson City, Texas
Johnson City is the city with the county seat of Blanco County, Texas, with a population of 1,627 as of the 2020 census. It is founded in 1879 and called after earlier settler James Polk Johnson. It lies in the Texas-German belt region. Johnson City is notable for being the hometown of former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and for hosting one of the largest holiday “lights spectacular” events in the South, featuring over one million twinkling lights across the town square.
In summer, the local peaches are delightful. Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Johnson City is also renowned for its scenic beauty, especially its vibrant wildflowers, including bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes. Founded in 1879, it was named for early settler James Polk Johnson, Sr. Johnson City is part of the Texas-German belt region, nephew to Sam E. Johnson.
9. Dripping Springs, Texas
Dripping Springs, just 30 minutes southwest of Austin in the Texas Hill Country, is thriving as a haven for remote workers and creatives. As part of Hays County, one of the fastest-growing in the nation, the area offers a blend of natural beauty and rural charm while staying connected to Austin’s vibrant scene.
Nearby Hamilton Pool Preserve, with its stunning 50-foot waterfall, draws visitors, but Dripping Springs also shines with attractions such as an award-winning olive orchard, authentic barbecue, the Mercer Dancehall for two-stepping, and the Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room.
10. Brenham, Texas
Brenham, Texas, located midway between Austin and Houston, is known for its rich history and charm. Home to Blue Bell Creameries since 1911, visitors can tour the factory and enjoy a scoop of their famous ice cream.
This small town boasts historic buildings from the 1860s, and attractions like the vintage wooden carousel at Fireman’s Park. Stop by a local brewery or winery, and if you visit during bluebonnet season, you’ll be treated to breathtaking fields of wildflowers. Brenham also celebrates its German roots with the annual Maifest festival each May.
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Bottom Line:
These charming towns provide a glimpse into the state’s rich history, warm hospitality with unique way of life. Here we will explore ten of the best small towns each with something unique that makes them truly special to visit in Texas.
