On the Road

Blue Bell Ice Cream is just the start in artsy, barbecue-loving Brenham

Save the date for the Texas Arts and Music Festival in October.

Photo courtesy of Visit Brenham

About halfway between Houston and Austin lies the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream: Brenham. It’s where the frozen stuff — and a favorite of all Texans — began in 1907.

You should definitely swing by the Blue Bell Creamery and production facility while you’re there and grab a scoop or two, but there’s also more to love about Brenham.

Check out this sweet list of additional things to do.

Eat dessert first, then dinner
After that ice cream, save some room for the main dish. The Brenham Barbecue Trail includes six stops, including local favorite LJ’s BBQ that serves up perfectly smoked meats and legit sides. Pro tip: Top their famous mac & cheese with the brisket.

Truth Barbeque is another award-winning, can’t-miss beacon of Texas barbecue. At Pioneer Smokehouse, a family-friendly place with a huge patio, order the Hobo Nachos loaded with chopped brisket, queso, and tons of other goodness.

Nathan’s BBQ has been serving up old-school Texas barbecue for decades — look for live music there on Friday nights. Pitmaster and owner Cody Stelter of Cody’s Pit Stop is a fifth-generation Texan. He only fires up the ’cue on Sundays, though, so plan ahead.

Last but not least on the smoked tour is Chappell Hill Bakery & Deli. In addition to incredible barbecue, they have other Southern comfort faves and are famous for their kolaches, too.

For a break from barbecue, Las Americas Latin Cuisine is a family-owned eatery with a different kind of spice in their delicious, traditional-meets-modern Latin flavors.

Ninety-Six West is artsy and eclectic, with a tapas-fusion menu in an upscale-chic setting. You’ll love the traditional Italian cuisine and extensive wine list at Volare, charmingly located in a converted Colonial "salt box" house with a beautiful outdoor garden area.

For brunch, look no further than The Tilted Windmill, an eclectic cafe with an impressive coffee selection and bakery, too.

Grab a bevvie or two
Brenham is also home to some must-sips, including Windy Winery, which produces classic varietals and unique blends and has a tasting room with breathtaking views.

For Texas-casual flavor right in historic downtown, Wine Bar Brenham is your go-to spot — they’re known for their “massive mimosas.”

Beer aficionados will love Brazos Valley Brewing Company, which embraces the essence and flavor of Texas with its small-town vibes and big, bold beers. They also host events like Trivia Thursdays, yoga on Saturdays, and live music on the weekends.

Go on a culture kick
The mural scene is popping in Brenham, with 20 large-scale and miniature works gracing exterior walls all across downtown. While you’re on the Brenham Art Walk, don’t miss local studios and galleries full of pieces from local talent.

For performing arts, Unity Theatre is an intimate, 125-seat theater in a restored downtown warehouse that presents a variety of plays and musicals throughout the year.

You can find concerts, plays, and more at The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre, which was originally built in 1925 in the grand architectural style of Beaux-Arts Classical Revival.

And save the date for the Texas Arts and Music Festival in October, hosted near the historic downtown square.

To discover more about the home of Blue Bell and plan your next cool adventure, head to Visit Brenham.

LJ’s BBQ that serves up perfectly smoked meats and legit sides.

Photo courtesy of Visit Brenham

LJ’s BBQ that serves up perfectly smoked meats and legit sides.

vacation texas promoted barbecue

Best of the South

Southern Living lauds Hill Country hotspot among best towns in the South

Photo by Steve Rawls

undefined

The famous German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg is getting the spotlight as a must-visit destination in Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards.

Fredericksburg claimed the coveted No. 3 spot in the publication's ranking of the Best Small Towns in the South.

The annual awards are determined through third-party online surveys of Southern Living consumers from July 9 to September 9, 2025. Over 17,000 respondents rated their favorite places across the South, the report said.

The top two best small Southern towns were St. Augustine, Florida (No. 1), and St. Simons Island/Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 2).

Specifically, Southern Living gave a nod to Fredericksburg's growth and the recent addition of The Albert Hotel, which opened in 2025. The Albert Hotel was ranked the 10th best new hotel in 2026.

"The city’s premier full-service luxury hotel revives a cluster of 19th-century landmarks, from a historic saloon to a former pharmacy that is now a cafe, deli, and artisan market," the report said. "Alongside the 105 minimalist guest rooms, a holistic spa and a limestone pool provide moments of quiet relaxation."

We all need a relaxing day poolside at the Albert Hotel pool oasis.Photo by Chase Daniels

As the Fredericksburg area grows, Southern Living said, it still maintains its cozy, small-town feel.

"Fredericksburg still wears its German heritage on its sleeve, evident throughout Main Street architecture and a lively cluster of biergartens and long-running seasonal festivals," Southern Living wrote. "Wine lovers will feel particularly at home thanks to more than 100 wineries and tasting rooms scattered throughout town and the surrounding countryside."

It's no wonder Southern Living decided to locate its 2026 Idea House there.

Popular events like the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival and locally focused programs like the Texas Hill Country Wineries wine passports draw in crowds from all parts of Texas. The town is about a five-hour drive from downtown Dallas, which makes it a great weekend or spring break escape. North Texas travelers might even spot small patches of bluebonnets during their road trip through the Hill Country.

No matter which route you take, travelers should make a pit stop through another small Texas town called Marble Falls, which is home to one of Southern Living's most legendary Southern restaurants: Blue Bonnet Cafe. According to the report, its longstanding staff members embody the idea of "southern hospitality" every day.

"There’s one real reason the Blue Bonnet Cafe is so widely respected: The folks who run the place have been holding this small-town diner to high standards for years," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe opened in 1929 and was later bought by the Kemper family in 1981, who still own and operate it today. Southern Living recommends ordering one of the blue plate specials, and a slice of pie is a mandatory treat.

"With 15 options — from luxuriously creamy to bright and fruity — you’re guaranteed to find one you’ll love," the report said.

Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, Texas Ordering a slice of pie is a requirement, not a suggestion.Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX/Facebook

The only other Texas destination to earn recognition in Southern Living's annual awards was the iconic Franklin Barbecue in Austin, which was crowned the best barbecue joint in Texas by the publication's readers.

"Fans from around the world queue up for hours to experience the craftsmanship that has made Franklin a barbecue celebrity," the report said. "Flawless prime-grade brisket with a sweet, tangy glaze is still the showstopper here, and it’s accompanied by the quintessential Central Texas lineup of pork ribs, turkey, and jalapeño-Cheddar sausage."

travel southern living awards fredericksburg marble falls barbecue austin