A giant towers over the Piney Woods town of Huntsville, population 47,000. Sam Houston’s likeness, at 67 feet tall, stands on Interstate 45 at the southern edge of the community to welcome visitors from Houston. Though he grew up in Tennessee, the Texas icon made his home in Huntsville toward the end of his eventful life. Many sites throughout town pay homage to the first president of the Republic of Texas, such as Sam Houston State University and Huntsville State Park’s Lake Raven, named after the nickname given to Houston by Cherokee Chief Oolooteka who he considered his adoptive father. But Houston isn’t the only attraction: The spirited college town draws tourists with classic restaurants, historical festivities, and gorgeous forest views atypical to the rest of Texas.
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Houston
1 hour
Dallas
2.5 hours
Austin
3 hours
San Antonio
4 hours
El Paso
11 hours
1 ⁄ WILLIAMS RANCH
Nestled on 40 acres with a petting zoo and cowboy-themed rentals, the site offers five places to stay just 5 miles from the center of town. Hunker down in one of three cabins, or enjoy a night in a furnished RV. On-site activities include hiking, horseback riding, and lake fishing.
2 ⁄ SAM’S TABLE
Enjoy tapas and drinks at Sam’s Table, a restaurant graced with a light-up portrait of the countryman. The butternut squash soup, rich and subtly sweet, pairs well with a bruschetta or other shareable small plate. For dessert, head down the street to City Hall Café and Pie Bar.
3 ⁄ SAM HOUSTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Learn about Sam Houston at a collection of historic buildings and a museum that covers all aspects of his life. The well-shaded duck pond is an idyllic picnic spot, and interpreters offer on-site demonstrations. The 1858 Steamboat House, moved to the site in 1936, displays a funeral arrangement for Houston.
4 ⁄ BLUEBONNET ANTIQUES
Start your shopping at Bluebonnet Antiques on the square, a two-story store with 22 vendor stalls selling specialty items ranging from first edition books to collectibles like baseball cards to a plentiful stash of cowboy boots.
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5 ⁄ HUNTSVILLE STATE PARK
Hikes through the park offer a closer look at the loblolly pines and wildlife like alligators and the occasional beaver. If you’re up for an adventure, try one of seven mountain biking paths through the park, or relax by the pool among the pines.
6 ⁄ WYNN HOME ARTS AND VISITOR CENTER
Local artworks are on display at this 19th-century home near the downtown square. The venue offers self-guided tours and arts and crafts classes for kids. The outside area features a pollinator garden, a tactile learning garden, and statues from local makers.
