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Texas is an incredibly appealing place for a summer vacation, especially for those who have experienced an unforgiving winter. With average temperatures now exceeding 85°F, it gets seriously bright and hot in this state, but that’s a great thing because it just makes everything more exciting. Summers in Texas get even better in its towns, where there are fewer crowds, friendly locals, and unspoiled natural attractions to explore. Historical attractions, art establishments, and great food also come with the packages, proving there is something for everybody. For those worried about the extreme temperatures, each town features waterbodies and swimming spots where visitors can always cool off. With that said, here are some of the loveliest towns in Texas to visit this summer.

Alpine

Visit the unique and charming town of Alpine for a quintessential summer vacation in Texas full of great views. First off, this town’s geography is spectacular as it sits at an elevation of 4,462 feet above sea level in the Chihuahua Desert. Once here, visitors can savor the magnificent scenery by hiking to the summit of Hancock Hill via a 1.8-mile trail. After enjoying the dreamy views, visitors can step down from the hill and explore the downtown to see over 40 murals reflecting the town’s history and culture. The downtown area is also home to several art galleries, such as the Catchlight Art Gallery (featuring paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and more) and the Curry Studio & Gallery (featuring a sculpture garden). For history lovers, the town is home to the Museum of the Big Bend inside the Sul Ross University Campus, featuring exhibits that depict life in the area during its pioneer days. Looking for where to cool off? Splash away in the pool at Kokernot Park.

Johnson City

A summer vacation in Johnson City will be remarkable and memorable, especially for laid-back visitors with a love for history. This town is famous for hosting the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park, which tells the story of former President Lyndon B. Johnson while featuring his ranch, birthplace, grave, and home. Nearby, the Pedernales River flows through limestone slabs in its pristine glory and sets the stage for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking experiences. The river is part of the Pedernales Falls State Park, which also features Twin Falls Nature Trail leading to the charming Twins Falls and the 7.2-mile Wolf Mountain Trail that courses through Cedar woodlands, creeks, springs, and canyons. Back in town, visitors can get enlightened at the Science Mill, enjoy shopping at Old Annex Market, and check out rare vintage motorcycles at the Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is a charming town in Texas with deep German roots and culture. Once here, start by learning about the town’s history and German heritage at the Pioneer Museum or Vereins Kirche Museum. Next, enjoy more history at the National Museum of the Pacific War, which is dedicated to citizens who fought in the Pacific War. It features a memorial walk, a Japanese garden of peace, and the Plaza of Presidents, among other attractions. Away from history, Fredericksburg is home to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area featuring a 425-foot pink granite batholith, around 8.4 miles of hiking trails, campsites, picnic areas, rock climbing spots, and wildlife. For even more adventures, visitors are invited to the Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park to enjoy camping and hiking on a one-mile trail along Oak Creek. Before leaving town, splash away at Tony Knopp Town Pool or Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park.

Jefferson

Jefferson is a small historic town in Marion County, where life is a bit slow and serene, making it ideal for summer vacationers seeking a cozy destination to ride out the season. This town is home to appealing water bodies like Lake O’ The Pines, featuring beautiful pine trees, numerous parks and campgrounds, and marinas. Activities to enjoy in this area include - hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife watching, bird watching, and boating. Jefferson also features another Caddo Lake, offering hiking, picnicking, canoeing, camping, and fishing adventures. Once satisfied with the adventures, visitors are invited to the Jefferson Historical Museum to explore Civil War artifacts, Caddo Indian relics, and antiques from the town's pioneer days. Before leaving town, wait till evening and then head to the Lighted Howe Truss Bridge to watch the beautiful LED lights from sunset to sunrise.

Salado

Salado is a laid-back town in Bell County, nestled on rolling hills and featuring the beautiful Salado Creek. On a summer vacation here, nature lovers will be delighted to roam the picturesque Salado Sculpture Garden, where colorful sculptures and figurines complement the garden’s greenery. The nearby Stillhouse Hollow Lake is another spot visitors would love as it offers breathtaking scenery and opportunities for boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing. For some entertainment, Salado invites visitors to the Tablerock Amphitheater, which hosts many performances and summer shows, such as the Salado Legends. History buffs are not left out of the fun as the town features a handful of historic sites and houses like Davis Mill (built in 1864), Barton House (built in 1866), and Anderson Medicinal Distillery.

Port Aransas

Port Aransas is a lovely beachy town on Mustang Island worth visiting in summer, as the island boasts 18 miles of gorgeous beaches to explore. When the temperature rises, visitors in Port Aransas can run to the 6.3-mile Port Aransas Beach to stroll on the warm sand, swim, camp, go canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. As the revered fishing capital of Texas, Aransas invites all anglers to come to catch a wide range of fish, from redfish to king mackerel to mahi mahi, grouper, red snapper, and snailfish, among others. Some top fishing spots in this town include - Horace Caldwell Pier, Fish Pass Jetty, and South Jetty. Several fishing charters are also available in town to offer visitors the most satisfying experiences. Port Aransas is also home to Mustang Island State Park, featuring five miles of powdery beach overlapping the ocean, hiking and biking trails, including paddling trails along shallow waters for fishing. For history lovers, the Port Aransas Museum offers insight into the town’s early days and rich maritime history. Also, the museum offers tours of Chapel on the Dunes, the oldest church on Mustang Island, nestled on the beach overlooking the ocean.

The Lone Star State is endowed with mountains, valleys, deserts, and peculiar landscapes to explore across all seasons. In summer, tourists can explore these landscapes alongside rich histories, exquisite cuisine, and interesting cultures in the state’s small towns. These towns are beautiful and cozy, with many spots to cool off when the sun becomes too hot. Lace-up today, don a cowboy hat, and hit the highway for these towns in Texas this summer for blissful, hard-to-forget memories.