The video above takes you on a rainy-day tour through Hempstead, Texas, a small town in Waller County about 50 miles northwest of Houston. With a population just above 6,000, Hempstead has that quiet, practical small-town feel — the kind of place where you find law offices, furniture shops, cleaners, and insurance buildings lining a compact historic downtown. David Bridwell stopped through on his way to a gig in Bryan and spent some time walking around, grabbing lunch, and soaking in the atmosphere on a calm, overcast afternoon.
What Is There to See and Do in Hempstead, Texas?
Hempstead is not a destination with a packed itinerary, and that's part of what makes it an honest stop. The historic downtown square has a handful of working businesses alongside some abandoned storefronts and spaces up for lease — a familiar picture in a lot of small Texas towns. One thing the community is genuinely proud of is its watermelon history. At one point, up through the 1940s, Hempstead was the top shipper of watermelons in the entire United States. That legacy lives on with the annual Watermelon Festival held every July, which is still a point of local pride. The town also dates back to the mid-1800s and carries some Civil War history worth looking into if you're passing through. For food, A La Mex Mexican Cafe right near the square turned out to be a solid find — really good Mexican food that made the stop worthwhile.
Where Does Hempstead Fit on a Texas Road Trip?
Hempstead sits in a useful spot between Houston and Bryan-College Station, making it a natural place to pull off, stretch your legs, and eat. It's considered part of the Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area, and the population has been growing slightly because of that proximity. Neighboring towns like Bellville, Brenham, and Navasota are all within a short drive, so if you're road-tripping through this part of Central Texas, you've got a cluster of small towns to explore. Hempstead won't take up your whole day, but it's a good break in the drive with enough character to be worth a walk around.
Live Music Near Hempstead
Hempstead itself is a quiet town without a prominent live music scene, but the surrounding area has options if you're willing to drive a bit. David Bridwell was headed to Bryan to perform, and that leg of the trip connects to a broader stretch of Texas with places to hear music.
- Blackwater Draw Brewing Company (Bryan, TX) — A brewery with a laid-back taproom atmosphere where live musicians perform for a friendly, relaxed crowd. This is where David Bridwell played the gig that prompted the Hempstead stop in the first place.
- Downtown Bryan — The historic downtown area in Bryan has a handful of bars and venues that regularly book live acts, making it a worthwhile destination if you're coming from the Hempstead direction.
- Brenham — About 30 minutes from Hempstead, Brenham has a small but steady local music scene with occasional shows at downtown restaurants and event spaces.
If you're driving through Waller County and looking for live music, your best bet is to keep heading northwest toward Bryan-College Station or loop over to Brenham. Hempstead is the kind of town you appreciate for what it is — a quiet, real place with good food and a story about watermelons.