For 63 years, the City of Ennis has celebrated its forty plus miles of Bluebonnet Trails that have been sponsored and mapped out by the Ennis Garden Club. The bluebonnet, which happens to be the state flower, is the most abundant and stunning carpet of cheery blue flowers you will ever behold!
Ennis, considered the Bluebonnet Capital of North Texas, is located 39 miles south of Dallas and 74 miles southeast of Waco
For 63 years, the City of Ennis has celebrated its forty plus miles of Bluebonnet Trails that have been sponsored and mapped out by the Ennis Garden Club. The bluebonnet, which happens to be the state flower, is the most abundant and stunning carpet of cheery blue flowers you will ever behold!
Ennis, considered the Bluebonnet Capital of North Texas, is located 39 miles south of Dallas and 74 miles southeast of Waco. This breathtaking little city, populated by 18,653 residents, encompasses an area of about 18 square miles and has a humid, rather subtropical climate. This is excellent news for anyone with a green thumb! As you amble down the brick streets of the Historic District, stopping to browse at the upscale Thrifty Barn (You wouldn't think so by the name, but trust us, this place is amazing!) or to smell the flowers at Ennis Flower and Gift Shop, you can feel yourself relaxing and your mood elevating. Another local favorite pastime, although it only comes around once per year, is to drive along the 40 miles of Bluebonnet Trails as mapped and sponsored each April by the Ennis Garden Club. The actual Bluebonnet Festival is held in the middle of the month and features live music, plenty of arts and crafts, and spectacular country rides to take photos and just enjoy the colorful beauty of the abundant Bluebonnet!
Moving to Ennis
If you're moving to Ennis, be sure to avoid the summer months -- unless you're looking to work up an ocean of sweat moving your couch in. Winters are chillier, but mild enough that you can move in comfortably. You might also want to avoid September since that's when Ennis hosts NHRA O'Reilly Fall Nationals and people flood in to get in on the festivities.
When renting, make sure to bring along all the right documents so that you don't lose out on your first choice. This means you should have copies of your ID, bank statements, letters of reference, and a blank check so you can write out the deposit right then and there.
Neighborhoods of Ennis
Moving to a new city is both exciting and a little daunting at first. Knowing what the neighborhoods offer and where they are located in proximity to major thoroughfares is an important factor when you are trying to decide where the best spot to settle into a new home and a new life is for you personally. Below is some helpful information about the three distinct areas of Ennis which will help you decide where you should begin your search.
Boyce/Ensign: If you are looking for premier apartments for rent in Ellis, this might be just the neighborhood for you. Located west of I-45 with Bardwell Lake at it's center, this provincial neighborhood is loaded with medium to large apartments and homes for rent. South of Bardwell Lake and Mott Park, the neighborhood becomes very rural and scenic with plenty of room between you and your neighbors. So if you are one who values privacy and peace, this just might be your Shangri La! On the northern side of Bardwell Lake, from Waxahachie Creek Park heading northwestward, the neighborhood is still considered rural, but the homes and businesses are a bit more prevalent than the southern edge. One word of caution for those with sensitive ears, if you choose to live in rental apartments near Hwy 287 and Old Boyce Rd., your neighbor is the Texas Motorplex! Fantastic for race fans of drag racing, muscles cars and monster trucks, of which there are just a few here in Texas.
W. Ennis Ave/S. Clay St: This charming, suburban neighborhood is just east of Bardwell Lake, with easy access to Hwy 287, I-458 and I-45. So if you anticipate a commute in your future, once you've settled into the luxury apartments of your choice, you can look forward to having no troubles commuting back and forth each day. Choosing to live in this area will allow you to simply walk, bike or jog over to Bluebonnet City Park for you daily workout routine or a game of fetch with your furry friend. The properties are generally small to medium-sized (think studio on up to two or three bedrooms), many of which were built post-1970. However, this is very close to the city center and does have a fair share of homes that were built post WWII and pre-1970. These are some of the city's most cherished and lovingly cared for residences, as evidenced by the colorful gardens, intricate architecture and mature Magnolias that have been long established in the area. Where can you find your neighbors on any given weeknight? The Firehouse Grill on SW Main St. is where! They put the happy in happy hour and serve up the most tender, juicy rib-eye you will ever have the pleasure of sinking your teeth into.
City Center: There are plenty of studio, one, two and even a few three-bedroom apartments for rent in the City Center neighborhood. This is the most historic area of Ennis with it's charming brick streets, antique shops and wide, tree-lined and shady sidewalks. Whether you prefer a house rental or an apartment style rental, you will find exactly what you desire in the city center neighborhood, without too much of a hassle. There are high-rise complexes as well as stand alone, single-unit homes that have been extremely well tended and looked after by owners and tenants alike. Walking the streets, you can't help but be taken in and enchanted by the lushly blooming gardens as well as the historic vibe of the area. Bisected by I-45 from north to south, commuting is a snap for the locals who have to make the drive out and back in each day!
Living in Ennis
Living in Ennis is as relaxing or as exciting as you make it. There are plenty of local festivals to attend, such as the Bluebonnet Trails Festival in April and the National Polka Festival in May, which attract tourists and local alike. The city of Ennis also does a gorgeous job of celebrating the Christmas season, wrapping the trees with plenty of lights in the Historic District for all to enjoy. When locals aren't celebrating with festivals, many enjoy boating, skiing or fishing at Bardwell Lake. Relaxing beneath the Live Oaks in Bluebonnet City Park is another favorite pastime for residents seeking out a great picnic spot. When residents aren't playing on the Lake or enjoying any one of the lush city parks, Ennis has incredible local antique shops to wander through in the Downtown Historic District! Czech Heritage Shoppe and Antiques on W. Ennis is one you must explore when you have time! As far as nightlife goes, you've come to the right city to be thrilled. The Wooden Nickel Bar on W. Ennis Ave. is a hometown favorite music venue featuring the best Texas Country has to offer, friendly faces and frosty cold beer. Hands down, the best lunch spots in Ennis are the Wildflower Cafe on W. Knox (The Chicken Pomodori is out of this world!) and Brookshire's Bakery and Deli on W. Ennis Ave. There really is always something going on in this amazingly beautiful north Texas city, so what are you waiting for... come and see us for yourself!
