Ennis (Texas)

Ennis is in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.

Understand

Ennis, named after former long-time ago Houston mayor Cornelius Ennis, has had two fitting nicknames over its lifetime, [the town] "Where Railroads and Cotton Fields Meet" and the ""Official Bluebonnet City of Texas." After it was settled in 1871 with the arrival of the railroad, Ennis grew, particularly with Czech and European immigrants, and prospered with the cultivation of cotton that was readily shipped to Houston by rail. That relates to the first moniker. The second pertains to the abundance of Texas bluebonnets around March, that can be readily visited along a Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas that has been established around the town.

Get around

It is good to have a car to enjoy the Official Bluebonnet Trail, as it is 20 or so miles long, although biking would also conceivably do.

See

• 1 Ennis Bluebonnet Trails (Ennis Welcome Center), 201 NW Main, ☏ +1 972 878-4748. Really this is the highlight of a trip to Ennis if you're here in March or April. This designated tour (actually several routes) will take you by fields of bluebonnets that are very photogenic and memorable. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Ennis Railroad & Cultural Heritage Museum, 105 NE Main St, ☏ +1 972 875-1901. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1PM-4PM. Railroad history dioramas and Czech dolls. (updated Jan 2022)
• 3 Kachina Prairie Park, 1816 W Baldridge St, ☏ +1 972 878-1234. Supposedly one of the last patches of undisturbed Blackland Prairie, and it even has a buffalo statue. (updated Jan 2022)

Texas Blue-Bonnet -- Lupinus

Ennis September 2017 03 (The Vintage Cross Café)

Do

• 1 Lake Bardwell (Meadow View Nature Area), 1901 Laneview Dr, ☏ +1 972 878-4748. This is a scenic spot along Lake Bardwell where you can have a picnic or look at bluebonnets. Other sites along Lake Bardwell offer more water recreation. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Texas Motorplex, 7500 US-287, ☏ +1 972 878-2641. A built-up race course for drag racing with penthouses above the grandstand. (updated Jan 2022)
• Bluebonnet Trails Festival, coinciding with bluebonnet season in March or April.
• National Polka Festival, a Czech festival held around Memorial Day.
• Unity One Blues on Main Summer Music Festival, jazz and blues festival in June.

Ennis September 2017 31 (Texas Motorplex)

Sleep

• 1 Quality Inn, 107 Chamber of Commerce Dr, ☏ +1 972 875-9641. (updated Jan 2022)