Explore The San Felipe Area

Welcome to San Felipe, Texas! A small town with a big history.

Known also as San Felipe de Austin in honor of its founder, Stephen F. Austin, San Felipe is often called the “Birthplace of Anglo-American Settlement in Texas,” for it was in the early 1820s that Austin chose this area as the home base for establishing Anglo- American colonies in Texas. The small settlement of about 300 families became home to Texas’ first English language newspaper (the Gazette, founded in 1829), and the starting place of both the Texas postal system and the Texas Rangers.

With such a deep heritage, San Felipe is a great place for Texas history buffs and historians, in general, to visit to find out about the town’s part in the Texas Revolution, its connection to the Declaration of Independence, and what life was like for the early settlers through museums and parks that offer knowledge and fun for the entire family. There are also some fun non-historical attractions nearby. So, if you’re looking for a few things to do in San Felipe and the surrounding areas, check out the below suggestions.

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE PARK

This 663-acre oasis located on the banks of the Brazos River was deeded to the state by the San Felipe de Austin Corporation in 1940. The park is divided into two parts—one historical and the other recreational. The historical section features a replica of founder Stephen F. Austin’s cabin, as well as his likeness in the form of a great statue, and the J.J. Josey Store, originally built in 1847, that has been restored as a museum.

The park’s front entrance is located a mile from the center of San Felipe, which was the seat of government of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas.

The recreational portion of the park boasts a golf course, five miles of hiking and biking trails and fishing in the Brazos River, in addition to picnic, camping and full hookup trailer sites complete with a group recreational hall with kitchen and dining facilities, and screened shelters. The park also offers a 12-mile nature trail, ranger programs and summer camp for children ages 8 to 11. The park is open daily with a $5 admission; children under 12 get in free. The trails are closed when muddy so be sure to contact the park to check conditions before going. The park also offers year-round events, such as nature journaling, inflatable archery and guided hikes. For a detailed schedule of events, and hours of operation or to become a volunteer, visit the park’s website.

SAN FELIPE DE AUSTIN STATE HISTORIC SITE

After a day of hiking, fishing and camping, visitors to San Felipe will want to be sure to amble down the road about a mile to this state-of-the-art museum site that commemorates the location where in 1823 Stephen F. Austin established the headquarters for his initial colonization of 297 families through a contract with the Mexican government. Participants are invited to walk in the footsteps of Texas’ early pioneers via exhibits and recovered artifacts that along with custom murals, interactive multimedia and guest speakers, help visitors to learn about San Felipe de Austin’s history.

Opened in 2021, the townsite showcases reconstructed buildings that allow visitors to experience life in Texas 200 years ago, from a working print shop, Farmer’s Hotel and one-room schoolhouse to a courthouse, kitchen, and the home of Celia, a freedwoman who had been enslaved when she was brought to Austin’s colony. The site also has 1/3 of a mile of walking trails with detailed information about historic town residents, landmarks and cultural information, as well as a museum store. School, group tours and private event rentals are also offered.

ROSE THERAPEUTIC FARM & GOAT YOGA

About 10 miles east of San Felipe is the town of Brookshire, where Tiffany Johnson, owner of ROSE Therapeutic Farm, began offering goat yoga classes in 2017. The practice, which involves doing yoga while interacting with young goats or “kids” to improve mental and physical well-being, has become popular in the last several years, with scientific research showing that spending time with animals can help to reduce stress and even relieve anxiety and depression.

Johnson, a certified yoga instructor who grew up in Katy, began the class before acquiring her 12-acre farm—a 10-minute drive from San Felipe—in 2019.

The classes became so popular that Johnson has now expanded the business to include cow and baby goat snuggles, crafting classes, school field trip tours, and team building and equine therapy, all designed to help people escape the city and experience the simple life of the farm and nature.

“Our most popular attractions right now are the cow snuggles and the baby goat snuggles,” Johnson said. “Not everyone wants to do yoga but people love being outside in the country, and they love cuddling with the animals.”

Johnson’s farm, which is surrounded by 50 pecan trees, currently includes a menagerie of goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, peacocks and ducks, two miniature donkeys named Oliver & Bailey, miniature ponies, a Highland cow named Maple, and a tortoise called Tully.

The farm averages about 500 visitors of all ages on the weekends, Johnson said, with spring and fall being the busiest times of year. Though the farm is closed in February, August and September, Johnson said more seasonal events are being added to accommodate guests, who are encouraged to bring blankets and have picnics on the grounds. Goat passes and farm passes are available for those who would like access to pet and feed the animals, and visitors can also buy fresh farm eggs.

Weekend goat yoga classes are open to ages 10 and up. The fee is $34 for an hour. The farm also offers spring break and summer camps and is available for private events and birthday parties. Tickets must be pre-purchased through the farm’s website. Farm memberships also can be purchased and include unlimited farm visits, morning chores access, free movie nights with goats and 50% off special events.

HEMI HIDEOUT

Deemed a “Texas-sized mancave” on its website, this hidden gem in Brookshire (the ‘Hemi’ in the name refers to a type of combustion engine) is a retro delight that will have classic car aficionados salivating at the vast array of muscle cars—including two dozen Mopars from the 1960s and 70s, in addition to restored antique tractors, motorcycles and other odds and ends.

Visitors will be in for a nostalgic treat that features a 1950s-style diner, soda fountain and state-of-the-art kitchen. The 22,000 square foot establishment also houses a large living area with an opulent fireplace, six large screen televisions, a stage for live entertainment, and an outdoor BBQ pavilion complete with a western- style bar and fireplace, and more than 600 vintage porcelain and neon signs that date back to the early 1900s.

The exterior of the building is beautifully shaded by pecan and weeping willow trees, and a stone-encrusted garden pond filled with fish, frogs, water lilies and exotic bog plants from around the world. Tours last 90 minutes and are by appointment only. Admission is $10 cash. Checks and cards are not accepted unless it is a private event. No children under the age of 12. To make a reservation, visit the venue’s website or call (281) 347-HEMI.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Lakendra Lewis is a freelance writer and book editor based in San Antonio. Her articles focus on the arts, including music, theater, television, and film. She also has a passion for telling other people’s stories. Lakendra’s articles have appeared in a variety of South Texas publications, including Edible San Antonio Magazine, Latino Leaders Magazine, The Texas Observer, and RIO Magazine.