Founded in 1846, Palestine, TX is rich with historical sites, gorgeous dogwood trees, and a notable railroad line dating back to 1883.
Whether you’re a fan of trains, history, nature, or boutique shopping, there’s something for everyone in this small but charming Northeast Texas city.
Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Palestine, one of the coolest places to visit in Texas!
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How to get around Palestine, Texas
Like most of Texas, the best way to get around Palestine is to explore on your own by car!
If you’re visiting and need to rent a car to get to your Palestine activities, we highly recommend Discover Cars where they find you the best car rental deals from all of the competitors (has saved us so much money!).
Click here to check out Discover Cars.
Where to stay in Palestine
From renovated VRBOS to boutique hotels, here are the best places to stay in Palestine.
- (Hotel) Hampton Inn and Suites Palestine – while Palestine is a small place with limited hotel options, the Hampton Inn and Suites here is a wonderful place to stay with large rooms, an awesome breakfast set-up, and even an indoor swimming pool so you can live your best hotel life. Click here to check prices and read reviews.
- (AirBnb/VrBO) Farm to Table Cottage – Sleeping 6 people, this one story cottage is an adorable place to spend some time in Palestine. A backyard gives you room to roam or eat under the covered patio, while inside you’ll find a full kitchen and lots of farmhouse décor. Click here to check prices and read reviews.
1. First things first, stop by the visitor’s center to get your bearings
Want to take a self-guided tour of Palestine?
The visitor center’s got you covered!
Housed in a restored railroad depot from the early 1900s, the Palestine Visitor Center is one of many interesting historical things to see in Palestine.
Inside, you’ll find informational brochures, maps, and very friendly staff that will answer any questions you have about the city!
Be sure to stop in front of the plaque on the lawn, where you’ll read about Christopher Columbus Rogers, one of Palestine’s most notable lawmen from the late 19th century.
The Palestine Visitor Center is open every weekday from 10-5.
2. Get a new outfit from a boutique
There are many boutique clothing shops in Palestine, TX, especially downtown!
Broken Boutique is a locally-adored shop with a fun selection of trendy clothing, jewelry and other accessories.
Head over to the Barnyard Boutique for some country chic style, and grab a refreshing milkshake from their ice cream bar or a latte from their coffee shop!
You’ll find some cute new outfits for the kids at Crimson Room Hidden Treasures, and the Co-Ed Shop will stun you with their unique collection of hand-picked items!
Prefer some good ol’ fashioned thrift shopping?
Browse the nonprofit Station Thrift, where you’ll feel good about supporting transitional housing for those in need in addition to scoring some high-quality clothes, shoes, home goods, and more!
3. Go antique shopping
Looking for more fun shopping opportunities?
There are several places to go in Palestine for antique treasures!
Antique stores have a reputation for being crowded with items and a bit chaotic, but Old Town Vintage & More boasts of neat displays and easily walkable aisles.
Duncan Depot Antiques is sure to impress, with excellent service from their friendly owner, and a special area of the store for children to play while you shop!
The Old Magnolia is a combination antique store and sandwich shop, so you can enjoy a fresh lunch on your treasure hunting spree!
4. Take a train ride on the Texas State Railroad
The Piney Woods Area Train Tour on the Texas State Railroad is easily one of the best things to do in Palestine!
Depart from the historic Palestine Depot and embark on a four-hour journey you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Travelers of all ages will be wowed by the magnificent 1920’s-era railcars, with exciting choices of seating, from an adults-only Presidential car, to an Art Deco-themed upscale car, to an open-air coach perfect for the summer season.
And, of course, there’s the concession car!
Pop in during the ride to grab some popcorn and a refreshing soda to enjoy during this memorable adventure through the scenic Piney Woods area!
Looking for fun things to do in Palestine in the winter?
Climb aboard the Texas State Railroad’s POLAR EXPRESS™ for hot chocolate and cookies!
5. Learn about railroad history at the Railroad Heritage Center
Don’t let the small building’s unassuming exterior fool you – you can easily spend a full hour at the Railroad Heritage Center!
Step inside and be wowed by the details in the museum’s giant model train display.
Kids especially will enjoy watching the little trains wind their way through charming HO scale depictions of small town Texas.
The informational boards and railroad artifacts make this small but dedicated museum well worth a visit for any history enthusiast!
6. Go ghost hunting at the Historic Bowers Mansion
Looking for some spooky things to do in Palestine?
Haunted Rooms America will take you on a bone-chilling tour of one of the most haunted homes in Texas!
Learn the dark history of the Bowers Mansion, a beautiful Victorian home built in 1878 that has become infamous as the location of many dark and mysterious deaths.
This petrifying pursuit of the supernatural is limited to guests aged 18 and up.
7. Take a scenic walk across the Rusk Footbridge
Just half an hour east of town, a walk down the long footbridge in Rusk is one of the coolest things to do near Palestine.
This historic wooden bridge was first constructed in 1861, to provide a way for people to get into town during the rainy season.
With 546 feet to journey across, it’s thought to be the largest footbridge in the country.
Green grass and tall trees make for beautiful scenery, and water under the bridge after a good rain adds even more ambience to the refreshing walk!
Plan to spend about half an hour journeying from one end of the bridge and back – and don’t forget to take pictures!
8. Chow down at Nuna’s Cajun
Hush puppies, po’ boys, lobster, crawfish, and shrimp – that’s just a snippet of the delicious food you’ll find at Nuna’s Cajun!
This hidden gem boasts a fun, casual atmosphere on the outskirts of town, near the railroad depot.
Stop by on a Saturday for live music during a mouthwatering dinner – and don’t forget to BYOB, if that’s your thing!
9. Enjoy a taste of Italy at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant
As soon as you set foot in Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, you’ll know you’ve made a good choice.
From the classic white and red checkered tablecloths, to the ambient string lights wrapped around the columns, to the giant mural depicting a beautiful canal, Giovanni’s will immerse you in Italian scenery.
But it’s not just a nice place to sit!
The delicious food and excellent service have ensured that this beautiful restaurant lives up to its beautiful decor.
10. Catch a show at the Historic Texas Theatre
It might surprise you to know that in the early 1930s, the Texas Theatre began its life as a venue for movies, rather than live plays!
Now the home of the locally-adored Palestine Community Theatre, this historic venue brings family-friendly entertainment to downtown Palestine every season.
See what’s on when you’re in town, and don’t forget to take a look at the building’s exterior in the evening when the colorful sign lights up!
11. Stay at The Redlands Hotel
One of the most iconic buildings in downtown Palestine, The Redlands Hotel is rich with history.
Built in the early 1900s, you’ll enjoy all the modern amenities you love when you stay in one of the hotel’s impressively sized suites, while the friendly staff ensure your stay is a positive one.
In the same building is the Queen St Grille, which will give you an upscale dining experience near the hotel lobby.
The attached art gallery and boutique make for convenient shopping, and you can even refresh your look with a haircut from Lemon Meadow Professional Hair Design!
12. Stop by Centennial Park for a photo with the town’s Rotary Clock
Located in a quaint park near the start of downtown, you’ll find an elegant clock that welcomes you to Palestine.
Though the park was constructed by the local Rotary Club in the early 2000s, its iconic clock looks like a piece out of history.
The cute little gazebo in the back adds to this essential Palestine photo op, and makes for a great place to have a picnic!
Centennial Park is located right in front of the beautiful red brick building that houses the Chamber of Commerce, on the corner of West Main Street and North Queen Street.
13. Look at the beautiful spiraling staircase in the Anderson County Courthouse
The Anderson County Courthouse is already impressive on the outside, with its neoclassical architecture.
But the inside is worth a look, too!
You don’t have to have business with the courthouse in order to pop your head in and marvel at this historic building.
Stand at the bottom of the spiraling staircase and look up at the colorful stained glass dome that crowns the ceiling.
You’ll definitely want to take a few photos!
14. Take the kids to Reagan Park
Named for Civil War-era politician John H. Reagan, this popular Palestine park is home to more than just a historic monument!
Kids will have a blast playing on the playground, with plenty of structures to climb, slide, swing, or run around on.
The park’s Splash Pad brings cooling relief on a hot day, and the rolling green grounds are the perfect spot for a picnic!
While no longer open to the public, the old high school located within the park is well worth walking by to see the building’s beautiful brick exterior.
15. Immerse yourself in nature at Davey Dogwood Park
Want to know what to do in Palestine for nature enthusiasts?
Head over to Davey Dogwood Park!
The 8 miles of hiking and biking trails make for a scenic outing, and the park’s Fairy Garden Trail will add a touch of magic to the day.
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature, as a winding creek flows peacefully between tall dogwood trees and beneath quaint bridges.
Traveling to Palestine in the spring?
Don’t miss the annual Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration!
This fun festival takes place throughout the city, with several exciting events happening in Davey Dogwood Park as the trees come into full bloom.
16. Get Curious!
Adults will have just as much fun as their kids at Curious, a hands-on museum and one of the best Palestine attractions for families.
Your young ones (and you!) will have tons of fun doing experiments that will help them understand geometry, electricity, physics and more!
Be sure to plan accordingly!
This museum is only open to the public on Saturdays from 10-3, or on weekdays for large groups by reservation only.
17. Have some seasonal fun at the Texas Jailhouse
While it no longer houses the county’s criminals, the historic Texas Jailhouse is kept alive each year with fun (and sometimes frightening!) seasonal events.
During weekends in October, get lost in a maze of dark halls and spooky cells as the jailhouse becomes haunted!
For Christmas, you’ll meet the Grinch when he takes over the jailhouse as his lair!
Follow the Texas Jailhouse’s Facebook page for news about upcoming events.
They’ve even been known to host their popular “Grinchmas” event in July!
18. Go on a self-guided tour or scavenger hunt
The city’s official tourism website has several maps you can use to track down some local history and fun things to see in Palestine, TX!
Here are just a few of the self-guided tours available:
Follow the Caboose Craze
Find the artistic little train cabooses scattered all around town.
There are 52 of them!
This fun scavenger hunt is one of the most quintessential Palestine things to do!
Take the Mural Challenge
Palestine is decorated with so many creative and unique murals, follow the map and see if you can find each one!
(These also make for great photo ops!)
Find Historic Homes
Palestine is rich with buildings from times past – especially old residential homes!
Marvel at the charming architecture of historic houses in Palestine and the surrounding area, and read about the families who made their home there.
19. Go to a festival!
Palestine may be a small city, but they sure know how to throw a party!
Celebrate Mardi Gras in February with a blast of flavor from local chefs, along with a colorful and exciting family-friendly parade downtown!
In March, the Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration rings in spring with a fun-filled festival and parade.
Also in March is the unique Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival, where you’ll hear good tunes played by friendly folks.
Just a few towns over, in Grapeland, TX, Salmon Lake Park hosts an annual bluegrass festival.
Come to “The Hottest Little Festival in Texas” in October, when the Hot Pepper Festival livens up the city with music, arts and crafts, food and drinks, and, for the bold, a pepper eating contest!
Christmas in Palestine brings holiday festivities downtown, with the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the courthouse in early December, followed by a Parade of Lights!