Dawson TexasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Dawson, Texas.
1. Navarro Mills Lake
SERENE LAKESIDE RECREATION
Navarro Mills Lake is a popular recreational spot in the Dawson area with a 4.3 rating from visitors. The lake offers various water activities including fishing, boating, and swimming for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking and camping along the peaceful shoreline.
2. The Pearce Museum at Navarro College
CIVIL WAR HISTORY COLLECTION
The Pearce Museum at Navarro College boasts an impressive 4.7 rating from 52 reviewers, making it a must-visit cultural attraction near Dawson. The museum houses an extensive collection of Civil War artifacts and Western art that tells the story of Texas' rich history. Visitors appreciate the well-curated exhibits and educational programming offered throughout the year.
3. Angelita Vineyard & Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Angelita Vineyard & Winery is a highly-rated establishment with a 4.7 rating from 27 visitors. The winery offers wine tastings featuring locally produced varieties in a charming setting near Dawson. Visitors can tour the vineyard, learn about the winemaking process, and purchase bottles to take home.
4. Pioneer Village & Lefty Frizzell Museum
HISTORICAL TEXAS SETTLEMENT RECREATION
Pioneer Village & Lefty Frizzell Museum recreates life in early Texas settlements while honoring country music legend Lefty Frizzell. The village features authentic period structures including cabins, a schoolhouse, and other buildings that have been carefully preserved. Visitors can step back in time and experience what daily life was like for Texas pioneers.
5. Liberty Hill Park
LOVELY GREEN SPACE
Liberty Hill Park is a lovely green space in Dawson offering respite for both locals and visitors. The park features walking trails, picnic areas, and open spaces perfect for recreational activities. While exploring the area, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of this community park.
6. Starr Family Home
HISTORIC TEXAS FAMILY ESTATE
Starr Family Home showcases period furnishings, clothing, and antiques that map the 150-year history of the Starr family in Texas. The historic home provides visitors with insights into the lives of a prominent Texas family through multiple generations. Tours of the property allow guests to explore the architectural details and personal artifacts that bring the family's story to life.
7. San Felipe de Austin
BIRTHPLACE OF ANGLO TEXAS
San Felipe de Austin preserves the location where Stephen F. Austin established his colony in 1823, marking the first Anglo-American settlement and provisional capital of Texas. The historic site includes a museum with interactive exhibits that tell the story of early Texas colonization. Visitors can walk the grounds where Texas history was made and learn about the people who shaped the state's early development.
8. Varner-Hogg Plantation
ANTEBELLUM TEXAS HISTORY
Varner-Hogg Plantation reveals the stories of multiple families, both free and enslaved, who lived, worked and built community here for over 130 years. The plantation house and grounds offer visitors a glimpse into Texas' complex past through preserved structures and interpretive displays. Tours of the property highlight the agricultural, social, and cultural history of the region from the early 19th century through the oil boom era.
9. Collin Street Bakery
FAMOUS TEXAS FRUITCAKES
Collin Street Bakery is a legendary Texas institution known worldwide for its famous DeLuxe® Fruitcakes shipped to over 196 countries. Founded in 1896, this bakery combines traditional recipes with modern production methods to create its renowned baked goods. Visitors can tour the bakery, sample freshly made treats, and purchase gifts to take home.
10. San Jacinto Battleground
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE BATTLEFIELD
San Jacinto Battleground preserves the 1,200-acre site where the Battle of San Jacinto resulted in Texas' independence from Mexico in 1836. The park includes the impressive San Jacinto Monument and the San Jacinto Museum which house artifacts and exhibits related to Texas' fight for independence. Visitors can explore the grounds where General Sam Houston led Texian forces to victory over Mexican General Santa Anna's army in just 18 minutes.
11. Star of the Republic Museum
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS HISTORY
Star of the Republic Museum is a distinctive star-shaped museum that commemorates the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the last capital of the Republic of Texas. The museum features comprehensive exhibits on life in early Texas during the republic period from 1836 to 1846. Visitors can view artifacts, documents, and interactive displays that bring to life the decade when Texas stood as an independent nation.
12. Cook Center Planetarium
CELESTIAL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Cook Center Planetarium offers visitors an immersive astronomical experience with state-of-the-art projection technology. Located at Navarro College, the planetarium presents entertaining and educational shows about the cosmos, stars, and planetary systems. The facility includes a 60-foot dome theater where audiences can explore the universe without leaving their seats.
13. Corsicana Opry & Event Center
LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC VENUE
Corsicana Opry & Event Center hosts regular live music performances featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel artists. The venue provides an authentic Texas music experience in a family-friendly atmosphere near Dawson. Visitors can enjoy concerts, dance to live bands, and experience the rich musical heritage of the region.
14. Slaton Harvey House
HISTORIC RAILWAY DINING
Slaton Harvey House was built by Fred Harvey Co. in 1912 as part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway stop at Slaton. The Mission Revival style eating house served rail passengers for over 30 years, offering quality dining when such amenities were rare in the American West. Today, the restored building houses a museum that preserves the history of the Harvey Houses and their role in developing hospitality in the American Southwest.
15. Richland Chambers Reservoir
PREMIER FISHING AND BOATING
Richland Chambers Reservoir is the third-largest inland lake in Texas, offering over 41,000 acres of water for recreation. The reservoir is renowned for excellent fishing, with populations of largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and hybrid striped bass drawing anglers from across the state. Multiple marinas, boat ramps, and camping areas provide convenient access for day trips or extended stays.
Dawson Restaurants
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Dawson Beaches
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