Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Fayetteville, TX

  • Published 2022/08/30

Fayetteville is a small city located between the mega cities Austin and Houston.

It offers a different kind of experience for travelers looking to experience Southern Texan charm.

The city’s population is small, boasting about under a thousand people.

However, it more than makes up for its size with the abundance of nature paired with beautiful farms and wide open spaces.

Fayetteville also boasts some historical value, home to some of Texas’ oldest buildings and structures.

Fayetteville also has a bevy of proudly local businesses offering world-class products.

Are you ready to start your adventure?

Here are the 15 best things to do in Fayetteville, Texas:

Stay at the Grand Fayette Hotel

Exterior of Grand Fayette Hotel

Nicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Formerly called the Country Place Hotel, the Grand Fayette Hotel is a rustic establishment that has existed since 1900.

Book a stay in one of the hotel’s ten rooms, offering an old-world feel paired with modern amenities.

The rooms are also decked out with art from Texan artists, all of which you can buy.

It’s a great way to bring flavor into the room and showcase talent by local artists and artisans.

Front view of Grand Fayette Hotel's exterior

Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The hotel is also near shops and establishments downtown.

You can enjoy a peaceful, leisurely walk in the beautiful Fayetteville atmosphere.

Come and stay at the Grand Fayette Hotel!

Try Homemade Local Wine at Blue Mule Winery

Blue Mule Winery is a proud Fayetteville business rooted in owner Mike Gamble’s passion for drinking and producing wine.

The tasting room is on farmland along Farm to Market Road.

Blue Mule’s wines feature unique labels that showcase the owners’ personalities and names that pay homage to their Texan roots.

Try their Cigar Box Red, a black Spanish dry red; Paint the Town Red, a sweet black cherry pinot noir; or the Fair Lady, a dry white blanc du Bois.

You can also explore the grounds of the tasting house and see the owner’s farm animals, like chickens, donkeys, and alpacas.

Come by and speak to the owners and fellow wine lovers, sip on a few drinks, and enjoy the atmosphere at Blue Mule Winery.

Shop for Quirky Antiques at Vintage Rose Market

The Vintage Rose Market is a great place to find some hidden gems and unique items in downtown Fayetteville.

The store’s building is a unique landmark in itself and has remained standing since the 1870s.

It used to house Fayetteville’s general store and became a community meeting spot in that period.

Currently, the market is the place to buy quirkier items like antiques, handcrafted homeware, wines and spirits, and more.

Drop by Vintage Rose Market and take something home with you to commemorate your visit.

Spend a Day by the Water at Oak Thicket Park

Right next to Lake Fayetteville is Oak Thicket Park, giving visitors beautiful landscapes and water views.

The park offers visitors access to the lake, famous for being a top-tier fishing spot in the area.

There are also many activities people can partake in at the park’s day-use area.

You can hike or trek on the different paths on the grounds.

You can also bring your bike and ride along the rough trails.

Apart from fishing, there are also shallow portions of the lake that are open for swimming.

After a day of activity, you can use the grills and put up a little lakeside barbeque.

Oak Thicket Park is a great place to get some sun, breathe fresh air, and spend a day in Fayetteville.

Grab a Bite at Orsak’s Cafe

Exterior of Orsak’s Cafe

Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located downtown, Orsak’s Cafe is a local gem serving simple, country food favorites.

Orsak’s serves some of the best Texas specialties, such as chicken fried steak and fried catfish.

Try some Southern specialties with your mains, like fried pickles, stuffed jalapeno peppers, and a warm bowl of chili.

The atmosphere at the restaurant makes you feel like you’re in an old-school saloon, with the exteriors having that signature Texan rustic feel.

Pop by Orsak’s Cafe when you crave some simple but fine Texan food in Fayetteville.

Experience Local Art at Arts for Rural Texas

Arts for Rural Texas has operated since 2003, rooted in a passion for bringing more art programs for kids.

It initially offered two fine arts assemblies in partner schools and after-school art classes.

Twenty years later, it now has programs in several schools in the area.

Likewise, it has three private schools and two community centers, one in Fayetteville and the other in Colorado County.

Drop by their location on N Live Oak Street and see the works of art at the two main galleries.

The Ross Gallery showcases works done by the students during the center’s different programs.

The Gorman Gallery serves as the venue for rotating exhibits showcasing various artists and mediums from all over the state.

Seeing the art scene flourish in a small town like Fayetteville is more than worth your time.

Come by Arts for Rural Texas and see for yourself.

Stay in the Rustic Market Street Inn

The Market Street Inn is a charming little piece of Fayetteville shared with visitors year-round.

Constructed in 1898, the original house underwent renovation by Mary Quiros and Joan Herring.

The house is also on the Historic Registry because of its origins and preserved heritage.

The house has five bedrooms that still have an old-school vibe with the addition of modern amenities to make your stay more comfortable.

The inn is only a few blocks from the shops, restaurants, and downtown attractions.

Book a stay at Market Street Inn and feel the Fayetteville charm here.

Grab a Drink at the 159 Junction

Named after the highway, The 159 Junction offers delicious food, drinks, and a great time in Fayetteville.

The restaurant offers a mix of Tex-Mex and American comfort food paired with a great selection of local beers and various liquors.

In addition to the different menu items, they also have their “Build your own pizza” bar.

You can assemble your original pizza from the crust, sauce, and all the toppings.

The restaurant also hosts various events for customers of all ages.

They have domino tournaments, billiards games, trivia, and even karaoke mic nights.

From 9:00 p.m. onwards, the atmosphere gets livelier as the place turns into a fantastic above-21 party scene.

Drive down to 159 Junction for a great time and an unforgettable night!

Take Home the Freshest Food from Yonder Way Farm

On the outskirts of Fayetteville is Yonder Way Farm, a family-owned establishment.

Jason and Lynsey Kramer, along with their four daughter, run the farm.

The farm strives to realize its passion for providing sustainable and healthy meat.

They grow the animals in the most organic way possible, and maintain transparency in its farming practices.

Yonder Way Farm encourages the community to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown.

The farm serves food fresh from farm to table.

See the different animals roaming free and grab meat and poultry, like pastured eggs, chicken, pork, and free-range beef.

They also offer other products such as artisan bread, honey, and balsamic vinegar.

Fill up your cart when you visit Yonder Way Farm today.

Take a Bite into Classic American at Joe’s Place

Exterior of Joe’s Place

Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located downtown, Joe’s Place offers locals and visitors delicious, old-fashioned American cooking.

You can order up their selection of steaks such as ribeye, filet, or New York strip.

They also have Southern seafood favorites like catfish, salmon, and redfish.

They also have multiple burger options for every meat lover.

Order their old-fashioned ½ pounder to their Firecracker Burger, made spicy and hot with jalapenos.

Joe’s serves up excellent value lunch menus and a selection of breakfast fare from breakfast sandwiches and omelets.

If you’re extra hungry, they have an all-you-can-eat pancake offer that starts at $5.99.

Pop by Joe’s Place to fulfill every type of American food craving.

Pick up a New Hobby at Pawnee Sporting Clays

Situated on over sixty acres of grassland, Pawnees Sporting Clays is an excellent place for skeet shooting enthusiasts.

The grounds offer amenities and supplies for shooters of all experience levels: from experts to beginners who want to pick up a new sport.

They also offer group and private lessons as well.

Apart from the shooting, Pawnee Sporting Clays also make for an excellent event venue.

The beautiful grounds envelop their 2,280-square-foot pavilion, which is the perfect spot for outdoor parties and gatherings.

Try Handcrafted Texas Whiskey at Rek Hill Distillery

Located along highway 159 is the Rek Hill Distillery, producing small batch Texas spirits.

It is a humble family-owned establishment offering handcrafted whiskies, vodkas, and gins.

Pop by their shop and sample a shot or two of their different varieties.

You’ll recognize a Rek Hill bottle with the distinct Texas silhouette on all their bottles, topped by the RH signifying their initials.

You can also request to sample the spirits mixed into classic cocktails, such as an old-fashioned or a gin and tonic.

Take a bottle or two home with you and share the distinct taste of Fayetteville’s Rek Hill Distillery with family and friends.

Support Local Farmers at Hoot Owl Hill Farms

Located a few miles from the Fayette County Reservoir, Hoot Owl Hill Farms is a proud local establishment that boasts high-quality meat and produces.

The farm spans over 300 acres, where their range of sustainably raised cattle and chickens roam free.

The farm also grows a patch of vegetables, providing Texans access to fresh farm-to-table ingredients.

Come by Hoot Owl Hill Farms to get your fix of fresh meat and vegetables, the very best that Fayetteville has to offer.

Take a Gander at the Historic Fayetteville Courthouse

Exterior of Fayetteville Courthouse

Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Situated along Main Street, the Fayetteville Courthouse is an important historic landmark in the city, dating back to the 1800s.

The courthouse is the only remaining original structure built in the 19th century.

The two other ones made in Round Top and Winchester no longer exist.

In 1934, a ladies club funded the addition of a clock tower on top of the structure.

Then, in 1997, the courthouse became a Texas Historic Landmark.

The city designated the building as a Fayetteville Historic District in 2008.

Pop by the historic Fayetteville Courthouse on your visit to downtown Fayetteville.

Take in the history of one of the oldest existing buildings in the entire state.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Sample Award-Winning Meads at Rohan Meadery

Located in nearby La Grange, Rohan Meadery is the oldest meadery in the state.

The meadery prides itself on producing small, slow-handcrafted batches of the finest mead in Texas.

You can find it on the grounds of the Blissful Folly Farm, offering visitors a unique experience of farm life and fresh farm-to-table dining.

There are many things to do here.

First, you can sample all the different meads they have on tap, from mead, wines, and cider.

You can also grab a bite to eat at the tasting room, with fare that complements well with their house-made spirits.

Then, you can take different tours, like their farm or tasting tours.

The farm also hosts many events, so drop by and see what they have in store.

Come for the delicious drinks and stay for the warm southern hospitality at Rohan Meadery.

You can find this meadery at La Grange, Texas, 14 minutes from Fayetteville.

Final Thoughts

Spanning just 0.5 square miles, Fayetteville is a cute little town with a lot to offer.

Its proximity to the big cities not only makes it a stopover city, but it has a unique charm that offers a different Texas experience for any traveler.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Fayetteville, Texas!

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