Athens, Texas

Home to Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center which includes tanks of Texas fish in native environments, a wetlands trail, museum & hatchery. Athens is the “Home of the Hamburger” and the “Black-Eyed Pea Capitol of the World”.

Carthage Texas

Home to Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and Tex Ritter Museum

Grand Saline, Texas

One of Texas’ more unusual structures is The Salt Palace. This modern building , constructed entirely of salt blocks replaces a more modest cube that was built in 1977 for Grand Saline’s Salt Festival. Other attractions include the restored Texas and Pacific Depot. Grand Saline is also the birthplace of famous aviator Wiley Post.

Greenville, Texas

Includes the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum, Historic Downtown Greenville, Farmers’ Market, Matthews Prairie Nature Preserve and Heritage Garden.

Jefferson Texas

Horse-drawn carriages ramble through brick streets, carrying visitors past magnolia-white mansions and neatly raised cottages. People come to Jefferson to discover history, bask in the natural surroundings and to slow down. The town offers an abundance of shops, restaurants and historic landmarks as well as riverboat tours, the “Gone With The Wind” museum, Vintage Vehicles Car Museum and more.

Kemp Texas

Be sure to visit the Heritage Market – full of Pennsylvania Dutch goodies including jams, jellies, pickles, baked goods and more treats.

Longview Texas

Take a self-guided tour of historic sights, visit the many lakes and rivers or swing by nearby Kilgore for the East Texas Oil Museum. Be sure to stop in at Bodacious Bar-b-que for the best bar-b-que in east Texas! Longview is a large enough city that you will find all the “comforts of home” including putt-putt golf, bowling and much more.

Marshall and Caddo Lake

So deep is Marshall’s heritage that favorite son and newsman Bill Moyers hosted a popular PBS special titled, “Marshall, Texas, Marshall, Texas,” in his series, A Walk through the Twentieth Century with Bill Moyers. In and around town are plenty of leisurely diversions, and there are good reasons to stop along the way, too. But it’s likely that most people are drawn to Marshall for its proximity to Caddo Lake , the ancient and most fascinatingly beautiful body of water in Texas known for its lily pads and cypress trees.

Palestine, Texas

Take a 1 ½ hour ride between Palestine and Rusk in a vintage passenger car pulled by a steam or diesel powered locomotive at the Texas State Railroad. Palestine is also home to restored Victorian homes, world famous Eilenberger’s Bakery, offering – for 100 years – old world recipe cakes and many more attractions.

Terrell Texas

Terrell has a rich history including museums such as the British Flying School Museum, El Paso Rail Car and much more. For those of you who want to kick back and eat some homemade peach ice cream, be sure to visit Ham’s Orchard where you can also purchase the freshest peaches in Texas in their country store.

Tyler Texas

Known for its famous “Tyler roses” the 14,000 acre rose garden boasts 35,000 rose bushes of 500 different varieties. Stop in and see The Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum, World of Wildlife Museum & Country Store, Caldwell Zoo, Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari Park, Camp Ford Historic Park and much more.

Collin Street Bakery

Family-owned-and-operated bakery, located just 50 miles south of Dallas, Texas, has been baking the world-famous DeLuxe Fruitcake for over 100 years. Featured on the Food Network TV program.

Tours available at the W. 7th Street location, Corsicana.  Tours are given during baking season –  October – December. Call David Thomas to schedule a tour: 903-874-7477.

Dr Pepper Museum

“Wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper too?” If you answer “yes,” then head to the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas, the Texas museum that tells the Dr Pepper story. [NOTE: this is no longer a working factory.]

This soda-centric museum displays the usual collection of vintage bottles and advertising materials, along with an on-site artesian well, a working soda fountain and an animatronics-enhanced mannequin of Charles Alderton, the pharmacist who invented Dr Pepper circa 1885.

More info: (254) 757-1025

Dublin Bottling Works

A tour of the Dublin Bottling Works facility takes you through our historic and still-operating bottling line, and through even more memorabilia housed in what was the original offices of Dublin Bottling Works.

The tour ends in Old Doc’s Soda Shop, where you can step up to our soda fountain as well as purchase a wide range of other Dublin Bottling Works products.

Across the street is the W.P. Kloster Museum which focuses on its own unique history. Most of the huge collection of memorabilia in the Kloster Museum was collected by W.P. Kloster, who loved and collected all things classic soda, including a special affinity for Dr Pepper. The collection contains many rare pieces and is one of the largest in the world.

James Leddy Boots

The children of celebrated boot maker James Leddy carry on his legacy of creating world-class boots at his workshop and store. The boot workshop is in full view, and the Leddy family always is hospitably willing to take guests around to see the whole boot-making process. Each boot has a story, and the shop includes a nice-sized room stocked with Leddy boots that guests can peruse. Leddy’s celebrity clients have included Western singing stars such as George Jones, Mel Tillis, Larry Gatlin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buck Owens.

More info: 325-677-7811

Jardine Foods

Way back in 1979, a group of folks known as The Jardine Outfit began making salsas, BBQ sauces, hot sauces, chili mixes, seasonings, and other ranch recipes. We start each morning with fresh ingredients, and prepare our products in small batches to insure perfect quality and the freshest taste.

Visitors can watch the process of making and jarring salsa through large windows opening to the kitchen. A small store carrying our products is also on the premises.

Located on I-35 –  8 miles South of Austin and 50 miles North of San Antonio. 1-800-544-1880

Nokona Athletic Goods Company

Tour the only factory in the US producing hand-made baseball gloves.  We take great pride in showing how we craft the last American ball glove.

Tours last one hour.  Admission price is refundable for merchandise purchased in our Factory Store. 940-825-3326. 108 miles from Dallas.

Pape’s Pecan Company

5Tour the facility, pecan orchard, and collection of more than 3,000 antique pecan crackers. You’ll see the harvesting, processing, and packaging of pecans. The harvest begins in September and continues through December, while processing continues through May.  (830) 379-7442

Russell Stover Candy Store

While not a factory, you can tour the candy store for a full selection of Russell Stover boxed candies and chocolates, including Net Carb, Sugar Free, factory seconds, 48 flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans and bargains galore. Kids Zone filled with fun treats for kids and adults of all ages.

SAS Shoe Factory and General Store

Tour one of the few remaining shoe factories in the U.S. and observe first-hand, the craftsmanship needed to make SAS comfort shoes. Browse in our turn-of-the-century General Store where you’ll find treasures for all ages and occasions.  Call 210-924-6507 for more info.

Southwest Dairy Museum

The Southwest Dairy Museum operates in an educational and promotional capacity for the dairy industry. The Museum provides the public with factual information about milk production, nutrition, and dairy products, helping to enhance the image of the dairyman. Come and see how ice cream is made, see the kids shows and dairy exhibits.

Wimberley Glass Works

We invite you to visit our studio and observe the amazing process of glass blowing. Our goal is to educate, entertain and inform the public by offering free glassblowing demonstrations in a relaxed environment.  After a tour of the studio, stroll next door to the gallery where you’ll find an assortment of decorative and functional hand blown glass. We have a large selection of tasteful items ranging from tumblers and ornaments to unique sculptural vases. Each piece of glass is a handcrafted original with a style all of it’s own.

There is no fee for watching the glassblowing demonstrations during these times, you can come and go at your convenience. 1-888-796-3962

Bonham, Texas

Home to Sam Rayburn Library & his home: Just west of Downtown Bonham, the library contains memorabilia and furnishings from the Washington office of one of the country’s most powerful and influential Speakers of the House. Other attractions: Fannin County Courthouse, Fort Inglish Park and Bonham State Park & Lake with camping, boating and picnic facilities.

Denison, Texas

For history buffs, visit where former President Eisenhower was born or stroll the historic downtown & arts district. Denison is known as the city of “Firsts” including: “First Ice Cream Soda”, “First Ice Factory in North Texas”, “First Free Public Graded School in Texas”, “First with the tallest building in Texas” and where the Marx Brothers “First got their start at the Denison Opera House”.

Also home to Hagerman Wildlife Refuge, Waterloo Park, Texoma Children’s Museum and more.

Arbuckle Wilderness

Arbuckle Wilderness is a fantasy-land filled with fun for all ages! 400+ acres of NEWLY RENOVATED PARK set amidst the oak thickets, limestone outcroppings and the splendor of the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains. Arbuckle Wilderness was awarded 2005 attraction of the year by Oklahoma Department of Tourism.

Lake Murray State Park

Oklahoma’s oldest and largest state park, located on the shores of beautiful Lake Murray. Fishing, boating and all water sports are found at Lake Murray. Other activities include golfing, picnics, camping, horseback riding, hayrides, hiking, biking, rollerblading, swimming, miniature golf and paddle boating.

Lake Texoma

This 89,000 acre lake on the Red River is shared by Texas and Oklahoma. It is widely recognized as a top fishing lake and is one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Southwest. Lake Texoma was built by the Corps of Engineers in the 1940’s, and was stocked with black bass and crappie along with the native white bass in the Red and Washita Rivers.

Turner Falls

Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma is the best Arbuckle Mountains family destination. From Dr. Collings’ Rock Castle to the 77ft waterfall, Turner Falls Park offers unforgettable fun for the whole family – swimming, beaches, camping, hiking, 3 caves, picnic areas, geological formations and more.

From parks and lakes to a nationally recognized professional motor sports venue and a regionally recognized multi-purpose sports complex, Ennis offers an abundance of recreation and leisure opportunities. Attractions include The Ennis Railroad & Cultural Heritage Museum, Texas Motorplex, 85 Speedway’s dirt track car racing and more.

Waco Texas

In addition to the world famous Dr. Pepper museum, Waco is also home to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, Official State Hall of Fame for the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, for Texas athletes who have distinguished themselves both on and off the field and arenas and many more attractions. Baylor University makes its home in Waco. Take your teen or younger child to Baylor as a chance to educate them on universities.

Waxahachie, Texas

The Downtown Square in Waxahachie, with its charming turn-of-the-century architecture and friendly people, is truly a time capsule of an era long since past. One can easily take a step back, for just a little while, to a place and time when values were a little clearer and life a little simpler.

Waxahachie offers the visitor this opportunity to use their imagination to go back to another era such as turn of the century 905, or perhaps the roaring 1920’s by just walking the downtown square. Your imagination is your only limitation! Take a walking or driving tour of the many Gingerbread Homes from the late 1800s or visit the Farmer’s Market.

West, Texas

Known as the “Czech Heritage Capital of Texas” visitors will find many local shops and bakeries displaying the Czech culture that is so much a part of the people in this small town. Sample home-made kolaches at the many bakeries. West is also home to Scott Podsednik of the Chicago White Sox.

Glen Rose, Texas

Home to Fossil Rim and Dinosaur Valley on the Brazos and Paluxy Rivers. Come see authentic dinosaur tracks or visit Fossil Rim, a drive-thru safari park.

Granbury Texas

Granbury is rich in legends and “history’s mysteries.” You’ll find sites and tales surrounding John Wilkes Booth, Jesse James, Davy Crockett, and the hanging tower at the Old Jailhouse. Granbury Cemetery is the resting place for General Hiram B. Granbury; Jesse James; and Ashley Crockett, grandson of Davy Crockett.

Walking/Driving Tour provides visitors with dozens of historic sites that take you back to the sparsely populated, rough-and-tumble frontier of yesterday and Granbury’s historic town square teeming with horse-drawn wagons and buggies. Come prepared to enjoy the old legends and historic tales of Hood County as you take a tour through the scenic countryside.

Hico, Texas

For unique shopping in the historical downtown district, luxurious bed and breakfasts located in the scenic Hill Country visit Hico. Also home to Wiseman House Chocolates, fine handmade chocolates and the Billy the Kid museum.

Hico is located at the top of the gorgeous Texas Hill Country and is a quick trip from Dallas.

Weatherford Texas

Free public obstacle course, hiking, biking & equestrian trails, rattlesnake tour, farmer’s market, Lake Weatherford & more. For botanical delights visit the lush gardens of Chandor Gardens, Clark Gardens & 4D farms to pick your own apples & peaches.

Whitney Texas

Known for the beautiful and clear Lake Whitney. Lake Whitney State Park includes 1000 acres for swimming, fishing, picnics, camping, scuba diving and more.