Goose hunting, practical shooting, and a taste of the great outdoors—if you’re into all this, then a trip to Eagle Lake, Texas, is in your near future.
This sleepy little city in Colorado County—just an hour and a half away from Houston—is the perfect place to get away from it all and unwind.
Eagle Lake has several hidden gems that will keep you entertained throughout your stay.
While it isn’t much of a vacation destination for most people, it has a quaint appeal that attracts some into outdoor activities, small-town living, and a more relaxed pace of life.
With that said, here are the best things to do in Eagle Lake, Texas:
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Eagle Lake is where you’ll get to see the endangered Prairie Chicken.
These ground-dwelling grouse are known for their unusual mating rituals and displays.
The best place to see them is Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, a wildlife refuge dedicated to preserving this unique bird.
This refuge is also home to one of the largest remaining native coastal prairie habitats in southeast Texas.
William L. Farr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When touring Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, you can take the auto tour or opt for a leisurely nature walk on one of its many trails.
The refuge also offers a great way to escape to nature and experience some peace and quiet.
If you’re looking for a place to relax and destress, this is the perfect spot.
There are many things you probably didn’t know about Eagle Lake.
For starters, the city is known as the Goose Hunting Capital of the World.
If you want to get to know the city better, visit Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce on East Main Street.
Here, you can admire the local art adorning their walls, pick up a city map, and get more information on all the attractions available in the area.
The chamber of commerce is also where you can get to know the community better.
The staff at Eagle Lake Chamber of Commerce is more than happy to answer any questions you may have and give tips on the best places to go in town.
Located on East Main Street, the Prairie Edge Museum does a great job of bringing the area’s history to life.
It chronicles Eagle Lake’s history through rotating exhibits showcasing different aspects of the city’s culture, heritage, and more.
Established in 1983, the museum showcases its collections and exhibits that feature the city’s natural history.
Artifacts and photos also feature the Native American culture that once inhabited the area.
In addition, each exhibit clearly explains the politics, agriculture, education, railroad industry, military, railroad, and pioneer life in Eagle Lake.
If you’re into golf, you can’t miss visiting Eagle Lake Golf Course, just a half mile from downtown Eagle Lake.
This state-of-the-art complex is not just any ordinary course.
Apart from the main golf course, there’s also a 24-hour driving range, a full-service pro shop, a clubhouse that boasts a scenic view, and mini-golf for the entire family to enjoy.
So while you play a round or two of golf, the rest of your group can enjoy other activities that are available on-site.
There are even leagues, programs, and golf lessons offered for those who want to learn how to golf or want to take their game up a notch.
One of the top-rated courses in the Houston area, Eagle Lake Golf Course is one of the best places to tee off in all of Texas.
No trip to Eagle Lake is complete without having breakfast or lunch at Kountry Bakery, situated on South McCarty Avenue.
This local hotspot is known for its pastries, pies, and other baked goods that are made fresh daily.
What truly sets Kountry Bakery apart from the rest is its menu.
They offer a variety of items that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.
The bestselling breakfast items on their menu include egg sandwiches, kolaches, pies, bread, breakfast hotdogs, burgers, and salads.
They also have a variety of special lunch items, such as their trademark king ranch chicken, chicken fried steak, smothered bone-in pork chops, beef lasagna, chicken spaghetti, and more.
Kountry Bakery’s dedication to serving Texas-style pastries and food has made the establishment a staple in the Eagle Lake community.
The 200-acre Wildseed Farms, situated on Campo Rosa Street, is the perfect place to admire the beauty of nature.
They have more than 35 years of experience growing and cultivating different kinds of wildflowers that bloom from spring to fall.
When exploring the trail at Wildseed Farms, have your camera ready as a photo-perfect moment is around every corner.
Some wildflowers you’ll see include autumn beauty, chocolate cherry, lemon queen, and various sunflowers.
You can also purchase some wildflowers and take them home as souvenirs.
You don’t have to go far and wide to get your fill of outdoor adventures; you can find everything you’re looking for and more at Eagle Lake Municipal Park.
You can spend your day playing tennis and nine-hole golf or enjoy a fun afternoon picnic with the family at the Joe Reed Recreation Center picnic area.
There’s also the option to relax and cool down at the nearby public swimming pool, take a short nap under the gazebo, or play with your kids at the park playground.
If you’re looking to embrace nature, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Eagle Lake Municipal Park is also the entrance to the wildlife area boardwalk, a nature walk leading to the nearby Eagle Lake.
You don’t have to go far to get the ultimate outdoor experience—you can find it all at this park in the heart of the city.
The earlier iterations of Eagle Lake were shaped and defined by the railroad.
So, it’s only fitting that one of the best things to do in Eagle Lake is to visit the Eagle Lake Depot Museum on East Main Street.
This museum will give you a closer look at how the railroad affected the city’s development.
It also houses different artifacts, photographs, and documents related to the railroad’s history in Eagle Lake.
One of the most interesting things you’ll see at the museum is artifacts and items used by the Eagle Lake Santa Fe Depot, which was an essential stop for many trains headed to different parts of Texas.
The Eagle Lake Depot Museum is the perfect place to go if you want to learn more about the city’s rich history.
Located on Calhoun Road, Taco Tony’s is a family-run restaurant that serves some of the most authentic and delicious Mexican food you’ll ever taste.
Their menu features all the classics you know and love, such as burritos, quesadillas, guacamoles, fajitas, Jalisco, and more.
Their food is made with local ingredients; you can even choose to have them mild or super spicy.
Of course, the bestselling items on their menu would have to be their iconic tacos, made with fresh and handmade flour tortillas filled with your choice of meat, vegetables, and sauces.
If you want to experience a taste of Mexico while in Eagle Lake, you know where to go.
Eagle Lake is a premier hunting destination in Texas, so it’s only fitting that the city is home to one of the best shooting clubs in the state.
Located on Old Altair Road, The Ranch TX Private Shooting Club is the perfect place to go if you want to practice your shooting or if you’re looking to hone your skills.
They have a wide selection of firearms you can use and offer different membership packages that cater to your needs.
At 150 acres, this shooting range has all the room for you to hone your craft.
They also have a pro shop where you can buy all the necessary supplies and gear.
The club has 12 outdoor shooting ranges, including two 360-degree ranges.
You’ll find the one that fits your skill level.
The Range TX Private Shooting Club is the best destination to practice or improve your shooting skills before you go hunting or enter your next competition.
It’s also the perfect place to meet other like-minded people who love practical shooting.
Jim Evans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Twenty minutes from Eagle Lake, the 1886 Stafford Opera House is a historic Downtown Columbus theater built in 1886.
It’s one of the few remaining opera houses from the late 19th century.
It went through several key restorations to keep its historical integrity and iconic look.
This theater is an excellent example of Queen Anne’s classic architectural style.
It has a beautiful facade with a unique turret.
The 1886 Stafford Opera House is currently a movie theater and event venue.
So if you’re looking for a place to catch a good film or see a live performance, this is the perfect spot.
Eagle Lake and its surrounding areas offer some of the best hunting grounds in Texas.
If you’re an avid hunter, you should take advantage of it and go on a hunting trip.
Twenty minutes from Eagle Lake, you’ll find Top-Flight Hunting Preserve, a premier hunting destination that offers various game birds.
You’re sure to find the perfect bird to hunt, from Quails to Chukars and Pheasants.
The large area will also make it an excellent hunting experience every time.
In addition, the staff will provide you with a hunting dog that will serve as your loyal companion during your hunt.
Columbus also has a thriving art scene that you can explore.
Just a 20-minute drive from Eagle Lake, the Live Oak Art Center is one of the best places to see local art.
It features a wide variety of artworks from local and regional artists.
In addition, they have rotating exhibits, so there’s always something new to see.
The art center is housed in the historic 1891 Brunson Building in Downtown Columbus.
Not only will you appreciate art, but you’ll also learn about the building’s rich history.
The Live Oak Art Center is run by a nonprofit organization that wants to bring the community together through the power of art.
It’s rare for a tree to become a historic landmark, but that’s precisely what happened to the Columbus Live Oak.
This massive live oak tree is over 500 years old and is the second largest in the United States.
It’s also the oldest oak tree in Texas and one of the widest, with a circumference of over 28 feet.
Even today, it continues to gain interest and admiration from locals and tourists alike.
From the outside looking in, it’s nothing more than a large tree; but once you see it up close, you’ll be amazed by its size and history.
The Columbus Live Oak is a sight to behold and is just a 20-minute drive from Eagle Lake.
Nearby Sealy isn’t known for their wine production, but that’s starting to change thanks to Cast Iron Winery.
Cast Iron Winery is a family-run business that produces high-quality wines.
They use grapes from their vineyards and grapes from other Texas wineries.
This winery is well-known for its red wines, but they also produce whites, rosés, and sparkling wines.
In addition, they offer tastings and tours of their facility so you can learn about the wine-making process.
If you want a unique wine-tasting experience, visit Cast Iron Winery, just 20 minutes from Eagle Lake.
Whether you’re interested in hunting, passionate about the arts, or want to relax and enjoy the outdoors, Eagle Lake has something for you.
Don’t hesitate to add it to your list of places to visit.
While you’re there, check out the best things to do in Eagle Lake, Texas—you won’t regret it!
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