Did you know Blue Bell Ice Cream was founded in a small Texas city? Or how about your beloved Dr. Pepper? Family travelers looking to take a quirky vacation should make for Texas, where some of the most beloved U.S. brands we know and love today originated.
Barton Springs Pool © Travel Texas
YETI, yes, the tumbler and drink storage brand, was founded in a garage in 2006 in Austin, Texas by two brothers; the brand exploded into a nationwide name. In Austin, stop by YETI’s flagship store to personalize your next cooler or sit out on the patio to enjoy live music and a drink. After a trip to the store, head to Barton Springs Pool to cool off or bike to Mount Bonnell for scenic views. Just be sure to bring your favorite YETI water bottle or cooler with you!
© Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Created in Waco in 1885, Dr. Pepper uses a blend of 23 flavors to make the soft drink we all know today. In Waco, you’ll find The Dr. Pepper Museum in a former, 100-year-old manufacturing and bottling facility. Get the “extreme pepper experience” with a guided tour, photo opportunities, a large Dr. Pepper float and private make-a-soda experience.
© Travel Texas
This popular ice cream brand was founded in 1907 in none other than Brenham, Texas, a small city in east central Texas. Learn about the company’s history and how it was produced at Little Creamery. Here, visitors learn how ice cream is made and can even enjoy a scoop of ice cream and time in the Country Store looking for souvenirs. Brenham also features a charming downtown with boutiques, antique shops and galleries, as well as lavender fields at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm.
Dating back to 1909, Shiner beer has always been produced and brewed at Spoetzl Brewery in, yes, Shiner, Texas. This brewery offers interactive, kid-friendly tours showcasing how the beer is made. In addition to tours, the brewery is home to an on-site restaurant and hosts monthly events.
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