Columbus, Texas
Our nearest neighbor and the county seat, eight miles from the gate: a courthouse square, historic halls, and a river running through it.
8 miles
The Courthouse
The 1890 Colorado County Courthouse, all limestone and clock tower, anchors the square. Boutiques, antique shops, and cafes ring the lawn around it, and the town's giant live oaks shade it all.
While you are there, look up Grandma's Oak on Walnut Street, listed as the largest live oak in Texas.
Plan the drive
8 miles
The Stafford Opera House
Built by cattleman R. E. Stafford in 1886 and lovingly restored, the opera house is the prettiest brick building on Spring Street. Tours, performances, and weddings fill its calendar.
Plan the drive
8 miles
The Water Tower Museum
Four hundred thousand bricks went up in 1883 as the town water tower. Since 1962 the crenellated tower has been the War Memorial Museum, honoring Colorado County veterans of every war.
Plan the drive
8 miles
Shopping the Square
Historic storefronts full of finds: Southern Flair's 19 vendors, Potter's Western Store (a Columbus original since 1965), and Grand Oaks Antiques with twenty dealers under one roof.
Plan the drive
8 miles
The Colorado River
The river bends right through town. Paddle the 6.5-mile Columbus Paddling Trail past wildflowers and turtles, then land at Beason's Park for a picnic under the oaks, one block from downtown.
Plan the driveWhere the Locals Eat
Columbus punches above its weight at the table. All of these are eight miles from your site, give or take a few minutes.
Schobel's Restaurant
- The local institution since 1979
- Chicken-fried steak, big portions, bakery
- Milam Street ~8 mi
Latte Café
- The unexpected gem for breakfast and lunch
- Homemade bread, paninis, serious coffee
- Hwy 71 S ~8 mi
Magnolia Society
- The dress-up night out in Columbus
- Craft cocktails and chef-driven dishes
- On the square ~8 mi
Los Cabos Mexican Grill
- The dependable Mexican spot
- Fajitas and strong margaritas
- State Hwy 71 ~8 mi
Shaw's Bend Social Club
- The story you take home: cold beer, karaoke, pool
- A rodeo arena and events most weekends
- FM 1890 ~15 min
Blake Street Grill
- The sports bar on Milam
- Burgers, wings, and the game on TV
- Milam Street ~8 mi
A Little Farther
When you have more than an afternoon.
- Round Top antiques fairs~30 mi
- Washington-on-the-Brazos~45 mi
- Katy Mills shopping~45 mi
- Houston~66 mi
- Austin~85 mi
- San Antonio & the River Walk~110 mi
Stocking Up
The practical stuff, close to the gate.
Fuel & Travel Stops
- Love's Travel Stop, Columbus ~8 mi
- Buc-ee's, Katy on your way in from Houston
Groceries & Supplies
- Brookshire Brothers, Columbus ~8 mi
- Walmart Supercenter, Sealy ~15 mi
Good Eats
- Schobel's, Columbus ~8 mi
- Diners & drive-ins around the square ~8 mi
- Katy Mills food hall ~45 mi
Columbus photography via Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under CC BY and CC BY-SA licenses.
