Of all the places I could end up in Texas, I was very surprised to find myself in Brownwood. My time there was for a short three-day conference, and in my down time I was surprised at what I found.
Drive Around
Upon venturing out of my hotel located .5 miles outside of Brownwood on the business route, I first noticed the town’s history and charm. Located right in downtown is Howard Payne University, http://www.hputx.edu/ with beautiful grounds and just steps from Main Street and Downtown Brownwood. A quick turn onto Center Street and you will see the charming Lyric Theatre and several great little shops. http://www.brownwoodchamber.org/index.php/arts-entertainment. Brownwood is the county seat of Brown County, Texas, and according to the 2010 census the population is about 20,000. They are located about middle of the state of Texas, but the best part of this town for my quick adventure was their incredible antique shops.
Unexpected Treasures
I was traveling for the weekend for work, so I was not prepared for shopping financially, or for travel( I only had my little weekender bag for flights). But once I started to explore Commerce Street and the outskirts of Brownwood I couldn’t help myself! Ricochet was my first stop, and I found incredible treasures, and not just antiques- they also have hand-made local items. The next stop was Texas Things, followed by a short drive heading out of town on highway 279 to This Ol’House- All are just the cutest outdoor stops! Here are a few other recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=antique+shops&find_loc=Brownwood%2C+TX. There are also several historical sites to see while in Brownwood, I didn’t have time on this trip- but here are great resources: https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/heb13
https://www.browncountymuseum.org/
I left Brownwood after a two-night trip feeling like I really got a small sense of the town, and that it had a lot to offer. On my drive out of town back to the airport ( I flew into Abilene about an hour and a half away), I was able to stop in at Lake Brownwood State Park. Great place to stay if your looking for a great place to camp, or stay in one of their historic cabins. There are so many great activities here- from boating and jet-skiing to hiking. It will be worth planning a short trip with my family for another time.
If your day tripping through the middle of Texas don’t miss Brownwood, check and see if it’s on your road map!
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