Antique Rose Emporium
Pet Friendly Family Friendly Parking Available
This 8-acre retail garden features antique roses, native plants, perennials, herbs and wildflowers. Beautiful gardens to stroll and a nice little gift shop to accessorize your garden. Groups are welcome for tours. The Antique Rose Emporium is also a prime location to hold a wedding and/or reception. Facilities include gardens with tents, gazebo, chapel, outdoor covered pavilion and Victorian house – perfect for weddings with up to 225 seated guests.
Blue Bell Creameries & Ice Cream Parlor
Come visit the “little creamery” in Brenham and learn all about how Texas’ favorite sweet treat is made! Visitors have the opportunity to browse the Visitor Center which is filled with pictures, videos and history of the “best ice cream in the country.” No visit to Blue Bell is complete without a generous scoop of ice cream from the Parlor and a trip to the Country Store for a unique gift or souvenir.
Step into the Past Tours
Learn about Brenham’s importance in early Texas history. “Meet” Texas’ early forefathers and hear stories of their exciting adventures. See unique artifacts that will delight you. See how aristocrats lived in the days before plumbing and electricity. Learn about Brenham’s State Antiquities Landmark, a system of historic public cisterns.
STEP INTO THE PAST Tours are fun for groups of all sizes. Call in advance for arrangements to see historic sites around Brenham and Washington County. Friendly and knowledgeable guides tell fun stories, but some sites can be toured without guides.
Must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
Brenham Fire Museum
See rare antique fire engines. Learn why Brenham was burned. Hear the stories behind Maifest and Washington County Fair.
The Brenham Fire Museum was formed in 1867, to protect lives and property in the face of adversity. Shortly after, an extensive system of public cisterns was built under the streets to provide water for fighting fires. Hence, Brenham became the first Texas city to provide public services. Brenham’s historic public cisterns are a Texas Antiquities Landmark.
See Brenham’s rare Silsby Fire Engine that operated with cisterns as its water source. You’ll also see Samanthe, purchased in 1923, one of only three in the world today. Invader, purchased in 1950 is also on display.
The Brenham Fire Museum is open from 11am – 2pm, and is free entry.
If you would like to schedule a private tour of the Museum on a day we are not open to the public, those can be arranged by calling 979-337-7580. Private tours must be scheduled at least a week in advance, and a cost will be associated with this. $5/person (free for children 6 years and under). Minimum of 5 people.
For continuous hours and updates, please check the Brenham Fire Museum Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/brenhamfiremuseum
Adventure290
As you drive along Highway 290 between Austin and Houston, take a few time outs to enjoy the scenery! Each of the eight stops along the highway will reveal to you something special about that community. Record the answer in your Passport to win a prize. Of course, you’re always welcome to return to enjoy the area more – there are numerous things to do in each charming place.