The BEST Bluebonnet Spots

We get it - you love the flowers and want to take pictures! But what kind do you want? Some people want landscape pictures of a sea of blue. Some want the perfect bluebonnet up close. Others want to capture their cute kids and dogs in a big patch of peaked bluebonnets. Well, this year we have great bluebonnets, but there may be more paintbrush or other colors in the big fields.

Here's the skinny on where to go for what, as of April 8, 2014. And here's our Wildflower Watch map that can be found on our website that shows activity throughout the county. We're not at peak yet, but getting close. Our best guess is we'll have flowers through most of April at least. Keep an eye on our Wildflower Watch for more activity.

OH, one more thing... it seems everyone who's driving in from Houston stops along Hwy 290 at the Welcome sign just over the Brazos River to take pictures in the bluebonnets. Yes, these are great flowers and it's nice to get the sign in the picture, but we strongly recommend you use extreme caution. This highway is a very high traffic road with drivers moving at 80mph - it's dangerous! PLEASE pull off the road as far as possible, keep your hands on your children, and DO NOT park on the bridge!

Now, back to the fun...

KID FRIENDLY and UP CLOSE & PERSONAL:
In Brenham - 

• Stringer Street next to The Banner Press
• Becker Drive directly behind JC Penney is a patch of bluebonnets and paintbrush
• Hwy 290 feeder behind Las Fuentes/Knight's Inn
• Wood Ridge Blvd behind Wal-Mart and Home Depot
• Brenham Business Park (see map) on S Blue Bell Rd behind Sealand Seafood & Steak and Brenham Saddle Shop.

In Independence:

• Old Baylor Park - a beautiful mix of all kinds of flowers including some bluebonnets.

Washington-on-the-Brazos:

• At the park there are multiple areas to get out and take pictures.
• R-Place has a beautiful field behind the restaurant. If you're there on a weekend, say "thank you" and enjoy some delicious BBQ, a drink or ice cream!

Lake Somerville:

• The Lake Somerville Trailway is a 13-mile (one way) hike, bike and equestrian trail that connects Birch Creek State Park (north) and Nails Creek State Park (south). This trail has lovely flowers of all kinds on it, as well as lots of birds and deer. Picture reports from the parks say flowers are around 500 yards from Newman’s Bottom parking lot which is west of Nails Creek on CR 140.
• Birch Creek Day Use area has bluebonnets, and the lake, so you can capture a really nice shot, maybe even with a sunset!

LANDSCAPE PHOTOS: (Please respect private property and stay on public access roads)

• FM 2780 has good bluebonnets north of Burton to Flagpond Rd. Some are fields off in the distance.
• Christian Cemetery Rd is pretty with bluebonnets along the road.
• FM 390 is plentiful with paintbrush.
• Hoddeville School Rd, just a quarter mile or so off FM 390, has a gorgeous mix of flowers.
• Kettler Rd and FM 390 has a large bluebonnet field, as does Kettler & FM 1935
• Kettler Road in Old Washington area, near Tappe Rd.
• FM 2621 has a lovely field of mixed flowers
• Old Independence Rd has bluebonnets along it and is a much slower paced road that it's parallel partner FM 50.
• Flewellen and FM 1155 features paintbrush in plenty.
• Further up Flewellen you should find more bluebonnets, too.
• FM 2447 after Lost Lane has a field of yellow
• FM 389 and Brandt has plentiful paintbrush
• FM 50 and Hwy 105 has a nice mixed field

These are the areas we are aware of. There are plenty more but we can't find them all so you'll just have to get out there and explore! We have detailed county road maps for sale in the Visitor Center for $1. Please stop by, pick up a map, visitor guide, bluebonnet seeds to plant at home, postcards in case you can't get that perfect shot, and information about our attractions, restaurants and more! We're open M-F 10-5, Sat 10-3 and Sun 1-4. Stop by and tell us of your findings!

Geocaching is also a fun activity to incorporate into wildflower watching. Don't know what that is? It's sort of like a treasure hunt incorporating the outdoors, technology, and fun! Oh, and it's practically FREE (the fuel in the car is the biggest expense)! Great for kids, adults, dogs, you name it! LEARN MORE

5 on FRIDAY: Mar 28-30, 2014

Looks like a nice weekend is upon us filled with a variety of fun. Check it out...

1) Antiques Week in Round Top has begun! Hundreds of vendors are set up throughout Round Top, Carmine and Warrenton, ready to sell you your next new-to-you treasure. The official dates are Apr 2-5, but there's plenty of action out there for the early birds! Details

2) Brazos Valley Brewery is open Fri 5-9 and Sat 1-8. Go on over and get you a pint of micro-brewed goodness - the patio is a relaxing place to hang out!

3) Bluebonnet Wine & Cheese Trail is this weekend and the following two. One ticket gets you tastings, treats and treasures at 7 different wineries throughout the region. Buy your tickets online, then show up to any and all wineries for a good time over the next 3 weekends.

4) Washington-on-the-Brazos is having historical presentations about "The Many Marys of Barrington." Make your way to Barrington Living History Farm at WOB between 10 and 4:30 on Sat & Sun.

5) Historic Coles Settlement Tours are again this weekend in Independence. Sat 10-4 and Sun 1-4. Free to the public, you'll get an insiders view of great historic buildings from the 1800s, normally not open throughout the year.

Have a great time exploring Washington County! There are lots of flowers blooming, too, so keep your eyes out for those beautiful bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, coreopsis, verbena, daisies, and more!

Check the calendar for MORE things happening around Washington County:
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY

5 on FRIDAY: Mar 21-23, 2014

The first weekend of the 2014 Spring season - what are your plans? Here are some great suggestions... get out of the big city and come to the country where we have relaxing fun, rolling green hills, wildflowers blooming, beautiful B&Bs to stay in, history, live music, live theatre, wine, lavender.... this list goes on!

Here are the TOP 5 things to do this weekend...

1) Herbal Forum at Round Top Festival Institute on Fri & Sat - a perfect time to get your garden started with herbs of all kinds and receive instruction from herbal experts.

2) Tena Rae Helm is performing live at Unity Theatre on Sat night. Call the box office to reserve your seat for this excellent concert inspired by our unique American life. 979-830-8358

3) Historic Coles Settlement tours are offered Sat 10-4 and Sun 1-4 in Independence. These guided tours are free to the public over the next couple of weekends and are very informative. Come see how the founder of Independence lived in the 1800s!

4) Enjoy live music at Nathan's BBQ, The Stone Cellar, Buffalo Creek and The Kenney Store.

5) Go geocaching! There's a MEGA event in nearby Bastrop, the annual Texas Geocaching Challenge. Those attending can stop in Brenham on your way to and fro and find some of the Birthplace of Texas GeoTour caches! Everyone else can come straight to Brenham and spend the weekend caching! :-)

Whatever you do, you're sure to have fun. And when it's time to rest, we've got you covered with plenty of comfortable lodging options. Make a date with Washington County this weekend!

We'll see you soon!

Calendar Details:
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY

Wildflower Sightings in Washington County

Yellow is the popular color at the
Giddings Stone Mansion in Brenham.

Spring is finally here - officially - and Washington County has a lot of wildflowers just waiting for the right about of sunshine to make them bloom. We usually have quite an array of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, coreopsis, blue eyes, firewheels, and many others that brighten the roads during March, April and May.

These bluebonnets are at a house on Market St in Brenham
and are usually the first to bloom every year!

The bluebonnets in town have already bloomed and look really nice. Along the roadways there are Indian paintbrush becoming more and more full each day. And there are patches of bluebonnets starting to show, but they are short and dark so they are hard to see at 70mph, especially if you're the driver!

Fortunately for you, we keep a Wildflower Watch on our website to help inform you of what is blooming and where. You have to do a little reading, but we try to keep it as concise as possible. Currently, there isn't much to see, but the coming weeks should provide a lot of color.

Grape hyacinth (pictured), along with blue eyes & others
are at Old Baylor in Independence.

Check the Wildflower Watch on our site for details - bookmark it for easy access!

Other sites to find flower sightings around the state are Texas Bluebonnet Sightings, Wildflower Haven, and Wildflower Sightings.

We'll see you soon! :-)

5 on FRIDAY: Mar 14-16, 2014

This weekend is jammed full of fun activities for everyone in your family. We've seen some sunshine this week, so be sure to keep your eyes out for bluebonnets and other wildflowers as your drive around Washington County. (And then report back to us what you found!!)

1) Wine Down Fridays at Pleasant Hill Winery, as well as LIVE MUSIC at Nathan's BBQ, The Kenney Store, The Stone Cellar and Buffalo Creek. What a great way to wind down the week!

2) Historic Coles Settlement in Independence will be available for tours over the next 4 weekends. Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4. No charge!

3) Brenham Flea Market is back and bigger than ever! Sat 9-5, Sun 10-5 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. This time they are having silent auctions with prizes like a beautiful saddle, Kindle Fire, handmade quilt, gift cards, photography sessions and lots more!

4) Brazos Valley Brewery is open Fri 5-9pm and Sat 1-8pm. Come out Saturday for an early St Patrick's Day Celebration! Great tasting beer, corned beef & cabbage and an open patio awaits!

5) Washington-on-the-Brazos is hosting two programs this weekend. "Clothing the Texas Army" on Saturday and "Shoo, Fly!" on Sunday. Both programs are presented at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Calendar Details:
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY

Y'all have fun, be safe, and tell us all about it on Facebook & Twitter! We'll see you soon! :-)

5 on FRIDAY:Mar 7-9, 2014

Another week bites the dust - TGIF! Here's the scoop on how to keep you busy and filled with fun this weekend...

1) Wine Down Fridays begins at Pleasant Hill Winery. Now through the end of May you can enjoy wine tasting and sunsets starting at 3pm every Friday.

2) Texas Ranger Day in Burton is Saturday from 2pm till at 10 or later. Enjoy lots of fun activities, delicious food, and great music! Tours of the Burton Cotton Gin is also available at 10am and 2pm. Schedule

3) Live music at Nathan's BBQ, The Kenney Store, Buffalo Creek and The Stone Cellar.

4) Enjoy a historical presentation about 19th century Traveling in Texas at Fanthorp Inn in Anderson on Saturday. Details

5) Celil Refik Kaya is a wonderful guitarist delivering a revelation of music at Festival Institute in Round Top on Saturday at 3pm. Get Tickets

While you're in Round Top, enjoy BeerFest on Saturday 1-5pm. Go to the Stone Cellar to get your glass and listing of locations.

CALENDAR DETAILS:
Friday
Saturday
Sunday - no special events, but still lots of fun options... see our website for details!

Spring Break Activities

Guess what time it is?! It's Spring Break, y'all! In fact, this year there are two breaks, Mar 10-14 and 17-21, but some of the following activities only apply to the first break as that's when the majority of Texas schools are out.

If you have any questions about anything, please give us a call or stop by and see us! 979-836-3696  |  115 W Main St


IN BRENHAM:

Blue Bell Creameries - Tour the creamery, eat ice cream, shop in the Country Store!
Tours Mon-Fri 8:30-3 - tickets can be purchased ahead of time online. Group tours are not accepted Mar 10-21. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for kids and seniors.

Ride the Antique Carousel - Mon-Fri 11-2 - Rides are $1 each

Horseshoe Junction Family Fun Park - Get an all-day pass for $14.95!
Mon-Thurs 10-10, Fri-Sat 10-11, Sun noon-9
   
Skating at Silver Wings Ballroom - $5 each day
Mon-Fri noon-5pm and Thurs 6-9pm

Swimming at Blue Bell Aquatic Center - $4 each day or $5 for the whole week!
Mon-Fri 1-4pm
   
Movie in the Park at Hohlt Park - FREE!
Thurs, Mar 13, 10 min. after sundown - Moving showing: "Planes"


AROUND THE COUNTY:
Chappell Hill Lavender Farm - Mon-Fri 10-3, Sat 9-5, Sun 11-4

Texas Cotton Gin Museum in Burton - Tues-Sat 10-4, tours of the Gin at 10 and 2

Brenham Miniature Horses - Mon-Sat 9-1, 2-5

Washington-on-the-Brazos:
Museum and Visitor Center - 10-5
Living History Farm - 10-4:30

Antique Rose Emporium - Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 11-5:30

Old Baylor Parks in Independence - self-guided walking tour with signage


GEOCACHING:

This family-fun activity is available all day, every day, for FREE - pick up a Passport at the Visitor Center! Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt that incorporates the outdoors, technology and exercise. We've created a GeoTour of 26 caches placed around Brenham & Washington County and welcome you to come find them! Learn More

We hope you have a wonderful Spring Break and enjoy your time here in Brenham/Washington County! Let us know how we can help you plan your week away from the city - we'd be happy to help! :-)