This Unexpected Place in Texas Is One of the Best Road Trip Stops You’ve Never Considered

Calling all roadtrippers! For a healthy dose of Americana, plan a road trip along Route 66 in Texas. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of neon signs, nostalgic diners, and roadside kitsch to keep you entertained. And you’ll want to stop at Cadillac Ranch, one of our favorite roadside attractions in Texas. I think this memorable drive is something that you should experience at least once, especially this year, since the highway is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

If you’re anything like me, you’re interested in a quieter, less touristy road trip through the Lone Star State. If so, take the scenic drive along Texas State Highway 31 (SH 31). While cruising across the greener landscapes through the heart of East Texas, you’ll pass well-known destinations like Waco, Athens, and the cool city of Tyler. And along the route, hiding in plain sight is Corsicana, one of the best road trip stops in Texas. Let’s discover why this stop is worth the detour.

Dive into the History, Food, and Charm of Corsicana

Known as the birthplace of Texas’s favorite chili, Wolf Brand Chili, Corsicana is a town with a larger-than-life history. In 1894, the town became ground zero for the Texas petroleum industry when the first commercial oil well was discovered here. The booming oil town became a bustling hub, and the town grew due to its strong economy. Today, Corsicana, with about 25,000 residents, has settled into a slower pace that road-trippers like me appreciate.      

Located about halfway between Waco and Tyler, and about 60 miles from Dallas, the town is ideal for a weekend getaway or a quick day trip in Texas. For folks driving along SH 31, you should make this town a detour. It will be a short, but memorable pit stop filled with history, good food, and classic Texas charm. 

What to See and Do Here?

Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or you enjoy towns with quaint “Main Streets.” Corsicana has something for you. It only makes sense that your first stop here is Collin Street Bakery. This iconic bakery is a small-town food staple, famously known for its DeLuxe fruitcake. Folks always fall in love with its old-fashioned charm and friendly service at this century-old bakery. Stop in, grab some sweet treats from the bakery or order a sandwich from the café menu. This nostalgic bakery is for sure one of the top tourist spots along State Highway 31.  

Your next stop? About a half mile from the bakery near Main Street, be sure to stop and snap a picture of the Old City Jail. This historic brick building is striking and looks like it’s been frozen in time…and it is. Corsicana’s first brick jail was built in 1908 and once housed up to 80 prisoners, which was a lot for that era. 

It’s now part of the Corsicana Commercial Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I’d recommend stopping by the Navarro County Courthouse and the Palace Theater, too. The district is filled with beautiful Classical-Revival and Art Deco-style buildings worth seeing.

Not too far from the historic district, you can step back in time to a Texas pioneer village hiding in plain sight. Located at Jester Park, this open-air museum has several historic buildings from Navarro County, including homes, a trading post, a blacksmith shop, a general store, old equipment, and more. Plus, you can tour the museum of the Corsicana native and singer and songwriter, Lefty Frizzell. Want to stretch your legs even more? Take a stroll through the scenic park.

If you have time on your road trip through Texas, add Richland‑Chambers Reservoir, the third‑largest inland reservoir in Texas, to your list. The beautiful man-made lake is a great spot for a picnic on a nice day. Or you can take the Downtown Scavenger Walk tour that takes you to Collin Street Bakery, historic houses, murals, and more. 

Why This Stop Is Worth the Detour?

Corsicana is one of those unexpected places in Texas that you could easily fall in love with. Between its small-town charm, brick-lined streets, its world-famous bakery, and historical sites and landmarks, the town could arguably be one of the best road trip stops in Texas. It’s the kind of place where you can eat, explore, stretch your legs, and still have enough time to hop back on State Highway 31 to your next destination. 

If roadtripping is your thing, then check out our list of some fun road trips in Texas. You can explore more small towns like Corsicana and some of the state’s best hidden gems. Or use Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to personalize your own trip. It only takes a few simple clicks, and you’re done.