Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Jefferson, Texas

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Experience “fun on the Bayou” in the state’s northeast corner, Jefferson, Texas.

This Marion County town of just over 2,000 people is known for its scenic streets, historic houses, charming restaurants, quaint bed & breakfasts, and picturesque landscapes,

You will find harmony in this peaceful town on the Big Cypress Bayou.

There are nearly 100 Historical Landmarks to visit, alongside pre-civil war homes, outdoor attractions, and historical places to sleep, dine, or shop.

Of all the many things you can do and places to visit in Jefferson, one thing is for sure. It has the right vibe to unwind for the weekend, take a week off, or celebrate special occasions.

In a matter of a week, you will learn more about its history that will change your perspective in different ways.

Caddo Lake State Park

A state park in piney woods, Caddo Lake, is one of only a few natural lakes in Texas.

Approach a wilderness of swamps and Cypress trees hung with moss in the 26,000-acre lake. It’s the right place to fish, kayak, or paddle in Jefferson.

Caddo Lake State Park is located 13 miles southeast of Jefferson, near the town of Karnack. If you’re not here to explore the lake’s 50 miles of paddling trails, you can watch Mill Pond from the state park’s fishing dock.

The pond has most of the Cypress Trees and wildlife in the area, along with many fish and turtles swimming under lily pads. Don’t be surprised to see alligators, armadillos, minks, beavers, and white-tailed deer in the park.

Watching the sunset from the dock is also a fun thing to do! You will not see the sun from the same perspective as you did from this spot.

You can also hike on the scenic trails to see more of what nature offers here in Caddo Lake State Park.

It’s the ultimate travel destination for families or friends who want to enjoy the tranquility of nature.

Camping out in a tent or renting a cabin for the weekend is also a good way to spend more time away from the busy city. Enjoy a no-hassle check-in and accommodation with friendly staff.

Everything is simple in this paradise!

Address: 245 Park Rd 2, Karnack, TX 75661, United States

Carriage House Bed and Breakfast

Welcome to the award-winning bed and breakfast in Jefferson, Texas!

The Carriage House B&B brings the comfort of home to you with its great service and relaxing atmosph

ere. Your resting place does not have to be dull after you’ve gone through the famous attractions in Jefferson.

You can spend quiet time reading a book on the porch or socializing with guests at the firepit, all with a complimentary drink in your hand.

The Carriage House serves two-course gourmet breakfasts with complimentary mimosas or Bloody Marys, four-course gourmet dinner on Friday and Saturday, and complimentary wine during happy hours!

Unwind in their wraparound porch and fire-pit areas with smores at night, or relax in their lobby’s open and friendly ambiance.

It’s only a short distance away from shopping malls and restaurant downtown. Whether on a family, business, or a solo trip, you will have a place in their historically themed rooms with private baths and antique furniture.

You will not feel nostalgic returning from your day tour when you know you’re getting pampered in this luxurious inn.

Spend the morning watching birds and butterflies in the garden courtyard after having a multi-course gourmet breakfast in the Dining Room.

After this worthwhile rest and relaxation, you are all set to explore more attractions in Jefferson, Texas!

Address: 401 N. Polk Street, Jefferson, Texas 75657

Haywood House

The birth of the Haywood House is a humble one. It was once a part of a grand hotel, then a history museum, and even became a personal residence.

Now, the restaurant and cocktail bar serves Euro-American cuisine in Jefferson, Texas.

If you want a more intimate, private place in the city, you will love the ambiance in Haywood. The place gives off a southern vibe with a members-only cigar bar & lounge upstairs.

It has two private dining areas, the Cistern “Well” Room and the Snug Booth, perfect for intimate dining, romantic getaway, or other special occasions.

For large groups traveling for business purposes, there is a Banquet Hall on the second floor of the building with wide space to host meetings or other gatherings. Feel free to discuss the menu and make arrangements with the establishment if you plan to throw a larger party or event.

This is the place to find beverages you seldom see in East Texas. You can ask about anything from the bartenders as they offer an ample selection of craft and draught beers, imports, liquors & spirits, specialty cocktails/martinis, wines, and domestics.

You can tell that the beautifully-crafted cocktails and elegantly-plated food are done with expertise!

There’s no place like the Haywood House in Jefferson that offers the same transcendent visuals with exquisite furnishings. Make every experience memorable, from class reunions to wedding rehearsals, in the corners of this one-of-a-kind building.

Address: 202 S Market St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk

Jefferson, Texas, has more than just attractions. It also practices a historical tradition known as the Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk – “The Original Jefferson Ghost Tour.”

Don’t miss out on the nighttime journey and discover historic haunts around Jefferson, a small town some considered one of the most haunted in Texas.

You will venture through dark alleyways and courtyards with lantern lights to have a graphic look at historical tragedy, murder, and ghostly encounters in Jefferson.

Let this tour take you to the town’s haunted locations (or experience it yourself)!

You will join local historian Jodi Breckenridge as she narrates ghost tales every Friday and Saturday, year-round.

Walking around town can be fun but remember to wear comfortable shoes, check the weather, and dress accordingly. Tour may take 1.5-2 hours.

Your group departs from the Sandwich Shoppe (Old Kahn Saloon) on the corner of Austin and Vale.

This unique tour is not something other cities can offer. You will surely remember this experience when you hear about Jefferson!

Address: W Austin St & S Vale St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Historic Jefferson Railway

Appreciate the dense forest of Northeast Texas and the shores along Big Cypress Bayou from the sightseeing steam train in Jefferson, Texas.

This fun ride takes you through beautiful woods and wetlands in the state, giving you the best 40 minutes of your trip.

You will stop by the Diamond Don Gator Pit to watch live alligators being fed there. Passengers can also view the unique structure of Confederate powder magazine from the civil war era. 

Cypress trees overhung with Spanish moss throughout the bayou will overpower your view, along with the woods, coniferous trees, wildlife, and many natural wonders.

The Railway has played a key role in Jefferson’s thriving community and sponsored major events throughout the year. It brought over 20,000 visitors to the small town.

On special occasions, the train transforms into The Christmas Train of The Haunted Train Ride.

The antique train gas-powered by Plymouth Locomotive has an open canopy for easy viewing.

It also rolls right by the home of the Boggy Creek Monster from the horror movie, “Boggy Creek,” filmed in Jefferson and Uncertain, Texas.

It’s a fun, open ride for you or your kids!

Address: 400 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Jefferson Fudge

Grab a sweet treat at the Old Store on 123 Walnut Street, Jefferson, Texas!

The old antique shop in the 1876 General Mercantile building is now a place for a “gift of fudge.”

From fudge and pralines to preserves, jams, and jellies, the Jefferson Fuge Companies got what your tastebuds need.

It all began when owner James Goolsby traveled the country buying antiques and thought about selling candies and treats in his store for shoppers to snack on.

Eventually, he bought the adjacent building and expanded his business to accommodate more than just fudge. He also sold soft drinks, gourmet chocolates, gifts, and souvenirs. The store then carried soup mixes, spices, syrup, pancake mixes, pickled vegetables, hot cocoa mixes, kitchenware, and toys.

The store branched out to more selections like the 15 feet of gourmet chocolates of 60 varieties. There are six varieties of sugar-free fudge, about 25 sugar-free chocolates, bags of cinnamon/sugar-glazed pecans, cashews, and almonds, and two types of pralines – the creamy “New Orleans Style” and chewy caramel.

You may sample jellies and jams on their jelly bar. All of them have 92% fruit and no preservatives.

They even developed their line of salsas, chow-chows, and relishes! The list of items goes on, but you can ensure all products in the Jefferson Fudge are hard to find, especially local!

Their selection would make a perfect holiday gift as they “dress up” their packaging beautifully.

Visit Jefferson Fudge so “your tastebuds will thank you!”

Address: 123 N Walnut St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Jefferson General Store

“Step through our front door and step back in time.”

Jefferson General Store has been East Texas’ hardware and general store since 1870. The same family owned the local store for many years. The current owners, Cliff & Anna Bode, have wonderfully preserved its authentic atmosphere.

Nothing much has changed about its original look. It still has an authentic atmosphere, old-fashioned jukebox, root beer float, game of checkers, 5-cent coffee and ice cream, and more!

Experience the ice cream soda fountain, taste the delectable pralines, and take home delicious souvenirs in one of Jefferson City’s oldest shops.

The store is ideally located near a turning basin for the riverboats, making restocking easier. It’s made of wooden floors and baskets of goods resembling an old-time emporium.

Something about the place brings back your childhood. Suddenly, it’s like the early 1900s again! They carry old-fashioned candies you barely see these days, salsas, antiques, blue bell ice cream, books, candles, hats, old-time toys and candy counter, t-shirts, texas jams, texas music, texas souvenirs, and more.

They also sell gifts, southern memorabilia, and penny candy from long ago.

Taking candid photos with Betty Boop, The Duke, and the old truck out front are highly encouraged!

This place is full of great finds you’ll remember the city by!

Address: 113 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Jefferson Historical Museum

For first-time visitors, you can start your exploration of the town in the Jefferson Historical Museum, the prominent downtown structure housed in the old 1888 old Marion County Courthouse and U.S. Post Office building.

The red brick building contains many artifacts depicting the history of Jefferson and Marion County. It contains four floors of exhibits, including items from the region’s past, like the 1880s homestead furnishings, art, antique guns, and Caddo Indian artifacts.

There’s also an impressive collection of Civil War artifacts, tools, weapons, and some of Sam Houston’s historical papers.

The museum serves the purpose of discovering, collecting, and preserving all materials relevant to the town’s history, including books, pamphlets, maps, relics, manuscripts, paintings, letters, and more.

The Jefferson Historical Museum is the ideal place to arouse your knowledge of the city’s local history. There’s so much enriching to see that wholly represents Texas through its art and antiquities, including a large replica of an early 1900s railway depot that took more than 30 years to build!

You’d be surprised by the many collections they have. You wouldn’t believe your own eyes!

Address: 223 W Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Lake O’ the Pines

You’re about to see the most beautiful lake in East Texas!

Excluding Lake O’ The Pines in your trip to Jefferson, Texas, is unacceptable. There’s much to do in this 17,000-acre reservoir of Big Cypress Bayou, miles away from the city hustle.

Tall pine trees seem to guard the open lake most beautifully. Its extensive parks provide access to fishing in the lake stocked with largemouth, white, spotted bass, catfish, crappies, sunfish, and pickerel.

There are also a lot of great spots to camp, fish, and swim to take days off work or school. This is where most of Texas’s best tent and RV camping are.

Many boat ramps also surround the site. You can launch your boat (or rent a boat) from any of the three nice marinas – the Big Cypress Marina, Lake O’ Pines RV, Marina & Inn, and Marley’s Bullfrog Marina. It’s one way to explore the beauty of the place covering a large scale.

Lake O’ the Pines Day Use Parks and beach areas are available for picnicking activities. It’s a great opportunity to bring the family out and enjoy the sun.

Most parks are provided with tables, grills, and space for picnics. The staff should know the best place for any daytime events.

Enjoy playing volleyball in Johnson Creek and Lakeside day-use areas, basketball in Lakeside and Shady Grove, and other sports on their open grounds.

Lake O’ The Pines has it all!

Address: 2669 FM 726, Jefferson, Texas 75657

Museum of Measurement and Time

Time stands still in a small town like Jefferson, Texas, when you stop by the Museum of Measurement and Time.

You are invited to see a collection of personal artifacts once possessions of Jefferson residents Johnny and Edith Ingram. The elder couple still enjoys giving tours and guiding visitors in their travel through time.

Jefferson is one of the oldest in Texas. People traveling to the west serve the city as a port of entry.

Back in the day, they used American horology & Clocks to survey and divide the land. Now, a large collection of these tools is housed in the museum, as well as scales, barometers, and various meters.

The museum carries excellent eclectic items from the 1700s to the 2000s and has been operating since 2010.

There are approximately 550 mostly American clocks, vintage maps from the 19th century, 1,500 salt and pepper shakers, other collectible items on display, and many more items related to surveying, like solar instruments, measuring, and drafting tools.

This collection of early surveying tools is an idea of Johnny Ingram, a Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor who shared an interest in the early surveying period.

Invite your family or friends to see their latest additions of Mechanical Music Instruments, Telephone Systems, and vintage Computer Systems.

Every visit is new as they are constantly updating their large collections.

Address: 301 N Polk St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Old Mill Antiques

Be ready to shop in over 22,000 sq. feet of antiques under one roof!

Located in Historic Downtown Jefferson, Texas, the Old Mill Antiques has served residents and tourists for decades. If not for shopping, join a ghost tour in one of the locations of The Historic Jefferson Texas Ghost Walk Tour, held every Friday and Saturday night.

At a fair price, you can choose from a wide selection of the largest antique store in Jefferson, Texas. Their staff will be happy to welcome you and help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Old Mill is not your typical antique store. Besides selling antiques, vintage products, and other miscellaneous items, the store offers, Buy and Sell services as they always look for special items.

They also offer value estimates, sell large antique items on consignment with certain terms, and rent out booth areas for vendors who like to sell their antiques and vintage items.

To participate in the city’s historical tradition, they offer ghost tours and even rent out their place for a ghost hunt!

You could look around for hours and not get lost in the well-furnished place. It’s like treasure hunting in an old, rustic building.

Address: 210 E Austin St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Singleton’s Virginia Cross Home

Visit the beautiful antebellum home in the older portion of Jefferson, Texas.

To see a fine example of early Texas Greek Revival architecture, you must visit Singleton’s Virginia Cross Home. The house resembled the 18th Century Virginia houses of the cross plan, hence its name.

Just nearby the Jefferson Historic District, this home is an easy walk from downtown. It houses more than just American empire and Renaissance Revival antique furniture and accessories. It’s also full of history!

The Singleton family lived here for over a century beginning in 1885, and was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark.

The house was restored in 1989 by Mary and Weldon Nash, its current owners. Its Cypress lumber exterior walls covered with Cypress clapboards still look more vibrant than ever!

Visit the house’s Parlor and Central Hall decorated with period wallpaper. Its interior furnishings have kept up with the 1860 to 1885 time period.

If you’re around Jefferson and plan to experience the tour, note that you can reserve only on selected Saturdays at 1:00 pm.

Recorded into the National Register of Historic Places and Historic American Building Survey in 1970 and 1966, respectively, Singleton’s Virginia Cross Home will be an apple to your eye.

You’ll never see another one like it in Jefferson!

Address: 401 N Soda St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

The Grove

Elevate your travel experience by driving into the “most haunted place in Texas” – The Grove. Stepping into this historic property in the old riverport city of Jefferson, Texas, will give you the chills.

The Grove, also known as the Stilley–Young House, exhibits many external features of a Greek Revival home. But the closer you look, you’ll also see an influence of Creole Architecture.

Built by Frank and Minerva Stilley in 1861, the house is a private residence and tour home in the old Stephen Smith Land Grant section of town. Although it was restructured in 1870 to add a room in the detached kitchen to the house and an indoor bathroom, it pretty much retained its look as it was in 1861.

You’ll be entering into a Texas Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was believed to be one of the most haunted locations in the Lone Star State.

In fact, USA Today listed The Grove in Jefferson, Texas, as one of the 10 Best Haunted Destinations in America.

The stories go back over a century ago when a man named T.C. Burke purchased the home with his family and moved back out immediately, saying, “We can’t live there.”

You’ll hear more of this story, but it’s a popular belief that a spirit of a white lady, a man in the garden striding through Lily beds, and a mischievous entity in the den reside here.

This one-story building made of cypress wood has been featured in the television series If Walls Could Talk on cable channel HGTV.

Are you brave enough to tour the place with a vibrant history of unexplained happenings?

Address: 405 Moseley St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

The House of the Seasons

The House of the Seasons opens its doors for you for a perfect bed and breakfast getaway.

Established in 1872 during the glory days of Jefferson, the house reflects the architecture during the transition period between the Greek Revival and Victorian styles.

Distinguished politicians, artists, entertainers, and writers enjoyed their stay in this historical location.

The House of the Seasons offers bed and breakfast accommodations with private tables and a tour of the house and gardens.

You can also reserve a place in the house or garden exclusively for special events like weddings and intimate gatherings.

In addition, their private home, The Marsh Place, with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a dining room, would be a perfect home “away from home.” However, it’s only available for a two-night minimum rental.

You will love the unique features of the house, especially the cupola with different colored stained glass depicting the illusion of all seasons.

Their beautiful murals will fascinate you while viewing them from the first floor through the well-like opening.

Overall, the house’s interior is decorated in an 1870s fashion, of which many pieces of furniture originally came with the house.

Address: 409 S Alley St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

Turning Basin Riverboat Tours

Enjoying the bayou from a distance is not as fun as touring the whole basin!

For over 30 years, the Jefferson community has been providing locals and visitors a tour “on the bayou” while narrating the city’s history.

If you’re on this tour, you will learn about its steamboat business from Jefferson to New Orleans and information about the trees, flora, and fauna along the bayou.

Feel free to ask about other related subjects; your well-researched guides will enlighten you. It’s not that formal or anything, as they like to joke around, too! They try to keep your engagement as casual but informative as possible!

Welcome aboard one of their boats, formerly the “LaSalle Adventure” boats from Six Flags over Texas.

Each boat has a seating capacity of 22 people, suitable for educational or group tours.

While the boats have roofs to protect you from the sun, it is advisable to bring sun-protective items or coverings, especially on a hot summer.

You’ll have a pleasant day after the nice little afternoon boat ride down the bayou.

Address: 200 Bayou St, Jefferson, TX 75657, United States

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