If you’re planning your next East Texas getaway, autumn is a great time to visit! Whether you’re looking to enjoy outdoor activities or to attend a family-friendly fall festival, these small towns have plenty of great options for you.
Read on to discover the fun fall things to do in East Texas small towns that you won’t find anywhere else!
Fall Things to Do in Mineola Texas
Iron Horse Heritage Festival
Each year on the fourth Saturday in September, Mineola gets together Downtown to welcome fall. Festivalgoers can start off the day with a trail run 5K in the Mineola Nature Preserve, followed by lots of family-friendly things to do: attend a concert, grab some good eats from local food vendors, compete in a contest (like the pie-eating and watermelon-eating contests), compete in a corn hole tournament, watch the Weenie Dog Races, see a live train robbery reenactment, and more!
Mineola Nature Preserve
The Mineola Nature Preserve is a gorgeous place to see fall colors. Its nearly 3,000 acres on the Sabine River provide plenty of opportunity for hiking, biking, walking and running, birding, wildlife viewing, fishing, primitive camping, horse trails, and so much more.
This fall, why not pack a basket with some apple cider, harvest soup, and pumpkin pie, so that you can explore the hiking trails and enjoy a picnic with some of the best autumn views in Texas.
Antique Shops
There’s something about going antiquing that just feels like fall. Maybe it’s the slow pace, the quiet search for your next treasure that matches the placid energy of autumn.
Maybe spruce up your home decor for the new season; find some fantastic fall decor and collectibles at several great, local antique shops:
- Uniques and Antiques — This 7,000-square-foot antique mall has a vast, diverse selection of eclectic collectibles, antiques, upcycled clothing, and custom embroidery from more than 50 vendors. It’s the largest antique shop in the area.
- LW Antiques — This hidden gem is an antique mall with eclectic finds for visitors of all ages, including boutique items, farmhouse decor, and even candles. The mall has about 30 vendors.
- Between Friends Antiques — This is more than an antique mall. Although shopping there is a great experience (there are more than 20 local vendors who sell vintage items, antiques and collectibles, handmade goods, jewelry, furniture, and more), you can’t leave without indulging in some of their freshly made fudge and quarter-pound cookies.
- Bargain Barn Antiques — A local shop with a great selection of antiques and many other items!
- Sweet Magnolia Vintage — A great option for those looking for seasonal decor items, shabby chic and farmhouse furniture and decor, and just cute, creative, and unique artwork!
Fall Things to Do in Quitman Texas
Stitchin’ Heaven
What’s a more fall thing to do than stitch a quilt—your own handmade blanket will keep you cozy in the autumn and winter months ahead!
Stitchin’ Heaven has made Quitman famous; the massive store (at 17,500 square feet) is the largest of all quilt shops in Texas. They not only sell an abundance of quilting- and sewing-related items, but also host events, classes, retreats, and trips.
Even if you’re just visiting from out of town, you can still finish that quilt—join their Block of the Month program! They’ll ship you supplies each month so that you can relax, cozy up, and work on your quilt all throughout the cooler months.
Speakeasy Coffeehouse
Warm up with a hot cup of coffee or tea at this 1920s-themed coffeehouse with cozy, vintage decor and some seasonal decorations. Speakeasy also hosts live music events (upstairs from the coffeehouse) and candlelit, pop-up dinners featuring local produce. Visit their Instagram for event updates!
Coffee lovers can enjoy the Al Capone latte (vanilla and bourbon syrup), the Greta Garbo latte (cinnamon and honey), or even the Ernest Hemingway latte (salted caramel). If you prefer tea, their Lavender Grey Tea Latte and the Vanilla Chai Latte (its warm spices are perfect for fall!) are delicious. They also have scrumptious desserts, pastries, and other eats.
Lake Fork
If you’re an angler, head to the beautiful Lake Fork in the fall to find an abundance of largemouth bass and crappie. The 27,200+ acre lake has 315 miles of shoreline, which provides ample opportunity for you to have a quiet, peaceful place to catch some fish while enjoying the crisp, autumn air.
Wood County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
This is one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in Quitman. Enjoy a walk outside in the fresh, autumn air through 23 acres of walking trails, gardens, and woodlands. You can take a seat and enjoy the view (and in some areas, garden art) at one of the many benches located throughout the gardens.
Plus, they often have a Fall Plant Sale in mid-October, if you’re looking to bring a piece of the gardens back home with you. Plants for sale include some unique selections of both annuals and perennials, trees, shrubs, and bulbs.
Fall Things to Do in Winnsboro Texas
Winnsboro Farmers Market
Head down to the Winnsboro Farmers Market every Saturday for a fantastic selection of locally grown and produced goods and seasonal items. During the fall, the market is open from morning until noon (8 AM until noon from April through October).
Some items you can find at the market:
- Seasonal herbs, plants, fruits, and vegetables
- Free-range, organic eggs
- Farm-fresh cheese and yogurt
- Grass-fed beef
- Pasture-raised chicken
- Fudge and soap made from goat milk
- Locally canned goods (like honey, jams, and maybe even some apple butter)
Winnsboro Autumn Trails Festival
For the last 64 years, Winnsboro has celebrated fall every weekend in October.
The Autumn Trails Festival includes special events throughout the month like rodeos, pageants, trail rides, cake and pie baking contests, an arts and crafts show, a flea market, an antique car parade and classic car show, a beard and mustache contest (you can prep early for No-Shave November), and more!
Cypress Creek Southern Ales
Visit this small batch, nano-brewery in Winnsboro and enjoy some local and craft beer. Get out of the cool, autumn weather and warm up inside with a lager or porter—or whatever your favorite type of cold-weather beer is! This brewery has tastings and beer flights available. Their menu rotates frequently, so check their website or Untappd for updates, new offerings, and seasonal flavors.
Fall Things to Do in Lindale Texas
Vintage Market Days of East Texas
This classy, vintage-inspired, three-day market takes place several times a year. Enjoy shopping in their fall market for seasonal decor and clothing, other home goods and furniture, original artwork, antiques, handmade goods, jewelry, plants, food, and additionally, live entertainment!
Countryfest
Countryfest has been a local favorite and one of the top fall things to do in East Texas small towns for nearly 40 years. Here are some examples of family-friendly fun you’ll find at Countryfest:
- Harvest Hustle 5K / Kids 1K Race
- Duck Calling Contest
- Carnival games and inflatables
- Kids art walk
- Food vendors
- Mechanical bull rides
- Pony rides and train rides
- A petting zoo
- Axe throwing
- …and much more!
Blueberry Ridge Farm / Pumpkin Patch
This is the oldest, organic blueberry farm in Texas, and during the fall, they also have a pumpkin patch! Aside from pumpkin picking, visitors can also take a hayride, decorate a pumpkin, participate in a scavenger hunt, dress up a scarecrow, play rodeo games, hike, and picnic. You can also go horse riding by reservation only.
Fall Things to Do in Gladewater Texas
Calie’s Acre
Just a 15-minute drive from the heart of Gladewater is Calie’s Acre pumpkin patch, with fun fall activities for the whole family, including:
- Pumpkin picking
- Crafts like wreath making
- Hayrides
- Photo opportunities
- Games
- A sunflower field
- Gemstone mining
- Barrel train rides
- A picnic area
Gladewater Emergency Services Fall Fest
This annual fall festival has games, prizes, food and drinks, plenty of candy, and fun raffles—all with only a $1 entry fee!
The Tea Room at Walker Manor
Come in from the cold and warm up with a hot pot of tea in this quaint tea room, which can host up to 10 guests. They also have High Tea service by advanced reservation. Go shopping in the Downtown Antique District after your tea! If you visit during September, you can also explore Gladewater’s annual craft fair.
Other Fall Things to Do in East Texas
Canton Trade Days
Canton Trade Days is one of the most popular shopping destinations in all of Texas, and it’s even called the biggest flea market in the world! With over 5,000 vendors and so many different types of shopping options (from antiques to clothing to handmade home goods to seasonal decor and more), it’s guaranteed you’ll leave there with more treasures than you ever thought you’d find!
Yesterland Farm
Also in Canton is Yesterland Farm. Enjoy their fall festival Fridays through Sundays on select dates in September through November. You can pick seasonal sunflowers and pumpkins, try not to get lost in a corn maze, enjoy festival foods, watch fireworks, and brave their Spooktacular Nights in celebration of Halloween.
Plan an East Texas Fall Getaway
Enjoy some of these top fall things to do in East Texas small towns while staying at Fall Farm Country Inn, a lovely boutique bed-and-breakfast that’s located close to all of these autumn activities – the perfect home base for all your East Texas fall day trips.
Aside from fall fun, there is also so much more to do in East Texas – dine at fantastic restaurants; get outdoors and hike, bike, or walk on the trails; visit museums and art galleries; shop at eclectic boutiques; and more.
Come for a short getaway, and you’ll want to stay for a while!
