The Mast Arboretum in Nacogdoches is home to more than 7,500 plant species. It is located along Lanana Creek on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus and covers 10 acres. As the oldest university arboretum in Texas, it combines botanical diversity with a distinctive history. Gardens, waterfront paths and buildings from different eras also shape the character of the place.
Gardens and Native Plants
The Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden offers a different perspective on the garden landscape: it covers 11 acres and is open from sunrise to sunset. The two sites are similar in size; the Mast Arboretum features more than 7,500 plant species, while the name of the Azalea Garden itself points to its particular focus on gardens.
The Pineywoods Native Plant Center brings together nature, research and recreation. Spanning 40 acres, it is a living laboratory and also offers recreational opportunities for the community and region. Two miles of accessible trails wind through native woodland and diverse gardens. Those interested in native plants will find a different focus here than at the arboretum, with its wide variety of species.
Lake and Outdoor Trails
Southwest of Nacogdoches lies Lake Nacogdoches, a 2,210-acre reservoir. The two lakeside parks provided by the city each have boat ramps with docks, picnic and swimming areas, and restrooms. The parks therefore offer both waterfront facilities and places to take a break.
A two-thirds-of-a-mile nature trail is located at Westside Park. For a longer route, take the Lanana (The Nurse) Creek Trail: This 2.7-mile hiking, biking and nature trail runs between East Main and East Austin. It was created in 1986 as a tribute to the 150th anniversary of Texas. The different trail lengths make it easy to choose a route that suits your preferred distance, without limiting garden and nature visits to a single trail.
Architecture and Local History
Millard's Crossing Historic Village showcases the architectural history of East Texas in the 19th century. Rustic log cabins stand alongside elegant Victorian homes; this contrast brings the range of architectural styles to life. Another historic residence is the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library, a dogtrot house built by Adolphus Sterne in 1830.
Inside the Sterne-Hoya House, period antiques, family heirlooms and a library on Texas history tell the stories of two families: the Sterne family during the Texas Revolution and the Hoya family in the Victorian era. A visit thus leads from the house's architectural style to the people and historical context associated with it.
Religious and public buildings also contribute to the architectural landscape. The architecturally significant Zion Hill Baptist Church was designed in the Gothic Revival style by local architect Diedrich Rulfs. The Old Nacogdoches University Building now houses a small museum on the city's educational history and is considered an outstanding example of Greek Revival classicism from the early and mid-19th century.
Museums and Local Traditions
The Fire Museum is home to “Big Bertha,” a 1923 Seagrave fire engine and the first fire truck in Nacogdoches. The Nacogdoches Railroad Depot now houses a transportation museum dedicated to the history of the railroad and its passengers. The two sites draw attention to different aspects of the city's history: firefighting and transportation.
The Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau is located in the historic center on the historic route El Camino Real de Los Tejas, today's Main Street. This location also connects the city's history with a specific point of reference. The Texas Blueberry Festival is part of the annual calendar of events, celebrating the state's blueberry harvest in the heart of Texas's oldest city.
The Nacogdoches Farmers Market is a nonprofit organization. In summer, it grows to more than 45 vendors selling a variety of locally grown and homemade goods. For your trip, this offers a change of pace between gardens and nature trails, historic architecture, museums and seasonal events.
Discover more destinations: Nacogdoches, Comanche, Brazos, Anderson, Dickens County, Mclennan, Frio County, Tom Green
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
