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The Lone Star State is among the top ten to visit in the US, attracting millions year-round. But it's also the Cowboy State, where everything seems bigger, from the vast deserts in the west to the sprawling heartland and the Gulf Coast. Away from the huge airports and hubs like Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, the charming towns feel even smaller, with family-friendly attractions that are poetic and uncongested.

Often lost within scenery like Wimberley or remote like Alpine, each captivates with unique culture, embodying the Texan spirit and its own larger-than-life personality. There's also plenty of opportunity to find relaxation, but what are the most relaxing towns? Minutes from Austin, Dripping Springs is surrounded by family wineries, while Terlingua is perfect for those who want to appreciate the freedom in the desert.

Alpine

Boasting an unusual name in the desert landscape of West Texas, Alpine is a former stop along the Southern Pacific Railroad, founded in 1882, and turned into a hub of activity and trade. Home to just over 6,000, the largest town in the sparsely populated Brewster County feels like a real respite amid ranchlands. The Museum of the Big Bend is an impressive red-bricked building, while Sul Ross State University gives the town a lively feel as a cultural outpost since 1917. Relax at Holland Hotel, a blend of Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial style from 1928, because there's plentiful adventure around the peaceful town with mountain views.

Bursting with outdoor charisma, you can explore via scenic drives and local ranch visits, like Wassermann Wranch, Mt. Livermore to the northwest, and nightly stargazing. It is just 25 minutes north to the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, a hiking area. Fort Davis National Historic Site, a frontier military post from 1854 to 1891, has a visitor center and four miles of trails. Stop by the popular La Casita, dishing out traditional Mexican plates in a simple, festive space with a rustic covered patio. The town's annual cowboy poetry gathering adds another layer to its unique personality in the quiet expanse of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Dripping Springs

As Austin's western suburb, Dripping Springs is one of the more popular small towns to visit, often referred to as the "Gateway to the Hill Country." Settled in the 1850s amid the springs and fertile soils, it was named after dripping water from a limestone ledge into a small stream. The iconic Hamilton Pool Preserve features emerald waters, a limestone grotto, and a waterfall from a collapsed underground river thousands of years ago鈥攐ne of the state's most tranquil places. From lush, spring-fed creeks to the Wildflower Spring Market, afternoon teas, and spiritual ranch retreats, it is perfect for those who dream of relaxation. The cottages along Alexander at Creek Road exude a rural vibe that takes your mind far from the city. Pick up a gift from Vintage Soul or Sacred Moon Herbs.

Just 35 minutes away from the capital, it's an easy day trip to exchange skyscrapers for rolling hills and oak groves, bird-viewing stations, and historical Mercer Street with buildings from between 1870 and 1940. The original Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead displays early pioneering life with artifacts plus gardens. Bursting with bakeries, eclectic artisan and vintage boutiques, and unique caf茅s, stop by Le Muse Coffee with a baked good from Drippin Donuts and hit the moderate under-two-mile Upper River Trail. From Charro Ranch Park to Reimers Ranch Park, the area is filled with wonderful adventures. You can unwind at some of the surrounding family wineries, like Duchman Family Winery, or really relax at Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room after a tour.

Granbury

Tucked into the snakelike Granbury Lake, this small town is a retreat for the soul, dripping with Old Texas charm you've been dreaming about. The natural barrier and the historic feel take you far from the city, mind and body. There's nothing like a beach scene in central Texas and one of the state's best: Granbury City Beach Park draws the active type and loungers for swimming, sand volleyball, and a splash pad along the soft sands. After soaking up some sunny vibes, stretch your legs on a stroll along the scenic pier or to Acton State Historic Site with peaceful birdwatching trails through prairies and wetlands. Shanley Park is just a hop to dive into the well-preserved Victorian-era downtown.

骋谤补苍产耻谤测鈥檚 historic square, on the National Register of Historic Places, is dominated by the Hood County Courthouse. Find a cozy cafe along Pearl Street near Langdon Center Concert Hall and Granbury Doll House to relax in the view of this Second Empire architecture. The 1885 Hood County Jail Museum offers tours of cells and the sheriff's quarters, while the Granbury Opera House is a long-time destination for an evening live musical or comedy. From Hunter Park to the serene Squaw Creek Park at sunset, Granbury has an array of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy private lakefront access when you catch your siestas at the luxurious Inn on Lake Granbury.

Jefferson

Jefferson is a pine-scented nest within the forests of East Texas. Historically, the locals would watch steamboats carrying goods to and from St. Louis and New Orleans via the Mississippi and Red Rivers along the mystical Big Cypress Bayou, lacing south of downtown. Historic Jefferson Hotel offers easy water access next to Jefferson Historical Museum, a former courthouse with exhibits on the town鈥檚 role as a transportation hub before the Civil War. Relax like Ulysses S. Grant once did at the 1858 Excelsior House Hotel, Texas' oldest continuously operating hotel, which also hosted Lady Bird Johnson.

You can time travel through Jefferson鈥檚 golden age along cobblestone streets with antebellum architecture. From Jefferson Antique Mall to Port Jefferson Outpost, a splendid gift shop, local businesses are great to find a one-of-a-kind gift. Commemorate your visit with a quirky selfie by the Bigfoot Statue or the Bicycle Hill. The Museum of Measurement & Time exhibits historical timepieces, surveying equipment, and salt & pepper shakers. Don't miss The Grove on Moseley Street if you're into paranormal activity. Families enjoy Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari to see animals like zebras up close, plus a petting zoo, feedings, and a train ride.

Rockport

Boasting miles of scenic shores, this Texas Gulf Coast town at the tip of the peninsula juts into Copano and Aransas Bays. You'll come seeking relaxation and find yourself waking early to watch the sunrise, explore a wealth of flora and fauna, and wish for another day longer to see the beautiful sunset from Murph Park. Rockport Beach Park is family-friendly, with calm waters, a playground, and a pavilion along the soft sands. When not lounging on the beach, you can fly over the scenery with Vintage Air Tours-Rockport or fish from two fishing piers in town.

Imagine the events that unraveled inside the 1877 Fulton Mansion, now a state historic site and museum in striking architecture with tours and palms. Right across the bridge north, Goose Island State Park boasts the over millennia-old Big Tree. This 44-foot-tall, nearly 90-foot branch-to-branch behemoth is something mystical to reflect your own life by. At 500 years old, it witnessed the first Spanish explorers in the state, surviving countless hurricanes and storms, plus a bombardment during the Civil War. Nearby, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is home to a year-round fleet of turtles and blue crabs, dolphins, and stingrays, plus whooping cranes in the winter.

Port Aransas

Port Aransas, the "Fishing Capital of Texas," welcomes you to relax on island time, indulge in seafood, and sail out with Red Dragon Pirate Cruises. Boasting deep roots in its coastal location, Mustang Island had appeal for the Karankawa Native American tribe and the pirates through the early 19th century. Today, you can explore in the footsteps of the notorious Jean Lafitte along the island trails and look out into the open ocean waters. Explore Mustang Island State Park, with miles of sandy beaches and dune trails, and take a boat tour to Aransas Pass Lighthouse. Though no longer operational, its arrival in 1855 marked the infancy of the permanent settlement.

Home to under 3,500, Port Aransas has kept its small village appeal and soothing island ambiance since the late 1800s. Whether you're in for surfing, swimming, or sunbathing at the six-mile sandy beach, the views induce relaxation in the most frigid. Take up an offer with a local charter to catch your dinner or cast from the long pier. A waterfront rental or hotel guarantees sound sleep to the lullaby of the waves. Next to the rocky Port Aransas South Jetty, I. B. Magee Beach Park offers no-frills seaside camping with amenities. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center features a long wooden boardwalk with birds, alligators, and fish through coastal marshes.

Schulenburg

Schulenburg, German for 鈥渟chool town,鈥� is perfect to visit for families and culture fans seeking rest and relaxation with a prominent European vibe without leaving the country. Often overlooked in Fayette County, rurality rules here with grazing Shorthorns and wildflowers in the open fields. It's an easygoing escape from the city to indulge in food and history, and it has a close-knit community feel in scenic nature between Foster Creek and Middle Creek. The popular pursuits include famous bakeries, like Original Kountry Bakery, barbecue spots, plus nearby breweries and wineries. You can visit two beautiful Painted Churches, the jewels of this area, north and west of town.

Its rich Czech and German heritage is spotlighted during the annual Schulenburg Sausagefest in the spring with a sausage cook-off and live polka music. Unwind at Majek Vineyard & Winery. The annual Schulenburg Festival features three fun-filled days of family entertainment on the first weekend of August. Momma's at Sengelmann Hall is an American restaurant in a historic building, while the Garden Co. Cafe is an elegant garden/home store and plant nursery dishing out eclectic fare, burgers, and pizza. Since education is a top priority here, commemorate your visit in front of the Blinn College campus and pick up a homemade kolache or some fresh pecans for the ride home.

Terlingua

Home to about 180, Terlingua is tiny but growing near the US-Mexico border in the desert of West Texas. About an hour鈥檚 drive from the nearest town of Alpine gives you a sense of how deeply remote it is. The trip rewards you with a real sense of relaxation, away from the major highways, surrounded by vast landscapes of rugged terrain and ghost towns along the desert roads. Living in quiet solitude focused on the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert; it is a real retreat for those looking to exchange the demands of city life for unique desert charm. So don't be surprised to see fellow tourists at DB's Rustic Iron BBQ, plus comfy and luxurious stays like Villa Terlingua.

Just eight miles east, Big Bend National Park is ideal for adventurous hikes, with Emory Peak and camping under the stars. Sotol Vista Overlook is a beautiful place to stretch your legs on a relaxing drive at sunset. Next stop: Mule Ears Viewpoint. Santa Elena Canyon is a scenic canoeing area with 1,500-foot cliffs along the Rio Grande. About 30 minutes west, Big Bend Ranch State Park offers backpacking, biking, and rafting on over 300,000 acres marked with landmarks through desert, mountain, and river wilderness. After a stop by Fandango Dom Rock on the highway, it is just 35 minutes back downtown to dine with locals at the High Sierra Bar & Grill.

Uncertain

This Harrison County town boasts a great spot on the "chest" of the Chinese dragon-like Caddo Lake, plus the dog-friendly Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge at its backdoor. The lake is a recreational heaven, with places like Johnson's Ranch Marina and local charters ready to "take you out for dinner." Having kept its historic appeal, Uncertain is as rustic as they come in remote nature, a place of deep secrets and the haunts of wildlife. Boasting a minimalistic lifestyle in a close-knit community feel, the tourists love it because it feels like a real breather from the city to experience a place where material things hold little meaning.

Plus, the natural environment here is luxurious, with the cypress trees standing in the water at Caddo Lake. For over a century, people would come to reflect, regain a sense of harmony, and attain peace in an other麻豆AVly realm of cathedral cypresses. Visitors enjoy easy access to Caddo Lake State Park, a cypress swamp with camping, boating, and fishing amid local wildlife, like alligators. You can relax at the rough-sided motel with simple decor with modern and clean amenities. Nearby, Big Pines Lodge serves seafood, alligators, and hush puppies. There's truly something mystical behind this oddly shaped lake, or is it half dragon/half stallion?

Wimberley

Wimberley's Blue Hole Regional Park is captivating for those looking to relax, go swimming, kayaking, and picnicking away from the coast. The local Cypress Creek winds its clear, spring-fed waters north, while the Blanco River laces the downtown south. Between Austin and San Antonio, it is an easy escape to start relaxing by some of Texas鈥檚 most beloved natural swimming spots under the shade of ancient cypress trees in a secluded amphitheater of forests, with trails and a picnic area, plus an actual amphitheater. Just north, Jacob's Well Natural Area is home to one of the state's longest underwater caves, plus another natural swimming hole from an artesian spring to dip your feet in after a hot hike or even submerge fully.

The small town's colorful downtown encompasses boutiques, art galleries, and live music. You can visit farms and wineries, play paintball, and browse arts and crafts outdoors at the Eye of the Dog Art Center. Right in town, Old Baldy (Prayer Mountain) offers moderate hiking trails, steep inclines, and 218 steps to the top for a panoramic view over the Hill Country. You can recharge at the popular Leaning Pear or Neon Armadillo, a hidden nook with outdoor seating and "unreal" food. Relax in the comfort of your seat along the scenic Devil's Backbone or some 30 minutes southwest of Canyon Lake. Many enjoy demonstrations at Wimberley Glassworks, plus a chance to pick up a vase, a lampshade, or other glass art decor.

Texas is big, which can be overwhelming rather than relaxing. But relax; these ten inspire a relaxing getaway for all your senses. From scenic hikes to famous bakeries and family-owned wineries, you'll relax with easy-on-the-eyes views and reinvigorating adventures. Jefferson flaunts antebellum architecture and Granbury鈥擵ictorian, plus one of the best beaches in the state.

Relax on the oceanfront in Rockport or on island time in Port Aransas. Uncertain offers to escape the typical into the mystical鈥攂eneath cathedral cypresses. Finding what you crave in Texas is easy once you're equipped. It's a great state for road trips but also easy escapes from the city, like Wimberley, between Austin and San Antonio, to relax by three natural swimming holes in the shade of ancient cypress trees.