Spread the love!

Yeehaw! The Ultimate Guide to the Best & Fun Things to Do + Places to Visit in Ennis, Texas

Ennis is flat prairie south of Dallas, and nothing here costs you any effort to reach. The bluebonnet trails are a drive, not a hike. Bardwell Lake is a short way out and the walking around it is gentle. What you should actually plan around is eating. The Czech families who settled here brought kolaches with them, and the bakery on Main Street is still making them the way they were taught, which is the thing you will remember afterwards.

Are you planning a trip to Ennis, Texas and working out what is actually worth doing? Ennis is a small city with real history in it and enough attractions to hold visitors of all ages. Family, friends or on your own, the town accommodates all three, and it feeds you properly while you are here.

If you’re looking for family fun in Ennis, be sure to check out the Bluebonnet Trail, a scenic drive that offers stunning views of the Texas countryside. The Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum is also a great place to learn about the city’s history and culture, and kids will love the interactive exhibits. And don’t forget to catch a live performance at the Ennis Public Theatre, which offers a variety of shows throughout the year.

For history, Ennis has genuine material. The Ellis County Courthouse is a clear example of Romanesque Revival architecture, and the Ennis Veterans Memorial is a considered tribute to the city’s service members. The Ennis Czech Museum is the one that explains the rest of the town, including why the bakeries here make what they make. For outdoor time, there are parks and trails including the Lake Bardwell Nature Trail and the Ennis Veterans Memorial Park.

Key Takeaways

• Ennis, Texas has plenty of family-friendly attractions, including the Bluebonnet Trail and the Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum.
• History buffs will enjoy exploring Ennis’s many historical sites and museums, including the Ellis County Courthouse and the Ennis Czech Museum.
• Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of Ennis’s many parks and trails, including the Lake Bardwell Nature Trail and the Ennis Veterans Memorial Park.

Family Fun in Ennis

Ennis, Texas works well for a family trip. Outdoor time through to indoor entertainment, and none of it requires booking ahead. Here are the family-friendly activities worth doing in Ennis:

Bluebonnet Park Adventures

Bluebonnet Park is the straightforward choice for a family picnic or an afternoon outdoors. Playgrounds, sports fields and open space cover most of what anyone needs. There is a fishing pond, so bring gear and see what comes up. The hiking trails are there if you want to walk, and the wildlife turns up without being sought.

Ennis All-Star Bowl Excitement

Looking for something indoors? Head to Ennis All-Star Bowl for some bowling. With 24 lanes and automatic scoring, getting a game started takes no organizing. There is an arcade with classic games like Pac-Man and pinball, and a snack bar for when the group gets hungry.

Galaxy Drive-In Movie Night

For a different kind of movie night, check out the Galaxy Drive-In. This classic drive-in theater runs double features on every screen. Bring your own snacks and drinks or buy them at the concession stand. Tune the car radio to the right frequency and the sound comes out better than you expect.

Outdoor time or indoor entertainment, Ennis covers the whole family without anyone having to compromise much.

Historical Sites and Museums

For a history buff, Ennis has real depth. Here are the historical sites and museums worth the stop:

Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum

All aboard. The Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum covers the history of railroads in Texas properly. The exhibits run through the development of the railroad industry, the role railroads played in the Civil War, and the effect they had on the economy. The model train collection is the part that holds train enthusiasts of any age.

There is more to the museum than the trains. The exhibits also cover the history of Ennis itself, including the town’s founding and how it grew. You learn about the early settlers, the town’s part in the Civil War, and how Ennis came to be the “Bluebonnet City of Texas.”

Historic Downtown Ennis

Take a stroll through Historic Downtown Ennis and step back in time. The downtown area is full of historic buildings and landmarks, including the Ennis Public Theatre, the Ennis National Bank Building, and the Palace Theatre.

The building that stands out in downtown Ennis is the Ellis County Courthouse. Built in 1897, it is a serious example of Romanesque Revival architecture and the stonework rewards a close look. Take the guided tour for the history behind it.

The other stop downtown is the Ennis Veterans Memorial. The memorial honors the men and women of Ennis who have served in the armed forces. It is a plain and moving tribute to people who gave a great deal.

History buff or somebody after a decent afternoon, Ennis has enough to fill it. Work through these historical sites and museums for a proper look at the town’s past.

Outdoor Activities

Ennis, Texas is a straightforward place to get outdoors. Long views, harder walks, or a relaxed afternoon in the sun, the town covers the range. Here are the outdoor activities worth doing:

Ennis Bluebonnet Trails

If you are in Ennis during March or April, the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails are unmissable. The routes wind through fields of bluebonnets and the effect is genuinely worth the drive. It suits a slow walk, a set of photographs, or simply sitting in it for a while.

Hiking at Bardwell Lake

For a harder day outdoors, head to Bardwell Lake. The lake has miles of hiking trails running through the woods and hills around it. The views over the water are the reward, and wildlife turns up along the way. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, because it gets seriously hot out there.

Camping at Highview Marina

For the full outdoor version, camp at Highview Marina. The campground sits right on the shores of Bardwell Lake, which gives you the views and easy access to the water. You can swim, fish, boat or do none of it, and the showers and restrooms mean the comfort is not much of a sacrifice.

So what are you waiting for? Get out and use what Ennis has, because most of it costs nothing but the drive.

Live Music and Festivals

Ennis is a town that dances. You will find a range of musical genres here, from polka through to blues and most things in between. Here are the festivals and events where the live music is:

National Polka Festival

If you like polka, you are in the right place. The National Polka Festival runs every Memorial Day weekend in Ennis. The festival has been a tradition for over 50 years and covers live music, dancing and traditional Czech food cooked by the families who kept the recipes. Everybody turns out in polka outfits and takes to the floor. If you cannot polka, there are free dance lessons through the weekend.

Blues on Main

Blues on Main is a free summer concert series running the first Saturday of each month from June to September. The concerts happen on the streets of downtown Ennis with local and regional blues musicians playing. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and settle in. The food and craft vendors are worth working through while you are there.

Ennis Freedom Fest

Celebrate Independence Day with live music and fireworks at the Ennis Freedom Fest. The festival runs on July 3rd with a car show, food vendors and a kids’ zone. The live music starts in the evening and builds to the fireworks. It is a straightforward way to spend a summer evening with whoever you brought.

Polka, blues, or live music in general, Ennis has something running. Work through these festivals and events and you will understand what this town does with its evenings.

Kolaches. Sweet or savory, from the Kolache Depot Bakery, and both are correct at breakfast time. Brisket at Silver Star Smokehouse, where the smoke has done the work rather than the sauce. Traditional Czech food at the polka festival every Memorial Day weekend, cooked by the families. Wine at Sugar Ridge Winery, with cheese and crackers alongside it. None of it is fashionable, and every bit of it is made by somebody who learned it from somebody else.

Sports and Racing

Looking for high-speed action? Ennis has the sports and racing facilities. Here are the places for anyone who follows either:

Lion Tennis Center

For tennis, the Lion Tennis Center is unmissable. The courts and facilities are properly maintained, which makes an ordinary game feel considerably better than it is. Beginner or seasoned player, the center accommodates both. Bring a racket.

Texas Motorplex

For sport with horsepower attached, the Texas Motorplex is the place. This drag racing facility has hosted some of the biggest names in the sport, and it runs racing classes for every skill level, so you can get on the strip yourself. With speeds reaching up to 320 mph, watching is not exactly passive either.

Big O Speedway

For more traditional car racing, the Big O Speedway is the answer. This quarter-mile dirt track runs some of the better stock car races in the state, with classes from pure stock through to modified. Bring earplugs and pick a driver to shout for.

Tennis or car racing, Ennis has the facilities. The venues are top-notch and the events are genuinely good, whichever sport brought you. Get out there and use them.

Food and Wine

When you are in Ennis, the food and wine are not optional. Here are the places you have to work through:

Sugar Ridge Winery

For a wine lover, Sugar Ridge Winery is the stop. This family-owned winery has been producing award-winning wines for years, and with over 12 different wines on the list you will find one that suits. They run tastings, so you can taste your way across the range before committing to a bottle.

Sugar Ridge Winery is not only about the wine. The winery hosts events including live music and wine and paint nights. And if you need something to eat with it, the cheese and crackers do the job properly.

Kolache Depot Bakery

For something sweet, head to Kolache Depot Bakery. The bakery specializes in Czech pastries, and the kolaches are the reason to go. The dough is enriched and slightly sweet, the fillings run sweet or savory, and either version works at breakfast or in the middle of the afternoon.

Kolache Depot Bakery is not only pastries. They run a selection of sandwiches and burgers as well. And for something to share, the onion rings are the order, because they come out crisp rather than heavy.

Wine or pastries, Ennis will look after you. Eat first and plan the rest of the day around it.

Planning Your Visit

Congratulations on picking Ennis, Texas for your next trip. Before you pack and drive, there are a couple of things worth knowing to get the most out of it.

Ennis Welcome Center

First, stop at the Ennis Welcome Center at 201 NW Main St. The staff are friendly and know the town, and they will hand you maps, brochures and the local knowledge that makes an itinerary work. They may also offer you a hug, though we cannot promise that.

Traveler Favorites and Reviews

Ennis has enough on offer that deciding where to start is the hard part. We have put together a list of traveler favorites and reviews to narrow it down. From the Texas Motorplex through to the Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum, the range covers most tastes.

Do not miss the Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas, which runs over 40 miles of wildflowers. The photographs from it are the ones your Instagram followers ask about afterwards.

Contact and Hours

The Ennis Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call them at (972) 878-4748 or email them at [email protected].

Now that you have the local knowledge, start planning the trip to Ennis, Texas. Safe travels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ennis, Texas the best kept secret in Texas?

We would not call it a secret, and it is genuinely one of the stronger small towns in Texas. Ennis carries real history, good scenery and plenty to do. It suits a relaxed getaway or a day trip out of the city.

What are the top attractions in Ennis, Texas?

Ennis is known for its Bluebonnet Trails, where you can see fields of beautiful bluebonnets in the spring. But there’s more to Ennis than just wildflowers. You can also visit the Ennis Railroad & Cultural Museum, take a Czech Heritage Tour, or catch a show at the Ennis Public Theatre.

Where can I find the best BBQ in Ennis, Texas?

The eternal question. For BBQ in Ennis, Silver Star Smokehouse is the answer. The brisket comes apart the way it should, which means the smoke did the work rather than the sauce, and the sides hold up alongside it.

What are some unique experiences to have in Ennis, Texas?

For something different, the Lantern Festival Dallas is worth the drive, with thousands of lanterns going up into the night sky at once. The Waxahachie Haunted History Tour is the other one, covering the spookier history of the area.

Are there any haunted places to visit in Ennis, Texas?

On spooky history, Ennis has some. The Moore Ventura Bed and Breakfast is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former owner, and the Ennis Railroad & Cultural Museum is said to be haunted by a former train conductor. If you are brave enough, there is a ghost tour of Ennis you can take.

What are some hidden gems in Ennis, Texas?

We don’t want to give away all of Ennis’s secrets, but we will say that the Galaxy Drive-In Theatre is a must-visit. It’s a fun, retro experience that’s perfect for a date night or a family outing. Another hidden gem is the Ennis Farmers Market, where you can find fresh produce and handmade crafts.

Frequently asked questions about Ennis, Texas

When exactly do the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails actually come into bloom?

March and April, and the window is a good deal narrower than you would like it to be. The trails run over 40 miles of driving routes through the fields, and they are marked and updated as the bloom moves across them. Outside those months it is farmland. Time the trip or skip that part entirely.

Which Ennis museum is worth the time when you only have a short visit?

The Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum, comfortably. It covers the railroad industry in Texas, the role of railroads in the Civil War, and the town’s own founding and development alongside all of that. The model train collection is the part that children stay for. Give it a short visit rather than a whole morning.

Is the National Polka Festival worth planning a whole trip around?

If you like dancing or Czech food, then yes. It runs every Memorial Day weekend and has done so for over 50 years, with live music, traditional Czech cooking and free dance lessons running right through the weekend. You do not need to know how to polka before you arrive. Somebody there will teach you.

Spread the love!