After national snub, Texans say these underrated towns are worth a visit

A new CNN Travel ranking of the 10 best towns to visit in 2026 completely overlooked Texas. But if you know anything about the Lone Star State, it's that we're proud of our unique charm regardless. MySA asked readers which towns they think deserve the spotlight, and their responses might just be your summer road trip itinerary. 

Port Aransas

Port Aransas, a popular summertime spot for Texans, had its name thrown into the mix. Just this year, Travel + Leisure dubbed it the best beach in Texas for its pristine sands and "small town charm." The magazine said, "The vibe here is decidedly salty, family-friendly, and refreshingly unfussy." Aside from beach days, Port A also offers a lot to see for wildlife and fishing, making it a no-brainer for summer road trips.  

New Braunfels

New Braunfels is hardly a small town anymore. In fact, it's been on the rise for years, but for good reason. As a tourist destination, New Braunfels has a lot to offer, like floating the Comal River, heading to Schlitterbahn water park (partly German-themed in a nod to the city's heritage) and the massive Wurstfest when fall rolls around. Snug between San Antonio and Austin, New Braunfels is a perfect medium between the big cities and their Hill Country surroundings - it also has a Buc-ee's.

Schertz

Not far from New Braunfels is Schertz, a small city within San Antonio's orbit, which received praise from a commenter. Schertz is commonly grouped together with the neighboring cities of Cibolo and Selma, and together they offer quarterhorse racing at Retama Park, wildlife at Crescent Bend Nature Park, country dancing at Blue Bonnet Palace and movies and arcade games at EVO Entertainment. 

Seguin

Seguin is another San Antonio-area city that made the cut. According to the city, attractions include the world's largest pecan, a quaint park in the town square, and Heritage Village, where visitors can see the city's first five buildings. One of the city's largest claims to fame is Burnt Bean Co., dubbed Texas Monthly's No. 1 barbecue joint and drawing long lines. If that's where you're headed, prepare to wait a while, although you're in for some great food.

Yancey

One commenter recommended the tiny community of Yancey, about an hour southwest of San Antonio. Yancey is so small that it's not even officially a town - instead, it's a census-designated place in Medina County with a population of 300 at the 2020 census. Today, this off-the-path rural spot is known for hunting and was once famous for its watermelons. For those looking for a slow-paced getaway from San Antonio, this could work. 

Kerrville

West of Austin and San Antonio, Kerrville was another city mentioned in the comments. Kerrville is home to the Museum of Western Art, a prayer garden full of biblical sculptures and a massive cross viewable from the highway, tours of the Victorian-style Schreiner Mansion and lots of nature. 

Round Top 

Round Top (halfway between Austin and Houston) jumps from a population of about 90 people all the way to over 100,000 visitors when it comes time for its iconic antique fair. The fair features 11 miles of rustic furniture, decor and crafts from all over the world and takes place three times a year. This is a must-see for anyone who enjoys foraging for their next vintage find. 

Bandera

Known as the cowboy capital of the world, Bandera is a haven for anyone who wishes they lived in a Western flick. It's still full of wooden saloons, turquoise jewelry, cowboy boots and frontier energy along the Medina River. It was a staging area for cattle drives up the Western Trail after the Civil War but boomed once rodeos became popular in the town in the 1920s. If you're visiting, make sure to check out the Bandera General Store, Bandera Natural History & Art Museum, the Medina River and the Old Spanish Trail Restaurant, a 100-year-old diner.

The Rio Grande Valley

OK, this one isn't just one town or city. One commenter recommended visiting the entire Rio Grande Valley, but specifically Brownsville. The city is the southernmost in Texas with an official motto of "on the border, by the sea." It boasts lots of good eats as well, from traditional Tex-Mex to a 102-year-old burger joint and a barbecue spot on Texas Monthly's radar. The rest of the region is also full of gems, from artisan Mexican pottery and fruit markets to a lake containing an estimated 4 million tons of 99% pure salt and the iconic King Ranch. 

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