Brian Perry - The Daytripper

Goldthwaite, Texas: Goat Capital, Tacos & Small-Town Charm

Posted on August 7, 2026August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

Goldthwaite, Texas sits on the edge of the Hill Country, a small Mills County town that punches well above its weight when it comes to Texas character. It’s home to one of the country’s largest goat and sheep auctions, a taco shop that’s fed the same families for 25 years, and a general store that’s been patching bike tires and saddles for a century. Spend a day in Goldthwaite and you’ll understand why the locals call it the Meat Goat Capital of America. It’s a town where the pace slows down, the people wave from their porches, and every stop on Main Street seems to come with a story attached.

Watch the full clip below.

Goldthwaite Texas Goat and Sheep Auction Madness

Every Thursday morning, the Mills County livestock barn turns into one of the liveliest scenes in Texas. The Clifton family has run the sale for generations, and it has grown into one of the nation’s largest goat and sheep auctions, moving everything from wool stock to animals bound for specialty markets. Bidders call out fast, goats bleat louder, and the whole barn moves at a pace that makes it obvious why Goldthwaite earned its Meat Goat Capital of America nickname. Ranchers drive in from several counties over just to be part of the action, and even if you’ve never bid on livestock in your life, watching the auctioneer work the room is a show all its own.

Tacos and Burgers at Mary’s

Can’t decide between tacos or burgers? At Mary’s Tacos and Burgers, you don’t have to choose. This family-run spot has been serving Goldthwaite for 25 years, hand-rolling tortillas, frying shells fresh, and grilling burgers the way Mary’s sons have always made them. It’s the kind of place where the recipe hasn’t changed because it never needed to. Regulars order without looking at the menu, and the staff usually know what you want before you say it, the kind of familiarity that only comes from a quarter century of serving the same community.

Native Texas History and Home-Grown Pecans

The Texas Botanical Gardens and Native American Interpretive Center takes visitors back thousands of years to see how the first Texans lived off this land. Bedrock mortars once used to grind food and medicine are still there to see, and the center serves up native treats like pecan milk and prickly pear jelly that tie the past directly to the plate. Walking trails wind through native plantings that would have been familiar to the region’s earliest inhabitants, and informational markers along the way make it easy to spend an hour learning without ever feeling like a lecture.

Speaking of pecans, The Cabin is a local shop built entirely around them. Pecan coffee affogato, cinnamon-covered pecans, and a rotating lineup of pecan desserts make it a required stop for anyone who takes their nuts seriously, and Mills County has been serious about pecans for generations.

A Century-Old General Store and Dinner at Southside Tavern

Mills County General Store has been open for more than a hundred years, and it still does a little bit of everything, from bike repairs to saddle fixes. The folks who keep it running are the same ones who keep Goldthwaite’s history connected to its present, and a stop inside is as much about the stories as it is the shopping. Shelves mix hardware with hunting gear and hometown gossip, and it’s the kind of store where you can still get a straight answer and a firm handshake instead of a corporate return policy.

When it’s time for dinner, Southside Tavern turns an old feed store into a full culinary revival. Bacon-wrapped meatloaf medallions and Texas-sized steaks come out of a kitchen run by the Hammond family, who’ve turned a historic building into one of Goldthwaite’s best reasons to stay for dinner.

The exposed beams and worn wood floors still hint at the building’s feed-store past, but the menu is all modern comfort food, from hand-cut steaks to a rotating list of scratch-made sides. Locals treat it as the town’s de facto gathering spot, and it’s not unusual to see the same faces there every week, swapping stories over plates piled high. Reservations are a good idea on weekends, since word has spread well beyond Mills County about what the Hammonds are doing in that old feed store kitchen.

Meet Rosie, Goldthwaite’s Newest Local Celebrity

No trip to Goldthwaite is complete without meeting Rosie, the newest, and hairiest, member of the crew: a pet goat who’s still teaching us the ups and downs of goat ownership one hilarious mess at a time. In a town known for its goats, it only felt right to bring one home. (Just Kidding!)

Final Thoughts

Goldthwaite proves small towns are anything but boring. It’s a place where the past and present blend perfectly, from ancient Native American heritage to a lively livestock market, family-run eateries, and warm, welcoming people. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or just love discovering unique corners of Texas, Goldthwaite is packed with fun, flavor, and unforgettable moments. Colorful murals painted on downtown storefronts add one more reason to slow down and wander before you leave. For more small-town stops like this one, check out all of our Daytripper stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Goldthwaite, Texas known for?

Goldthwaite Texas is known as the Meat Goat Capital of America, home to one of the nation’s largest goat and sheep auctions along with a historic small-town downtown.

Where is Goldthwaite, Texas located?

Goldthwaite Texas is the county seat of Mills County, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country.

When is the Goldthwaite goat and sheep auction?

The Mills County livestock auction runs every Thursday morning and is one of the largest goat and sheep sales in the country.

What else is there to do in downtown Goldthwaite?

Downtown Goldthwaite Texas is home to a century-old general store, colorful murals, a pecan shop, and family-run restaurants like Mary’s Tacos and Burgers and Southside Tavern, all within an easy walk of each other.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

Elgin, Texas: The Sausage Capital of Texas

Posted on August 7, 2026August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

Elgin, Texas has earned its nickname fair and square: the Sausage Capital of Texas. Just 25 miles east of Austin, this small town has spent more than a century perfecting the art of hot gut sausage and slow-smoked barbecue, and a day trip here means stepping into one of the deepest, most delicious rivalries in Texas food history. Between two legendary smokehouses, a downtown full of local craftsmanship, and a honky tonk that still packs the dance floor on a Saturday night, Elgin Texas proves that small towns can carry outsized reputations. Whether you’re a die-hard barbecue fan or just looking for an easy day trip from Austin, Elgin delivers history, food, and live music all in one stop.

Watch the full episode below.

Elgin’s History: From Hogeye to Sausage Capital

Long before it was known for sausage, Elgin went by the name Hogeye and later built a reputation as the Brick Capital of the Southwest, thanks to the clay deposits that once fueled a booming brick industry. Over time, the town’s German and Czech immigrant families brought their sausage-making traditions with them, and what started as a practical way to use every part of the hog turned into a full-blown culinary identity.

Today, Elgin Texas leans fully into that heritage, and its hot gut sausage and legendary barbecue culture draw visitors from across the state and beyond. The brick smokestacks may be mostly gone, but the smokehouses that replaced them have kept the town’s name on the map for an entirely different reason.

Southside Market: Texas’ Oldest Barbecue Joint

No trip to Elgin is complete without a stop at Southside Market, which has been serving barbecue since 1882 and lays claim to being the oldest barbecue joint in Texas. Third-generation pit boss Brian Bracewell keeps the family tradition alive, turning out sausage in batches of 300 pounds in a matter of minutes, a process that’s as much craft as it is production line.

Watching the sausage-making happen in person is half the fun, from the grinding and seasoning to the final smoke that gives Elgin’s hot guts their signature snap. You can read more about the market’s long history on Southside Market’s own site before you go, but nothing beats standing in line and smelling the smoke roll out the door. Generations of Texans have made the pilgrimage to Elgin just for a taste of this history, and it’s easy to see why once you’ve had a bite.

Meyers Elgin Smokehouse and a Sausage Rivalry

Just down the road, the Myers family has been bringing German sausage recipes to the heart of Texas barbecue for generations at Meyers Elgin Smokehouse. The friendly rivalry between Southside Market and Meyers Smokehouse runs deep, and a blind taste test between the two only proves how close the competition really is, each side swearing their recipe is the one true original.

Don’t skip the Slammer sandwich or the brisket topped with hot guts, two dishes that show off exactly why Elgin’s smokehouses have earned their reputation. Whichever side you land on, sampling both in the same afternoon is the only fair way to settle the debate, and it gives you a real taste of why this rivalry has lasted so long.

Historic Elgin

Once the smoke clears, Elgin is worth a slow walk. Vintage stores and Celtic heritage boutiques line the streets, and add a short drive to the iconic Double R Hat House, where custom cowboy hats are shaped to fit both your head and your personality. It’s the kind of town that rewards wandering, with local shop owners happy to share the stories behind their storefronts. Between the antique finds, the handmade goods, and the custom hat fittings, it’s easy to spend an hour or more exploring before heading back out for more barbecue, and the walkable downtown makes it simple to hit several stops without ever moving your car.

Honky Tonk Night at Coupland Dance Hall

Cap off the day just outside of town at Coupland Dance Hall, a century-old honky tonk that still hosts live country music and keeps the tradition of Texas dance halls alive. Catching a show from a platinum-selling artist like Mark Chesnutt here is a reminder of why these old wooden dance floors have survived for generations, preserving both the music and the community that gathers around it.

The dance hall’s creaky floors and neon-lit bar feel like a time capsule, and locals still turn out in droves whenever a big name plays. It’s the perfect way to end a day that started with smoke and sausage, trading the smell of barbecue for the sound of a fiddle and a full dance floor.

Final Thoughts

Elgin Texas packs a lot into one day trip: century-old barbecue rivalries, a downtown full of local craftsmanship, and a dance hall that still swings on a Saturday night. Whether you come for the sausage or stay for the music, this small town east of Austin more than earns its title as the Sausage Capital of Texas. It’s proof that some of the best food and culture in the state doesn’t require a big city, just a short drive and an appetite for both barbecue and history. For more small-town stops like this one, check out all of our Daytripper stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Elgin, Texas known as the Sausage Capital of Texas?

Elgin Texas earned the nickname through more than a century of sausage-making tradition, led by legendary smokehouses like Southside Market and Meyers Elgin Smokehouse, both known for their hot gut sausage and old-world recipes.

Where is Elgin, Texas located?

Elgin is located about 25 miles east of Austin, Texas, making it an easy day trip destination for barbecue lovers and history buffs looking to explore Central Texas.

What is Southside Market known for?

Southside Market is known for being one of the oldest barbecue joints in Texas, serving since 1882, and for its hot gut sausage made using traditions passed down for generations.

What can you do in downtown Elgin, Texas?

Downtown Elgin is home to vintage shops, Celtic heritage boutiques, and the Double R Hat House, where visitors can get custom-made cowboy hats built to fit their style.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

This Blanco BBQ Joint Is Named After Texas’ First 300 Settlers

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

Every great Texas barbecue joint has a story behind its name, and Old 300 BBQ in Blanco has one worth telling. It’s named for the Old Three Hundred, the original settlers who came into Texas alongside Stephen F. Austin. Without those folks, there might not be a Texas at all, and that means no Texas barbecue, which would be a sad, sad existence. At least owner Ladd Pepper thinks so, even though he’ll be the first to admit he’s a Johnny-lately compared to those original settlers. His deepest connection to Texas history runs through the deep tradition of Texas barbecue itself, which he smokes up daily in this very Texan establishment.

Watch the full clip below.

What Goes Best With Hill Country Beer? Hill Country Barbecue.

The pit is the heart of this restaurant, and it runs seven days a week, twenty four hours a day, except for about three hours on Sunday when Ladd shuts it down and gives it what he calls a little Sabbath rest. Brisket cooks twelve to fourteen hours a day on a rotisserie pit that can smoke 500 pounds at a time, all of it over live oak sourced right in Blanco County. The dry rub is Ladd’s own, twenty five years in the making and just three ingredients. He’ll admit there’s black pepper in there, and probably some salt, but the third one stays a trade secret.

Brisket, Ribs, and a Rare Shot at Akaushi Beef

A sampling plate here means brisket, sausage, pork loin, and pork ribs, and every one of them earns its spot. The brisket has just the right amount of saltiness and needs no sauce to prove it, though Ladd won’t judge you for adding a little sweet sauce to the ribs. Show up on a Saturday and you might get a shot at the Akaushi beef brisket, made from a rare and remarkably flavorful breed of cattle raised right here in the Hill Country. That’s the kind of find that turns a quick drive through Blanco into an all afternoon detour.

Barbecue for Every Walk of Life

Ask Ladd what kind of folks come through Old 300, and the answer is all kinds. That’s the beauty of barbecue, he says. It speaks to every level of person. It’s not just serving food, it’s shaking your hand and saying thank you for being at my place. And in a town like Blanco, where nearly every establishment keeps a good local beer on tap or in the fridge, that hospitality goes both ways.

Final Thoughts

If you’re making your way through Blanco, save room. Old 300 BBQ turns a quick pit stop into the kind of meal you plan your whole trip around, and it does it with a name that keeps three hundred years of Texas history on the menu right alongside the brisket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Old 300 BBQ located?
Old 300 BBQ is in Blanco, Texas, in the Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio.

Why is it called Old 300 BBQ?
It’s named for the Old Three Hundred, the original settlers Stephen F. Austin brought into Texas.

What should I order at Old 300 BBQ?
Start with the brisket, then work through the sausage, pork ribs, and pork loin. If you visit on a Saturday, ask about the Akaushi beef brisket.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

The Best Reuben in Texas Is Hiding on the Blanco Square

Posted on August 7, 2026August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

The Reuben at Redbud Cafe is reason enough to visit the Blanco square, where you’ll also find a handful of great restaurants, plus local shops and local shopping, although most of it, fair warning, leans toward the ladies. But above it all, the spot that pulls in the most day trippers is lunch at Redbud Cafe. It’s half restaurant, half bakery, half bar, and yes, that math somehow works out.

Watch the full clip below.

From Pottery Studio to the Town’s Gathering Spot

Owners Jon and Jan Brieger are potters by trade, not restaurateurs, but when the old hardware store on the square sat abandoned, they saw a blank lump of clay waiting to be molded into one of the most charming restaurants in Texas. What they were going for, in their own words, was a place with really good scratch made food, a home cooking kind of feel, a focus on local brewery, and above all a place for the community to gather. Every walk of life mixes here, and that blend is exactly the point. Turns out making sandwiches and making pots aren’t so different after all. Put them together well, and they both end up looking good and tasting good. It’s the kind of place where the Reuben sandwich and the pottery on the walls both feel handmade, because they are.

Reuben or Meatloaf? Just Get Two.

The food at Redbud is as good as homemade sandwiches get. The meatloaf sandwich has a real case for best in the state, and it comes down to a genuine toss up against the Reuben, pastrami, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and rye bread stacked into something worth fighting over the last bite of. Order the Reuben if you only get one shot, it’s the sandwich this whole stop is built around. Wash it down with a Redbud Lavender Lemonade, brewed from actual lavender buds steeped into a tea and mixed into the lemonade, and you’ve landed on the sweet spot of the menu.

Next door sits Brieger Pottery, the Briegers’ original studio, and across the street stands the Old Blanco County Courthouse, which means one stop at Redbud puts you in the middle of just about everything worth seeing on the square.

A Good Representative Sample of Blanco

Nobody blinks at a full bar sitting inside a sandwich shop here, because that’s just part of how Blanco does things. It’s a small town where craft brew, home cooking, and a converted hardware store all fit together without anyone questioning it. That kind of easy mix is what makes Blanco worth the drive, Reuben sandwich or not.

Final Thoughts

Redbud sits right on the square, putting you in the middle of everything worth seeing in Blanco. Grab a seat, order something sweet, and let the afternoon slow down a little. Don’t skip dessert either. The cookies and cheesecake have their own following, and if you time it right in winter, the potato chip cookies alone are worth the drive. If this Reuben has you craving more small-town Texas finds, browse all our Daytripper stories for where to go next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Redbud Cafe located?
Redbud Cafe sits on the town square in Blanco, Texas, next door to Brieger Pottery and across from the Old Blanco County Courthouse.

What is Redbud Cafe known for?
Its Reuben sandwich and homemade meatloaf sandwich are the two most requested items, along with its Lavender Lemonade and bakery case of cookies and cheesecake.

Who owns Redbud Cafe?
Jon and Jan Brieger, working potters who opened the cafe in 2009 inside a former hardware store on the Blanco square.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

Skip Vietnam, Find Authentic Pho in Rosenberg, Texas

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

You don’t have to fly to Vietnam to get a truly authentic bowl of pho. You just have to make your way to Rosenberg, Texas, Richmond’s sister city, where Country Pho is quietly serving up some of the best Vietnamese food in the state.

Watch the full clip below.

A Recipe Carried Across an Ocean

Owners Le and Chau bring recipes straight from their home city of Ho Chi Minh City, and it shows in every bowl. Their son Danny, who helps run the front of house, walked us through the menu like a man who grew up with a ladle in his hand. Names like bun thit and banh xeo might sound intimidating if you’ve never ordered Vietnamese food before, but Danny made it simple. Start with the tradition. It’s what the place is known for, the beef noodle soup, built on onions, rice noodles, and a combination bowl that stacks brisket, meatballs, tripe, and tendon into one broth.

Yes, brisket, in a Vietnamese soup bowl, in the middle of Texas. It works better than you’d think.

Homemade Spring Rolls and a Bowl Worth Slowing Down For

Before the pho even arrives, the hand stuffed spring rolls show up with homemade peanut sauce, the kind of appetizer you could make a whole meal out of and not feel bad about it. Then comes the pho itself, dressed the real way: fresh Thai basil, bean sprouts, hoisin sauce, sriracha, and fresh jalapenos if you can handle the heat. It’s not just the broth and the meat. It’s every one of those condiments working together, the same way a proper Texas plate needs its sides. Add a little soft tendon to the mix, and don’t let the texture scare you off. It’s the kind of comfort food that sneaks up on you, aromatic and rich, the basil and bean sprouts cutting through the hoisin and sriracha in a way that makes you understand why people drive out of their way for this bowl.

An Immigrant Story Simmering in Every Pot

Danny’s family made it to Texas from Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, after his mother got on a boat during the war to escape with nothing but hope for something better. Watching what his parents built from that starting point, a restaurant that now feeds his whole family and half of Fort Bend County, is the kind of story that sticks with you. It’s the cliche American dream, sure, but some cliches earn their keep. This is one of them.

Final Thoughts

It’s this mixing of all cultures that makes the Texas flavor so great. If you’re anywhere near Rosenberg and craving something different from the usual barbecue and Tex-Mex, Country Pho is where you want to be. Bring your appetite and maybe loosen your belt a notch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Country Pho located?
Country Pho is in Rosenberg, Texas, just across the tracks from Richmond, in the Houston metro’s Fort Bend County.

What should I order at Country Pho?
Start with the hand stuffed spring rolls and homemade peanut sauce, then order the combination beef noodle soup with brisket, meatballs, tripe, and tendon.

Who owns Country Pho?
Country Pho is owned by Le and Chau, who bring family recipes from their home city of Ho Chi Minh City. Their son Danny helps run the restaurant.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

Day Trip to South Padre Island: Sand, Surf, and Sea Turtles

Posted on August 7, 2026August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

A South Padre Island day trip might be a stretch for most Texans, but it’s definitely somewhere you want to spend the day, or longer. Follow the coast south, way south, almost to Mexico, and you’ll land on the most famous, or infamous, beach in Texas. This one’s a throwback. We shot it back in 2012, and it still holds up as one of our favorite trips to the coast.

Watch the full episode below.

Breakfast Above the Water

No day on the island starts right without breakfast, and back then nothing beat sitting above the water at Pier 19, working through a shrimp omelette and a cinnamon roll roughly the size of a human head. Worth noting for anyone planning a trip today: Pier 19 has since closed after a fire took the restaurant and its pier, so treat this stop as a piece of island history rather than a place to book a table.

The Island in a Nutshell

On a South Padre Island day trip, South Padre’s southern end is the postcard version, a beachy strip of surf shops, restaurants, and hotels where more pictures probably get taken in front of the giant shark statue than the actual beach. Head north instead, and the pavement runs out, the hotels disappear, and the island turns back into what it was before anyone showed up. That undeveloped stretch backs up against Padre Island National Seashore, one of the last truly wild barrier islands left in Texas.

Building With Sand: A Lesson from a Master

Sand doesn’t just pile up on South Padre, it gets built into art. Sons of the Beach runs sandcastle lessons right on the beach, and instructor Dennis, part sculptor, part sand whisperer, walked us through the basics: pack it in a form, stack it like a wedding cake, then hand carve the details. We even built an arch, which felt structurally impossible until it wasn’t. It’s a perishable art form. What you build today is gone by tomorrow, and somehow that makes it better, not worse.

Snorkeling the Laguna Madre

Most Texas coastal water runs murky brown, but the Bay Laguna Madre is the rare exception. With Captain Shawn of Southern Wave Sailing Charters, we snorkeled water clear enough to spot drum, croakers, hermit crabs, and eventually a camouflaged stingray tucked into the sandy bottom. It’s no Caribbean reef, but for Texas, it’s about as good as snorkeling gets.

Birds, Turtles, and a Slower Kind of Wild

South Padre draws around 350 species of migrating birds, and the boardwalks at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center put you right in the middle of the action. From there we headed to Sea Turtle, Inc., a nonprofit hospital and education center that’s helped the Kemp’s Ridley, the most endangered sea turtle species and the one Texas calls its own, climb back from roughly 300 nesting females a year to around 17,000. Meeting the rescued turtles up close, including one non-releasable local celebrity who once appeared on national television, is the kind of stop that sneaks up on you emotionally.

Sunset, Shrimp, and Gravity

As the sun dipped into the bay, we grabbed beach volleyball and a plate of gulf shrimp at Clayton’s Beach Bar, the biggest beach bar in Texas by their own claim. When night fell, the island’s other side woke up at Gravity Park: go-karts, bungee jumping off Texas’s tallest tower, and the world’s tallest reverse bungee, which is exactly as terrifying as it sounds. Want the soundtrack too? We put together the full playlist from this episode, stop by stop.

Final Thoughts on a South Padre Island Day Trip

A South Padre Island day trip may look like nothing but a spring break party to some, but in truth it’s a lot more. It’s a place to build castles, mingle with the locals, swim with the shrimp, and fly with the birds. A town that’s undeniably Texas but feels worlds away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do on South Padre Island besides the beach?
Sandcastle lessons, snorkeling in the Laguna Madre, birding at the SPI Birding and Nature Center, visiting rescued sea turtles at Sea Turtle Inc., and beachfront amusement rides at Gravity Park.

Is Pier 19 still open on South Padre Island?
No. Pier 19, featured in the original 2012 episode, has since closed after a fire.

Why is the water clear at South Padre Island when most of the Texas coast isn’t?
The Bay Laguna Madre has no rough currents or rivers stirring up silt, which keeps the water clear enough to snorkel, a rarity along the Texas coast.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

Lone Star Hiking Trail: The Part of Texas You’ve Never Seen

Posted on August 7, 2026August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

The Lone Star Hiking Trail is proof that Texas has a wild side most people never picture. They picture cactus and wide open plains when they think of Texas. Head about fifty miles north of Houston, though, and the state throws you a curveball. Instead of scrubland, you get 163,000 acres of piney woods called Sam Houston National Forest, tucked between Huntsville and Conroe, with the town of Montgomery sitting right at its gateway.

Watch the full clip below.

A Forest That Had to Be Rebuilt

This forest has a comeback story. Decades of heavy logging had stripped the land bare before President Franklin D. Roosevelt made it official as a national forest in 1936. The Civilian Conservation Corps went to work planting millions of trees, and what stands today is proof that a forest can be rebuilt one seedling at a time. It’s one of only four national forests in the entire state, alongside Davy Crockett, Angelina, and the Sabine, a fact that stumped our own crew when we quizzed them on the trail. Turns out working on a Texas travel show for years doesn’t automatically make you an expert on Texas geography.

Walking the Longest Trail in the State

Inside all that green sits the Lone Star Hiking Trail, 96 miles of pine and hardwood forest, creeks, and the occasional bayou. Tack on the connected loops and you’re looking at more than 120 miles, which makes it the longest continuous hiking trail anywhere in Texas. That is pretty Texas sized for a state that supposedly doesn’t do forests.

We didn’t hike the whole thing. Let’s be honest, nobody’s doing that in an afternoon. We picked a stretch that led us to Little Lake Creek, running high enough that day to earn the word torrent, and crossed it on a tree bridge that felt sturdier than it looked. Standing under trees that tall has a way of making you feel appropriately small, and reminding you that Texas earns just as much bragging rights for its woods as it does for its cattle and its cowboys.

Whether you’re after a short family walk or an overnight backpacking trip, this trail has room for both. That’s the beauty of it. You can go as far as your day allows and still come away with a taste of the longest trail the state has to offer.

Final Thoughts

Texas gets a lot of credit for deserts and wide open plains, and not nearly enough for its forests. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is your friendly reminder to head east, get outside, and experience a side of the state most folks drive right past. It is proof that Texas has more than one kind of wild, and this one happens to be green. Whether you drive up for an afternoon or plan a full weekend, the Lone Star Hiking Trail rewards anyone willing to trade the highway for a few hours of pine shade and quiet trail miles. Pack water, watch the weather, and give yourself more time than you think you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Lone Star Hiking Trail?
The main trail runs 96 miles through Sam Houston National Forest. Counting the connected loop trails, the total stretches past 120 miles, making it the longest continuous hiking trail in Texas.

Where does the Lone Star Hiking Trail start?
The trail winds through Sam Houston National Forest between Huntsville and Conroe, with easy access points near Montgomery, about fifty miles north of Houston.

How many national forests does Texas have?
Four: Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Angelina, and the Sabine.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

Montgomery, Texas Day Trip: BBQ, Motocross, and the Nation’s Best Sandwich Shop

Posted on July 13, 2026August 7, 2026 by Brian Perry

A Montgomery, Texas day trip starts about an hour northwest of downtown Houston, close enough to smell the city but far enough that it doesn’t feel like it. This is a town of about 2,000 people with roots that go all the way back to Stephen F. Austin’s original colonists, and it happens to be the birthplace of the Texas flag. It’s also home to a goat with more statues than most Texas governors. Whatever you came here expecting, Montgomery has a way of one upping it.

Watch the full episode below:

The Town That Named the Flag (and a Goat Named Monty)

Long before Montgomery had a barbecue joint worth driving for, it had Dr. Charles Stewart, the local resident who designed the Lone Star flag itself. That’s the kind of history this town carries around quietly. It also carries around the legend of Monty the Goat, a real billy goat who wandered into town a hundred years ago, figured out how to mooch water and beer off the locals, and became such a beloved fixture that he’s now got more than one statue in his honor. Not a bad life for a goat who never worked a day in it.

Bar A Barbecue: From Fence Salesman to Pit Master

Cooper Abercrombie used to sell fences. Then he bought a house, which in Texas apparently comes with an unwritten rule that you now own a smoker, and he got hooked. He drove three hours each way to Goldee’s in Fort Worth just to take out the trash for a chance to learn from the best, and it worked.

Today he runs Bar A Barbecue with his wife Shelby and brother Caleb, and they sell out most days before closing. The brisket is the king of the tray, but it’s the honey butter cornbread that steals the show, a dessert dressed up as a side dish, with enough butter in it to be its own food group. Get there early. Sold out signs are practically part of the decor. It’s the kind of stop that anchors a full Montgomery Texas day trip.

Fernland Historical Park: A Cabin Built Without a Single Nail

A few blocks away, Fernland Historical Park holds the Jorden Cabin, the oldest structure in Montgomery County, built by hand in the 1820s with no nails at all. Whoever built that thing had more patience than I have on a good day. Right beside the front door there’s a gun port instead of a doorbell, a reminder that early Texas hospitality came with conditions. The cabin’s builder was an Irish Catholic who came to Texas in search of land he couldn’t own back home. Freedom looks different depending on when you were born. Stops like this are what make a Montgomery Texas day trip feel like a real history lesson.

Hiking the Lone Star Trail in Sam Houston National Forest

Montgomery sits at the edge of the Sam Houston National Forest, one of only four national forests in the entire state, and the Lone Star Hiking Trail runs 129 miles through it, the longest continuous hiking trail in Texas. We only covered a sliver of it, crossing Little Lake Creek on a tree bridge that felt sturdier than it looked. Standing under pines that tall has a way of making you feel appropriately small. Texas gets a lot of credit for deserts and cattle. It deserves just as much for forests like this one.

Riding Dirt with a MotoGP Legend at Texas Tornado Boot Camp

From the forest to the dirt track, Texas Tornado Boot Camp is Colin Edwards’ training ground for aspiring motocross riders, no experience required, which is exactly why I qualified. I started on what I was told was a kid’s bike, graduated to real motocross terrain faster than felt medically advisable, and got both tires off the ground at least once. Adrenaline is apparently addictive. So is the corn dog stand at the gate, if Colin ever lets me sell tickets to his next canyon jump.

Catfish and Calm on Lake Conroe

We slowed back down on the water with Captain Chris Edwards of Catch A Trophy Guide Service, hunting blue and channel catfish on Lake Conroe. The bite was good, the water was clean thanks to the San Jacinto River Authority, and for a few hours the only stakes were whether the next tug on the line was a fish or just a hopeful imagination. Fishing has a way of making you patient whether you want to be or not.

Tony’s Italian Delicatessen: The Best Sandwich in the Country, in Montgomery

I did not expect to find the nation’s top rated Italian deli, per Yelp, tucked into small town Texas, but here we are. Tony’s Italian Delicatessen makes the Stallone, a hoagie built on fresh pesto, a pound of basil, provolone, salami, and a proprietary sub oil that owner Lori will not share under any circumstances. Every sandwich is named after an Italian icon, and every bite makes a strong case for its namesake. This is the kind of place you drive an hour out of your way for and then wonder why you don’t do it every week. It’s easily the most surprising stop on this Montgomery Texas day trip.

Final Thoughts on Our Montgomery, Texas Day Trip

We covered deep roots, tall pines, smoky pits, a dirt track, a quiet lake, and a sandwich shop that outranks delis in New York and Chicago. That’s Montgomery in a single day, proof that small towns can carry an outsized amount of Texas. Just remember to save room for the canoli. If this Montgomery, Texas day trip has you itching for more, browse all our Daytripper stories for the next one.

I’ll see y’all on the road.

The Daytripper

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montgomery, Texas worth a day trip?
Yes. Between Bar A Barbecue, the Lone Star Hiking Trail, Texas Tornado Boot Camp, Lake Conroe fishing, and Tony’s Italian Delicatessen, Montgomery packs history, food, and adventure into a single day.

What is Montgomery, Texas known for?
Montgomery is known as the birthplace of the Texas flag, its proximity to the Sam Houston National Forest, and Tony’s Italian Delicatessen, a nationally ranked sandwich shop in a town of about 2,000 people.

What food should you try in Montgomery, Texas?
Brisket and honey butter cornbread at Bar A Barbecue, and the Stallone hoagie at Tony’s Italian Delicatessen.