HEMPSTEAD

Liendo Plantation - Liendo Plantation was built in 1853 as the centerpiece to one of the state’s earliest cotton plantations. The Greek Revival style home has been lovingly restored and is maintained as a National historic landmark, a private home and a working cattle ranch. A true gem of historical preservation in modern day Texas, Liendo has stood the test of time. From tours and living history events to weddings and corporate events, guests can share in more than 160 years of Texas history at the lovely Liendo Plantation.

The John Fairey Gardens - Established by John Fairey in 1971, The John Fairey Garden (formerly Peckerwood Garden) is an extraordinary preservation garden on 39 acres near Hempstead, Texas. The garden is widely acclaimed for the originality of its design, its education and conservation programs, and its exceptional collection of over 3,000 plants, including many endangered and rare plants from Mexico, North America, and Asia. Docent-led group tours are offered on Open Days (see calendar).

Dilorio Farms - DiIorio Farms and Roadside Market brings you home grown and farm fresh produce year around, you can taste the difference in our produce that grows here. You as the consumer should know the people that grow your food. The DiIorio Family has been growing fruits and vegetables for the public for four generations. DiIorio’s is a 20,000 square foot, fan cooled, roadside open air produce market that is open 12 months a year, 7 days a week.

Krolcyzk Meat Market & Drive-In

Legendary Oaks Golf Course - 

Beautiful, plush fairways, great greens, a very challenging design and outlets, four yardages for all players, very friendly staff and a peaceful setting are attracting golfers from all over Texas. The Center also has an excellent practice facility and serves some of the best burgers in Waller County, and the Bar is opened now. Other activities include a swimming pool, fishing, antique wedding chapel and tennis courts. There is a two-acre picnic area by our stocked three-acre lake. Come experience a great golf outing with the best golf value in Texas!

PRAIRIE VIEW (17 minutes, 13.7 miles)

Prairie View A&M - Prairie View A&M University is a public historically black land-grant university in Prairie View, Texas. Founded in 1876, it is one of Texas's two land-grant universities and the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state.

NAVASOTA - (21 minutes, 21.3 miles)

Bee Weaver Honey Farm - We offer weekly public (and free) tours and tastings. We also have options for private tours, classes, experiences, and more. Join us on our Observation Bee Deck as a beekeeper works a live hive bees. You will learn the basic biology of a hive and the essential tools and skills of beekeeping.

Wildflyer Mead Co. - Handcrafting mead on the oldest, continuously operating beekeeping and honey farm in Texas. Have a glass of mead or two while sitting in their tasting room or out on their screened in porch while listening to the buzz of the honeybees.

Weatherstone Ranch Alpacas - located just 10 minutes away and provides tours and information on Alpaca farming.

Threshold Vineyards - Threshold Vineyards is a family owned vineyard and winery located in the Brazos Valley, just a few miles off of the Brazos River. The Farm, as it is lovingly referred to in our family, was originally home to thousands of Virginia pine trees, operating as a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm for many years. The Christmas trees are gone now, but our family has tried our hand at growing everything from watermelons, apples and peaches, taking advantage of the excellent sandy loam soil here. In 2010, we planted our first grape vines, a white variety called Blanc Du Bois, and the vines took off.

ANDERSON (29 minutes, 19.9 miles)

Fanthorp Inn State Historical Site - Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site is located approximately 30 miles southeast of Bryan/College Station. It consists of six acres in Anderson, county seat of Grimes County. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired the property by purchase in 1977 from a Fanthorp descendant, and it was opened to the public Oct. 4, 1987, to demonstrate 19th century life at an early Texas stagecoach stop and family home. Ten years were spent researching and restoring the inn to its 1850 use as both a family home and travelers' stop. The double-pen, cedar log dogtrot house was built by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, when Texas was part of Mexico. Fanthorp petitioned Stephen F. Austin in 1832 for permission to settle in this original Austin Colony. He bought 1,100 acres and built his house in 1834 on the road that crossed his land, thus bringing travelers to his door immediately. Henry Fanthorp was appointed postmaster by the provisional Texas government in 1835, and saw the advantage of offering other services and goods to his frequent visitors. Within time, Fanthorp's Inn became a well-known stopping place for both travelers and the community. Fanthorp Inn is open for public tours Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and for group tours (by reservation) and school events.