Texas Road Trip: Burton, Where the Back Roads End

If you’re itching for a nice day trip out of the city, look for Burton, Texas — smack dab in the middle of it all between Houston and Austin. It’s a sleepy little town where the back roads end, but don’t overlook the lively nightlife, fabulous antique shopping and mouth-waterin’ grub. The historic buildings make a nice backdrop for quinceañera or prom pics … or even your next feature film.

The 1914 Texas Cotton Gin Museum, 307 North Main, is the oldest operating cotton gin in the country. Daily tours showcase cotton and the cotton industry, let guests try their hand at picking cotton, and demonstrate how seeds are separated from the fibers.
Burton Roadhouse, 518 North Railroad, brings in top acts from Houston, Austin and all over the great state of Texas.
Burton Roadhouse, 518 North Railroad, features open mic nights, live music and karaoke, plus a kickin’ menu and a hair-of-the-dog Sunday brunch that keeps the party going.
Insiders keep the party going at Burton Roadhouse, 518 North Railroad, with the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar and mimosa pours during Sunday brunch.
The Burton Heritage Society owns and maintains the Burton Railroad Depot and Museum, 507 North Railroad. From 1870 to the early 1950s the depot was the center of town, where locals and visitors gathered and retrieved their mail.
The Burton Heritage Society owns and maintains the Burton Railroad Depot and Museum, 507 North Railroad. Take your next selfie at this historic venue.
The Burton Heritage Society owns and maintains the Burton Railroad Depot and Museum, 507 North Railroad. The visitor’s center is open on the first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Flown the Coop, 701 North Main, sells vintage, industrial and homestead goods and is dedicated to those who can’t be caged. Their found treasures, rusted furniture and upcycled ephemera are perfect for home, office or that restaurant redo.
Tiffany Eckhardt, proprietor of Flown the Coop, 701 North Main, scours the back roads for amazing finds and treasures. Maggie Magenta often leads the parade.
Flown the Coop, 701 North Main, has established itself as a community hot spot, hosting karaoke nights, impromptu jam sessions and street markets. Get our wings here.
The Burton Heritage Society owns and maintains the Mt. Zion Historical Chapel. From 1881 to 1900, the church served the Burton Baptist congregation for services, weddings, funerals and the community.
The Burton community was established in 1870 by German immigrant families. It was the home of Texas Ranger L. H. McNelly and is listed in the National Register as a commercial historic district.
Burton is located on the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Independence Trail, which preserves the history of Texas’ struggle for independence and its years as a sovereign republic (1836-1845).
Saddlehorn Winery, 958 FM 1948 North, looks country on the outside but it’s all swank on the inside. They offer award-winning wines made from Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish estate-grown grapes. Hit them up on Saturdays for wood-fired pizzas and bruschetta (weather-permitting). Visit their Facebook page for painting and sipping parties and tasting events.
Shelby and Joel Geshay, the owners of Bayberry’s Antiques (12408 East Texas), stumbled on this quaint little town 15 years ago and fell in love with it.
Shelby and Joel Geshay, the owners of Bayberry’s Antiques (12408 East Texas), dreamt of owning an antique store and they opened for business during Antiques Week in the spring of 2015.
The White Horse Tavern, 400 North Main, is a nice, small-town saloon away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The building, constructed in 1922, was originally Schwartz & Schwartz Mercantile. Stop by for live music on weekends and hearty lunches (Tuesday through Friday).
This property at 12513 West Washington was once the home of the famous Burton Cafe and is on the hunt for a new proprietor.
This historic building at 12515 West Texas has served as home base for many barbers and beauticians over the years. Check out the vintage hair dryer on the front porch, then come on in for a spiffing up at the Hair Depot.
Proprietors Shelby and Joel Geshay, who also own Bayberry’s Antiques, discovered this 100-year-old Victorian home and rebuilt it into a bed and breakfast, The Burton House, 711 Trinity.
The Burton House, 711 Trinity, is a bed and breakfast in a 100-year-old Victorian home, lovingly furnished with antiques and homey decor.
The Brazos Belle, 600 Main Street, is a true Country-French Restaurant.
The Brazos Belle, 600 Main Street, is on the scenic La Bahia Trail.
Brazos Belle’s Chef Andre Delacroix hails from Tricot, a small village in the Picard region of France, 50 miles north of Paris.
The Brazos Belle, 600 Main Street. Everybody has a favorite dish here; so much so that it’s hard to switch allegiances and try other menu offerings.
The Brazos Belle, 600 Main Street.
In a lesson to dueling religions everywhere, the Burton Bridge Ministry reflects a combined effort of a dozen churches in and around Burton to offer guidance and support to the community, plus some amazing shopping finds. Don’t miss their Christmas annex next store.
This bed and breakfast on North Main is beautifully preserved with historic architecture and a conical roof.
Location scouts for feature films will want to check out the yesteryear locations in this sleepy little town.
Location scouts for feature films will want to check out the yesteryear locations in this sleepy little town.
Location scouts for feature films will want to check out the yesteryear locations in this sleepy little town.
Market Realty Inc., 615 North Main, knows the history and provenance of these architectural structures, and vintage finds keep showing up at their antiques annex next door.
Motorcyclists riding from Houston or Austin to Lake Somerville put Burton on their must-stop travel plans. Shown here: Malloy’s Automotive Service and Diagnostic Center, 13200 Highway 290 West.
Malloy’s Automotive Service and Diagnostic Center, 13200 Highway 290 West, has been serving the Burton and neighboring communities for decades.
Hungry? Stop by the Cotton Pickin’ Kitchen inside Malloy’s Automotive Service and Diagnostic Center.
Hungry? Stop by the Cotton Pickin’ Kitchen inside Malloy’s Automotive Service and Diagnostic Center.
Don’t get back on the road until you take a selfie next to this sculpture at Malloy’s Automotive Service and Diagnostic Center.
Butterfly boxes by Olivia Flores and garden by Sabrina Burke, part of a Girl Scout project near the Burton Railroad Depot.
The Burton Short Stop, 12400 FM 390 Road West, cooks up a mean breakfast and is known for its homestyle cookin’ during lunch and dinner.
The Burton Short Stop, 12400 FM 390 Road West, cooks up a mean breakfast and is known for its homestyle cookin’ during lunch and dinner.