Man reads a book in a car during a Texas road trip. (nikkimeel/Shutterstock)
The Lone Star State has an abundance of people, places, and artwork worth celebrating—and you can see them all with our book-friendly Texas road trip.
Few feelings in life are quite like getting lost in a good book. It’s a magical experience to immerse yourself in an environment, paint pictures of characters, and savor a storyline.
What if you could bring those moments to life? It’s possible with a Texas literary road trip. Between stunning libraries, bountiful bookstores, sweet sculptures, amazing author homes, and themed bars and cafes, the Lone Star State has something for all book lovers.
We’re starting this trip in Dallas and going clockwise, but the whole route is a loop, so if you want to take this on your own, simply start at the spot closest to you.
Explore The Wild Detectives — Dallas
We’d recommend taking on The Wild Detectives at night because you’ll want to try one of the classic cocktails—like a Hot Toddy or Old Fashioned—or one of the seasonal fall and winter drinks, such as the Code Name Alligator or Brother Zooey. There are also regular events at this literary bar in Dallas’s Bishop Arts District, from Cook Book Club meetings to author appearances. It’s the perfect place to settle in, hear some great stories, and leave with a new book for your to-read pile.
Learn U.S. history at the Sixth Floor Museum — Dallas
Dealey Plaza is the site of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, one of the most important days in U.S. history. The Sixth Floor Museum, located in the former Texas School Book Depository building, chronicles the life of the former President, as well as news articles and reports from that fateful day and the aftermath. You’ll get to read plenty, and the interactive guide around Dealey Plaza is also worth exploring. Plus, if you’re like me and were not alive during this time, it’s like jumping back into the 1960s, only with better technology and more air conditioning.
The Sixth Floor Museum, located in the former Texas School Book Depository building in Dallas. (Michael Barera/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Grab a literary coffee or a bite at one of these bookshop bistros and bars — Frisco and Rockwall
Texas has a few literary-themed venues around the state, and you can visit two within a couple of hours. First, Frisco’s Rare Books Bar has its entrance behind a bookcase and is designed like a vintage library. Sip on a cocktail or flight named after a famous literary character or tale. Next, head to Rockwall, where Fable & Fire curates collections of new releases, longtime classics, and signed first editions of books alongside clever cocktails like Burning of Atlanta or the Catcher and the Chai. You can also complement your book collection with a lifestyle gift or a vinyl record.
Solve a mystery at Murder by the Books — Houston
If your favorite type of story is mystery, fantasy, or true crime, you’ll want to include a trip to Houston, where Murder by the Books awaits. Martha Farrington started the shop in 1980, and it’s grown to one of the largest mystery specialty stores in the country. You can peruse over 25,000 books along the shelves, and with more than 200 author events every year, there’s a good chance you’ll run into something going on during your visit. If you’re really fortunate, there might even be a mystery to solve right there on the spot. You can do it; I believe in you.
Sneak into The Blackbird Books & Spirits — Belton
Texas’s first bookstore speakeasy is in Belton at the old MK&T Depot building, hidden behind a painting of Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, the first female governor of Texas. The Blackbird Books & Spirits only opened in June 2023, but it’s already making waves. Try to snag a spot by the fireplace with a cocktail, either an alcoholic one or a mocktail if you’re trying to get back on the road. Then, dive into a good book from the nonfiction collection or challenge someone to a board game or a round of checkers. Chances are you won’t leave The Blackbird without hearing (or reading) a terrific tale or two.
Visit a trio of Central Texas authors — Austin and Kyle
The Austin area is full of fascinating spots, and it’s also the home of several famous Central Texas authors. In a day, you could see three distinct living spaces. The O. Henry Museum—host of the annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships—was the former home of William Sydney Porter, also known as O. Henry. Head to East Austin to see Edgeland House, a home partially buried in the ground and modeled on a Native American pit house; this is where novelist Christopher Brown lived. Finally, drive south to Kyle to the Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center, the childhood home of author Katherine Anne Porter.
The O. Henry House in Austin, Texas. (John Lightle/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Attend the Texas Book Festival — Austin
We want our literary road trip to be evergreen, so most entries are available throughout the year. However, if you plan to tackle this around the fall, you might want to aim to hit Austin during Texas Book Festival weekend. It’s one of the most critically acclaimed book festivals in the United States, with over 250 authors coming to read their works, participate in panels, and meet new fans. By the end of the event, you’ll walk away with a new book or two (or two hundred; just bring a wagon to toss everything into). It’s also a fun tour of downtown Austin since there are both indoor and outdoor activities. And despite free attendance, you’re helping a good cause: the Texas Book Festival supports underserved and young readers with multiple grants and programs. On my last visit, I even discovered a new restaurant—shout out to Sappori Italian Roots!
David Barclay Moore holding up two of his books at the 2022 Texas Book Festival. (Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0)
Embrace your inner Texan at Cactus Book Shop — San Angelo
Felton Cochran, the proprietor of Cactus Book Shop, has been a serious bookseller for 30 years and a Texana collector for even longer. It shows—the shop is full of Texas history, geology, artifacts, and more, all aiming to teach you more about the eclectic past and present of the Lone Star State. It’s won multiple awards for the best Western history book store and has become the home for some mammoth collections, including the works of Elmer Kenton, Ross McSwain, and John R. Erickson’s Hank the Cowdog series.
Walk through a tunnel of books at Intermission Bookshop — Brownwood
Intermission Bookshop opened in the summer of 2020 while the world was in the midst of the pandemic shutdown. The location is at the former Queen Theatre, where soldiers stationed at Camp Bowie sometimes popped in for shelter. The store features new and used titles and a bevy of elements that make it a lovely visual worth seeing. A bookshelf mural and a rolling ladder to help browse an enormous wooden bookshelf are both great. Yet one thing stands out above the rest: a literal tunnel of books. Your journey isn’t complete without walking through it.
Say hello to Storybook Sculptures — Abilene
My first ever visit to Abilene was with my band, and we played a show at a golf course. Did we capitalize on the free game that was part of our payment for the gig? Absolutely. Did I wish we had also gotten to check out the delightful Storybook Sculptures in Abilene, the Storybook Capital of America? You bet. Thankfully, the sculptures continue being added to, so even if you’ve visited before, there are new ones to check out. My personal favorites are Dino Bob and the Three Little Pigs, though they all ooze charm in their unique literary ways.
Sip on Tea at Leaves Bakery and Books — Fort Worth
Offering a pause from “the hectic pace of life,” Fort Worth’s Leaves Bakery and Books is the combination of Stir Crazy Baked Goods and Leaves Book and Tea Shop. And let’s face it; a literary road trip will probably offer some chaos simply from being behind the wheel for a while. Can you imagine anything better to wrap up your trip than settling in with a cozy book while sipping on a hot cup of tea (choose from over 50 flavors) and indulging in a freshly made pastry? I simply cannot.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
