Washington County, Texas is nestled in the central-east part of Texas. Now, the county itself is relatively small (population is about 35,000 residents), but if there were ever a quintessential Texas county, this little guy would certainly be in the discussion.

The best part, and perhaps one of the most Texas characteristics of the county, is that Washington County is tucked inside of a triangle made up of I-35, I-45, and I-10. In essence, no matter where you are in Texas, you can easily drive to Washington County.

There happens to be a lot of Texas history wrapped up in this area of the state, and as such, it’s worth a trip out there. If you’re still on the fence about it, here are five things you need to do in Washington County, Texas:

Washington County Memorial Plaza in Brenham, TX – Texas has a long history when it comes to serving the county in armed conflict around the globe. In 2002, this memorial was erected & dedicated to honoring more than 2,000 veterans of Washington County serving in all wars and serves as a lasting tribute to the men and women of Washington County who have worn the uniforms of the United States military.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, TX – On the campus of Texas A&M University, this museum tells the life and times of our nation’s 41st president (hence the nickname “41”). You can check out replicas of the White House Situation Room, the White House Press Room, and an Oval Office.

The Gallery at Round Top in Round Top, TX- You may not have expected an art scene in this part of the world, but The Gallery at Round Top specializes in high-quality original artwork by nationally renowned artists. The Gallery’s sister store, Comforts, also boasts handcrafted items designed for gift giving and for the home. It’s worthy of their tagline: “Art Designed for Living.”

Adventure290 – If you can’t make up your mind as to where in Washington County you want to visit, why not travel the entire county? Drive along Highway 290 between Austin, TX & Houston, TX & join #Adventure290 to help you discover the hidden gems in eight different communities along Highway 290.