Texas is one of the most popular places for a relaxing weekend getaway: it draws over 72 million out-of-state visitors per year.

While most tourists flock to cities such as Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, others head to parts unknown in order to experience the quiet lifestyle of Texas country towns.

Apart from its beautiful and lush nature scenes, people visit small towns in The Lone Star State to go on nature adventures and live their cowboy fantasies for a day or two.

If you’re thinking about going on a backpacking adventure, here are some fun activities that you can do in Texas country towns.

Go wild swimming

The Texan countryside is full of places where you can go swimming in natural bodies of water – so much so that many properties have a waterside view. 

Texasland notes that 40% of all ranch land in the US takes place in Texas, and this is largely due to the abundance of nature and water.

If you’re in Austin, check out swimming holes such as the Blue Hole, which has rope swings hanging from trees, and the clear blue waters stay an ideal 75 degrees all year round.

There’s also the Jacob’s Well Natural Area, which is a swimming hole that’s surrounded by shady trees and rock ledges.

You’ll need to make a reservation to visit these swimming holes, and there’s also a small admission fee that needs to be paid before you go.

Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen and brush up on your swimming skills, as there are no assigned lifeguards for these swimming holes. 

Go on a wine tour

Fredericksburg is a small, charming town with a rich German heritage and lots of wineries and vineyards that are sure to be a hit among wine enthusiasts.

If you’re a budding oenophile, visit the Becker Vineyards, where you can learn about winemaking, or Grape Creek, which has an indoor and outdoor bar for wine tasting.

There’s also Barons Creek, which has villas that you could rent if you want to spend the night.

Go shopping

If you’re tired of shopping at malls and want to score unique finds, head to Canton, which is home to the largest flea market in America.

Visit Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of every month to experience First Monday, wherein thousands of vendors all across America turn Canton into a shopper’s paradise.

Here, you can find unique clothing, furniture, arts and crafts, jewelry, rare antiques and collectibles, fresh produce, food, and so much more.

If you want to take a break from shopping, head to the Canton Plaza Museum to see the Kennedy Collection of Indian artifacts, as well as the largest bell collection in Texas.  

Small towns have a lot of charm and a variety of attractions where you can have fun during your holiday. Check out these Texas towns and go wild swimming, wine tasting, or shopping, and enjoy your weekend getaway.