Five cool Texas towns: Marfa, Oak Cliff, Brenham, Smithville, Gonzales

Click on the town name for the full story.

1. 1. Marfa
      
      The land and the light and a sense of space unlike anywhere else.

 

2. Oak Cliff

It’s possible to spend a few days in Oak Cliff without ever going into Dallas proper, whose skyline provides a spectacular view to the north. To paraphrase a lyric from Jimmie Dale Gilmore, have you ever seen Dallas from the pool of the Belmont Hotel?

 

3. Gonzales

To Texas history buffs, Gonzales is Paris in the ’20’s.

 

4. Brenham

There’s much more to Brenham than bluebonnets and Blue Bell ice cream, though the former makes Washington County a spectacular springtime drive; and the latter’s creamery is still the favorite stop for tourists.

 

 

5. Smithville

Smithville is fast becoming Austin’s Marfa, a daytrip destination that doesn’t take all day to get there.