Each year, Visit Brenham recognizes outstanding businesses and organizations for their contributions to tourism at the Tourism Partner Awards. The awards celebrate creativity, collaboration, and commitment to enhancing the visitor experience in Brenham and Washington County.
These partners play a vital role in shaping how visitors experience Brenham. Their efforts strengthen our destination, support local businesses, and create meaningful experiences that keep visitors coming back.
Congratulations to our 2025 Tourism Partner Award Winners:
Collaboration Award
Salud! and LaJefa Homestyle Birria were recognized for their creative partnership that elevates Brenham’s food scene. By working together, these businesses exemplify how collaboration enhances the downtown experience and strengthens Brenham’s reputation as a must-visit culinary destination.
Family Friendly Award
Brenham Maifest received the Family Friendly Award for its long-standing tradition of welcoming families to celebrate culture, music, and community. The festival continues to draw multi-generational visitors and remains a cornerstone of family travel to Washington County.
The Legacy Award
The Legacy Award honors a treasured Brenham landmark whose story spans nearly a century. Thanks to the vision and dedication of community leaders committed to preservation, it was saved and thoughtfully restored. Today, the Simon Theatre and adjoining buildings—now known as The Barnhill Center—serve as a vibrant hub for music, theatre, education, and community gatherings.
Newcomer of the Year Award
Danny’s was honored for quickly becoming a favorite restaurant among locals and visitors alike. Since opening, the business has added energy to Brenham’s dining scene and made an immediate impact on the visitor experience.
Outside the Box Award
By reimagining how a tasting room can look and feel, Haak Winery has created an environment that invites visitors to linger, explore, and capture the experience. The result is a destination that feels fresh, unexpected, and unmistakably Brenham.
Partner of the Year Award
Texas Arts & Music Festival earned Partner of the Year honors for its significant impact on tourism and the arts. The festival draws visitors from across the region and promotes Brenham year-round as a destination for live music, art, and culture.
Picture Perfect Award
The Laundry Event Hall received the Picture Perfect Award for its beautifully restored space that serves as a stunning backdrop for weddings, events, and photography—showcasing Brenham’s charm through every shared image.
SHINING STAR AWARD
The Shining Star Award recognizes The Burton Short Stop. Long known for award-winning hamburgers and home-cooked daily specials, The Short Stop got even better with an expansion of the iconic Burton Ice House—now a popular live-music destination that enhances the visitor experience.
SILVER STAR AWARD
Celebrating its Silver Anniversary of 25 years, Volare Italian Restaurant is a special kind of place where you’ll find every visit feels like a celebration—whether it’s a special occasion or just a night out with friends. Blending classic Italian comfort with unmistakable Texas warmth, this longtime local favorite has become a go-to gathering spot for decades, earning its place not just as a restaurant, but as a cherished part of the community.
SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD
Floyd’s Lounge was recognized for its engaging and authentic social media presence that captures the energy of the business and inspires visitors to experience it in person.
VISIONARY AWARD
Vision requires courage, creativity, and a belief in what a destination can become. Texas Star Winery embraced that vision by investing in experiences that go beyond the tasting room—hosting events, supporting live music, and creating a place where visitors linger long after their first sip.