Things to Do in Eustace, Texas
Eustace is a small Henderson County town with outsized access to the outdoors: a state park just down the road, Cedar Creek Lake nearby, a local winery, and the attractions of Athens a short drive away. For a town its size, there's a lot to do.
Here's what to do in and around Eustace.
Purtis Creek State Park
Eustace's standout attraction is Purtis Creek State Park, just a few miles away — a quiet, scenic park built around a small lake renowned for its catch-and-release bass fishing. The park offers fishing from the bank, pier, or boat (with a no-wake rule that keeps the water calm), along with kayaking and canoeing, hiking trails, picnic areas, camping, and birdwatching.
Its peaceful setting and excellent fishing make Purtis Creek a beloved outdoor destination, and having a Texas state park essentially in the backyard is a real perk for Eustace. It's an easy, rewarding outing for a day on the water or a night under the pines.
Cedar Creek Lake and a Local Winery
To the west, Cedar Creek Lake — one of the largest lakes in Texas — offers a huge range of recreation: fishing, boating, water sports, birdwatching, and lakeside relaxation, with parks, public boat ramps, marinas, and lakeside dining all around its shores. Gun Barrel City, on the lake, is only about six miles west-northwest of Eustace.
East of town, Tara Vineyard & Winery (8603 CR 3914, northwest of Athens) has a tasting room and also hosts weddings. Together, the lake and the winery add variety to the area's recreation.
Athens and the Area
Southeast on US-175, Athens — the Henderson County seat — is about a dozen miles away and offers a cluster of attractions: the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center with its aquariums and casting ponds, the East Texas Arboretum's gardens and trails, and the shops and restaurants of a small county-seat town.
Between Purtis Creek State Park, Cedar Creek Lake, the local winery, and the attractions of Athens, Eustace offers a surprisingly full menu of things to do — outdoor recreation, family outings, and small-town charm all within easy reach.
Concerts & Shows Near Eustace
Listings from Ticketmaster, updated October 12, 2026. Tickets are sold by Ticketmaster; we don't check these dates ourselves, so confirm on the ticket page.
- Fri, Nov 13 · 8:00 PM Southall (18+ Event) · Silver Saloon, Terrell · 29 mi
FAQ: Things to Do in Eustace
Eustace offers Purtis Creek State Park for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and camping just down the road, plus Cedar Creek Lake recreation nearby and Tara Vineyard & Winery for wine tasting. The attractions of Athens — the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, East Texas Arboretum, and more — are about a dozen miles southeast.
Purtis Creek State Park, a few miles from Eustace, is a scenic Texas state park built around a small lake renowned for catch-and-release bass fishing. It offers fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking trails, picnic areas, camping, and birdwatching in a peaceful setting.
Yes. Cedar Creek Lake, one of the largest lakes in Texas, lies west of Eustace, offering fishing, boating, water sports, and lakeside dining with parks, marinas, and public boat ramps around its shores. The Eustace area sits within easy reach of the lake.
Yes. Tara Vineyard & Winery is at 8603 CR 3914, northwest of Athens and east of Eustace. It has a tasting room and also hosts weddings.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Eustace in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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