You might not expect to find diverse fare like Asian-fusion or Filipino food in the Oldest Town in Texas, but we’re full of surprises.

Travel deep in the Pineywoods and taste your way through town with delicious options like Barkeeps Eatery & Taps, featuring a variety of Asian-inspired food for every diet. If house-made Pho or Korean Bulgogi Tacos don’t pique your interest, maybe their sister restaurant Maklemore’s Ale House & Bistro will do the trick with sinfully delicious Fried Mak ‘n’ Cheese Balls. A popular hang out on the weekends, Maklemore’s often has live music and specials on their impressive rotating beer selection.

If you’re in Texas, you’re probably looking for good BBQ. Don’t worry, we have it. Brendyn’s BBQ started as a Food Truck catering events and parking at the local winery. Articles in magazines like Texas Monthly launched Brendyn’s to success and helped him establish his brick & mortar location in Downtown Nacogdoches. Visitors know the name before they arrive, and locals are just as big of fans. Get the Pig Apple with a side of potato salad for the full experience, and if you’re lucky, a fresh batch of jalapeño pepper jack sausage will be on special.

Like good Southerners, we’ve got the fried thing down. The best Onion Rings you’ll ever have are at Clear Springs, along with favorites like Chicken Fried Steak and Fried Catfish. Just next door is Auntie Pastas, an eclectic eatery with craft cocktails and Italian favorites with a twist. Voted as the best place for a first date in Nacogdoches, Auntie Pastas features a “Filet Gorgonzola,” a juicy beef tenderloin topped with gorgonzola cheese and a balsamic reduction.

Visitors are always impressed with the amenities and restaurants at the mid-century modern masterpiece, The Fredonia Hotel. Check out our Restaurant Spotlight in this issue to learn more about the boutique luxury hotel.

Nacogdoches is the proud home to several food trucks, ranging from La Biblioteca Coffee to Shali’s Indian Kitchen on Wheels. The mobile eateries rotate through venues around town like the Fredonia Brewery, Red House Winery and Front Porch Distillery. The food truck scene brought so much diversity to Nacogdoches, that “Nac Snack Friday” became a monthly event. On the fourth Friday of every month you can find 4-5 trucks parked around the Downtown Square for lunch and dinner, with live music in the evening. To keep things fresh, food trucks from all over the region come to participate. The flavor our food trucks bring is like nothing else, and the personal touches set us apart. The owner of Rice Queen Street Food, Janae Osborn, created her menu from her Korean grandmother’s recipes and added her own twist. Nacogdoches fell in love with her creations like “Bungeo-Ppang,” a vegan sweet waffle in the shape of a fish stuffed with peanut butter, jellies, and other fun fillings.  The Rice Queen brings new recipes on a regular basis, always keeping her customers excited to try something outside the box.

Nacogdoches has always been known for History, Charm and Natural Beauty—but there’s another side to the Oldest Town in Texas, and it’s a tasty one. Come visit us for a relaxing vacation and let us dazzle your taste buds. Let us help you plan your trip at visitnacogdoches.org

The post Visit Nacogdoches, TX appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Historic Attractions

Step into the rural mid-19^th century when you visit Historic Collinsville Pioneer Settlement. Explore the16 authentically furnished buildings over 40 expansive acres with a self-guided audio tour. Time seems to slow down a bit in amid the quiet rolling hills where you’re never in a hurry and have plenty of room to socially distance. Bring along a picnic and soak in the serenity.

The Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center is a defensive earth works fort high above the bluffs of the Cumberland and Red River. Interactive displays inside the visitor center bring voices to the many faces of this turbulent era in our nation’s past. Outside, walk through the mounded grounds with canons, picnic areas and trails. Best of all are the panoramic views of downtown Clarksville.

The stunning 1898 architecture at the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is a wow-factor for all visitors. Recently, the museum added underlighting around the roofline and cornices, making the site even more spectacular and night. Inside, visitors will enjoy both permanent and rotating creative and historic exhibits. The lower level includes a large area for hands-on kids’ play, a family art room and a massive model train exhibit.

Outdoor Recreation

Dunbar Cave State Park is one of the region’s most popular outdoor sites. This 144-acre natural playground includes almost five miles of trails, picnic areas, wildlife, and seasonal cave tours. The meandering Cumberland Riverwalk is the city’s crowning jewel, where you can enjoy walking, biking, boating, or finding a swing to take in a spectacular sunset. The Riverwalk connects directly to historic downtown restaurants, entertainment, shopping, galleries and breweries via the urban Upland Trail.

Rotary Park is a 111-acre forested city park with five+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, creeks, playgrounds, disc golf and picnic areas. You’ll also find large open spaces for play and a new 4,200-square-foot Nature Center with permanent and temporary displays and hands-on activities that show the natural history of the area. At North Ford St. Mountain Bike Park, cycling enthusiasts can enjoy a range of trails from a children’s area through technical routes that challenge advanced riders.

Climbers of all skill levels will have fun and relish the birds-eye river views at King’s Bluff Park. The limestone crag is 9.78 acres and has over 160 routes traversing the Cumberland. As at all natural attractions, please make sure to take out what you bring in and help leave the areas pristine for future visitors.

Family Fun

Entertainment centers dot the perimeters of the city. The whole family will love indoor putt-putt and high-speed go-carts, axe throwing, trampolining or escape games. On summer weekends, enjoy free outdoor concerts at Downtown Commons or the top-rated outdoor Downtown Market with fresh produce, crafts, baked goods and entertainment.

Food & Beverage

Highlight your time in Clarksville with a globally inspired food culture for an even more memorable experience. The influence of a major military installation, state university and international industries bring the world’s flavors and sips to the community. Breweries, a distillery, winery, and meadery give you a taste of the city’s passion for creativity and excellence.

Start planning your trip today at www.visitclarksvilletn.com or downtown the free VisitClarksvilleTN App.

The post Let a Road Trip to Clarksville, TN Satisfy Your Travel Cravings appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.