Bluebonnets. Texas Longhorns. Cowboy boots. These are the images people instantly associate with Texas. Texas also brings to mind the state’s big-city attractions: the Texas Capitol in Austin, the Alamo in San Antonio, the Space Center in Houston, and the Fort Worth Stockyards and iconic Dallas skyline in DFW.
But it’s the hundreds of small towns in between—the courthouse squares, roadside cafés, hidden dance halls, and backroads steeped in history—that truly capture the heart and soul of Texas and its culture, history, and people. It’s these small Texas towns that local author and Texas native Kim Byars Croisant explores in her book, Small Town Texas, available October 1, 2026.
From Alpine, the gateway to Big Bend National Park and the McDonald Observatory, to Round Top, the epicenter of the Texas antiques world, to everything in between, Small Town Texas is the definitive guide to traveling Texas, packaged in a beautiful, colorful, soft-bound coffee table book. Or a porch side book, as Kim calls it, perfect for travelers who enjoy a slower pace of life, authenticity, and meaningful local experiences.
Although some readers may plan a stop or two at one of these small towns along the way to somewhere else, as Kim says, “If you adore the historic downtown squares, the boutiques, the tea shops, and the history, you’ll go straight to the small towns.”
Organized alphabetically, each entry features a two or four-page spread, the town’s founding story, local legends, attractions, lore, and special events. To qualify, towns must have a population of less than 10,000 people and be rich with history and charm. Many host unique events, like Blanco’s Lavender Festival.
Most of the towns Kim had been to before writing the book. A longtime traveler, Kim has written for online travel magazines and owned My Traveling Roads, a website chronicling her travels, before buying texastraveltalk.com three and a half years ago. Her passion centers on small towns, scenic backroads, and bucket‑list‑worthy destinations that invite families to explore, connect, and make lasting memories. In fact, it was her Texas Travel Talk website that prompted Reedy Press, the publisher of Small Town Texas, to encourage Kim to write the book since she specializes in small towns.
Other towns she visited for the sole purpose of writing the book. Her favorite of the fifty? “Dripping Springs,” she says without hesitation. “I love the openness, the smell, the nature trails, the wineries…”
Whether you’re a native Texan or a recent transplant, Kim’s book is an invitation to embark on a new adventure and explore what the Lone Star State has to offer. Whether well‑known or a hidden gem, each one has helped shape the soul of Texas. So dive into the book, pick a town or two for a day trip or long weekend, and set out to experience the wonder and charm of small‑town Texas.
To learn more, visit texastraveltalk.com.
Whether you’re a native Texan or a recent transplant, Kim’s book is an invitation to embark on a new adventure and explore what the Lone Star State has to offer.