With vast prairies, historic Western towns, and luxury cattle ranches, Texas has no shortage of scenic backdrops. Combined with incentives from local governments, maybe that’s why so many TV shows and movies have been produced in the state for over 60 years. To capture some of that cinema magic, consider hosting a meeting in the same location as a movie or TV favorite.
Enchanted Springs Ranch in Boerne has re-created a 6-acre Old West town and started out as a Hollywood movie set in 2001. Commercials for Capital One, Chevrolet, and World Wrestling Entertainment have been filmed in the town, along with a Miranda Lambert music video, History Channel TV shows, and the movie “Palo Pinto Gold.” The ranch covers 86 acres north of San Antonio, including two saloon-style venues with bars and a capacity for 1,000 attendees across indoor and outdoor spaces. Attendees can take a wagon tour of the “back 40” to see longhorn cattle and other animals.
Southfork Ranch in Parker was home to J.R. Ewing and the rest of the Ewing clan in the beloved TV show “Dallas,” which aired from 1978 to 1991. But the ranch is much more than that, says Sean Terry, vice president of entitlements for Centurion American Development Group, which owns and operates Southfork Ranch. “It is an event center, museum, and experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else,” he says. With 63,000 square feet of customizable meeting space, the venue is an iconic backdrop for small groups of 10 or large meetings for up to 2,000 attendees.
Waxahachie is nicknamed the “Movie Capital of Texas,” thanks to the long list of TV shows and movies that have been filmed in this north Texas town—from the 1967 classic “Bonnie and Clyde,” starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, to Oscar-winning “Places in the Heart,” starring Sally Field. Directors have returned to the historic homes, quaint streets, and wide-open country near Waxahachie to create over 30 movies. Venue options include the Waxahachie Civic Center with over 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, as well as the Ellis County Women’s Building and the 1889 Venue on the Square, each with event space for up to 150 attendees.
