Country Roads, Take Me Home…

Nov 12 2026 | By: Olivia Warren

Country Roads, Take Me Home…

Olivia Warren

Photography by Misty

Maybe not to West Virginia, but somewhere in Texas instead (click here to listen to the classic John Denver song while you read). 

While many areas in Texas have steadily grown in population and infrastructure, plenty of small towns remain scattered throughout, offering their own southern charm and flair.

If you blink, you might miss them, and what a shame that would be! With their slower pace of living, tight-knit communities, historic architecture and culture, small towns are a pillar of freedom and opportunity that deserve just as much publicity as major cities.

They offer more potential for business ventures than saturated areas, higher quality of living for residents or future inhabitants, and a world of experiences for those passing through. 

Let’s digitally travel through the state of Texas and explore the more rural communities that fill the gaps between the huge metropolitan areas we all know.

Maybe you’ll find your next vacation destination, or even somewhere to settle down someday! While it would be impossible to list them all, here are a couple in each region worth mentioning. So grab your favorite snack, put on a country playlist, if you fancy, and learn about these quaint and quirky Texas towns. 

North Texas 

Located just north of McKinney, Van Alstyne has a population of around 8,600. Ranked 10th in Texas’s Top 10 Safest Cities, this small town is a wonderful place to live or raise a family. Check out the Railcar Farmers Market for produce or artisanal goodies, pop in to Deans Creek Ranch Farm Shop for local delicacies and trinkets, and even grab a new outfit at Alexa Avenue Boutique. Visit the Van Alstyne Historical Museum to learn about the city’s roots in the Texas railroad system, stop by one of the multiple parks for a stroll or photoshoot, and end the day with a glass of wine (or two, or three…) at Cooley Bay Winery. 

Best known for Dinosaur Valley State Park, with true-to-size dinosaur sculptures and actual tracks left by the creatures that once ruled the Earth (great for all ages), Glen Rose, Texas, has so much to offer. Though 65 miles south of Fort Worth, Glen Rose is still considered North Texas and is worth the trek. Don’t skip the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where you can drive through 1,800 acres of open countryside full of giraffes, zebras, and more, all leaning into your vehicle to sneak a bite of the snacks the park provides. Visit Barnard’s Mill & Art Museum to explore historic architecture and rotating exhibits honoring Texas’s unique culture. Grab a drink at Shoo-Fly Soda Shop and be transported into a different time, or pick up a new read at Rhythm & Co. Books. Glen Rose has so much to explore that one day wouldn’t suffice, so plan accordingly and bring your camera!

East Texas

Sitting about 58 miles southeast of Tyler, Nacogdoches is widely known as “The Oldest Town in Texas” and was founded in 1779! The area is also considered the Garden Capital of Texas and is home to multiple gardens, including the only arboretum on a college campus at Stephen F. Austin University. You can even pick up some flora or greenery to take home at The Plant Shed while you’re there. Though it is a college town, this charming Texas landmark has maintained a close-knit agricultural community, with a booming farmers market and events in historic downtown for every season. With winter approaching, the Nine Flags Christmas Festival is something you don’t want to miss! This is a great area to stop by or grow roots in, seeing that the cost of living is nearly 12% lower than the national average. 

Most notably recognized for its massive monthly flea market known as First Monday Trade Days, Canton, Texas, is situated 60 miles east of Dallas Missed First Monday this month? Don’t worry! Canton has a plethora of unique antique stores and boutiques to check out in the meantime. Shop ‘til you drop at Rustic World, East Texas Pickin’s, Timeless Treasures, and more. Swing by Honey Apple Farm to experience the magic of beekeeping and honey harvesting. Try their mead while you’re at it! Canton is also home to Yesterland Farms, hosting events for both Fall and Christmastime. Bring your family or friends and take full advantage of all the photo opportunities!

South Texas

24 miles northeast of Corpus Christi lies Port Aransas, a coastal resort city with a population of just 3,943. Recognized as the “Fishing Capital of Texas”, Port A contains state parks, sandy beaches, and plenty of adventures to be had. Catch yourself some dinner with a fishing pole, and Virginia’s on the Bay will cook it up for you! Plan a beach day that starts with picking up a kite at Fly It! Port A, and end with a swashbuckling excursion boarding a pirate ship with the Red Dragon Pirate Cruise. Soak up some Texas sun, and all the memories to be made in Port A. 

We may ‘Remember the Alamo’ but tend to forget about Goliad, even though it was just as important in securing Texas’s victory in the Texas Revolution. The area is also recognized as “The Birthplace of Texas Ranching” due to Spanish colonial missionaries and soldiers establishing the region’s first large-scale cattle operations here. Learn more about it all at Goliad State Park & Historic Site. Walk through history, or bike, and witness the roots of Texas. Have lunch at Blue Quail Deli to satiate your hunger as you do it all, or pick up a coffee from Dwell to keep you energized on your journey. 

West Texas

Roughly an hour from Big Bend National Park is a charming town populated by around 6,600 people. It serves as the commercial, cultural, and educational hub for the Big Bend Region, and is home to Sul Ross State University. Stop by ‘The Desk on Hancock Hill’, located on campus. This metal desk a student placed in 1981 offers panoramic views of the town, and notebooks inside for visitors to document their visit. Take plenty of pictures! Forgot to bring something on your trip? Alpine’s got you covered! Check out general stores like Murphy Street Provisions, a second-hand store such as Alpine Trading Company, or a goods store like Blue Water Natural Foods for anything you could need. For those who value novelty, stop by the candy shop Gumslinger’s or the collectibles store called The Magical Warehouse. 

Marfa is a remote desert city in the high plateau of the Trans-Pecos region in far West Texas, serving as the county seat of Presidio County with a population of 1,788.It was established in the early 1880s as a water and freight stop for the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway. Known for its minimalist art, historic architecture, and quirky roadside culture, Marfa is worth experiencing. Visit one of the many art galleries to witness the artistic influence of both Mexican and American culture in Marfa. Plan a night visit to see and interpret the Marfa Mystery Lights. Try to capture some evidence for those who can’t make it there themselves. For those of you who collect rocks, go to Moonlight Gemstones and grab yourself some minerals indigenous to the area. They’ll even turn your stones into jewelry for you by combining them with silver.

Central Texas

Founded in 1846, Fredericksburg is a historic city in Texas Hill Country known for its deep German heritage, thriving wine industry, and scenic outdoor attractions. There is an event happening nearly every day, so it’s always a good time to visit. Famous nearby spots include Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a massive pink granite dome ideal for hiking, and Wildseed Farms, the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. Some small businesses worth stopping by while there include Flying Cow Tallow on Main, Das Peach Haus, and Fredericksburg Pecan Company. 

More known as a historic district within New Braunfels rather than a town itself, Gruene, Texas, is only home to around 20 people! It makes its living from visitors, who come from far and wide to eat at the Gristmill, see a show at Texas’s oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall, or shop at the Gruene General Store. Check out Black Swan Antiques, Cosmic Plant Company, and Gruene Hat Company while you’re in the area. With Christmastime around the corner, pop into Red and Gruene for holiday decorations and unique gifts.

Now that you’ve been exposed to some notable small towns in Texas to live in or visit, let’s talk business.

Small towns offer lower costs, dedicated customer loyalty, and community culture that cannot be matched in a big city.

With service gaps needing to be filled, the opportunity to own and operate a small business or a franchise is much higher than within a saturated larger area.

But how will anyone know about it? Luckily, professional photography and videography can help improve the odds of success exponentially. 

Marketing is magical and can quite literally put a small town or small business on the map! Professional photography, such as routine headshots, cohesive brand imagery, and quality video, helps present a polished, professional image that will solidify a local customer base and even inspire the drive for those outside of city limits.

You can highlight hidden gems, expose others to the cultural, historical, and characteristic elements of the territory, and ultimately drive more foot traffic than you would be able to with word-of-mouth advertising. An increased social media and online presence for small towns and the businesses they hold are surefire ways to promote economic growth and build trust by providing an accurate and honest first impression. 

Though located in the North Texas area, Photography by Misty is willing to make the drive if necessary! Book with us today, and you won’t be disappointed.

Our team recognizes the importance of all areas of Texas, and cannot wait to see what is to come for those places that some people don’t know about yet. Let’s get this party started and bring light to all Texas has to offer outside of the hustle and bustle everyone has already experienced.

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