Brenham

Brenham is the heart of Washington County — home to the beloved Blue Bell Creameries, where you can take a factory tour, walk the observation deck, and finish with a scoop at the ice cream parlor. Downtown Brenham centers around the historic Simon Theatre (which also houses the visitor center), with local shops, the Brenham Heritage Museum, and seasonal events like the Texas Arts & Music Festival. For a night out, catch a show at Unity Theatre, the only professional theatre in the region, tucked into a beautifully restored warehouse downtown. Kids will love the Flying Horses Antique Carousel at Fireman's Park — one of the last operating antique wooden carousels in Texas.

• Official visitor guide: visitbrenhamtexas.com

• Bluebell Creameries: bluebell.com

• Unity Theatre: unitybrenham.org