Stay a While

The hip midcentury modern hotel that's hiding out in East Texas

Of all the things you might expect to find in East Texas, a midcentury modern boutique hotel is probably not one of them. And yet Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, is home to The Fredonia Hotel, a charming gem of a getaway that rolls out the welcome mat for locals and visitors alike.

Part of what makes The Fredonia Hotel so unique is its origin story. It was born a community-owned hotel, financed by the citizens of Nacogdoches who in turn got to select everything from the color of the brick to the hotel's name (four-year-old Susan McKinney proposed the winner). Hotel Fredonia opened its doors on April 1, 1955, and between 1955 and 1967 it was believed to be the most successful community-owned hotel in the nation.

Named for the Fredonia Rebellion of 1826, when Haden Edwards and a group of settlers declared Nacogdoches independent from Mexico, the new hotel boasted a "modern contemporary-styled hotel building" which was entirely air-conditioned and featured 100 rooms, conference facilities for 600, a patio, and a kidney-shaped heated pool surrounded by a semi-circle of cabana suites.

After decades of structural changes and ownership transfers, The Fredonia Hotel was purchased in 2016 by local business owners Richard and Barbara Dewitt. The couple vowed to bring the historic property back to life, and after a $18 million renovation it officially reopened on June 26, 2017.

Its modern, luxurious aesthetic also preserves several of the hotel's original features. For example, the original hotel's atrium was built around an ancient Catalpa tree, and while the tree eventually had to be cut down it's now honored with a hand-made iron tree in the current atrium.

Two restaurants, a bar, and a boutique are also onsite, making The Fredonia Hotel the town's go-to hot spot. The chic Nine Flags Bar showcases refreshing artisanal cocktails and delicious food amid a trendy atmosphere of Edison lightbulbs and sumptuous leather seats. The 1st City Café is brunch central on the weekends, while The Republic Steakhouse is a world-class dining experience that's unlike anything else offered in the piney woods region. The Shop is a purveyor of exclusive merchandise that ranges from home accessories to gifts for any occasion.

Either stop in along your Texas travels or make a special trip out to The Fredonia Hotel, where you can experience its remarkable history and bright future for yourself.

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For more information about The Fredonia Hotel, please visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

The Fredonia Hotel recently underwent a $18 million renovation.

Photo courtesy of The Fredonia Hotel

The Fredonia Hotel recently underwent a $18 million renovation.

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lets go camping

Llama ranch near Dallas roams onto America's 50 favorite camping spots

Courtesy of Hipcamp

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A family-owned, llama roaming ranch just an hour outside Dallas was just declared one of America's 50 favorite camping spots in 2026.

The field guide was compiled by online marketplace Hipcamp following a review of campsite ratings from users, regional trends, cultural relevance, and a "spirited debate" of Hipcamp experts. Campgrounds were chosen from 35 different states and organized into seven regions: the Pacific Northwest; California and Hawaii; the Southwest; the Mountain West; the Great Plains and Midwest; the Northeast; and the Southeast.

Llama Land Ranch in Tool, Texas was one of nine total campgrounds featured in the Southwest region. The ranch is the perfect place for families to go on core memory-making excursions like meeting the free roaming llamas or watching out for other wildlife like wild boars. The ranch spans 101 acres, and a 50-foot deep creek also flows along the property lines for fishing and swimming.

"The llamas will come to greet you and so will many more things in this wonderful place," the ranch's listing says. "We are conveniently located in a secluded area, but just a short drive from many local conveniences."

The listing also specifies that the pastures are only mowed three times a year and some of the property is on rough terrain, so campers are welcome to bring their own machetes if they want to explore the area thoroughly.

There are 14 sites available for guests to set up camp, with a mix of tent-only, RV/tent, and RV-only sites. The ranch is also very affordable; sites can be booked for as little as $15 per night.

Many reviewers enjoy getting out into the country to reconnect with nature, and many also praise the ranch's owner, Judy, who says the ranch has been in her family since 1987.

"I went with a group of women for an overnight camp at the pond," one reviewer wrote. "It was so beautiful and a much needed break from city life. The host was wonderful and kind. She was also very accommodating to our group."

A second Dallas-Fort Worth-area campground tucked away in Texas' newest state park was also highlighted in the report. Warbler Ridge Campground, located in Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, was the only other Texas representative on the list.

The pet-friendly campground's listing doesn't offer many details, but it says there are 22 RV and tent campsites for visitors, as well as showers, toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. There are activities galore for visitors, including a 68-acre lake for swimming, fishing, and boating, and over 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says campsites at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park start at $13 per night (plus a daily entrance fee) for hike-in primitive sites. Walk-in campsites with water are $15 per night and campsites with electricity are $30 per night.

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