Whether your stay is overnight, the weekend or the week, the Brenham area offers a full array of things to see, do and experience to fill your visit with special memories. Need some ideas? Contact our Visitor Center staff to help!
Belle’s Alley – Freedom Colonies Exhibit

Just steps from Toubin Park in Downtown Brenham, Belle’s Alley tells the powerful, under told stories of the Freedom Colonies established in Washington County between 1865 and 1930 by the formerly enslaved. During a turbulent time in history, these communities proved safety, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to build new lives as freedmen.
Explore how these colonies formed, why they mattered, and the legacy they left behind. As part of the exhibit, enjoy an interactive scavenger hunt that makes history engaging and fun for all ages!
This is a permanent exhibit that is open to the public 24/7.
Independence Visitor Center

Independence Historical Society offers tours of two of the earliest homes in Washington County, as well as a rural one-room schoolhouse. John P. Coles House provides an opportunity to experience Colonial Texas life. Free tours on selected March and April weekends; other times by appointment. Admission fee.
Silver Wings Ballroom
Open weekends and most school holidays. Family entertainment: roller skating, video games, concerts and banquets.
Chapelton Vineyards

Welcome to the Texas countryside where you can relax and enjoy a selection of local wines, celebrate a milestone, escape the city for a weekend in our villa, and spend time reconnecting with yourself and loved ones. Our mission here at Chapelton Vineyards is to provide you with an environment where premium wine is our priority, and to create opportunities for you to explore your wine knowledge further. We invite you to taste our wines, relax and unwind, and enjoy your time with us here. The vision for Chapelton Vineyards was born out of the Lyn’s love of the countryside. Living most of their life in the city, when they discovered Washington, TX, they fell in love with the relaxing experience, rolling hills, and of course the sunsets. After they bought property and built their personal home in Washington CO, they wanted to share their experience with others and bought more property in 2018 where they started the foundation for what is now Chapelton Vineyards. The vineyard was planted in 2019 & 2020, and the foundation of the winery building was poured in February of 2020. We are excited to continue to expand and grow our production facility as well as our estate vineyard. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on all of our upcoming events and releases!
Instagram: @chapeltonvineyards
Facebook: Chapelton Vineyards
Board and Brush Brenham

At Board & Brush in Brenham, we marry the joy of wine and paint with the classic timelessness of wooden signs. Our instructor-led DIY wood sign workshops allow you to combine your creativity and willingness to learn new skills. We provide you with the instruction, materials and design for you to distress, sand, stain, paint, and customize your personalized piece of art! Pick your preferred custom wood sign design, sign up for a DIY wood sign workshop that best works for you and your friends or family, and then show up for a fun, instructor led, hands-on experience. Board & Brush Brenham is located four blocks from historic downtown Brenham, directly across from St. Paul‘s Lutheran Church. Ample off-street parking available. Have any questions? Please feel free to contact us via phone or email. We are happy to help and would love to see you in our wood sign workshop very soon!