Best Things To Do in Palestine TX

See the Fairytale Gardens

One of the many charms of Palestine is the enchanting fairytale gardens that magically appear every Spring! At the Davey Dogwood Park, the residents build these gardens and each one has its own theme. No matter the age, it’s fun to walk through the trail and see the different setups. Afterwards you can explore all of the different trails in the park. Not to mention what a scenic drive! I love East Texas because you don’t get trees like that anywhere else.

Have a Picnic Next to the Lily Pads

Or bring a kayak or boat! Lower & Upper Lake Park give you access to a scenic lake with trees all around. It’s the perfect place to set up a picnic and enjoy the natural beauty. Plus both areas are filled with beautiful lily pads.

Try Some Famous Pie

We didn’t have to go far for people to start talking about the Oxbow Bakery pies! I usually skip out on pie for Christmas and Thanksgiving, which tells you I’m not too much of a pie fan. But I took a bite out of the blueberry lemon pie, and it took every ounce of will power not to devour the whole thing in one sitting. Yes. It was THAT good. Do yourself a favor and get there early before they sell out and order yourself a whole pie.

And Indulge in More Sweet Treats

Planning a celebration while in Palestine? Lulu & Kakes specializes in custom dessert catering for special events, offering freshly baked cupcakes and pastries that locals love. Their banana pudding cupcake is especially popular, making any gathering a little sweeter.

Go for a Hike or Two

Palestine is perfect for those people looking for things to do that involves hiking. There are so many different trails with hiking paths. Many of these trails don’t have as much information on them which means more opportunities to uncover hidden treasures. In addition to the parks listed here like Davey Dogwood Park & Upper/Lower Lakes Park, there is also the Palestine Community Forest, Pineywoods Autumn Trail, Ivy Payne Wildlife Refuge and I.D. Fairchild State Park.

Stay at a Historic Hotel

Railroads were a huge source of traffic and economic for boom in cities like Palestine, and so in 1914, the Redlands Hotel was built as an elegant stopping point to rest, enjoy fine dining, and even dance in their spectacular ballroom. The Redlands Hotel still holds onto the grandeur and as a memento to that history. They have spacious suites to unwind, and they still offer that fine dining experience. Staying at the Redlands is a chance to walk back in history (but with some modern touches). You can read all about our experience at the Redlands Hotel.

Go for a Train Ride

The Texas State Railroad is a Texas bucket list item! You get to take a roundtrip ride from Palestine to Rusk and enjoy the grounds. The train ride takes you through the scenic piney woods for a trip like no other. You can even opt to camp there if you would like. The Texas State Railroad has several different options including more luxurious presidential cars, a scenic sky dome car, and a vintage open-air car. In addition to the different types of cars, there are also many different events around wine tastings, beer tastings, special holidays, and the famous Polar Express where kids get to experience the magic of Christmas just like the movie.

See the Waterfalls

A little hidden gem in Palestine is the waterfall of Wolf Creek Lake. Just a short hike away and you get to experience the mesmerizing view of the waterfall and even go for a swim!

Try a Donut Burger

Jocelyn’s Donuts has some fun donut options including popcorn and cookie donuts! However, the star of the show is their donut burger which they offer on the weekends with a juicy burger in between two donuts (just how it sounds!)

Go on a Fun Foodie Tour

However, don’t just stop at the donut burger. There are some foodie treasures around town worth a stop! Another great reason to have the app is for the fun foodie tour that they have. It takes you around to the different local spots where you can try the more unique eats that can be found in Palestine.

Explore the Sculptures

Palestine has put such a great emphasis on all of the beautiful works of art through sculptures around town. It’s hard to miss the train as soon as you enter town, but there are also other beautiful pieces around town that you might miss. You can use their app to find them all! Also fun are all the painted trains around town that you can see!

See the Trains

As a town with deep roots in railroad history, Palestine proudly showcases that heritage throughout the community. Train enthusiasts can explore even more at the Railroad Heritage Center, which highlights the town’s railroading past and includes a detailed model train.

The center recently upgraded its outdoor display by replacing the Union Pacific caboose with a Missouri Pacific (Mo-Pac) caboose and boxcar, bringing even more historic value to the site. The original UP caboose is being restored and will be put into service at the Texas State Railroad.

Go on a Historic Homes Tour

With over 1,800 historic buildings, there is no shortage of unique sights in Palestine. You can use the app that will take you through the different historic homes and their history. There are so many different colors and styles and I we found it fun to drive past all of them and admire each one.

Things to Do in Palestine TX: Final Thoughts

There is no shortage of fun in this historic town! The Texas State Railroad is often what brings people in, but once you stay for all the different activities, the town easily draws you in.

For more travel inspiration check out:

Farmersville: Small town with beautiful bed & breakfasts.
Hye: A small town in the Texas wine country filled with wineries & distilleries.
Stonewall: Experience wineries and Texas history.