Have you ever wanted to escape the city for the day or a weekend and were not sure where to go? For small town charm, Brenham, Texas is the place to be. It is mainly known as the town where Blue Bell ice cream is made, but there is so much more to this rural destination. I went for a day trip, and I had the best time. I was able to slow down, unwind, and enjoy all that the town had to offer. Some of you may be surprised, but there are so many incredible things to do in Brenham.
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Tour Blue Bell Creamery
Of course, if you visit Brenham, a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery is a must-do. After the tour, you can taste some of the best ice cream in the country in their ice cream parlor and peruse their gift shop. However, Blue Bell is only open on weekdays, so you will have to skip this beloved attraction if you are visiting on a weekend.
Check out Downtown Brenham
One thing to do in Brenham is hang out downtown. You could spend hours in this historic area with their delicious restaurants, boutique shops, antique stores, and art gallery. Make sure to check out my friend’s store, Ballad of the Bird Dog. This upscale general store and coffee shop has Schitt’s Creek’s Rose Apothecary vibes.
See the Birthplace of Texas
In March 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed at this site in Washington on the Brazos State Park making Texas independent from Mexico. In addition to learning more about Texas’s fight for freedom from Mexico, the expansive grounds are great for exploring wildflowers and bird watching, picnicking, and experiencing what life on the farm was like in the 1800s at Barrington Farms.
Drive the Bluebonnet Trail
Discover the self-guided driving tour through the Brenham area for best views of bluebonnets and other wildflowers. Wildflowers generally bloom in March and April. Click here for information and a map of the 80-mile trail.
Taste the Wine
Brenham is aspiring to be the next Fredericksburg, and it is well on its way. One thing to do in Brenham is wine tasting, and I enjoyed some delicious Texas wines during my visit. Saddlehorn Winery, Pleasant Hill Winery, and Windy Winery are three highly praised wineries in the area. Also, please remember to drink responsibly.
Grab a Beer
If wine is not your forte, then grab a beer at the Brazos Valley Brewing Company. Located near downtown Brenham, this place is a great space to unwind with a craft beer and enjoy live music.
Spend Time with Alpacas
If you have never seen these cute fur babies, you need to get yourself to an alpaca farm immediately. The Brenham area is home to several of these farms, but on my trip, I visited the Peeka Ranch. I was fortunate enough to arrive a few hours after the birth of a baby alpaca! So cute! After seeing (and possibly feeding) the alpacas, make sure to look around their shop for alpaca wool products.
Pick Your Own Lavender
At the Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, you can wander the grounds, have a picnic, and check out their gazebo at no cost. If you time your visit when the lavender is blooming, you can cut your own lavender as a souvenir. The farm also offers pick-your-own blueberries and peaches. Check out their website for blooming updates and fruit picking times. For handmade lavender and other products, walk in their gift shop for all things lavender.
Learn about Cotton Gins
This was not my favorite activity of the day, but if you have some time to kill consider the Texas Cotton Gin Museum in Burton. The museum features artifacts and an educational video on the history of the industry-changing cotton gin. You can also tour an actual working cotton gin while visiting for a small fee.
Master Bee Keeping
Even though it is technically located in Navasota, visiting a bee farm is the most unique thing to do in Brenham. Whether you are visiting to buy some fresh, authentic honey or wanting to learn how to keep bees, the Beeweaver Honey Farm is worth a visit. Check out their website for to see all the packages they offer from private bee keeping lessons to tours and honey tasting. Make sure to shop in their cute honey themed gift shop. Located just next door is Wildflyer Mead, a place where you can taste mead, an alcohol made from fermenting honey.
Stroll through Beautiful Plants
Visit the Antique Rose Emporium and stroll through beautiful plants at this well-known nursery. Even if you are not in the market for plants or shrubbery, this place is the perfect background for your Instagram-worthy pictures.
Attend One of the Many Festivals
Brenham boasts so many incredible annual festivals that feature unique demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors, amazing food, live music, and so much more. Check out the list below for some notable festivals you should check out.
April – Bluebonnet Festival
Located in downtown Chappell Hill is the official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas. This festival features arts and crafts vendors, amazing food, live music, and activities for the whole family.
May – Buzzfest at Beeweavers
Buzzfest at Beeweavers, held Memorial Day weekend, is an interactive honey bee festival that hosts bee experts, live hive events, food trucks, waterslides, mead on tap, and more.
June – Summer Sip and Art Walk
Enjoy signature drinks and an art walk in downtown Brenham during the Summer Sip and Art Walk event. View a variety of art while sipping on drinks at each merchant.
July – Hot Nights Cool Tunes
Bring your lawn chairs and coolers of drinks to the Hot Nights Cool Tunes concert series in downtown Brenham Saturday nights in July.
July/August – Harvest Grape Stomp at Windy Winery
“Happiness is Purple Feet” is the motto at the Harvest Grape Stomp at Windy Winery happening on weekends in July and August.
August – Chappell Hill Lavender and Wine Fest
The Chappell Hill Lavender and Wine Fest is a two-location festival at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm and Windy Winery that features craft vendors, music, tastings, and more.
October – Scarecrow Festival
Much like its sister event, the Bluebonnet Festival, the Scarecrow Festival is located in downtown Chappell Hill and boasts over 400 vendors, live music, food and more.
December – Brenham Christmas Stroll & Lighted Parade
The Brenham Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade is a great event for holiday shopping in the beautifully lit downtown area of Brenham. This even also features a Christmas parade.
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