From a famous haunted house to quirky attractions and the rich historical significance of downtown Seguin Tx, this small city is a getaway close to San Antonio that’s full of adventure, strange things to see, and a whole lot of fun!
Known as the Pecan Capital of Texas, Seguin offers the best things to do, whether it’s exploring Max Starcke Park, indulging in pecan treats, or immersing yourself in its fascinating history.
I grew up driving through Seguin but never really took the time to explore until recently. We ended up having so much fun and were pleasantly surprised at just how many things there are to do in this charming pecan-filled city!
Check Out the Nutcracker Museum
Pape Pecan House is a popular destination in Seguin, TX. It is home to over 8,000 nutcrackers of all kinds! It’s a fun little spot to wander around, try out the different kinds of pecans, and become a pecan expert!
The owner really has an impressive collection of nutcrackers from The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, past presidents, nutcrackers from around the world, and more! We made sure to grab some pecans for the road!
Visit What May or May Not Be the World’s Largest Pecan
Do you say pe-can or pe-con? Either way, you can admire Seguin’s quirky claim to fame as the world’s largest pecan. Kind of. Apparently some other city not in Texas (and therefore not as important) is the current record holder and sends postcards to make their point.
But we’re Texans, and no one’s going to come in our way because everything’s bigger in Texas (even if it’s not). Plus, there’s kind of a memorial in front of the courthouse, so there’s not much more we can do.
Technically, Seguin put the actual pecan on wheels, so it’s now the world’s largest mobile pecan! I was last seen sitting outside Pape’s Pecans.
Things to Do in Seguin TX: Get Your Heart Racing
Seguin Tx is a fun place to visit, with a rich history and plenty of things to see and do. But if you’re looking for a real adrenaline rush, then ZDT Amusement Park is the place for the whole family!
If you’re looking for an affordable amusement park where you can ride the rides as much as you want without having to wait in long lines, then ZDT’s amusement park is the perfect place.
They have a parachute drop, the crazy toucan, a wooden roller coaster, water rides, arcade games, go carts (one of the most fun courses I’ve seen), and my favorite—the rock-climbing wall!
On top of all that, you have unlimited access to the arcade. That means unlimited air hockey, racing games, a cool snowboarding game, and more!
Find Vintage Treasures
We had a lot of fun checking out some vintage finds at Traveling Gypsy! From home goods to furniture, cigar case purses, and more, who knows what treasures you’ll find?
Get Your Craft On
I love the pottery painting studios, but You’re So Crafty goes above and beyond with additional crafts that you can make and take home!
Here you can drop in for jewelry making, mosaics, felting, pottery painting, glass art, and more! Perfect for when it gets rainy, you need a break from the heat, or you just want to relax and create.
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Things to Do in Seguin TX: Go Shopping
I love going shopping in small towns because of the unique items, but often because, while there, you get to meet the person who had the dream and support their creation! Spend some time wandering around the downtown square and a little beyond for fun finds!
If you’re looking for some fun home goods, Keeper’s Interiors is just the spot. They have beautiful artwork along the walls, small decor, and customizable furniture. You can add different patterns. They also have regular chalk painting classes if you are a DIYer.
Since we’re in Seguin Tx and they’re famous for their pecans, you might want to grab a pecan candle so every time you light it, you can think about your trip to Seguin. But seriously, it’s heavenly, and even when we use it at night, the aroma is still there the next day.
Serenity Boutique is the cutest little boutique full of fun and fashionable finds. Their team can help you perfectly style an outfit for any occasion, and they have so many adorable items. Plus, the blue building really stands out in this small town! If you’re on a budget, they even have an $8 rack full of fun finds.
Gift and Gourmet reminds me of a department store! They’ve got a little bit of everything, and this is absolutely where I’d go shopping regularly for all my kitchen items. They have all the kitchen gadgets you need, locally made items, cute gifts, jewelry, and more.
The Shops at Design Associates are hard to describe in the best of ways. It’s an eclectic collection of unique finds, funky trinkets, jewelry, and more. You’ll find a little bit of everything and more here.
Eat at a Power Plant
The Power Plant Grill, one of the coolest places in town, used to be an operating power plant. Now it serves as a one-of-a-kind restaurant serving up great cocktails, steaks, fried fish, and more! You can walk across the bridge, overlooking the water.
Explore A Haunted House
The Magnolia Hotel is a famous place for ghost hunters and fans of the paranormal, and it has even been rated as one of the most haunted houses in Texas! Part of the hotel has been restored to represent how it looked during its time as a two-room cabin turned stagecoach station, hotel, and even, at one point, a jail!
The other part remains in its latest state and unrestored. Every Saturday, the Magnolia Hotel offers a guided “ghost tour” for those brave enough to delve into its haunted history. You can also book their Airbnb to stay overnight!
Not into ghosts? This hotel is rich in history, which is worth taking the tour for.
Things to Do in Seguin TX: Grab Wings & a Drink To-Go: Rocket Wings
I don’t know if there’s ever a bad time for wings! And with 16 different flavors, there’s certainly something for everyone! My favorite were the buffalo lemon pepper wings wrapped in bacon. Yep! They have bacon-wrapped wings!
Funny enough, for a wing place, they’re even famous for their burgers. You can order the Grand Poobah, a massive burger with double the meat, double the cheese, and a special Poobah sauce.
On top of that, they have an extensive list of frozen cocktails, including margaritas, daiquiris, pina coladas, and more. And you can take them all! Perfect for grabbing a drink to take to the river or back to your hotel!
Relax by the River
Son’s Blue River Camp is a hidden gem that sits along the teal-blue waters of the San Marcos River. You can rent a two-story or one-story cabana for the day, perfect for grilling, relaxing on a hammock, and tubing on the river.
Thanks to our Toyota RAV4, we had plenty of storage space in the back to bring along everything for grilling and a day at the river. We’ve had so much fun with our RAV4 for all of our Texas adventures and all of the versatility it provides. Not to mention the incredible gas mileage we got for such a spacious vehicle! Read all about our experience at Son’s Blue River Camp.
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Discover the History of Seguin
Seguin is one of the oldest towns in Texas, making it the perfect trip for history lovers. You can go on a self-guided historical building tour of this historic town and then head over to the Heritage Museum, where you can view artifacts and learn all about the town.
Things to Do in Seguin TX: Step Back in Time
Afterwards, head over to Heritage Village, which has preserved these buildings that showcase the rich history of Seguin.
The German immigrant’s improvised adobe structure is one of the oldest structures, dating to 1849. You can also view other historical buildings at this unique heritage center.
One of my personal favorites was the Dietz Dollhouse (the left building). Louise Dietz built this house for his adopted daughter, who arrived on an orphan train before there was a formal foster care system in place.
Heritage Village is a great place to learn about the early settlers of Seguin and how they lived. You can also see how the town has changed over the years.
Indulge in True Southern Cooking
Mouthwatering hand-baked fried green tomatoes, pickles, and chicken fried steak can all be found at Dixie Grill! This is real Southern comfort right here!
The staff takes so much pride in their good food, and I can’t blame them! Everything was delicious. They serve your sweet tea in handheld pitchers, and you’re sure to get good Southern portions.
I’ve never been a fan of banana pudding, but the people assured me it was the best in Texas, so of course I had to try some. After taking one bite, I learned that I had never experienced true banana pudding.
Whether you’re a fan of banana pudding or not, this one might just change your life. I mean, mind. No room? It makes a great to-go snack to take home for a late-night snack.
Sip on Mead & Wine
Mead, a honey wine, is slowly increasing in popularity, but it’s the people behind Texas Mead Works who put passion behind a high-quality mead.
At their tasting room, they have a large selection of meads, from semi-dry to super sweet! One of my personal favorites was The Necromancer, with notes of butterscotch.
In addition to their tastings, they host regular events such as murder mystery nights, festivals, and more. Can’t stop by anytime soon? They’re at most major liquor stores.
They also have a winery on site, Blue Lotus Winery, where we enjoyed a selection of fine wines, including those grown straight from their own vineyard.
One thing I loved about this great place is that the owners are passionate about their meat and wine. What started out as a small tasting table in front of their house is now scaled into a full operation with a location in Seguin & Hye (on the 290 trail). Still, you’re likely to catch the owners behind the counter sharing their love with the people who visit.
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Things to Do in Seguin TX: Gain An Appreciation for Honeybees
Bee stings aren’t exactly pleasant, and I’ve always been wary of them. However, after visiting the Gretchen Bee Ranch, I’ve gained such understanding and respect for them. They have hives throughout Texas and are a leading resource for people who want to get into taking care of bees with beekeeping classes and gear.
Make sure to stop by their honey room, where you can sample some of the best honey Texas has to offer, check out beeswax artwork, and meet the people behind the bees!
A visit to Gretchen Bee Ranch is not only an educational experience but also a chance to appreciate the importance of honeybees in our ecosystem. So, be sure to add this great spot to your Seguin itinerary and immerse yourself in the world of bees and honey.
Enjoy Live Music at The Backyard
Everyone in town told us that we needed to stop by The Backyard. With daily bar specials, delicious burgers, and live music on the weekends, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular local spot!
Start Your Day with a Cup of Joe
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sipping on a warm cup of coffee to start the day. However, with the heat of a Texan fall, I found myself irresistibly drawn to an iced coffee treat at Seguin Coffee Co!
During my visit, I indulged in a delightful Pumpkin Cheesecake frappe. I loved the unique flavors you don’t typically see! Two sisters who run the business are behind the counter working just about every day, and it’s exciting to see how they’ve built a business they love!
Sleep in a Cabin in the Trees
For a fun glamping experience, check out Geronimo Creek Retreat, where you can rent a cabin in the trees with all the amenities and a cozy space. They have plenty of activities on site as well to keep kids (and adults) occupied.
You can read all about our experience at Geronimo Creek Retreat.
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Explore the Best of Texas
If you’re looking for some other fun small towns in the area, be sure to check this out
- Castroville – A small town in Texas with a big French influence. Often dubbed “The Little Alsace of Texas!” Strolling through its streets feels like stepping straight into a French fairytale!
- New Braunfels – A charming town in Central Texas that is known for its German heritage. It is home to a number of German restaurants and shops, as well as the Wurstfest, which is the largest German festival in the United States.
- Burnet – A small town located in the Texas Hill Country. The town is known for its crystal caves, which are a popular tourist destination.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Seguin Tx
Seguin is undeniably a town worth visiting. Just about everywhere we went, we met people who were passionate about their town and happy to share it with us. Almost every time we walked into a business, the people behind the counter were the owners.
Not only were there so many fun things to do, but I love how much of a community this town creates where you know your money is going back to the people who put their hearts into what they do!
Seguin has a little bit of something for everyone, from adventurers to fans of the paranormal, outdoor lovers, crafters, small town shoppers, families, and couples! For such a small town, they are really packed with recreational activities.
Last Updated 1 year ago by Jessica Serna | Published: October 4, 2019
Gwen
October 12, 2019What a great article! You hit some real highlights. Thanks for featuring our little town. I love the folks at Gretchen Bee Farm, they are amazing. They also give bee keeping classes. One, small correction. It’s ‘wary’ (feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.) not weary (feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.). I’ve seen a LOT of people make that mistake in the last couple years.