Here’s a quick look at a few small Texas towns to spend a relaxing weekend.
Big Spring
Out in West Texas, between Midland and Abilene, you’ll find the little city of Big Spring.
If you can only eat in one place there, make it Settles Grill. It offers cuisine that combines West Texas comfort food with Southern elegance. And it’s been around for a while! Over the years, the restaurant has hosted notable guests including Elvis Presley, Lawrence Welk, and President Herbert Hoover.
A great place to stay in Big Spring is just upstairs from the Settles Grill. Hotel Settles originally opened in 1930 but it recently underwent a $30 million renovation. Hotel Settles reopened in 2012 and evokes southern charm that honors the building’s original elegance.
When you’re in Big Spring, you’ll definitely want to check out Big Spring State Park. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset and is one of the area’s largest and most popular attractions. Featuring gorgeous scenery, a 200-foot bluff, and a trail for hiking, jogging, or cycling, the park is a regular destination for sightseers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Salado
In Central Texas — you’ll want to check out the small village of Salado.
The newly-renovated Stagecoach Inn has a history stretching back more than 150 years. There, you can find authentic Texas comfort food and unmatched southern hospitality.
The Stagecoach Inn restaurant opened in 1943, quickly becoming a beacon of genuine hospitality for many generations of families, highway travelers, and locals alike. The inn’s re-imagined guest rooms are slated to open again in time for Labor Day.
The area around Salado’s Main Street is a lively marketplace with over 60 shops and artists’ galleries. You’ll find a lot of treasures, whether you’re in the mood for fine art, antiques, pottery, crafts, collectibles, Americana, Southwest or south-of the- border decor, handcrafted furniture, trendy or exclusive fashions, or gourmet foods.
Clifton
You could easily miss the city of Clifton — as it’s located far off I-35 between Waco and Fort Worth. But you’d be missing out if you didn’t make the extra drive.
The brand new restaurant, Sinclair, is located in a restored 1922 service station on Clifton’s Main Street. The New American restaurant features a seasonally driven menu with salads, steak, burgers and more.
The most memorable place to stay in Clifton is without a doubt The Cell Block. It’s a 1930s-era two cell jail that has been converted into a one room boutique hotel. Relax in the “Prison Yard” on the rooftop deck and soak up the visual art that surrounds The Cell Block: the town’s newest outdoor art venue, Clifton Art Alley.
Clifton is also home to Texas’ oldest, continuously-running movie theatre: Cliftex Theatre. It has been showing movies in downtown Clifton since 1916. Historic memorabilia, furniture, and equipment are featured throughout the theatre.
You can learn more about these and other Texas destinations in the travel issue of Texas Lifestyle magazine.
