Navasota, Texas is a vibrant country town full of culture and history.
The heritage of Navasota dates back to the early 19th century when its importance as a transportation hub resulted in it being a bustling trading post.
Today, the city features plenty to do for visitors and locals alike.
From an array of parks, hiking trails, and recreational activities such as fishing and canoeing to historic sites like the Navasota Blues Alley Museum, there are activities to interest all types of people.
The Downtown Navasota shops are great to look for vintage finds, artisan gifts, and music records.
History of Navasota
Navasota TX has an interesting history: it has its origins as a stagecoach stop in the 1830s.
The arrival of the railroad led to the further boom of the town.
During the Civil War, Navasota was an important center for the production of guns, gunpowder, shoes, and cotton.
Read: 50 Awesome day trips from Houston
Post-war, Navasota was the true Wild West.
Fights, shootouts, salons, and lawlessness were common here.
However, you will find that hard to imagine as you stroll through the town today.
Present-day Navasota is a quiet, charming town known for its musical heritage.
In fact, it is a must-visit destination in the Lone Star State for all music lovers.
Where is Navasota Texas?
Navasota, located northwest of Houston, is the perfect day trip away from the Bayou City.
This little town is located just 70 miles away from downtown Houston on Highway 6.
Most visitors often drive past Navasota on their way to College Station or Dallas.
However, this hidden gem is worth exploring for all its attractions and heritage on a fun weekend.
Best Things to do in NavasotaTX
Located in Grimes County, Navasota is popular for its blues and as the base for exploring Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
But apart from these attractions, there are many other things to do in Navasota.
Here are some of our favorite Navasota TX things to do on your next road trip to the town.
Take a stroll through the Historic Downtown district
There are numerous historic buildings in Navasota downtown.
Many of them are in excellently preserved condition and worth a look.
Most of the Victorian historic mansions are located on Washington Avenue, Navasota’s Main Street.
The Old First National Bank of Navasota Building is also located here.
Some of the other prominent buildings include Sangster House, Foster Home, and Joseph Brooks Home.
You can download a brochure about the historic homes here and go on a self-guided tour to see them all.
On a stroll through the downtown, you can also spot boutique stores, art galleries, and the many Navasota antique shops.
P. Nemir Dry Goods, located near Railroad St, has been open for over a century and is an amazing place to shop.
Understand the city’s history on Railroad Street
You should definitely take a stroll along Railroad St for more reasons than to see the historic homes.
It is here along the tracks that you can really understand how the railroad transformed Navasota.
The colorful classic structures here are very photogenic and opulent.
And yet, it seems to be an almost forgotten part of the town – away from the busy Washington Ave.
Visitors love to see the buildings on Railroad Street, especially the striking Giesel House.
The P. A. Smith Hotel building is also charming.
See the Navasota City Hall
Located at 200 McAlpine St, the Navasota City Hall building is a beautiful structure.
Built in the colonial style of architecture, the City Hall has a red brick facade.
Its bell tower is an iconic feature.
Outside the City Hall, you will find a statue of former City Marshall Frank Hamer.
He led the posse that killed the famed criminals, Bonnie and Clyde.
Fall in love with the Navasota Blues mural
You will find several beautiful murals in Navasota TX.
The famous Navasota Blues Alley Mural depicts the history of music in the city.
It is located on Washington Ave Navasota on the wall next to Classic Rock Coffee Co.
The mural celebrates Navasota’s music heritage and features several musicians including Mance Lipscomb, Nat Dove, and Mike Torres.
You can learn more about the Navasota music mural here.
Take a photo with the Greetings from Navasota Mural
The other popular mural is ‘Greetings from Navasota’.
Painted on the side wall of Miller Theater Navasota, it is a popular photo spot.
Best way to see the mural is from Zippys liquor parking lot.
You can view several different landmarks spelling the letters Navasota.
The ‘Welcome to Navasota’ mural is located on South La Salle Street.
The mural has postcards of historic views of Navasota.
Explore the city’s connection to the Blues
Did you know, Navasota is the ‘Blues Capital of Texas’?
Mance Lipscomb, a celebrated blues musician, was a Navasota native.
He is most popular for his blues and folk music albums.
He played at many folk music festivals in the country and is credited with the revival of the folk music genre in the 1960s.
That explains the music mural, the numerous music events held in the city, and the other music and entertainment industry connections of Navasota.
Attend the Navasota Bluesfest
The city honors Mance Lipscomb and other local musicians by holding the annual ‘Navasota Bluesfest’ in August.
Attending the festival is lots of fun; you can expect lots of good music and good food.
The festival also includes guitar lessons and workshops for visitors.
Proceeds from the festival are used to award the Mance Lipscomb Scholarship to a local high school student each year.
Navasota Blues fest is amongst the top things to do Navasota for music lovers.
Celebrate Texas’s birthday
Every year, Navasota celebrates the Lone Star State’s birthday in style in March.
The occasion marks Texas’s independence and a two-day music festival is held to commemorate it.
Visitors can enjoy concerts and performances by popular musicians, authentic Texan food, and family-friendly events such as petting zoos, mechanical bull rides, and even a shootout.
Pay homage to the city’s beloved musician
Here’s a little more information about Mance Lipscomb: he was a Navasota native.
Born in 1895, he was almost unknown upto 1960, when he was discovered!
That’s when he began recording and performing at festivals.
The Mance Lipscomb Park in Navasota is named after the talented musician and has a bronze sculpture of him.
You can find it on La Salle Street.
Sculpted by Californian artist, Sid Henderson, the sculpture is a beautiful work of art.
It shows Mance Lipscomb sitting on a bench and strumming his guitar.
There is a nice walking trail along the park and it is good for a walk.
Have brunch at Classic Rock
One of our favorite parts of a trip to Navasota TX is visiting the Classic Rock Coffee Co. & Kitchen.
This local gem has amazing music-inspired decor and serves great food.
It is the perfect cross between food for the soul and the stomach!
But the best part is the coffee.
The coffee beans are freshly roasted and all the flavors we have had till date have been delicious!
It is really one of the coolest restaurants to visit for music lovers.
Shop at the Navasota Blues Alley
Inside the Classic Rock Cafe, you will find the Navasota Blues Alley.
This antique and souvenir store sells vinyl records, music posters, and more.
You will finda variety of musical instruments along with Navasota postcards, magnets, and more.
On every visit, we easily spend hours sifting through the records for hidden gems.
There are old covers, photos, and other memorabilia in the back as well.
We recommend spending at least 10 to 15 mins looking through this amazing music shop.
The Blues Alley is definitely one of our favorite Navasota things to do.
Listen to live music
Navasota’s live music scene is pretty good.
Apart from the festivals and concerts, you can also find music being played in the city’s restaurants and eateries.
Our favorite when it comes to live music is the Western Steakhouse and Dancehall.
The food here is also delicious.
The Gallery Downtown is another amazing location to listen to live music.
Here you can see beautiful pieces of art from local artists as well as have drinks and listen to music.
Find your next read at the Muddy Water Bookstore
We love exploring local bookstores; you never know what gems you will find.
Muddy Water Bookstore in Navasota TX is one of the coolest bookstores we have come across in a long time.
The bookshop is very cute and inside you will find a good selection of used and new books.
The kids area is also really cool with a good selection always on display.
Apart from books you can also shop for a variety of gifts here.
On a visit, you can also meet the owner’s super-friendly dog, Dobbie. He’s the official book elf and a hit with kids.
Admire the churches of Navasota
In Downtown Navasota, you will find plenty of churches bearing a distinctive native stone facade.
The Navasota churches retain their charming Victorian edifices and are very photogenic.
First Baptist Church of Navasota, First Presbyterian Church of Navasota, and First United Methodist Church of Navasota are all worth taking a look from the inside as well as the outside.
Go antiquing at Bluebonnet Vintage Collectibles
Bluebonnet Vintage Collectibles, located on Washington Ave, is a great place to visit if you love antiquing.
Here you can find coins, paintings, photographs, vinyl records, CDs, furniture, and more.
It is always worth a quick stop if you enjoy looking for treasures.
Besides Bluebonnet Vintage Collectibles, Navasota has many other antique stores that are worth a visit.
Try looking through Circle P Antiques and Collectibles, the sprawling antique mall, and the Navasota Emporium for unique treasures.
Meet artists at the Horlock Art Gallery and History Museum
The Horlock Art Gallery and History museum has history exhibits relating to the city’s past.
The museum itself is housed in a historic building.
The house was built by Alabama native Robert Augustus Horlock in 1892.
It remained in the family for over 100 years and has distinctive elements of the Victorian style of architecture.
The museum also has an artist in residence program and you can always see a good collection of artwork on display.
The Horlock Art Gallery and Museum is a nice place to spend about half an hour to an hour for both history and art lovers.
Visit the La Salle Monument
The French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier de La Salle came to Navasota as a part of his Mississippi River expedition.
In 1687, he was tragically killed while in the area by a member of his scouting party.
Navasota has two statues of the explorer that commemorate his adventurous spirit and vast travels.
One bronze statue is located downtown at the La Salle Monument on Washington Ave.
Visitors can also see the stone bust of the French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier in August Horst Park in Navasota.
This bust was donated by the French Government and is a great work of art.
See the teapot at M. Bloomers
Martha’s Bloomers or M. Bloomers is a must visit while in Navasota TX.
This is a restaurant, gift shop, and nursery all rolled in one.
The food here is the best along Highway 6 in Navasota.
We especially love their Tomato Basil soup on a cold winter day.
We also recommend shopping the boutique for unique gifts.
But the best part of visiting M. Bloomers is seeing the gigantic roadside teapot attraction.
It is said to be the World’s Largest Teapot – and is one of the unique roadside attractions in Texas.
Visit the Brule Field
Brule Field is an amphitheater that was built in the Great Depression Era.
Made of native stone, the amphitheater is very beautiful.
It once served as the home ground for the Navasota Rattlers, the local football team.
Visit the Six Flags Over Texas Monument
Wondering what to do in Navasota TX for history lovers?
Six Flags Over Texas Monument is located in August Horst Park in Navasota.
This is the perfect place to learn the history of Texas.
At the monument, you can see a timeline of the flags and understand the six nations that ruled over Texas.
This is the perfect place to teach kids about the history of Texas and important events like the Battle of Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
A battle tank is also located next to the monument.
Our kids love to see the armored tank and it is their favorite kids activity in Navasota TX.
See the historic Oakland Cemetery
Navasota native blues musician and songster Mance Lipscomb’s grave is located right here in the Oakland cemetery in Navasota.
His grave is located in the Resthaven section on the west side.
You will also find several graves of victims of the yellow fever epidemic in the cemetery.
Learn about Alpaca farming and tour an Alpaca Farm
Navasota is also known as the Alpaca Capital of Texas.
On a visit to the Alpaca ranches around Navasota, you can learn more about Alpaca farming, tour the farms, and see the cute creatures up close.
A popular place to visit is the Bluebonnet Hills Alpaca Ranch.
The Alpaca Farm tour is one of the best kids activities in Navasota, Texas.
Buy mead and infused honey at BeeWeaver Honey Farms
Visiting Navasota with kids? Take them to see a working bee farm!
BeeWeaver Honey Farm is located right off the freeway and is a unique place to visit.
Here you can view bees as well as learn more about them.
The best part is the infused honey tasting.
With flavors like peppermint and chocolate, it is fun for the whole family.
The property also has mead tasting and you can also purchase bottles of their delicious sweet mead.
While most people would be satisfied with purchasing honey and related items, you can also buy your own bees in the gift shop!
You can also learn all about beekeeping and get supplies for starting your own hive.
This is also a fun educational experience to introduce kids to beekeeping.
Eat barbeque in Navasota
While Navasota is not particularly famous for its barbecue, you simply cannot get bad barbeque in Texas!
There are a couple of barbeque places in Navasota that are known for their smoked meats: Mallet Brothers Barbeque, McGinty’s Best Thing Smoking BBQ, and Circle 4 barbecue.
Order a brisket or some ribs and wash them down with a couple of chilled beers!
Not a fan of bbq?
There are many other places to eat in Navasota TX including Herreras Mexican Restaurant, Carroll’s Giant Burger, and China Inn.
Things to do near Navasota
There are many other things to do near Navasota TX in the Brazos Valley are.
From historic sights from the era of the Republic of Texas to modern theme parks and attractions, the whole family can have lots of fun in the area.
Here are some attractions that you can easily combine on a day trip to Navasota.
Admire the Grimes County Courthouse
In neighboring Anderson, you will find the Grimes County Courthouse.
This picturesque building is worth a visit for its striking looks and majesty.
The building was built in 1893 in the Italianate style of architecture.
It has been recently restored and photographs beautifully in the morning sun.
Tour the historic Fanthorp Inn
Also located in Anderson, the Fanthorp Inn State Historic Park, is a must for history and culture lovers.
Here you can tour a historic stagecoach stop inn and see avariety of historic items and artifacts on display.
The inn has been lovingly restored and interesting to see.
Visit Washington on Brazos State Historic Site
Navasota is the gateway to Washington on Brazos State Historic Site.
The state park is located just 7 miles away from the city.
Washington-on-Brazos is the Birthplace of Texas; the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed here.
There are many things to do in this park where Texas began.
You can view Independence Hall, hike on the park trails, see a panoramic view of the Brazos River, and visit the Star of the Republic Museum.
Attend the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville
The Texas Renaissance Festival is located in Todd Mission, about 6 miles from Plantersville.
With activities such as circus, pony rides, glass blowing, belly dancing, and parades, the festival is fun for the entire family.
See George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station
Drive a few miles north of Navasota to College Station.
Here you will find the George HW Bush Presidential Library and Museum, one of the hidden gems in College Station.
Inside you will find a variety of mementos, photos, and artifacts about the life and work of President Bush.
Visitors can also see a replica of the Oval Office.
The grave of the 41st president is also located nearby along a nicely wooded trail.
We recommend keeping aside at least 2 to 3 hours to see the Presidential Library.
Take a stroll through historic downtown Bryan
Historic Downtown Bryan located adjacent to College Station is an area rich in history and culture.
The community has its beginnings as a railroad stop.
You can take a historical walking tour of the area and see iconic buildings such as the LaSalle, Hotel Bryan, and the Carnegie History Center.
You will also find a lot of boutiques, murals, theatres, and other attractions.
Admire the bluebonnets in spring
If you happen to visit Navasota in spring, you will find bluebonnet fields surrounding the town.
Just drive from Navasota to Washington County and the small towns of Independence and Chappell Hill and you are sure to find beautiful flower fields.
We hope you liked our post on the best things to do in Navasota, TX.
Let us know if we missed any other attraction in the city.
