I wish I had planned my day better. You could spend the whole day here. We would have packed a picnic lunch. There is so much to see. Plan on your walking shoes too! It was amazing to explore the townsite and explore the building where the declaration of independence from Mexico was signed. Just walking on the grounds where these visionaries walked was melancholy. The visitor center has a bunch of information. This historical site houses the Star of the Republic Museum, a park, and the Barrington living history farm. We didn't get to see the farm or visit the park. We ran out of time read more

See all

Really friendly and helpful staff. Well kept modern installations.fun historic "mercantile" store. Love they even the women's restroom symbol has a long dress. Learned so much. read more

Got about 8.5k steps in from walking during the visit to this park. Not only that, I got to see and learn something. Allergies were under control thanks to starting Allegra. It allowed me to enjoy the walk while understanding more about Washington on the Brazos River. Got to see the famous Brazos River and imagine how life was or could have been. Washington, Texas could have been a bustling city like Austin. It was fun seeing the old life acted out in the exact place it happened. It was fun hearing from those playing the various roles all over the park. It's a nice and sacred part of Texas history. One can explore neighboring areas like Navasota or Chappell Hill for dinner. Was hoping to have dinner at Bevers in Chappell Hill but it was closed. It was an easy drive home. Found a new way to get 10k steps in. read more

See all

Our family loves Texas and we love authentic almost anything. This is a great spot to check both boxes. A wonderful time to visit is for the annual Texas birthday celebration on March 2 (or weekend before) when there are historic re-enactments and demonstrations and special docents in periodic costume on hand to take you back in time. If you are lucky, you may even see a few of the first bluebonnets of the year! Lovely live oak trees grace the grounds and offer shade. The visitor center presents lots of information about our great state in the comfort of air conditioning on hot days. read more

See all

5 stars for the fact that my ten year old son could touch almost everything. It was wonderful not to have to tell him not to hold or play with the stuff at the museum and we both had such an enjoyable time there. It is unbelievable all the artifacts they have here. Definitely give yourself some time to explore. I love that it is set up in 2 chronological circles which makes it really easy to not miss anything. All the staff are very kind and helpful and look like they really enjoy working there. The tour itself was super informative. I am not from Texas so the tour guide's narration was all new information for me and boy was it interesting! The delivery was excellent and our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. I now know more than I ever have about any state's history! It is a very pretty drive here and the grounds themselves are lovely to walk around on. All tickets are purchased at the visitor center and it was quite the bargain in my opinion for a museum, tour of Independence Hall and Barrington Farm. We loved the period dress and farm as well. I have never been that close to growing corn before! We really enjoyed exploring the house and again were thrilled to be able to touch things. An excellent experience and I highly recommend for anybody. Texan or not! read more

Washington On the Brazos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington-On-The-Brazos, Texas

This place is pretty awesome. If you're looking to learn about the second capitol of the Republic of Texas then this is the place. There are a few locations at this park that you can visit so the best option is to buy a ticket that allows you into the museum, farm and the presentation in the hall. There are also walking trails but we didn't have time to go to those. Parking is doable and it's pretty easy to find. read more

See all

There were surprisingly quite a few people (especially during this pandemic) who were visiting the visitor's center when the boyfriend and I stopped by. We walked the mile-ish trail and enjoyed stopping to read some of the history along the way. In terms of hiking, I would say this is more of a walking trail. In terms of a great view at the end of the trail, I would say remember that this is a short history walk when you get to the underwhelming water view. read more

I had the distinct honor & privilege of going to the Washington-On-the-Brazos Texas Independence Day Celebration yesterday. As a proud Texan I was in awe of the historical significance of the celebration. The wonderful people who spent the day in costume reenacting everything from cooking to blacksmith(ing) to shooting cannons and guiding tours made my experience memorable. The weather was perfect. There was plenty of parking. The food trucks/vendors had delicious food. The shopping was fun too! It was an all-around wonderful experience. I highly recommend bringing the whole family for a fun day outside. It's worth the drive out to Navasota! read more

See all

This historical site is a must-see for Texans and history buffs alike. The visitors' center is free and definitely worth the visit to better understand the historical significance of the area. From there, walk down to the recreation of Independence Hall, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. Take the trail from there down to the Brazos River (about a 10-minute walk), where the town's ferry crossing once existed. Buy tickets at the Visitors' Center to the Star Museum and Barrington Plantation (one ticket gets you into both places). Then head to the Star Museum after that and end at Barrington Plantation down the road. Such a wonderful, relaxing way to spend a weekend with family or friends--learning about the history of our great state! read more

See all

Amazing place. Lots to see. Currently under construction but still lots to do. The birthplace of Texas. Brenham and Navasota both have lots to do and are. read more

Don't forget our Texas History! This is a state park and museum. No overnight camping. Most people come here to see the Barrington "living" Museum. Worth checking out. Leave the tent in the car. read more

Washington on the Brazos is a Texas history museum that does it's job very well. The location tells the history of Texas becoming it's own republic with it's declaration of independence from Mexico. This is before Texas became part of the USA. This location has a small museum and gift shop with very friendly and informative staff. There is a full sized replication of the building where the declaration was signed on the grounds here and another admission-required museum also on the grounds. This is a great place for people to come and learn about Texas history. Very well done and cool. read more

As a born and raised Texan, this is the true pilgrimage. Come see the birthplace of our great Texas. Staff is extremely knowledgeable and polite. Make sure to take a water and hat with you as most of the property is a walking tour. Lots of history and the museum is second to none. read more

The birthplace of Texas makes every native Texan walk an little taller and talk a little twangier! This is always a great place to visit, but in our opinion the very best time to come is in the springtime, when the bluebonnets turn Washington County a beautiful blue. The park is always very nice and new interpretive sighs bring the story even more to life. There is something for everyone in he gift shops, and the new exhibits are well done and interactive enough to pull kids away fro their cell phones 5 deeply historic stars read more

See all

I dragged my boyfriend to see the bluebonnets, and when we saw the signs for this park, we thought, why the heck not?! It is FREE to walk around the grounds and see the beautiful wildflowers. They do have a donation box which I recommend putting a few dollars into - most parks (at least where I'm from in California) charge at least $5 just to park your car in a park! There are some museums on site which require paid admission, but prices seemed very reasonable.They also offer tours for history buffs who want to know everything there is to know about the birthplace of Texas. The people working were incredibly nice and helpful. We followed the trail they suggested and saw some beautiful wildflowers, including bluebonnets! Know before you go: wear closed toed shoes (the path is gravel perfectly sized for getting stuck in sandals) and bring mosquito repellent! There were a lot of butterflies and other insects flying around, which is good if you are into butterflies, and terrifying if you hate things flying around your face. Much of the trail is exposed and it was quite toasty so I'd also recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, and water. Signs indicate that dogs are allowed on the trails, although we didn't see any. The one disappointment: the independence building is a reconstruction of what the original might have been like - not the remains of the real one. read more

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park is a beautiful state park nestled in Washington County. It's wonderful not only for its beauty but also for its immense, rich history. Entrance and parking is free, so simply pick a pretty day and drive here to see where Texas truly began; walk amongst the oaks and the flowers and revel in the history. This is what is called "The Birthplace of Texas." You'll find Independence Hall here, which is where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. The Brazos River twists and turns at the edge of the park, and you can just imagine the early Texans navigating their way down that waterway to this location to forge the beginnings of this great state. Beautifully maintained, the early spring is also a lovely time to visit. There are numerous wildflowers to see on the park grounds. Park benches are available for your pleasure, along with a huge playground for your little ones. A lovely Visitor's Center is located at the main entrance. Make sure to stop there and take a good look around. You'll learn a great deal about Texas and Texans within those walls. A trip here via The Texas Independence Trail also makes for a special historical treat. A glorious way to spend a day - and learn something too! read more

I actually didn't know that Washington on the Brazos had any significance on Texas Revolution until when I was at Goliad and they mentioned the importance of Washington, this is the place where they signed the Texas Independence. The park is free to enter, $5 for individual tour, I highly recommend the Independence Hall tour, the guide explained the rise and fall of Washington in Texas. When I was there, It just had a thunderstorm so the trail is bit muddy, but it was doable. Highly recommended if you are doing the Texas Revolution Tour. Another two quick recommendations, after you are done here, grab lunch at R Place next door and if you have time, drive from Brazos to Chappell Hill, it is a wonderful drive. read more

Washington On the Brazos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Washington-On-The-Brazos, Texas

Start at the Visitor's Center for a well-presented overview of Texas history, starting with a Spanish territory, to a Mexican state, then an independent nation, and finally the 28th State of the Union. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park area. Then take a walk along Ferry Street and visit Independence Hall, the simple building where Texas' Declaration of Independence was signed. For years, the site was forgotten, but now Independence Hall stands once again. Independence Hall has been reconstructed as it was during the signing. Continue down Ferry Street to the Brazos River overlook. For a deeper understanding of this historic site, the park rangers offer guided walking tours to Independence Hall. The tour packs a lot of history into thirty minutes, with a focus on the history of the town of Washington. The ranger provided a wealth of information, from the humble beginnings of Washington as a ferry river crossing with a simple hotel, to its involvement in the fight for independence, through its rise to prominence as a river hub for the cotton trade, to its eventual fall into desolation within twenty years. Now the sleepy town has a park to memorialize the important event that took place in the old Independence Hall. Admission to the Park and Visitor's Center is free. You can walk to the Independence Hall on your own. If you attend the walking tour, there is a $5.00 fee for adults. If you are spending the day at Washington on the Brazos, consider purchasing the Brazos pass for $9.00, which includes the guided walking tour, admission to the Star of the Republic Museum, and access to Barrington Living History Farm, all located within the State park. Children rates are also offered. read more

See all

Great place to visit! Lots of antique shops. Historic homes are beautiful and fun to ride around looking at them. The historic park is full of history that will fill your day with lots of fun! read more

See all

This is a great state park! There are several walking trails, a well-curated museum, a living history farm, plus a playground and several picnic areas. The visitor's center has clean bathrooms and a fun gift shop. This is a great day trip from Houston. There is almost too much to do in 1 visit with little kids, which is great for me - gives me a reason to come back another time! Grounds: Parking is convenient. I like to park by the visitor center and make that the "epicenter" of the day's activities. This is great if you're bringing a cooler for lunch. The trails are mostly gravel and well cared for with slight inclines/declines, so I estimate that they'd be fairly stroller friendly. I enjoy walking and feel that everything in the park is easily accessible by foot. During the busier-than-normal Texas Independence Day celebration, we were able to get from the Farm to the Independence Hall with a bunch of school-aged kids with no one complaining about the distance. The playground is large and in good condition, giving kids plenty of space for climbing. Nearby is a covered picnic area, a great spot for the grownups to relax and keep an eye on their kids in the play area. Museum: The museum was a pleasant surprise during my first visit here. For starters, the building is in a unique star shape. My kids enjoyed doing the museum trivia worksheet that was available, and I enjoyed the nice vista from the 2nd story roof area. This park has it all - natural beauty, local history, and great facilities to make for a comfortable day out with friends and family. read more

See all

One of the best memorials/historical sites that I've been to. I enjoyed the entire park. They have an awesome picnic area on the Brazos. There is a wonderful museum. The reproduction of the gunsmith's building where they signed the Declaration & Constitution was pretty authentic. The re-enactors were superb, entertaining, and educational. And, the museum is a place that you can spend hours in. I highly recommend watching the 20 minute video first. I rarely watch the videos in museums/historic sites, but this one set the stage for the rest of the museum experience. read more

We throughly enjoyed our time here!! The staff were so kind and knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge. It was 100 degrees and the staff reminded us to drink water and stay cool even while they were dressed in period clothing. My husband was content to be in the heat of the cook house just because the staff were explaining recipes and cooking from the 1800's. Our guide was the walking tour was wonderful and we enjoyed listening to him. read more

Founded by European-American immigrants from the southern United States, Washington-on-the-Brazos is known as "the birthplace of Texas" because it was here that, on March 1, 1836, Texas delegates met to formally announce Texas' intention to separate from Mexico and to draft the constitution of the new Republic of Texas. They organized an interim government to serve until a government could be elected and inaugurated. This is a wonderful place to learn some Texas history and have a relaxing picnic with family and friends! The grounds include picnic tables, a playground and a pavilion which is available by reservation. There are clean public restrooms and water sources through out the park area. The real attraction is the long lazy afternoon spent in the Texas Hill County which is dripping with lush greenery that is fragmented by dappled, soft golden sunlight. It makes your head spin as you take it all in! read more

See all

I love coming here, the views are beautiful, the history is amazing and my son loves to play on the playground. They even have BBQ pits for cooking out, and nice trails. Very peaceful place to come, I recommend to all families and friends. read more

Washington on the Brazos was beautiful, plentiful and very well maintained. It is a very exciting place to visit as a Texan, the museum explains very in depth Texas history, good and bad. The wild flowers are gorgeous and it was well maintained, as stated. My only complaint and why it was not 5 stars was the attitude of some of the historical reenact-ors. We had four children under the age of 10 with us and they did not maintain a patient and professional demeanor. One woman was fantastic, allowing the kids to push a wheelbarrow. However, there was one man who lazily and unenthusiastically explained his historical method and then yelled at a four-year-old child, without proper age appropriation. I would suggest screening the actors on understanding of young children. Other than that a great way to spend our afternoon! read more

This was our second stop yesterday during H.A.T.s' bluebonnet tour. I loved the 3 mile hike and touring the Barrington Living History farm. The staff was very responsive and knowledgable. I love seeing these type of self-sustaining farms. We happened to arrive just as they had finished making lunch for their staff and volunteers. The chili and corn bread has made with ingredients from the farm. This isn't a petting zoo...these are working animals...so probably not a very good choice for small children unless they are content to looky-but-no-touchy :-) read more

Great piece of history , friendly people , And beautiful views found here , My wife and I Loved the trails and view of the brazos river !

A gem. We only had a couple of hours and enjoyed a leisurely walk to view the Brazos, peeked in the repro Independence Hall, birthplace of Texas, and a quick turn through the museum, as well as the exhibits and gift shop in the visitors center. Helpful Rangers and staff, lovely grounds, history! Fees are a la carte, so you can take advantage of the grounds to walk or picnic and stop in the visitors center, all for free. Can't beat that. But the museum is well worth the $5 charge. We didn't have time to check out the 19th century interpreted farm. Next trip. read more

So much to see. Our guide was quite informative and brought to life the history of Washington. Museum was more than I ever expected. So much to see in the history of every area of life. Visiting the farm was quite enjoyable as well with guides available if we had questions. Definitely an enjoyable time. We spent over 3 hours there easily. If you're in the area and a history buff, it's definitely a must see read more

The facilities were clean and the park rangers were very knowledgeable. They have a penny machine that my wife collects. The area is very well taken care of and it is easy to walk around and read the descriptions on the founding of Texas. We found this to be very educational. read more

See all

My wife and I visited the park this week. This park is a surprising treasure! Start at the visitor center for a map and a chance to talk with one of the helpful staff. We bought a ticket for Barrington Farm (note - it's open Wednesday-Sunday) and easily walked less than 1/2 mile to the farm entrance where you'll pick-up a detailed map of the facilities. What a treat! The farm is being operated in the same manner as 150 years ago. The workers include park rangers dressed in period clothing who will gladly answer any and all questions about the current crops, livestock, and structures on the grounds. We spent over two hours at the farm alone so we'll be back to tour the museum next time. You're going to love this place! read more

Definitely buy the pass for both museum sites (The Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Living History Farm) if you have school aged children. They also offer tours on the hour (except for 12 noon) read more

What a wonderful slice of Texas history. This place is really the birthplace of Texas. The historical displays are very informative and the staff is soooo nice. We stopped and were a full half hour early to the visitor center, yet they came over and opened the doors and welcomed us in like old friends! If Texas is a part of your back ground this is a must see and must read to understand and be part of Texas history. This is too cool! Can't wait to come again and try the Tours! read more

Very nice park, seeing the living Barrington Farm was pretty cool. If you want to get away for the day and check out some interesting historical facts and ways of life, this is the place to go. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff. This is def a place to take a picnic with your family and have a leisurely day of learning. read more

This a wonderful state park with deep historical significance. The Barrington Farm is a real treat to see.

Well marked and maintained trails. Along the trails, information about the history make it interesting and useful for discussing history with children. Great family activity. read more

What a great place to spend part of our day. Friendly, knowledgeable staff throughout the park. The Barrington Living History Farm was great, loved John Anson's house. The men and woman working outside were personable and fun to talk to. The site needs to get funding to renew the reading placards along the walking trail near the visitors center. Really a beautiful place. read more