Art, History & Culinary Delights in Brenham, Texas

While exploring the big state of Texas, discover the beauty, warm hospitality and immersive attractions in the historical town of Brenham in Washington County. It’s a great stop to stretch your legs while driving from Houston to Austin. Known as the birthplace of Texas in Washington County, this charming historic town has a big heart for welcoming visitors, and offers an amazing collection of outdoor mural art, great food, fine wine and lively music.

STAY OVERNIGHT

The Ant Street Inn is a great one night or more stay while in Brenham. The owners Suzy and Keith Hankins furnished their Bed and Breakfast with antique furnishings, Oriental rugs and stained glass in every room.

Some of the guest bathrooms have a deep soaking tub. In the morning a complimentary breakfast is served at the onsite restaurant.

CULINARY DELIGHTS

For real Texas pit-smoked barbecue Pioneer Smokehouse is a casual, local favorite. This casual local favorite has a lively interior and expansive exterior dining area with picnic tables, party lights and Texas décor. It’s where they have the best slow roasted brisket, loaded nachos, barbecued links, beans and cole slaw. Order inside near coolers filled with ice and cans of beers and sodas. The friendly staff bring the food to your table.

On Sundays at 5 pm, this restaurant is transformed into an innovative church. Locals come to hear the owner Mark Renn, an ordained pastor, lead a casual service, followed by a free dinner.

Those seeking Italian cuisine in Brenham will enjoy dinner at Volare Italian Restaurant. The Chef and owner Silvio DiGennario from Italy, brings flavors of his homeland to Texas. You might walk right by the restaurant, because it is actually in a charming rectangular ‘salt box’ home. The enticing smell of pasta infused with garlic, handmade bread, and chicken piccata, plus bottles of wine starting at $10, make this a local favorite.

Homemade pies, burgers and Texas fried chicken steak are on the menu at Bevers Kitchen and Gifts. This restored Victorian-style cottage, built in 1907 has a rich history in Chappell Hill. It’s been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, because the building was the former home to Postmaster Jessie Crockett from 1915 to 1935. When Ann Beavers first acquired the property in 1981, her dishwasher Alejandra Ray, worked hard and now owns the restaurant. She has made this restaurant a local favorite.

Another Italian restaurant in Brenham is Brossa’s Cabo E Vino, where Chef Brossa makes a creamy Risotto Parmigiana and flavorful Shrimp alla Diavolo.

Enjoy a crafted martini, glass of wine or innovative cocktail at Main Street Uncorked. Located next to the local theatre, locals enjoy a drink and meal before a comedy or music show. Try one of the chef’s homemade soups. Other local favorites include house-made lasagna, filet mignon served with asparagus and mashed potatoes, and a signature chicken piccata on a bed of angel hair pasta with a zesty lemon caper sauce.

BLUE BELL CREAMERY

Stop into the Blue Bell Creamery Factory to get a scoop of one of the best-selling ice cream brands in the United States. They make a variety of delicious and creamy ice cream at the production facility located in Brenham, Texas.

Visitors can shop at the Country Store and buy a scoop of ice cream for $1. Be sure to explore the Visitors Center to learn about the fascinating history of this 100+ year old ice cream company.

GARDENS

Within a fifteen minute drive from Brenham is the town of Independence. This is another great halfway stop for those exploring the state of Texas. The Antique Rose Emporium celebrates eight-acres of rose and succulent gardens, plus a children’s play garden. Families can picnic near a tranquil lake or by the charming chapel.

Another immersive stop is the Chappell Hill Lavender & Berry Farm. The McDowell family planted rows of different types of fragrant lavender in the heart of bluebonnet country. Located just off the Texas Independence Trail, this panoramic spot with rolling acres, a petting farm and a pond is peaceful for picnics. It’s also a pretty place for a cool glass of lavender lemonade. During the cutting season which occurs twice a year, you can casually stroll the fragrant rows and cut your own fresh lavender. There is no admission charge to visit. Be sure to step inside the gift shop for an array of lavender beauty products, art and baking mixes available for purchase.

WINE TASTING

Chisolm Cellars and Texas Star Winery is one of Washington County’s award winning winemaking facilities. The friendly owners, Jim and Susan Chisolm, provide different wine tasting opportunities of their Texas Star Wines.

Visitors can also enjoy tastes of their Chisolm Cellars Wine, a high-end artisan wine brand.  Be sure to ask for a taste of one of their fruit wines that include blueberry wine, cranberry wine, hibiscus flower wine, and mango blanco wine.

Nestled on 75-acre of vineyards and pastures, Chapelton Vineyards is a modern winemaking facility with luxury guest villas for an overnight stay. Take a guided tour of the winemaking facility before tasting their award-winning estate-grown crafted Texas varietals.

There are multiple wine tasting opportunities. Some are served with a cheese and fruit board, others with chocolate pairings. The sunsets here are spectacular.

Texas winemaker Haak has a tasting room right in downtown Brenham. Haak is another awarded winery in the state, with over 577 medals since 2001. Raymond and Gladys Haak planted their first two Concord grapevines in 1969. Their stunning bar and wine tasting lounge is a great spot to try vibrant whites, bold reds, rosés, ports, and Madeiras, paired with gourmet charcuterie.

AFTER DINNER DRINKS

After dinner stop by Floyd’s Lounge, a fun local hangout that is named after the owner’s beloved Floyd, a Labrador retriever. This friendly bar helps guests discover and learn about the regions great wines, beers and spirits. There is a rotating list of food and beverages available in the lounge areas. Grab a seat at the oversized bar, or out on one of the largest patios in the county.

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Visit Peeka Ranch in nearby Burton for the opportunity to learn about soft and gentle alpacas. The owners of this ranch sheer their fleece for clothing and the softest accessories. They have an onsite gift store and are happy to give visitors tours of their more than 100 furry friends.

Milk & Honey Ranch in Burton is a retreat away from city life offering visitors cuddle sessions with soft miniature Highland cows. Capture photos feeding farm animals before lunch at the onsite restaurant Flow.

Go horseback riding at Rockin’ Star Ranch and learn the fundamentals of horse care. Guests can brush and bathe a horse before riding along open cattle pastures, serene lakes and breathtaking vistas.

Meet two oxen that are over two tons at Barrington Plantation. Washington On The Brazos State Historic Site. This site takes visitors back to the 1850s, re-creating the home and plantation of Dr. Anson Jones. He was the last president of the Republic of Texas, and costumed interpreters demonstrate how they cultivated and harvested cotton and worked with the livestock.

BRENHAM ART WALK

Everywhere one looks in Brenham there is art, thanks to the Texas Art & Music Festival, a weekend -ong family-friendly event in the fall. It’s filled with music, street food, and the opportunity for attendees to watch artists paint beautiful colorful murals on the sides of buildings.

The innkeepers at Ant Street Inn will give guests a self-guided Brenham Art Walk Passport walking map to learn about 20 different murals within a five-block radius.  Favorites include “Paint The Town” by mural artist Toni Ardizzone. She displays a confident woman in vibrant and bold colors who embodies the spirit of Brenham.

Other memorable murals include “Welcome To Downtown” by muralist Anat Ronen, “Love Yourself” by Jeff Soto, and “Blind Willie” by Levi Ponce. It’s a tribute to Blind Willie Johnson, an American gospel blues singer and guitarist born and raised in Texas.

Brenham, Texas offers visitors a legendary past woven together with a modern vibe. Stop to experience the colorful sites, pleasing smells and sounds of Washington County.