Albany, Texas
From the Folks in Albany:
"If you're looking for a getaway that combines rare, historical atmosphere
with no hassles, regular cultural events, friendly people, good food,
a great museum, remarkable shopping, a beautifully restored Main Street,
inspiring war memorials, a hunter's paradise, a variety of accommodations,
and much more, load up the whole family or just your sweetie and head
to Albany."
Pop: 1,759
Nearby: Abilene: 31 miles; Ft. Worth:
115 miles
Profile: Albany, a Preserve America Community
and the oldest town on the Northwest Frontier, is a cultural gem where
restored historical buildings house shops, restaurants, theaters and
much more. A great vacation destination, Albany's citizens are Texas
friendly, and the area offers unsurpassed big game and bird hunting.
To Do: Albany is home to
Fort
Griffin Fandangle, a theatrical take on the history of Albany
and the oldest outdoor musical in Texas. The Fort Griffin Historical
Site offers hunting, fishing, camping, and guided nature tours. Local
ranches, theaters, galleries, and shops fill Main Street. Be sure
to go directly to jail:
The
Old Jail Art Center is the primary cultural resource for the region,
providing visual art, performing art, and local history resources
for residents and visitors.
Restaurants::
Beehive
Restaurant, Ice House Restaurant,
Vintage Vanilla, Prairie Star
You’re Invited: Shackelford
County Youth and Livestock Showe, Jan.; Classic Car Show and Chuckwagon
Breakfast, April; Polo on the Prairie, May;
Fort
Griffin Fandangle, June; Old Time Albany Chistmas Parade, Nov.;
Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec.
Bastrop,
Texas
From the Folks in Bastrop:
“The people and the history of Bastrop spin an incredible invitation
to come, enjoy and stay as long as you like. Whether you’re here to
splash your feet in the Colorado River or to attend an informative
training program in the Riverside Conference Center, just give us
your time and we’ll capture your heart.”
Pop: 8,378
Nearby: Austin: 35 miles
Profile: Nestled on the banks of the Colorado
River, Bastrop is a unique blend of old and new. With over 130 historic
homes, this central Texas community has been named a
Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
To Do:Home of the
Lost
Pines, Bastrop features three 18-hole golf courses within just
a few miles of downtown, fishing at Lake Bastrop, outdoor adventures
at Bastrop and
Buescher
State Parks, and one of the oldest opera houses in Texas. Gift
and antique stores adorn Main Street. Historical homes add charm and
character.
Restaurants: Sample some of Bastrop's
best from
Green
Chai Café,
Cedar’s
Mediterranean Grill, Deli Depot,
The
Grace Miller, Anita’s Mexican Restaurant,
Hasler
Brothers Steak House,
Maxine’s
on Main,
Roadhouse,
Amber’s Wildflower Café, Ramos Restaurant, and
Cindy’s
Downtown.
You’re Invited: Pet
and Pal Parade, July 3; Patriotic Festival with fireworks, July
3; Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo, Aug. 5-7;
Art
on the Green, Oct. 16.
Brownfield,
Texas
From the Folks in Brownfield:
"Brownfield: A great place to grow! Come join us. We would love to
share Brownfield’s hometown friendliness with you. We invite you to
eat and stay with us! Enjoy our Harvest Festival activities during
the same week as Restaurant Round-Up."
Pop: 8,947
Nearby: Lubbock: 36 miles; on the way
to Ruidoso or Dallas
Profile: Located on the South Plains between
Lubbock and Odessa, Brownfield is the county seat and principal commercial
center of Terry County. Part of the world’s largest cotton patch,
Terry County also has the largest concentration of grapes in Texas
with 700-800 acres (and growing) of the state’s 2,500 total. Peanuts
are another specialty crop with four varieties, Virginia, Spanish,
Runner and Valencia. Terry County peanuts, irrigated for improved
quality, are shipped all over the U.S. and the world.
To Do:Parks, museums, and the Brownfield
Aquatic Center with double slide, miniature lazy river, diving board,
zero walk-in and lanes, plus the nearby Buddy Holly Center (Lubbock)
with interactive exhibits and programs on Texas Music and contemporary
visual arts. Terry County is home of the First Quilt Trail in Texas.
Restaurants: Cub Drive In, H-Bar-C, JB's
Steaks, and more small town fare
You’re Invited: Terry County Sheriff's
Posse Rodeo, Jul. 23-24; Terry County Harvest Festival, Oct. 2; Terry
County Fly-In, Oct. 9.
Coleman,
Texas
From the Folks in Coleman
County: "Coleman is a progressive West Texas town that
has not lost its small-town appeal and lives up to its name. Coleman,
'life at a different pace' where living comes naturally."
Pop: 4,631
Nearby: Brownwood: 28 miles; Abilene:
48 miles; San Angelo: 75 miles
Profile: With a rich history and many
small-town attractions, Coleman is Texas at its most authentic. Named
for an aide-de-camp to General Sam Houston, Coleman County is located
in the Panhandle Plains with rolling, grassy plains and wide bottom
lands. The “Hunting Capital of Texas”, the area is home to ample populations
of deer, turkey, ducks, dove and quail.
To Do: Coleman's City Park, located on
the scenic banks of Hord's Creek, offers picnic facilities under majestic
shade trees, tennis courts, a recreation center with an Olympic-size
swimming pool and playground equipment.
The
Coleman Museum, located inside Heritage Hall, displays items from
the area’s historic past.
Restaurants: Owl
Drug Fountain,
Sara’s
Neighborhood, The Way Station
You’re Invited: Coleman
Jr. Rodeo, Aug.; Wildlife Dove Fest, Sept.; Christmas Parade,
Dec.;
"Hot,
Hot, Hot… Sauce, That Is" Contest and Rodeo Parade, June.
Comanche,
Texas
From the Folks in Comanche:
"Experience captivating Comanche through our eclectic cuisine, fine
wines, great hunting and even better shopping. Comanche is a progressive
community with a cherished past."
Pop: 4,482
Nearby: Abilene: 80 miles; Ft. Worth:
120 miles; Austin: 150 miles.
Profile: Nestled in the hills of Central
Texas, Comanche boasts of antique and gift shops, great restaurants,
an art gallery, museum, library, Texas-grown pecans and more, with
more than 120 rooms available for overnight stays.
To Do: Browse antique shops, enjoy great
cuisine and the revitalized historic downtown.
Comanche
County Museum is a great attraction for families. Listen for
the train at the Comanche Depot, placed on
Texas’ Most Endangered Places list in 2007. Show off your golf
skills at the beautiful 18-hole course overlooking Lake Proctor where
you’ll also find great fishing, camping and water sports. Hunting
is terrific for deer, quail, dove and wild turkey.
Restaurants: CJ’s Diner, Comanche Trails
BBQ,
Cook’s
Fish Barn, The Plunder House, Starbeau’s, Taqueria Los Juanes,
Wooden
Spoons.
You’re Invited: Barnie McBee North
Central Texas Regional State Championship BBQ Cook-off, Sept.;
Comanche
County Pow-wow, Sept.; Deer Hunter Chili Supper, Nov.; Cora’s
Christmas, Dec., all within 10 miles.