Just 23 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, the city of Rockwall, Texas — the county seat of Rockwall County — combines the best of big-city amenities with a small-town sense of community (thanks to a population of around 50,000). The picturesque landscape is highlighted by the 35-square-mile Lake Ray Hubbard, a charming downtown historic district and numerous parks, trails and golf courses. It's also the top place in North Texas to hear free live music throughout the week. 

Our Rockwall-savvy Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty agents know the beautiful neighborhoods inside and out, so you can trust them to find the perfect home to suit your lifestyle and specific needs. Below, discover some of the many reasons they love Rockwall, Texas, and why you will, too.

Lake Ray Hubbard

Spanning 22,000 acres (35.54 square miles), Lake Ray Hubbard is a freshwater, recreational lake created in 1968 on the east fork of the Trinity River. Rockwall residents and visitors to the area flock to the flowing waters for boating, fishing, waterskiing and kayaking — or simply relaxing on a watercraft or at the parks and beaches along its shores. Various species of largemouth bass, crappie and catfish are the types of fish most likely to be reeled in for catch-and-release or a delicious dinner. The Harbor on the Lake is a great destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, with spectacular lake views.

The parks and recreation

Lake Ray Hubbard isn't the only popular outdoor destination. The City of Rockwall is home to numerous parks, with amenities ranging from zip lines and hiking trails to disc golf and pickleball courts. Local live music can often be found at area parks, too, one of the reasons Rockwall has the designation as the Free Live Music Capital of North Texas. Rockwall is also home to three major golf courses.

The neighborhoods

The average price of a home in Rockwall, Texas, currently hovers around $438,000, with a range from the mid-$100,000s to close to $2 million. Most homes stay on the market for less than 17 days because of the desirability living in Rockwall, where the top neighborhoods include Highland Meadows, The Meadows, Lake Rockwall Estates, Windmill Ridge Estates and Lynden Park Estates. Another reason for Rockwall's popularity? The average price per square foot for a home is only $169, exactly half the average price of the lake-adjacent Lakewood neighborhood in Dallas.

The schools

Families with children always have to consider the schools before moving to a new city, and Rockwall features some of the top educational institutions in the North Texas region. Among the numerous public schools in town, Rockwall boasts five five-star-rated campuses: Nebbie Williams Elementary; Grace Hartman Elementary; Celia Hays Elementary; Williams Middle School; and Rockwall High School. Additionally, they have another seven four-star-rated schools.

The historic downtown

Rockwall has been designated a Texas Main Street City, which in the simplest terms means that it has loads of nostalgic Americana charm, making it a popular place for both visitors and locals to shop, dine and find entertainment among its historic structures. In addition to fantastic restaurants, bars and other venues, downtown Rockwall hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including a Spring Fling each March, Cinco de Mayo in May, a farmers' market during the summer months, Halloween festivities in October, Shop Small Saturday right after Thanksgiving and several holiday celebrations throughout December.

The breweries and wineries

Local breweries offer one of the greatest ways to get a sense of this destination with every sip of a unique-to-Rockwall beer. Hemisphere Brewing Co. began in 2012 and features such signature brews as Hula Girl Coconut Blonde Ale, Straight Dope India Pale Ale and A La Chelada Mexican Lager. Newer on the scene, Siren Rock Brewing Co. got its start in 2017 and now crafts a dozen different options, including The Prima Diva American Blonde Ale, The Divine Monk Belgian Wit and The Loyal Fool Blackberry Cobbler Sour. 

In recent years, Texas wines have become some of the most sought-after beverages, with more than 400 wineries statewide, making Texas the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the U.S. Rockwall is now part of that brag-worthy statistic with its own winery, VineCrafters. The family-run winery produces several wines from its grapes, including 2017 Tempranillo, a 2017 Blanc du Bois and a 2013 Texas Red Blend. Tours and tastings are available at each of the breweries and wineries.

The restaurants

The Rockwall restaurant scene continues to blossom, with some top-notch local options that are either unique to the area or to greater North Texas. Must-do visits include Standard Service for elevated American classics in a casual setting with fantastic outdoor space; Giovanni for traditional Italian; Zanata for artisan pizzas, steaks, seafood and vegetarian options; and Bin 303, a top-rated steakhouse with chops, seafood and burgers served in a charming old Craftsman-style house.

As with every city, town and neighborhood in North Texas, our expert agents know what makes Rockwall so special — and can help you find your perfect place in it. Intrigued? Let's get dreaming.