Gonzales named one of 10 underappreciated Texas towns

August 2025 marks 200 years since James Kerr, surveyor general for the Green DeWitt colony, laid out the plan for the colony’s capital at the confluence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers and named the community Gonzales in honor of the governor of the Mexican state of Coahuila.

Now ahead of its bicentennial, Gonzales is being recognized by World Atlas —  a website which contains not only maps but informative stories about destinations worldwide — as one of 10 underappreciated towns in Texas that should be visited. The honor comes just after the website had also named Gonzales as one of eight “can’t-miss towns” to visit in Texas.

“In eras past, Texans were legendary for their ability to brave frontiers that no other pilgrim dared to contest, especially when the Mexican government at that time had its eye on the same plots of land,” the website wrote. “A few dozen decades and wild-west conflicts later, Texas is now the proud home to many a ripe community waiting to take in wanderers lucky enough to stumble in. While San Antonio and Houston might receive the majority of international attention, these underrated towns are also owed some love.”

Alongside Gonzales, towns which received love from World Atlas include Marfa and Alpine in West Texas; Fredericksburg and Kerrville in the Hill Country; Lockhart in South Central Texas; Rockport and Port Aransas on the Gulf Coast; Nacogdoches in East Texas; and Glen Rose in North Texas.

Gonzales’ place as the “Lexington of Texas” where the First Shot for Independence was fired makes it an easy choice for inclusion in the list, the website noted.

“With a cannonball's roar, Gonzales marked the start of the Texas Revolution in 1835, a legacy showcased at the Gonzales Memorial Museum, home to a legendary cannon called ‘Come and Take It,’ which once symbolized defiance against Mexican dictatorship,” World Atlas wrote. “The town's heart is its patriotic downtown, decorated with 19th-century architecture around areas like Texas Heroes Square.

“These Texan heroes are often remembered during the annual 'Come and Take It' celebrations, featuring parades and reenactments. History enthusiasts can also visit the Eggleston House, J.B. Wells House Museum, and Pioneer Village Living History Center to experience frontier life.”

The website noted that some of the places on the list — especially those out in West Texas — may require a drive and some gumption to reach, but they are worth it.

“It takes nerve to venture far into the reaches of regions like West Texas, but thankfully, these towns lay out the welcome mat,” World Atlas wrote. “History and state pride are in ample supply here, so with a little respect and an eagerness to learn, guests can expect to make lifelong friends with local folk. So, treat yourself and discover a few of these marvelous spots in person.”

The entire list can be viewed at https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/10-underappreciated-towns-to-visit-in-texas-2025.html.