BLUE BELL CREAMERIES—Founded in 1907 as the Brenham Creamery Co., the name changed to Blue Bell in 1930 after a wildflower that grows in the area. Beginning with ice cream production of only two gallons a day in 1911, the popular creamery is now home of what many believe to be the “best ice cream in the country.” Visitor center features video about company history, ice cream parlor and country store. 1101 S. Blue Bell Road. 979/830-2197 or 800/327-8135.
www.bluebell.com.
BRENHAM HERITAGE MUSEUM—Housed in a renovated 1915 Federal Building, this museum features exhibits on area history, as well as traveling exhibits throughout the year. Admission charge. 105 S. Market St. 979/830-8445.
www.brenhamheritagemuseum.org.
BREWERIES—Brazos Valley Brewing Company. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
NUECES CANYON EQUESTRIAN CENTER AND RESORT—Features world-class cutting horse shows almost every weekend. Private tours for groups. Advance reservations: 979/289-5600.
WINERIES—Pleasant Hill Winery, Texas Star Winery and Windy Winery. See WINERIES listing.
Sample the “best ice cream in the country” at Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham.
campsites amid rolling hills and tall, mature trees. A renovated indoor complex sleeps 94 and offers a game room. Admission charge. Access via Texas 78 S., F.M. 271. 903/583-5022.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bonham.
FANNIN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY—Pioneer, local and regional history exhibits are housed in this restored 1900 Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot. 1 Main St. 903/583-8042.
FORT INGLISH PARK—Features a replica of a log blockhouse and stockade that were the nucleus of homesteads that became the town of Bonham. Also includes three original, restored log cabins with pioneer furnishings and artifacts. West Sam Rayburn Drive at Chinner Street. 903/583-3441.
LAKE—Lake Bonham—A City of Bonham lake on Timber Creek. Park on south shore provides picnicking and camping. Four miles north of Bonham on Texas 78. 903/583-7555.
SAM RAYBURN HOUSE MUSEUM—This Texas Historical Commission property tells the story of Texas statesman Sam Rayburn, who served 24 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, including 17 terms as speaker of the house. Rayburn family treasures adorn the 1916 house and grounds. See his 1947 Cadillac (a gift from 142 congressmen at the end of his first term as speaker of the house), a historic smokehouse, barn and garage. Admission charge. 890 W. Texas 56. 903/583-5558.
www.visitsamrayburnhouse.com.
SAM RAYBURN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM—This facility contains exhibits that detail Sam Rayburn’s life and career, including a replica of the office he worked in as speaker of the house, memorabilia and his personal library. 800 W. Sam Rayburn Drive. 903/583-2455.
www.cah.utexas.edu/museums/rayburn.php.
BOWIE POP. 5,236
ALT. 1,145 MAP G-16
BOWIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITORS CENTER: 1616 E. Wise St. 940/872-1173.
www.bowietxchamber.org.
Bowie was the last Texas county traildrivers crossed on their way north on the Chisholm Trail. Today, this city maintains an old-fashioned feel with antique shops, homestyle cooking and bed-and- breakfast accommodations. Events include the Jim Bowie Days Rodeo and
Festival in June, the Western Heritage Roundup in September, and the Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival in October.
114 The Second Monday Trade Days is a two-day
market on the weekend before the second Monday of each month. On Pelham Street.
CHISHOLM TRAIL MEMORIAL PARK—This park pays tribute to the cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail. Bowie was the last stop in Texas on The Great Texas Cattle Trails, including the Chisholm and Goodnight trails. Nine life-size longhorns and two roving cowboys, made of steel, recall those early cattle drives. Wise Street at U.S. 81.
FAY RUTH SHAW MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY— In addition to its 30,000-plus volume collection, the library features an extensive genealogy section. Changing exhibits feature local memorabilia. 301 W. Walnut. 940/872-2681.
LAKE—Lake Amon G. Carter—This reservoir provides swimming, boating, picnicking and camping at lakeside parks. About six miles south of Bowie via F.M. 1125. 940/872-1114.
BOYD POP. 1,277
ALT. 934 MAP J-17
INTERNATIONAL EXOTIC FELINE SANCTUARY— Bobcats, cougars, jaguars, leopards, lions and tigers are among the species living on the site, which cur- rently features more than 60 big cats. Guided walking tours of the facility take approximately two hours. Donations accepted. 940/433-5091.
www.bigcat.org.
BRENHAM POP. 16,212
ALT. 350 MAP P-19
WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 115 W. Main St. 888/273-6426.
www.visitbrenhamtexas.com.
Washington County is where the Texas Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed. It is home to more than 120 historic sites and markers, including many from the Texas Revolution era. Its predominantly German population settled here in the 1840s. Bluebonnets and other wildflowers bloom in
profusion here in March and April. The visitors bureau provides a free “Bluebonnet Trails” map. Brenham is a National Main Street City, and its
downtown features a variety of shopping oppor tuni- ties. Nearby Fireman’s Park features an antique C.W. Parker carousel with Herschell-Spillman horses. The area has more than 40 bed-and-breakfast inns. Brenham lies on Texas 36, which is a segment of
the Ports-to-Plains Highway connecting the state’s heartland to coastal ports.
BRIDGEPORT POP. 6,227
ALT. 367 MAP H-17
BRIDGEPORT VISITOR CENTER: A replica of a Concord Stagecoach sits in front of the building. 812 Halsell St. 940/683-2076.
www.bridgeportchamber.org or
www.destinationbridgeport.com.
Bridgeport’s roots as the official Stagecoach Capital of Texas began in 1860 when a toll bridge was built over the West Fork of the Trinity River to accommodate the Butterfield Overland Stage Company. Annual events include Butterfield Stage Days
festival and PRCA rodeo in May and the Coal Miners Heritage Festival in the fall.
BRIDGEPORT FALLS PADDLING TRAIL—The Bridgeport Falls low-water weir dam creates a pleasant 5.8-mile looped paddling trail under a lush canopy. Free.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/ paddlingtrails/inland/bridgeportfalls/.
CENTER FOR ANIMAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION— This 20-acre animal sanctuary is home to more than 40 exotic species, including big cats. 245 C.R. 3422. 940/683-8115.
http://carerescuetexas.com.
HERITAGE MUSEUM—On the lower level of the visitor center, this museum features exhibits on local history, including coal mines, Lake Bridgeport, Barnett Shale Natural Gas, Bridgeport Brick and the Butterfield Stage Overland Mail Route. 812 Halsell St. 940/683- 5389.
www.destinationbridgeport.com.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN—Named a Main Street City the district houses shops in turn-of-the-century buildings along Halsell Street. 940/683-3485.
LAKE—Lake Bridgeport—This impoundment on the West Fork of the Trinity River offers swimming, fishing, campsites, picnic areas and boat ramps. Four miles west of Bridgeport off U.S. 380; also accessible from Decatur. 817/335-2491.
LBJ NATIONAL GRASSLANDS—The largest public open space in North Texas covers more than 20,000 acres of rolling hills and restored grasslands. A multi- use trail system offers places to hike, bicycle and ride horses. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, birding and wildlife viewing, hunting and boating. North and northeast of Bridgeport along U.S. 380. 940/627-5475.
www.fs.usda.gov/texas.
NORTHWEST OHV PARK—Rock crawlers, ATV riders and others take on more than 300 acres of Off- Highway Vehicle trails, plus nature trails and space for other adventure sports. 940/683-3480 or 940/683-3685.
www.cityofbridgeport.net.
WINERY—Brushy Creek Vineyards. See WINERIES listing.
PHOTO: RANDALL MAXWELL/TXDOT
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