Hillsboro

Many stop at Hillsboro to shop, and it's little wonder: the sprawl of outlet malls is what you see from the interstate. But those who've thought of this old town built on railroad and cotton wealth in terms of only retail purchases are in for a pleasant surprise if they head a few blocks west of the freeway to Hillsboro's downtown area, where historic structures include the gorgeous Hill County Courthouse, which underwent a $12 million renovation in the early 1990s; the MKT Depot, a restored railroad station that now houses the town's visitor center; and the High Renaissance-style library.