Fall Is The Perfect Time To Visit This Historic East Texas Town
Texas may not experience fall foliage quite as brilliant as, say, the Northeast, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the season to the fullest. Big cities and small towns alike go all-out for autumn, and Palestine is no exception. Nestled deep in the Piney Woods of eastern Texas, this historic town is such a charming place to visit in the fall, with a town square perfect for strolling on a crisp day, delicious pie, and some of the boldest changing leaves in the state.
Established in 1846, this charming east Texas town boasts more than 1,800 historic sites, including the award-winning Main Street District.
Though beautifully revitalized, downtown Palestine still retains much of its historic charm, with many of the buildings dating to the 20th century or earlier.
A 254-acre oasis, the park boasts eight miles of multiuse trails that meander through dense foliage, and the autumnal hues are reminiscent of a painting.
Fall colors typically peak in mid-to-late November, with the dogwood trees always changing first.
The city provides frequent updates throughout the season, so be sure to check their Facebook page for the most accurate information.
Of course, Palestine is also the proud home of the Texas State Railroad, which takes passengers on a 50-mile round-trip journey between Palestine and Rusk.
The train route winds through the heavily forested landscape of the East Texas Piney Woods, so you'll have ample opportunity to see fall foliage along the way.
After a full day of exploring, head to the family-owned Oxbow Bakery & Antiques for a sweet treat.
No matter what your favorite pie is - apple, pumpkin, pecan, or lemon meringue - rest assured it can be found here. Pictured here is their seasonal Pumpkin Crisp, which is like pumpkin pie, only better. It features a buttery streusel topping that practically melts in your mouth, and it's heaven at first bite.
Visit the official Palestine tourism website or Facebook page for more information about this charming Texas town.
Have you ever visited Palestine in the fall? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below. Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn more about the mouthwatering treats you’ll find at Oxbow Bakery!
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
