Bellville, Texas is known as the Belle of the Bluebonnet Country because of its amazing wildflower display, every spring. Just an hour’s drive west of Houston, in Austin County, Bellville has one public library, one newspaper, and a population of just over 4,200 residents. It’s small enough to explore on day trips. So, if you’re looking to get out of the busy, travel the 64 miles (104 kilometres) from Houston to Bellville and spend a day enjoying the countryside. There’s no denying Bellville is small in size, but that doesn’t mean it lacks in big fun. There’s plenty to keep you entertained in this small city, and the same goes for its hospitality. The nearby city of Katy has a wide selection of Airbnb vacation rental. But, if you want to stay in a modern city and still see Bellville, you can rent an Airbnb vacation rental in Brenham, just 22 minutes away, and still explore the myriads of activities here. Scroll down to see our list of the best things to do in Bellville, Texas.
1. Attend the Austin County Fair and Rodeo
Be sure to take a picture of your child as you come into the fairgrounds at one of our fun, new Photo Ops!!
Posted by Austin County Fair Association on Thursday, October 13, 2022
The population of Bellville, Texas, might be small, but that doesn’t stop them from going all out during community events. The first Austin County Fair, initially called the Bellville Community Fair Association, took place in the year 1927 with five directors. It went on to become one of the biggest annual events in Austin County and now hosts a plethora of competitions. From livestock competitions to live concerts of country artists, it organizes various shows for the general public. The fair itself is the main event, complete with carnival rides, community pageant shows, and rodeos.
Whether you’re visiting here on a tour or a native of Texas, be sure to experience this whirlwind of excitement and community celebration once in your life. There are also several shows, such as the Barbecue Cook-Off, that are held around the year, so keep checking the official site for any upcoming events.
Austin County Fair
Address: 1076 East Hill, Bellville, Texas 77418
Website: Austin County Fair
Price: 15 USD for adults; 6 USD for kids and seniors; 45 USD for season pass
2. Enjoy horse riding at Dry Creek Stables
Posted by Dry Creek Stables on Monday, April 10, 2017
Dry Creek Stables in Bellville is a horse riding center that offers riding lessons and other services, such as boarding, training, trail riding, and renting out horses. And if you’re looking for fun activities for kids, you’ll be interested in the summer day camps hosted at these stables. From basic training for beginners to higher equestrian activities, myriads of fun things are conducted at these camps.
To know the prices, you can contact one of the three horse trainers, Ashlyn, Jessi, or Lory. They’ll also let you know about the boarding costs if you’re looking for a place to accommodate your horse. Furthermore, grooming, clipping, and cleaning services are available for additional charges.
Dry Creek Stables
Address: 10322 Lamp Rd, Bellville, TX 77418, United States
Website: Dry Creek Stables
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
3. The Bellville Perk: The local's caffeine fix
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This afternoon we were honored to host a styled wedding shoot for @events_by_jolie . Afterwards we decided to drink iced coffee from our champagne glasses!
Posted by The Bellville Perk on Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Like a small-town version of Central Perk, on the American TV show Friends, the Bellville Perk is a classic coffee shop with a modern twist. While you can get the usual hot cup of java, you can also get hot and cold specialty coffees here, like the Chocolate Chip Frappe. Smoothies, shaved ice and so much more is also made to order, here and the Bellville Perk can definitely hold its own against any Starbucks.
The Salted Caramel Macchiato with a delicious cinnamon roll is a great combination. For a nice refreshing drink on a hot Texas day try the strawberry-banana smoothie. Great friendly service and Southern charm are what you’ll experience at the Bellville Perk.
The Bellville Perk
Address: 538 W Main St, Bellville, TX 77418
Hours: 6.30 am to 6.00 pm, Monday-Friday. Saturday, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Closed Sunday.
Website: The Bellville Perk
4. Newman's Castle: A medieval abode in Texan landscape
Something you don’t see every day in Texas is a medieval castle. But that’s what you’ll be able to spot, just outside of Bellville. Newman’s Castle is an architectural gem, constructed by the owner of Bellville’s local bakery, Newman’s Bakery. With the help of one other person, the persevering two-man team took eight years to complete this towering structure!
Newman’s Castle features a 3,000-pound (1361-kilogram) drawbridge that is hand-operated, a courtyard, five turrets, with the tallest at 42 feet (13 meters) and a grand dining hall, that can be used for celebrations and events. Newman’s Castle is also surrounded by an actual moat! Many of the furnishings are handmade and replicas of those found in centuries-old castles.
Tours are conducted six days a week, but you must make a reservation. The meeting point is at Newman’s Bakery at 10.30 am. Arrive early and have a coffee and croissant or a delicious country-style breakfast.
Newman's Castle
Address: 504 E Main St, Bellville, TX 77418 (Newman’s Bakery)
Contact: +1 979 865 9804
Website: Newman’s Castle
5. Austin County Jail Museum: Bellville's past housed in a lovely building
It’s difficult to believe that this majestic, red brick structure, with limestone details, was once Bellville’s jailhouse. This fortress-like structure was built in 1896 and stands today as the Austin County Jail Museum. It is comprised of three stories, with a fourth-story tower once serving as the gallows.
Entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, this Romanesque Revival-style building offers various exhibits on Austin County’s history that are educational and engaging. Tours are available every Saturday.
Austin County Jail Museum
Address: 36 South Bell Street Bellville, Texas 77418
Hours: 11.00 am to 3.00 pm Saturdays only.
Contact: 713-385-7141
Website: Austin County Jail Museum
6. Holland Street Gallery: Where art comes in all shapes and sizes
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
LAST CALL AND FINAL WEEKEND! We are open for two more days. The entire store is up to 75% off! Open from 10am-5pm this Friday and Saturday.
Posted by Holland St Gallery on Friday, November 29, 2019
If you want to experience the art scene in Bellville then Holland Street Gallery is a great place to start. Showcasing over 160 local artists, Holland Street Gallery’s goal is to welcome art in all its forms. They display paintings, glasswork, weaving, pottery and a lot more. Holland Street Gallery even offers art classes for people of all ages, like the ‘Kids’ Summer Art Camp’.
Broaden your horizons by taking a jewelry-making class, or sign-up for the ‘Paint Your Pet’ class, where you can take a photo of your furry friend and create a memorable portrait to frame.
Holland Street Gallery
Address: 14 N Holland St, Bellville, TX 77418
Website: Holland Street Gallery
7. For meat lovers Bellville Meat Market is a cut above
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
With a butcher always on duty, Bellville Meat Marker has, since 1981, provided a sumptuous array of meat to keep visitors and locals very satisfied. Don’t leave without sampling the award-winning pecan smoked barbecue - a simple combination of quality, locally produced meat and fresh dry rub ingredients, that is slow smoked for 14 hours, with natural pecan wood logs, producing a very tender and delicious meat!
Turkey and chicken are also prepared in this award-winning way. And Bellville Meat Market isn’t just about the meat. Also available are one-of-a-kind spices, preserves, and their sinfully good Back Porch Pecan Pie.
Bellville Meat Market
Address: 36 S Front St, Bellville, TX 77418
Website: Bellville Meat Market
8. Fruits and veggies and pies, oh my! Farm to Market Produce Company
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Farm to Market Produce Company’s goal is to fill its market with fresh, local and seasonal Texan produce. If you want a taste of fruit and vegetables, with Texas-size flavor, then the Farm to Market Produce Company is the one-stop shop. And the freshness doesn’t stop at fruit and vegetables.
There are many natural, healthy options prepared for you at the Farm to Market Produce Company, like spinach enchiladas, chicken pot pies, and savory soups. The Farm to Market Produce Company makes dinner options limitless. Here, you can eat in a nice friendly atmosphere, or grab a prepackaged take-and-bake meal to enjoy at home.
Farm to Market Produce Company
Address: 128 E Palm St, Bellville, TX 77418
Website: Farm to Market Produce Company
9. Explore a 19th century trade at Bellville’s Historic Blacksmith Shop and Phenix Knives
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Fixed blade class, beautiful file work and TNT handles
Posted by Phenix Knives on Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Bellville’s historic 1891 Blacksmith Shop not only showcases skills from a bygone age, but it also is a working bladesmith and knife shop. Cowboy Szymanski has been running his custom knife forgery, Phenix Knives, out of Bellville’s historic Blacksmith Shop, since 2003. His handcrafted knives are considered a work of art, with their beautifully intricate designs.
Cowboy Szymanski is also a bonafide star, competing on the History Channel’s ‘Forged In Fire’ series, in 2015. If you want to stop by and see this master artist at work, tours are available, and Cowboy will also give a live demonstration.
Bellville’s historic Blacksmith Shop and Phenix Knives
Address: 305 E Main St, Bellville, TX 77418
Website: Bellville’s historic Blacksmith Shop and Phenix Knives
10. Get the low-down on Bellville’s past with a historical tour
A great way to get acquainted with a town is to take a tour and Bellville offers some great historical tours. Get a look at turn-of-the-century houses with the Bellville Historic Homes & Structures, or grand-looking buildings of the past with the Bellville Downtown Square Tour. Tours also provide an exploration of historical markers and sites, such as one of the most famous dance halls in Austin County - the Bellville Turnverein Pavilion. The pavilion is a large, 12-sided social hall, erected in 1897 that was used for physical instruction, like gymnastics and calisthenics, as well as town meetings, dances, and celebrations. Check out the Bellville Chamber of Commerce’s website for the tour that best fits your desires.
Bellville Historical Tour
Address: 742 W Main St, Bellville, TX 77418
Contact: +1 979 865 3407
Website: Bellville Historical Tour
11. Sudsy glory is on tap at the Huff Brewing Company
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Nothing is finer than downing a couple of ice cold beers at the end of a busy day of sightseeing. Huff Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery that offers a wide array of signature lagers and ales, along with seasonal and some exclusive brews. Rating high on the tasty-beer scale are Huff Heavy, a dark, malty and full-bodied Scottish Ale and Huff Overture, a Viennese Amber Lager. Huff Brewing Company’s tap room is open Fridays from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm and Saturdays by appointment.
Fun fact: When Huff Brewing Company opened its doors in 2012, it was the first time since Prohibition shut down a brewery in 1918, that beer was produced in Bellville! Now that’s something to celebrate. Have another round at Huff Brewing Company.
Huff Brewing Company
Address: 9805 Koehn Rd, Bellville, TX 77418
Contact: +1 979 270 1365
Website: Huff Brewing Company
12. Everything old is extraordinary at Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities.
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
A few more shots...
Posted by Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Housed in an early 1900s car dealership, Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities specializes in American and European antiques, vintage items, home and garden decor and beyond. Spanning over 7,700 square feet (715 square meters), even the most avid antique lover will only scratch the surface of this one-of-a-kind collection of antiques and oddities.
The owner travels regularly to England and other European countries to retrieve some very impressive pieces. There’s a lot of local Texan antiques also, like furnishings and folk art. Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities’ supply of rare merchandise is endless and ample. You’re sure to find something that strikes your fancy.
Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities
Address: 123 East Main Bellville, Texas
Website: Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities
Bemused by Bellville
With a medieval castle, craft brewery, blacksmith shop, and beautiful former jailhouse, it’s easy to be captivated by Bellville, Texas. Whether you arrive to stay overnight or just for the day, Bellville will not only offer a place to escape the hassle of the big city but also a wonderful community of unexpected delights. Explore the ranches, local eateries, shops, and parks of Bellville, Texas, while you’re indulging in this city’s traditions and history.
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