Known across Texas for being the home of the original Blue Bell Creameries, the number of fun things to do in Brenham expands far past ice cream (though you definitely shouldn’t miss a chance to visit Blue Bell while you’re there).
From a charming downtown packed with murals to interesting parks and attractions located just outside of town, Brenham makes a wonderful day trip or weekend escape.
Planning a trip and curious about what to do in Brenham once you finish up at Blue Bell?
Here are the best things to do in (and near) Brenham!
The Best Things to Do in Brenham, TX
Grab a scoop of ice cream at Blue Bell Creameries.
Without a doubt, the best-known of all the things to do in Brenham is paying a visit to Blue Bell Creameries–we couldn’t start this list with anything else!
At the creamery, you can watch the ice cream being produced from the Observation Deck, learn about the company’s history at the Visitor’s Center, and–best of all–grab a treat from the on-site Ice Cream Parlor for only $1 per gigantic scoop!
Many Texans–especially those in College Station, Austin, and Houston–consider paying a visit to Blue Bell an excellent day trip in and of itself.
And while we highly recommend getting beyond Blue Bell when visiting Brenham (hence this blog post), there’s no doubt that it’s one of the stars of the show!
Enjoy downtown’s many murals.
For a small town in Texas, Brenham boasts an outsized number of beautiful murals, depicting everything from bluebonnets to owls to Blue Bell’s logo.
As you stroll through town, you’re bound to find several worth snapping photos of!
Take the kids to ride an antique carousel.
Brenham’s Antique Flying Horses Carousel is not only absolutely beautiful and a piece of history worth admiring, but it’s also still functional!
Riders aged 12 and under are welcome to ride the carousel seasonally, and older riders can either stand next to the horses or sit on one of the carousel’s gondolas.
As of summer 2025, the carousel is open on Saturdays from March – October, with limited Sunday hours March – May.
Rides are $1, and you can check updated schedule and pricing information here.
Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tour the Giddings Stone Mansion.
Built in the 1870s, this Greek Revival mansion is magnificent to behold, both inside and out.
Featuring 11 rooms, 2 galleries, and a second building on-site, touring the mansion is quite the experience!
Visitors can visit the interior of the mansion while in Brenham, and the property also hosts weddings and other events.
Touring the mansion requires making an appointment 3-4 days in advance, which can be done here.
Visit the Brenham Heritage Museum.
Dedicated to the history of both Brenham and of Washington County as a whole, this small museum is a great place to learn about Brenham’s beginnings.
Right next door, you’ll find the Fire Museum–which is more of a display, really–that is home to several historic fire trucks.
The Brenham Heritage Museum is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
See a show at Unity Theatre.
Looking for a fun way to spend an evening in Brenham?
Consider supporting the local arts by seeing a show at the non-profit Unity Theatre!
Enjoy Hohlt Park.
Home to everything from walking trails to sports fields to an amphitheater, the 85-acre Hohlt Park is a fixture of the community in Brenham, Texas.
Step into Toubin Park.
This tiny pocket park is wedged in between two buildings in downtown Brenham, just a short walk from the town square.
Dedicated to exploring Brenham’s history (and its use of cisterns), it’s a fun attraction to duck into when wandering through town.
What to Do Near Brenham
While there are lots of cool attractions in town, there are even more fun things to do near Brenham!
If you’re visiting Brenham, be sure to make time for a stop or two in the surrounding area, too.
Tour Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Once a town in its own right, and today merely a beautiful state park, Washington-on-the-Brazos is known as “Where Texas Began” because it is the site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico.
During your visit, you can check out the building where the declaration was signed in 1836, along with a museum, a living history farm, and a beautiful trail along the Brazos River.
As a self-proclaimed history nerd, this is one of my absolute favorite sites in the area, and as one of only 41 Texas State Historic Sites, it’s a must-see for all Texans.
Check out a lavender farm.
Located about 15 minutes outside of Brenham, the Chappell Hill Lavender Farm is absolutely beautiful and is home to blooming lavender twice a year (once in late spring/early summer, and once in late summer).
Unlike many lavender farms around the world, Chappell Hill Lavender Farm doesn’t charge a fee to walk their fields during the cutting season!
They also welcome picnics on-site, have a delightful gift shop, and have 3 miniature goats that you can visit.
Visit the Texas Cotton Gin Museum.
The 1914 Burton Farmers Cotton Gin is the oldest still-functioning cotton gin in the USA–and visitors are welcome to tour it!
Guided tours of the gin itself are given at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Tuesday – Saturday, and last about an hour and a half.
here’s a small fee for the tour ($6 for adults, $4 for children 5 and up).
Just want to stop by the Texas Cotton Gin Museum?
You can do that anytime from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Tuesday – Saturday, and admission is free!
Seek out the bluebonnets.
The area surrounding Brenham is known for its stupendous fields of bluebonnets and other wildflowers each spring–it’s one of the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas!
Head to Brenham during bluebonnet season and hit the backroads, and it won’t be long until you find some absolutely magical views!
Want to set off in a specific direction? During the bluebonnet season, you’ll find a wildflower driving map here.
Go antiquing in Round Top.
The charming small town of Round Top, Texas is best known for being one of the absolute best places for antiquing in the Lone Star State–and it’s located a mere 25 minutes from Brenham.
Whether you happen to be in town for one of the legendary antique fairs or are just passing through town on a regular day, you’re bound to find limitless amounts of antiques to peruse.
Looking for some interesting things to see in between the shopping?
Nearby, you’ll find the world’s smallest active Catholic Church, which I loved visiting!
Stop and smell the roses at Antique Rose Emporium.
While the Antique Rose Emporium is technically a garden center where you can purchase plants, seeds, and more, their magnificent display gardens are what put them on the map as one of the best things to do in Brenham!
Check out the ruins at Old Baylor Park.
Once upon a time, Baylor University’s female campus (Academy Hill) was in Brenham–and today, only some soaring stone columns survive!
They’re a popular place to visit in Brenham today, thanks to their location in the park and their unusual appearance.
Old Baylor Park is also a great place to look for bluebonnets in Brenham in the spring!
Hayhayitsmaay, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where is Brenham, Texas?
Brenham is located in East Texas, and is within easy day trip and weekend getaway distance of many of Texas’ larger cities!
It is about 45 minutes south of College Station, one hour and 15 minutes northwest of Houston, 1.5 hours east of Austin, and 2.5 hours northeast of San Antonio (all traffic dependent, of course).
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